|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Here is an working example of a Troop Bylaws as developed by Troop 524 of the Viking Council. TROOP 524 BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - GENERAL
These by-laws are guidelines for all youth and adult members of Boy Scout Troop 524. Troop 524 is chartered by the Church of the Epiphany Ushers Club and operates in accordance with the policies of the Three Rivers District, Viking Council, and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Troop 524 and the Boy Scouts of America exist to provide boys an effective program designed to build desirable qualities of character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to enhance the development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
SCOUT SECTION
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
GUIDELINES
SECTION 1 -
ELIGIBILITY. Membership in the Troop is available to boys who have completed
the fifth grade or are at least eleven years old. Boys remain eligible until
they are eighteen years old. Boys do not have to be Catholic, be a member of
Church of the Epiphany, or attend Epiphany School to join Troop 524.
SECTION 2 -
PRINCIPLES. All registered Scouts must abide by the Scout Oath and the Scout
Law.
SECTION 3 -
APPLICATION. Boys apply to the Troop by completing an official application with
their parents, and submitting the application to the Scoutmaster. A boy becomes
a member of the Troop when he has paid the required fees (see Article IV) and
his application is approved by the Scoutmaster.
SECTION 4 -
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS. Any boys, particularly Webelos Cub Scouts, interested in
joining the Troop are encouraged to attend Troop meetings or other Troop
activities. The boy’s parent or den leader must accompany the boy and must
obtain the Scoutmaster’s permission to attend the event. The boy must pay any
necessary fees for activities that he attends. Prospective members are not
covered by the Troop’s insurance.
ARTICLE IV - FINANCES
SECTION 1 - FEES. Troop 524 charges fees as described below. All checks should be made payable to “Troop 524.” A separate sheet is available from the Troop Committee listing the dollar amounts of the various fees.
SECTION 2 - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Troop 524 is committed to providing the Scouting experience to any boy who wants to join, regardless of family financial situations. Any Scout or parent may request financial assistance by contacting the Scoutmaster. Requests will be handled discreetly by the Scoutmaster.
SECTION 3 - SCOUT FUND. Scouts may earn money through Troop-approved fundraising events like Donut Sundays, Christmas wreath sales, popcorn sales, etc. This money will be credited to the boy’s Scout Fund by the Troop Treasurer. The funds may be used for dues, registration fees, campout or summer camp fees, camping equipment, Scout uniforms, or other Scout-related expenses. If a Scout transfers to another troop or leaves Boy Scouts, the Treasurer will return the funds to him if he makes a written request within 30 days of the next time the Troop recharters. If no request is made within this period, the Scout forfeits the balance of his Scout Fund to the Troop.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES
SECTION 1 - GENERAL. The meetings listed below will be held during the months of September through June, generally aligning the Troop year with the school year. Additional Troop activities may be held during the summer. The Troop leadership (scout and adult) will conduct a planning session at the beginning of the year, then publish a calendar with all meetings and activities. All Troop meetings are considered “open” to parents, family members, and all Scout leaders.
SECTION 2 - TROOP MEETINGS. Troop 524 meets Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Epiphany School gym, cafeteria, or other designated meeting room/classroom. Exceptions to this will be announced in advance of a meeting.
SECTION 3 - COURTS OF HONOR. Approximately once a quarter, the Troop will hold a Court of Honor. At this special meeting, advancement, merit badges and leadership positions are awarded. Families and special guests are strongly encouraged to attend all Courts of Honor.
SECTION 4 - CAMPING TRIPS. Camping is a vital ingredient of Scouting, and Troop 524 will camp frequently.
SECTION 5 - RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE. Troop 524 will schedule activities such to allow time for worship service attendance. When a worship service is provided during the activity all Scouts will be expected to attend.
SECTION 6 - OTHER ACTIVITIES. Troop 524 will conduct or participate in many special activities during the year. Examples of these are events for fun (Twins game outing), to perform community service (Scouting for Food), to raise money (Donut Sundays), or for education (TV station field trip). Generally, a Scout and an adult will organize the event and publish information to include date, time, overall plan, equipment, cost, and family participation guidelines.
