Boy Scouts of America Troop Committee Training

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Boy Scouts of AmericaTroop Committee Training

• Marin Council

Information from BSA Training packet assembled
by Marin Council, BSA 415 454-1081
www.boyscouts-marin.org
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Learning Objectives

• Boy Scout Aims and Methods
• The Organization of Scouting
• The Role of the Troop Committee
• Roles and Responsibilities of Troop Committee
  Members

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Scout Oath or Promise
On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to
God and my country And to obey the Scout Law To
help other people at all times To keep myself
physically strong, Mentally awake, And morally
straight.
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Scout Law

• A Scout Is
• Trustworthy
• Loyal
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Courteous
• Kind

• Obedient
• Cheerful
• Thrifty
• Brave
• Clean
• Reverent

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Scout Motto

• Be Prepared

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Scout Slogan

• Do a Good Turn Daily

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Welcome to theBoy Scouts of America
Adventure, learning, challenge,
responsibility-- the promise of Scouting is all
this and more. Are you ready for the adventure
to begin?
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• Aims and Methods

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Boy Scout Aims

• Growth in moral strength and character
• Participating citizenship
• Development of physical, mental, and emotional
  fitness

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Boy Scout Methods

• Ideals
• Scout Oath
• Scout Law
• Scout Motto
• Scout Slogan
• Patrols
• Peer groups
• Elected representation
• Activities

• Outdoors
• All outdoor programs
• Advancement
• Self-reliance
• Ability to help others
• Challenge

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Boy Scout Methods (continued)

• Adult Association
• Image
• Role model
• Example
• Personal Growth
• Good Turn
• Service projects
• Religious emblems

• Leadership Development
• Leadership skills and practice
• Citizenship
• Uniform
• Commitment to aims
• Identity

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• The Organization of Scouting

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The Organization of Scouting

• Administration
• National Council
• Region
• Local council
• Scouting district (no districts in Marin)
• Chartered organization

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The Organization of Scouting (continued)

• Adult Leaders
• District committee
• Unit commissioner
• Troop committee
• Parents

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The Organization of Scouting (continued)

• Youth Leaders
• The patrol leaders council
• Youth leaders
• Patrols
• The Scout

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• Puzzle Pieces
• The Big Picture

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Putting the Pieces Together (1)

• A boy who has completed the fifth grade
• Or, is 11 years old
• Or, has earned the Arrow of Light Award
• Is younger than 18 years of age
• Is responsible for individual membership dues
• Puzzle piece 1 represents

The Scout
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Putting the Pieces Together (2)

• A grouping of six to eight boys who work together
• Elects its own boy leader, called a patrol leader
• New-Scout patrol -- for new members who have not
  yet entered the 7th grade
• Regular Scout patrol -- for boys age 12 and older
• Venture patrols -- for boys 13 and older who want
  more challenging high-adventure experiences
• Puzzle piece 2 represents

The patrol
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Putting the Pieces Together (3)

• Senior patrol leader
• Assistant senior patrol leader
• Troop historian
• Librarian
• Instructor
• Chaplain aide

• Junior assistant Scoutmaster
• Patrol leader
• Assistant patrol leader
• Venture patrol leader
• Troop guide

Puzzle piece 3 represents
Youth leaders
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Putting the Pieces Together (4)

• Composed of
• Senior patrol leader
• Assistant senior patrol leader
• Patrol leaders
• Troop guide
• Venture patrol leader
• Plans and conducts the troops activities
• Submits yearly plan to troop committee for
  approval
• Puzzle piece 4 represents

The patrol leaders council
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Putting the Pieces Together (5)

• Scoutmaster
• Adult male or female, at least 21 years old
• Appointed by the head of the chartered
  organization
• Adult leader responsible for troop image and
  program
• With assistant Scoutmaster, works directly with
  the Scouts
• Position is reflected in the quality of guidance
  affecting every youth and adult involved in the
  troop

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Putting the Pieces Together (5a)

• Scoutmasters general duties include
• Train and guide youth leaders
• Work with other responsible adults to bring
  Scouting to boys
• Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims
  of Scouting
• Attend meetings

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Putting the Pieces Together (5b)

• Scoutmaster meeting attendance includes
• Meet regularly with the patrol leaders council
  for training and coordination in planning troop
  activities
• Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary,
  arrange a qualified adult substitute
• Attend troop committee meetings
• Conduct periodic parents sessions to share the
  program and encourage parent participation and
  cooperation
• Take part in annual membership inventory and
  uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and
  charter presentation.

