VIII. TROOP COMMITTEE
Adult leaders & parents in a Scout Troop form the Troop Committee. This Committee serves with the Scoutmaster in a
supportive and administrative role. The adult leaders give their services to boys without charge. What they do is of
such value that if the boys were charged accordingly, few could afford to belong.
A. FUNCTION
The Scoutmaster and his Asst. Scoutmasters guide all activities in which boys are directly involved and the committee
provides backup support. The committee establishes policy and supports the Troop program but does not operate it.
Its duties, in the area of administration, include providing and supporting competent adult leadership for the Troop. The
Scoutmaster directs the program.
B. MEETINGS
The Troop 977 Committee meets once per month, usually on the Monday following the monthly camp out from 7:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. – usually at Arrow Heights Baptist Church unless otherwise noted in Troop Newsletters or at Troop
meetings. The basic agenda for these meetings is to review: the Troop’s financial position, the past month’s activities,
next month’s activities, open committee positions, Troop membership, Troop advancements and Troop equipment
needs. All parents of scouts are encouraged to attend these committee meetings.
C. POSITIONS
· Scoutmaster - Direct the Troop program.
· Asst. Scoutmasters - Serve in responsibilities working directly with the Scouts as appointed by the Scoutmaster.
· Charter Representative- Serves as go-between for the Troop and our chartered organization - Arrow Heights
Baptist Church. This position is appointed by the Church.
The following Committee positions are all filled by Troop Committee members
according to training.
· Committee Chairperson - Serves as overall coordinator of all Troop committee functions.
· Sub-Committee Chairpersons - Treasurer, Membership, Equipment, Advancement, Fund raising, Newsletter,
Secretary, Special Events, and other positions as elected by the Committee.
· Patrol Parent (see Section VIII.E.)
D. ADULT TRAINING
Committee Challenge - This program provides training for all Committee members & parents to understand the
opportunities there are on the administrative side of a troop. It also alleviates the fears of new members taking a
position on the committee.
BSLT - Basic Scout Leader Training. This program provides training in the basics of Scouting for adult leaders and is
usually offered once in the Spring and once in the Fall by the District Committee. It consists of three parts:
1. New Leaders Essentials- Available once a month at Round table (the second Thursday)
2. Leader Specifics- for Scoutmasters & Assistant Scoutmasters or potential Assistant Scoutmasters.
3. Outdoor Skills Camping- One weekend outdoors with trained Leaders that will help you understand the Basics of
camping
Completion of Fast Start is required as soon as possible for all parents.
Completion of Committee Challenge is required for all committee members within the first year after joining the Troop.
Completion of New Leader Essentials or proof of prior participation is required for potential leaders within 2 months after
joining the Troop.
Completion of all three sessions of BSLT training is required to serve as an Asst. Scoutmaster or Scoutmaster of Troop
977.
Wood Badge - Advanced Training Program. The adult leader must have completed the basic training course and had
an opportunity to put the learning to work.
Wood Badge has two parts:
1. An outdoor experience where the Scouter lives as a member of a patrol, practices the skills of Leadership as
related to Scouting, and learns how to use these skills with boys. This will be conducted as a week long
encampment or on a series of two weekends.
2. The second part is the application of what has been learned. Each participant writes a “ticket” - a contract with
himself as to how the new skills will be put to work. When the ticket has been evaluated by the coach/counselor
and the contract has been completed, the Wood Badge Award is presented.
E. PATROL PARENT
The Patrol Parent assists the Patrol Leaders with:
1. Planning menus for camp outs (see Attachment A).
2. Determining money needed per boy and collecting.
3. Transportation and assistance in purchasing groceries and supplies for camp out.
4. Arranging transportation to and from camp outs.
5. Maintaining well-inventoried food boxes, clean patrol boxes, lantern, and stove.
6. Arranging for tents and other equipment needed for camp outs.
7. Develop duty roster for camp outs and provide a copy to Scoutmaster.
8. Keep track of each patrol member’s rank and advancement. Encourage them to work on advancement and assist
in locating counselors.
NOTE:
· All of these duties are the responsibility of the Patrol Leader and Patrol Quartermaster. The Patrol Parent is to
encourage and train the Patrol Leader – not to do the job for them.
· A Patrol Parent will not be assigned to their son’s patrol.