BY-LAWS OF TROOP 510
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
As Amended 8-28-00 Troop 510, Boy Scouts of America, is sponsored by First United Lutheran Church, Kennesaw, Georgia and is administered by the Troop Committee and leadership of adult registered Scouters. Troop 510 is part of the Mountain Lake District and Atlanta Area Council.
The Troop Committee has adopted the following by-laws concerning the operation and activities of the Troop based on the policies, procedures and guidelines as described in the Boy Scout Handbook and the Scoutmaster Handbook. In addition, the Troop Committee has established a 510 Handbook in addendum to these by-laws as a reference document and to provide detail to these by-laws.
Boys who qualify for registration in the Boy Scouts of America and who have their parents consent may apply for membership to the Troop. Troop 510 will consist of patrols, which will be limited to 6 - 10 Scouts each. The patrols will be organized and run according to the Boy Scouts of America Troop Organization Plan. Boys registered as members of Troop 510 are expected to be active participants in Scouting by regularly attending at troop meetings and activities and participation in service projects and fund raising.
Parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to become active participants in the troop program. Adults that intend to participate are strongly encouraged to become registered members and if possible, attend Leader Training. Registration provides you with insurance and also makes you eligible to become a member of the Troop Committee or a Merit Badge Counselor if you have the time and wish to volunteer.
Annual Scout membership dues and various event fees are required to be paid to be eligible to participate in the troop and troop events respectively. The Committee shall be responsible to set and publish the annual membership dues by October 1st for the next charter year. The Treasurer on or before December 1st shall have collected at least the re-charter and program-offset portion of the annual dues in preparation for re-charter submission. See the Cost of Scouting section in the 510 Handbook for information on other required fees.
Troop 510 activities are covered by a group liability insurance policy supplied by the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This insurance covers registered Scouts and adults only. See #2 Above
Regular Troop Meetings, Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Meetings, and Troop Committee Meetings are all part of the Troop Program. As a member of any of these groups, your regular participation is required.
All scheduled Troop activities, inclusive of outdoor activities will be under the supervision of a minimum of two registered adults (Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, or Troop Committee Members). Each patrol will have at least one registered Assistant Scoutmaster assigned as a Patrol Advisor.
Transportation to and from activities will be the joint responsibility of the parents and the leadership of the troop. If sufficient transportation or assistance cannot be arranged for a particular activity, the designated outing coordinator will be required to cancel that activity.
The Troop Committee is the group of adults that provide oversight and support for the troop and in general administer the affairs of the troop, but is not intended to operate the troop program.
The Committee meets monthly and conducts its meetings under Roberts Rules of Order.
To convene a legal committee meeting under these by-laws that is capable of voting, there must be present a quorum of committee members. A quorum is defined as having at least 30% of the registered committee members present with at least one of those present being a committee officer (Chairperson-Secretary-Treasurer). Should there be a committee meeting called in addition to the published regular monthly meetings, a notification must be sent to all committee members at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. From time-to-time committee votes via e-mail may be conducted and are authorized by these by-laws as long as the same 72-hour allowance is made for the return of votes on the issue.
If an emergency issue arises that requires a Committee decision and time, event, or situation prohibits access to a quorum this emergency exception clause may be invoked; if at least three Committee members are present they can render a decision for the Committee on the emergency issue provided the vote of all those present is unanimous. A report of such an emergency decision must be made to the full committee at its next regular meeting for discussion and a vote to sustain the decision.
The Scoutmaster, at his/her discretion, may spend up to $25.00 during any calendar month for Troop expenses without prior approval. However, any such expenses must be reported to the Troop Committee. All purchases more than $25.00 will require the PRIOR approval of the Troop Committee Chairperson and Treasurer. No reimbursements will be made without submission of receipts to verify the expense.
Scout accounts will be maintained for three months after a scout goes inactive or leaves the troop. If the scout has money in the account that is refundable based on the policy above, the parent may during this time request a refund. If at the end of the three-month period no refund request has been received, it will be implied that the scout/parent, has chosen to donate any remaining funds to the troop. The scout account will be closed and any funds that remain in the account will be deposited into the troop fund.
The Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Troop Guide, and Junior Assistant Scoutmasters conduct troop meetings and outings. The Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmasters provide guidance and instruction to these Scout Leaders and are responsible for the overall safety and welfare of the Troop. Patrol Leaders are responsible for the behavior, conduct and safety of the Scouts in their patrol. They will receive guidance and oversight by the Patrol Advisors assigned to that patrol.
Troop 510 follows the standard Boy Scout outline for troop officer positions. In addition Troop 510 requires Scouts to complete a Troop Leadership Application Form to be considered. The 510 Handbook provides a detailed description of the entire process.
The leadership of Troop 510 puts an emphasis on the Scout uniform as the most visible symbol of Scouting to the community. It is our desire that members of Troop 510 display to the community their pride in being a member of Troop 510 and the Boy Scouts of America by wearing the uniform. The way a Scout wears the uniform demonstrates this pride in his patrol and the troop, as well as establishing a positive reputation for Scouting. The rules covering uniforms in the 510 Handbook are designed to encourage scouts to wear the uniform properly and as a symbol of their individual achievement and the achievements of their troop.