ARTICLE VI - UNIFORMS
Scouts in Troop 524 wear two uniforms as described below. The Scoutmaster or Senior Patrol Leader will announce the uniform prior to each event or activity. At a minimum, Scouts will travel to/from Troop activities in one of the two uniforms.
Dress Uniform: Consists of the official Scout shirt with all badges and insignia; neckerchief (scarf) with slide or bolo tie; and neat pants or shorts. Optional items include a cap (either the official green-and-red Scout cap, the Troop cap, or other BSA cap), the official pants or shorts, official socks, merit badge sash, and red patch vest.
Activity Uniform: Consists of either the Troop T-shirt or BSA T-shirt, worn with neat pants or shorts. Optional items include a cap (either the official green-and-red Scout cap, the Troop cap, or other BSA cap), the official pants or shorts, and official socks.
ARTICLE VII - ADVANCEMENT
SECTION 1 - GENERAL. Scouting provides a series of surmountable hurdles through the opportunity to advance in rank. The steps in the advancement system help a boy grow in self-confidence, self-reliance and the ability to help others.
SECTION 2 - ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible for any rank, the Scout must meet the requirements specified in the official Boy Scout Handbook. Any registered adult leader (except a boy’s parent or sibling) in the Troop can sign off requirements.
SECTION 3 - SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE. After satisfying all skill, knowledge, service project, merit badge, leadership and longevity requirements for a particular rank, a Scout will meet with the Scoutmaster in a Scoutmaster Conference.
SECTION 4 - BOARD OF REVIEW. The final step in earning rank advancement is to appear before a Board of Review. For all ranks below Eagle, the Board of Review consists of the Advancement Coordinator (or his/her designee) and two other registered adult committee members. Boards of Review take approximately 30 minutes and will normally be held during normal Troop meetings, except those for Eagle rank. The Troop Advancement Coordinator will coordinate all Boards of Review for Eagle rank.
ARTICLE VIII - TROOP
LEADERSHIP
Scouts will serve in leadership positions
within the Troop and patrols in accordance with BSA guidelines. Scouts will be
elected to leadership positions twice a year in elections conducted under the
supervision of the Scoutmaster.
ARTICLE IX - RULES
SECTION 1 -
SAFETY. No Scout may carry a
knife or ax of any kind until he receives the
Totin’ Chip.
Prior to participating in any water activity, each Scout must demonstrate his
ability to swim. No Scout may operate a boat or canoe alone, and each Scout
will wear a life jacket when he is in a boat or canoe. Scouts will wear helmets
when riding bicycles. Troop 524 will employ the buddy system at all troop
activities other than normal Troop meetings. Troop 524 will follow all other
safety guidelines in the
Safe Scouting program.
SECTION 2 -
PHYSICALS AND PERMISSION SLIPS. Prior
to participating in Troop activities other than normal meetings, Scouts will
have current physicals (Class 1 or 2, as appropriate) and permission slips on
file with Troop adult leadership.
SECTION 3 - DUES.
A Scout who does not pay his dues may not receive awards or participate in
troop-financed activities.
SECTION 4 -
ADVANCEMENT. Scout are encouraged to
advance one rank or earn three merit badges each year.
SECTION 5 - PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT. Scouts may
not wear camouflage-patterned clothes to Troop activities, especially camping
trips. This does not prevent Scouts from using normal government surplus
camping gear other than clothing. No weapons (other than pocket knives) may be
brought to any Troop meeting or activity. Pocket knives will not be brought
into the school building unless specifically authorized by the Scoutmaster for a
Troop activity. Scouts may not bring electronic gear (radios, games, etc.) to
Troop activities, an exception may be authorized by the Scoutmaster only.
SECTION 6 - BEHAVIOR. All Scouts will behave
in accordance with the principles of the Scout Law. The Scoutmaster may expel
from a meeting or activity any Scout for misbehavior or endangering the safety
of others. In serious cases, the Scoutmaster may request that the Committee
suspend or terminate the membership of a Scout in accordance with the Behavior
Plan.