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Putting the Pieces Together (5c)

• Scoutmaster provides guidance
• Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank
  advancements
• Provide a systematic recruitment plan for new
  members and see that they are promptly registered
• Delegate responsibility to other adults and
  groups so that they have a real part in troop
  operations
• Supervise troop elections for the Order of the
  Arrow

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Putting the Pieces Together (5d)

• Scoutmaster and activities
• Make it possible for each Scout to experience at
  least 10 days and nights of camping each year
• Participate in council and district events
• Build a strong program by using proven methods
  presented in Scouting literature
• Conduct all activities under qualified
  leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of
  the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of
  America

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Putting the Pieces Together (5e)

• Assistant Scoutmaster
• Helps the Scoutmaster, with assistance from the
  troop committee, operate the troop
• Each has a specific assignment
• Helps provide 2-deep leadership
• At least 18 years old (but at least one should be
  at least 21 years old who can serve in the
  Scoutmasters absence)
• Types include new-Scout patrol, Venture patrol
• Puzzle piece 5 represents

Adult leaders
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Putting the Pieces Together (6)

• Supports the Scoutmaster in delivering a quality
  troop program
• Handles troop administration
• Responsible for recruiting the Scoutmaster and
  assistant Scoutmasters
• Puzzle piece 6 represents

Troop committee
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Putting the Pieces Together (7)

• Selects and approves all adult leadership
• Uses the Scouting program to accomplish its goals
  for youth
• Owns the troop
• Receives a national charter yearly
• Provides a meeting place
• Appoints a chartered organization representative
• Puzzle piece 7 represents

Chartered organization
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Putting the Pieces Together (8)

• Provided by the district committee
• Gives direct coaching and consultation to
  Scoutmasters and troop committee members
• Ensures a quality program
• Puzzle piece 8 represents

Unit commissioner
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Putting the Pieces Together (9)

• Members are volunteers
• Trains adult volunteers
• Provides district programs such as camporees
• Assists with the formation of new troops
• Helps coordinate the Friends of Scouting campaign
• Puzzle piece 9 represents

District committee
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Putting the Pieces Together (10)

• Geographical area within the local council
• District leaders help ensure the growth and
  success of Scouting units
• District executive is the unit-serving
  professional
• Puzzle piece 10 represents

Scouting district
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Putting the Pieces Together (11)

• Chartered by the National Council
• Set by geographical boundaries with a
  headquarters city
• Led by volunteers
• Council president is the top volunteer
• Administration performed by staff of
  professionals
• Scout executive is the top Scouting professional

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Putting the Pieces Together (11a)

• The local council s responsibilities include
• Promote the Scouting program
• Register units and council personnel
• Provide facilities and leadership for outdoor
  program
• Puzzle piece 11 represents

Local council
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Putting the Pieces Together (12)

• Incorporated on February 8, 1910 chartered by
  Congress in 1916
• Provides an educational program for boys and
  young adults
• Led by the National Executive Board, a volunteer
  board of directors
• Administration performed by a staff of
  professionals
• Administers the Scouting program
• Sets and maintains quality standards in training,
  leadership selection, uniforming, registration,
  records, literature development, and advancement
  requirements
• Puzzle piece 12 represents

National Council
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• The Role of the
• Troop Committee

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Mission Statement for the Troop Committee

• The Troop Committee, which is the troops board
  of directors, supports the troops adult and
  youth leaders in delivering a quality program to
  the troops Scouts.

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The Role of the Troop CommitteeHow do you do
that?

• Advise the Scoutmaster on policies relating to
  Scouting and the chartered organization
• Assist in transportation
• Assure that a qualified substitute leader is
  assigned if the Scoutmaster is absent or unable
  to serve
• Assure that quality adult leadership is recruited
  and trained (the Scoutmaster is most important),
  and encourage adult leader training

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The Role of the Troop CommitteeHow do you do
that? (continued)

• Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy
  Scouts of America
• Coordinate the Friends of Scouting campaign
• Encourage leaders
• Ensure that troop program provides at least 10
  days and nights of outdoor programming per year
• Manage troop finances
• Obtain and maintain troop equipment
• Provide adequate meeting facilities

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The Role of the Troop CommitteeHow do you do
that? (continued)

• Provide a spiritual tone for troop meetings
• Recruit and involve troop committee members
• Serve on boards of review
• Solve behavior problems that cant be resolved
  within the troop (governed by the Scout Oath and
  Scout Law)
• Support troop program delivery
• Support youth recruitment

