Troop 21

Boy Scouts of America

Saint George’s Church

Framingham, MA

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

The following policies and procedures have been formulated by the Patrol Leader’s Council and approved by the Troop Committee of Troop 21.  These policies were created to facilitate the proper and efficient operation of the troop and to provide guidance to all scouts. These guidelines are reviewed on a regular basis and may be modified at the discretion of the Patrol Leaders Council and with the approval of the Troop Committee.

 

TROOP MEETINGS:  Weekly troop meetings are held during the period from September through June.

 

            Location:          St. George’s Church

                                    74 School Street

                                    Framingham, MA 01701

 

            Day/Time:         Friday / 7:15 to 9:00 PM

 

UNIFORM:     As members of  the Boy Scouts of America and Troop 21, each scout is expected to have a Class A uniform consisting of an official short sleeve scout shirt with appropriate insignia and troop neckerchief (orange with black highlight stripe).

 

Uniforms shall be worn as indicated below:

 

            Special Meetings:          The Class A uniform must be worn at all official functions such as Courts of Honor, Boards of Review, and Community Activities/Meetings.

 

            Regular Meetings:         A modified Class A uniform consisting of the scout shirt with appropriate insignia must be worn at regular troop meetings. Failure to wear the uniform will be considered a lack of scout spirit, which is a requirement for advancement.

 

            Field Activities: A scout field uniform consisting of an official activity jersey (or Troop 21 T-shirt) is recommended for outdoor activities. Scout shorts are appropriate for summer camp. Alternatively, regular street attire is acceptable.

 

FINANCES:    Funds necessary for the operation of the troop are raised in three ways: Annual Dues, Camping Dues, and Fund Raising.

 

            Annual Dues:  Annual troop dues ($35 effective 9/1/94) are due at the beginning of the scout year in October.

 

            Camping Dues:  Monthly fees for camping trips ($15 effective 9/1/95) are due at the first troop meeting in the month.

 

            Fund Raising:    Troop 21 conducts one or more fund raising activities during the year.  These activities include a Wreath Sale during the December holidays, Radio Club Flea Market Concession Stand, and a continuing bottle/can recycling program. Other activities may be conducted at the discretion on the Patrol Leaders Council and Troop Committee. All members of the troop, with parental support, are expected to participate in these activities so as to support the operation of the troop.

 

OUTDOOR PROGRAM:        Camping and outdoor activities are central to the scouting program of Troop 21. Monthly camping trips are conducted from September through June. The objective of this regular monthly program is to help scouts build self-reliance and confidence; provide a forum for the learning and practice of outdoor skills, scout advancement, and understanding of the environment and conservation of resources. The monthly camping program is formulated by the PLC on the basis of the interests and desires of the scouts. It is planned that the cost of such trips will range from $5 to $25 depending on the location and duration of the activity.

 

Additionally, high adventure trips are conducted approximately 3-4 times per year. The objective of this program is to challenge scouts on both a physical and mental level, reinforce self-confidence, and provide an exciting experience which may lead to individual achievement. These activities are planned by the PLC on the basis of the interest and desires of the scouts. They include such activities as wilderness back-packing, orienteering, white-water rafting, and mountain climbing. In some cases, certain activities may be limited to scouts who meet certain requirements such as minimum age, size, or skill. It is expected that the cost of some high adventure trips may range from $25 to $250.

 

MEDICAL HEALTH:  All troop activities may include significant physical activity. In order to ensure the well-being of the scout and provide scout leaders with necessary information concerning health risks, each scout is required to provide a completed medical history form so that it may be maintained on file with the troop and be available during outdoor activities.

 

PERMISSION SLIPS: Due to the potential (small) for some unusual or unexpected medical occurrence during scout activities and to ensure that all parents/guardians have provided permission for their son to attend a Troop outdoor activity, each scout must provide a completed parental permission slip in order to participate in any event. These permission slips must be provided before the event due date or annually in September.