SECTION 7 - ATTENDANCE. Scouts should attend
all regular troop meetings and Courts of Honor. Scouts are encouraged to
participate in all other camping trips and special activities as time and other
commitments permit. The Troop encourages boys to participate in sports, music
and other extracurricular activities as long as best effort is made to attend
Troop activities.
SECTION 8 - SUPERVISION. Scouts must remain
in the immediate vicinity of any meeting or special activity, leaving the area
only with the permission or knowledge of the Scoutmaster or supervising adult.
ADULT LEADER SECTION
ARTICLE X - ADULT LEADERSHIP
SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY. Adult leadership is
available to anyone who volunteers and meets the requirements for adult leaders
by the BSA. The Troop reserves the right to set additional requirements as
necessary - for example level of experience, attendance at training sessions,
ability to allot time to Troop activities, etc. Term of office is one year
(generally the recharter year); however, leaders may be re-appointed in the same
position or in different positions the following year. All adult leaders must
be approved by the Troop Committee Chair, the Chartered Organization
Representative, and the District Scout Executive. The Troop pays the
registration fee for all adult leaders.
SECTION 2 - POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. At a minimum,
the Troop will select adults to fill the positions of Scoutmaster, Committee
Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Quartermaster, and Advancements Coordinator. The
Epiphany Ushers Club will appoint a Chartered Organization Representative. Other
leadership positions will be announced and filled as needed. Assistant leaders
(e.g., Assistant Scoutmaster, Assistant Committee Chair, etc.) have the full
authority of the primary leader in that person’s absence.
SECTION 3 -
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP. All registered
leaders and all Scout’s parents/guardians are “committee members” and are
encouraged to attend all committee meetings.
SECTION 4 - PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. Parents
and guardians are strongly encouraged to participate in Scouting as role models,
mentors, teachers and organizers. It is rare for a Scout to attain Eagle rank
without active parental involvement.
ARTICLE XI - CONDUCT OF
BUSINESS
SECTION 1 - GENERAL. The Committee will
pre-approve all Troop activities and all expenditure of funds over $50. Troop
adult leaders will not obligate funds, commit Troop involvement, or make
requests for resources without the authority of the Troop Committee.
After-the-fact requests for reimbursement of expenses may be considered by the
Committee on a case-by-case basis.
SECTION 2 - QUORUM. The Committee will
conduct business and vote only when at least five registered committee members
are present, including at least two of the following leaders: Scoutmaster,
Committee Chair, or Treasurer.
SECTION 3 - VOTING. All Committee members
shall have one vote for any decision before the Committee. Committee members
holding more than one office have only one vote. A proposal is "approved" if a
majority of members present vote in favor of it.
SECTION 4 - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE. The
Committee will normally conduct business in an informal manner. However, the
Committee Chair may invoke standard parliamentary procedure if necessary to
maintain order.
SECTION 5 - EXCEPTIONS. The Committee may
allow exception to any Article of these by-laws, on a case-by-case basis, except
those related to safety.
ARTICLE XII - FINANCES
SECTION 1 - FISCAL YEAR. The Troop’s fiscal
year is defined as September of one year through August of the following year.
SECTION 2 - BUDGET. The Troop Treasurer will
maintain a budget that identifies projected income and expenses for the fiscal
year. The Committee will approve the budget at the beginning of the
fiscal/school year. The budget provides general guidance only; it does not
authorize anyone to spend money.
SECTION 3 - RECEIPTS. A receipt is needed
for all Troop expenses; all receipts will be turned over to the Troop
Treasurer. When requested, the Treasurer will also issue a receipt to
acknowledge cash paid to the Troop in excess of $5.00.
SECTION 4 - CHECK APPROVAL. The Committee
will designate those members authorized to sign checks drawn on the Troop’s
checking account. In and of themselves, these 'signature card' designations do
not constitute authority to spend money; they identify those leaders who may
commit funds once an expense is approved by the Committee. No person shall sign
a check if he/she is the payee.