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• Roles and Responsibilities
• Training Troop Committee Members
• by Position

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Troop Committee Challenge Game

• Instructions
• Lets play the game!
• Group discussion

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• Responsibilities of Troop Committee Members

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Chairperson Duties

• Organize the committee to see that all functions
  are delegated, coordinated, and completed
• Maintain a close relationship with the chartered
  organization representative and the Scoutmaster
• Interpret national and local policies to the
  troop
• Prepare troop committee meeting agendas

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Chairperson Duties (continued)

• Call, preside over, and promote attendance at
  monthly troop committee meetings and any special
  meetings that may be called
• Ensure troop representation at monthly
  roundtables
• Secure top-notch, trained individuals for camp
  leadership
• Arrange for charter review and recharter annually
• Plan the charter presentation

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Secretary Duties

• Keep minutes of meetings and send out committee
  meeting notices
• Handle publicity
• Prepare a family newsletter of troop events and
  activities
• Conduct the troop resource survey
• Plan for family night programs and family
  activities
• At each meeting, report the minutes of the
  previous meeting

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Treasurer (Finance/Records) Duties

• Handle all troop funds. Pay bills on
  recommendation of the Scoutmaster and
  authorization of the troop committee
• Maintain checking and savings accounts
• Train and supervise the troop scribe in record
  keeping
• Keep adequate records in the Troop/Team Record
  Book

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Treasurer (Finance/Records) Duties (continued)

• Supervise money-earning projects, including
  obtaining proper authorizations
• Supervise the camp savings plan
• Lead in the preparation of the annual troop
  budget
• Lead the Friends of Scouting campaign
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

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Outdoor/Activities Coordinator Duties

• Help in securing permission to use camping sites
• Serve as transportation coordinator
• Ensure a monthly outdoor program
• Promote the National Camping Award
• Promote, through family meetings, attendance at
  troop campouts, camporees, and summer camp to
  reach the goal of an outing per month

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Outdoor/Activities Coordinator Duties (continued)

• Secure tour permits for all troop activities
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

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Advancement Coordinator Duties

• Encourage Scouts to advance in rank
• Work with the troop scribe to maintain all Scout
  advancement records
• Arrange quarterly troop boards of review and
  courts of honor
• Develop and maintain a merit badge counselor list

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Advancement Coordinator Duties (continued)

• Make a prompt report on the correct form to the
  council service center when a troop board of
  review is held. Secure badges and certificates
• Work with the troop librarian to build and
  maintain a troop library of merit badge pamphlets
  and other advancement literature
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

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Chaplain Duties

• Provide a spiritual tone for troop meetings and
  activities
• Give guidance to the chaplain aide
• Promote regular participation of each member in
  the activities of the religious organization of
  his choice
• Visit homes of Scouts in time of sickness or need

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Chaplain Duties (continued)

• Give spiritual counseling service when needed or
  requested
• Encourage Boy Scouts to earn their appropriate
  religious emblems
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

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Training Coordinator Duties

• Ensure troop leaders and committee members have
  opportunities for training
• Maintain an inventory of up-to-date training
  materials, videotapes, and other training
  resources
• Work with the district training team in
  scheduling Fast Start training for all new leaders

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Training Coordinator Duties (continued)

• Be responsible for BSA Youth Protection training
  within the troop
• Encourage periodic junior leader training within
  the troop and at the council and national levels
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

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Equipment Coordinator Duties

• Supervise and help the troop procure camping
  equipment
• Work with the quartermaster on inventory and
  proper storage and maintenance of all troop
  equipment
• Make periodic safety checks on all troop camping
  gear, and encourage troops in the safe use of all
  outdoor equipment
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting

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• Delivering the Promise

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Delivering the Promise

• Baden-Powell Helps Deliver the Promise
• Sample Troop Committee Meeting Agenda
• Case Studies Understanding Individual Roles in
  Real-Life Situations

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• Closing the Training

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Closing the Training

• Thank you for attending Troop Committee
  Training.
• We trust the information acquired will enable
  you, both as an individual and a member of a
  group,to improve your scouting unit and in
  turn will make a difference for the scouts with
  whom you come in contact.

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Ending the Training

• References
• Troop Committee Guidebook
• The Scoutmaster Handbook
• The Boy Scout Handbook
• Training Evaluation
• Certificate of Completion