 

ANNUAL PLANNING:          The operation of the Troop is carried out by the Junior Leaders of the troop through the Patrol Leaders Council. Support for the program is provided by adult leaders and the Troop Committee. The preparation of the Troop Annual Program Plan is the responsibility of the Patrol Leaders Council whose members represent their respective patrols and all scouts. This plan is formulated during a summer PLC Planning Conference (August) and consists of the identification of troop goals, selection of monthly themes and the outdoor program for the following scout year. The Troop Committee approves the Annual Plan and provides any necessary financial and adult leadership support.

 

MONTHLY PLANNING:       The operation of the weekly troop meetings and the monthly outdoor event is directed by the Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leaders along with the support of the other troop officers. Monthly PLC meetings, chaired by the Senior Patrol leader, are conducted on the first Sunday of each month in concert with, but separate from, the monthly troop committee planning meeting.  The objective of the PLC meeting is to plan specific activities for the weekly troop meetings held in the following month. These activities include the opening, skill instruction, patrol meetings and inter-patrol activity.

 

TROOP OFFICER ELECTION:         The officers of the troop and each patrol will be elected every six months. Specifically, elections will be held during the first troop meeting of the scout year in October and in April. The troop officers will include the Senior Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quartermaster, Librarian, Historian, Chaplain's Aide and Bugler.

 

Certain minimum requirements apply to the candidates for these troop officers. The Senior Patrol Leader must be at least 13 years old, at least First Class rank, and a member of the troop for at least one year. All other troop officers should be at least Tenderfoot rank, and a member of the troop for three months. It is important to note that these officers represent the troop and conduct significant jobs necessary for the efficient operation of the troop. Scout advancement beyond First Class requires that each scout hold either a troop position or patrol leadership position for specific periods of time (4-6 months).

 

All elections will be conducted by secret ballot from each active registered member of the troop in attendance at the meeting. Election will be based on the receipt of a plurality of the ballots. Ties will be resolved by an additional balloting for the individuals with the most votes.

 

DISCIPLINE:  All scouts must display proper conduct consistent with the Scout Oath and Law. If a scout is disruptive, the Patrol Leader is expected to resolve the problem. If this is not successful, the Senior Patrol Leader will make every effort to resolve the problem. The Patrol Leaders Council may discuss any disciplinary problems and propose action to the adult leadership of the troop. Both troop leaders and parents will discuss any proposed disciplinary action prior to its implementation.  At all times, the adult leaders of the troop have the responsibility and authority to deal with problems which affect the immediate health and safety of each scout. 

 

ORGANIZATION:      Troop 21 is chartered by Saint George’s Church of Framingham. The Troop charter was initiated in 1954.  Troop 21 is a part of the Knox Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  The council office is located on Union Avenue in Framingham (508-872-6551).

 

SUMMER CAMP:      Troop 21 regularly participates in a summer camping activity at the camp operated by the Knox Trail Council. The normal week-long summer camp is usually scheduled during the second week of July. The summer camp is located at the E. Paul Robsham, Jr. Scout Reservation, Route 85, Bolton, MA 01740.

 

COURTS OF HONOR:          It is the intention of Troop 21 to recognize scout advancement as soon as possible after specific rank awards, merit badges or other awards are earned. Awards are regularly awarded to a scout at the next troop meeting following any Board of Review for rank advancement or the approval of a Merit Badge.

 

However, scout awards are also recognized at Courts of Honor which are conducted semi-annually in January and July. The objective of the Court of Honor is to provide a forum in which the achievement of each scout is recognized before all scouts, leaders and most importantly, his family.  Family attendance is desired at each Court of Honor.

 

BOARDS OF REVIEW:          A Board of Review is required for rank advancement. The objective of the Board of Review is to make sure that the scout has met all the requirements, and to confirm that he is comfortable in the troop and to encourage advancement.  Boards of Review will be held at least once per month or as requested in advance by the Senior Patrol Leader.