SECTION 5 - AWARDS PURCHASE. The Advancement
Coordinator has blanket authority to purchase advancement awards without prior
approval of the Troop Committee.
SECTION 6 - FUNDRAISERS. Patrols will not
conduct fund raising activities without Committee approval. All fund-raisers
conducted by the Troop will be done in accordance with BSA policies.
SECTION 7 - EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.
Reimbursement of expenses will be in accordance with the Reimbursement Policy.
SECTION 8 - AUDIT. The Committee Chair, or
his/her appointed representative, will review the Troop financial records yearly
(at the end of the fiscal year) and upon a change of Treasurer. The Chartered
Organization Representative may inspect the Troop’s financial records at any
time.
ARTICLE XIII - MEETINGS
SECTION 1 - COMMITTEE MEETINGS. The Troop
Committee will normally meet once a month at a date and time convenient for as
many members as possible. Typical agenda items for the Committee meeting
include review of minutes from previous meeting (Secretary), membership report
(Membership Coordinator), financial report (Treasurer), review of upcoming
events (Scoutmaster), and general business (Committee Chair). Parents are
invited and encouraged to attend the Committee meetings.
SECTION 2 - SPECIAL MEETINGS. The Troop
Committee may convene special meetings to conduct business. Such meetings
include the annual Troop planning conference, planning sessions for special
events such as membership rallies, or subcommittee meetings to review finances
or by-laws. All special meetings will be open to parents.
ARTICLE XIV - TRAINING
SECTION 1 - GENERAL. As soon as possible
after registering, adult leaders are strongly encouraged to attend training
appropriate for their position. Such training typically includes, but is not
limited to, Scoutmaster Fundamentals and Youth Protection training. The Troop
will reimburse fees after completion of the training session in accordance with
Article XI, Section 1.
SECTION 2 -
YOUTH
PROTECTION TRAINING. All participating adults will attend Youth Protection
Training at a minimum of every two years.
SECTION 3 - ROUNDTABLE. The Scoutmaster or
his/her appointed representative will attend monthly District Roundtable
training/information sessions. All other adult leaders are encouraged to attend
the Roundtable to gain ideas and experience in the ways of Scouting.
ARTICLE XV - UNIFORMS
At a minimum, the following leaders should
wear a correct Scout uniform, as defined in Article VI, to Troop meetings and
other special events as appropriate: Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster(s), and
Committee Chair. All other adult leaders are encouraged but not required to
wear a correct Scout uniform.
ARTICLE XVI - YOUTH
PROTECTION
Troop 524 will operate in accordance with the
BSA’s Two-Deep Leadership and
Youth
Protection policy. No adult leader will be left alone with a Scout (other
than his/her son) at any time except in the most severe emergencies. This
includes merit badge counseling, Scoutmaster Conferences, or outdoor activities.
ARTICLE XVII - RIGHT TO
APPEAR
Any person who has a grievance against Troop
524 or any adult leader of Troop 524 has the right to appear before the
Committee to present the grievance. However, such persons are encouraged to
first seek satisfaction through the Scoutmaster and/or Committee Chair.
ARTICLE XVIII - REVIEW AND
REVISION OF BY-LAWS
These by-laws will be reviewed at least
annually by the Committee at the beginning of the school year. Amendments may
be proposed at any time during the year, and will be reviewed by the Committee
at the next regular meeting.
RECORD OF APPROVAL
These by-laws were approved by a majority
vote during a Committee meeting on January 22, 2001.
Committee Chairperson
Scoutmaster
The following table shows
the fees payable by a new Scout joining Troop 524.
If a Scout transfers into Troop 524 and
presents evidence of current registration, he will be charged only $1 to process
the transfer, plus the $25 Troop fee. If he does not need a new Scout Handbook,
his Troop fee will be reduced to $20.
The following table shows the fees payable by
all Scouts re-registering in Troop 524 at the time the Troop recharters
each year in February.
Monthly dues are $3.00 per Scout.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Update May 15, 2023 |