It is the responsibility for the parent/guardian to inform the Scoutmaster promptly of any health problem or disability that would affect their son in taking part in the troop activities. If before an outing, this notification should be done in writing and turned in with the activity permission slip. Parents are also responsible for advising the Scoutmaster of any special medical requirements their son may have including, but not limited to, the administration of medication.
Parents are responsible to obtain and keep current a BSA Class II or Class III Personal Health and Medical Record for their son. Parents are also responsible to re-certify annually by their review and signature, that the documents on-file with the troop have not expired and are accurate.
A Scout is expected to conduct himself as a Scout at all times in compliance with the Scout Oath & Law. In addition a Scout is expected to follow all BSA, Troop, or activity site regulations. Conduct that detracts from the overall best interest of the Troop and BSA will not be tolerated. Any Scout in violation of the rules of conduct may be subject to suspension or probation by the Scoutmaster. Repeat offenders may be dismissed from the troop by the Troop Committee or Scoutmaster.
The PLC under the direction of, and with the concurrence of the Scoutmaster will develop a Troop Annual Plan. This plan will be presented to the Troop Committee at its’ January meeting for approval and should detail all activities for the upcoming year.
Once approved by the Committee, the annual activities of the Troop shall be coordinated by the SPL of the Troop in conjunction with the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), the Scoutmaster, the Assistant Scoutmasters, and the Activities Coordinator. They will provide for:
Ø Weekly Troop meetings and monthly PLC meetings
Ø Participation in District events i.e. Scout Show, camporees, merit badge clinics
Ø At least one activity each month for the Troop as a whole (campouts, hikes, etc)
Ø At least one long-term (one week) camping event each year
Ø A Court of Honor to be held at least once each calendar year
Ø A minimum of one major fund raising event each year
Ø A minimum of two service projects each year
The Activities Coordinator as required by BSA regulations will be required to obtain a Troop Tour Permit from the Council prior to the event.
The Scoutmaster will set a prearranged meeting place for departure and return for each outing. All Scouts participating in troop or patrol campouts or outings must travel in Class “A” uniform to and from the event.
Each Scout will be expected to have a complete functional regulation Boy Scout Uniform, a Boy Scout Handbook, and a sleeping bag. Other necessary equipment will vary based on the activities scheduled.
Troop 510 maintains a limited quantity of camping gear and other equipment for use by the Troop. It is expected that each scout will respect the property of others and that of the troop. They will be held responsible for repair or replacement costs of equipment should they intentionally abuse or damage it.
Individual permission slips are required for each outing for each Scout. This form must be signed by the scout’s parent/guardian, and be in the possession of the outing coordinator before departure. The permission slip should provide an acknowledgement by the parent/guardian that the scout has their permission to attend and give authorization to obtain emergency health treatment should it be necessary.
Per BSA guidelines, scouts wishing to work on a merit badge must in most cases, work with one or more scouts. Approval from the Scoutmaster & Advancement Chair is required prior to starting work on a badge.
To advance in rank, a Scout must successfully complete the requirements for each rank as described in the Boy Scout Handbook and have each requirement properly signed by the Scoutmaster or his/her designee. Upon successful completion of a Scoutmaster Conference, the Scout must request the Advancement Chairperson to call a Board of Review. The board shall meet within two weeks of the request. There is no limit on the number of reviews a candidate may have for a given rank; however, they may only be reviewed once monthly (not less than 28 days apart) at regularly scheduled meetings.
It is the opinion of the troop leadership that the Board of Review provides an excellent opportunity to build confidence. To insure an environment free of distractions and promote self-reliance, it is the policy of the Troop Committee that the Board of Review is closed to all persons except the members of the Board of Review and the Scout being reviewed. At the conclusion of a Board of Review, the Scout will have gained self-confidence by accomplishing the review on his own. As always, parents are encouraged to be present at these meetings, just not in the interview room.
Life-to-Eagle: The process for advancement from Life Scout to Eagle Scout requires a Life Scout to submit his Eagle project synopsis to the Troop Committee and Scoutmaster for approval. The Committee Chairperson will appoint an Eagle advisor for each Scout working on their Eagle Rank. The synopsis shall then be submitted to the Council Advancement Committee. Upon the Districts approval, the Committee Chairperson shall be notified of its consent/approval and the Unit Committee Chairperson will then notify the Scout of its decision. The Life Scout may then begin his Eagle project.
Upon completion of the project, a completed Eagle Application and write-up as defined in the Life-to-Eagle packet must be submitted to the Troop Committee and Scoutmaster for final approval prior to being submitted to the Council offices. All advancement shall be in accordance with the BSA’s current edition of Boy Scout Requirements.
It is not the intent of Troop 510 or these policies to prevent any eligible scout from participation in Scouting or troop activities due to financial difficulties. Parents should contact the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairperson to make special arrangements. The Atlanta Area Council has a “Campership Program” that assists in paying part of the fees for summer camp for those scouts who need assistance.
All parents are strongly encouraged to participate through a donation, in the annual “Friends of Scouting” program. This fund drive is not to aid the Troop directly, but to provide all Scout troops in the Atlanta Area Council with finances to help maintain camps and programs in and for the Council.
The By-Laws as a document are intended to be the “Committee’s Document” and provide broad guidelines in the administration and operation of the Troop. The 510 Handbook as an addendum to these By-Laws is intended to be the “Scoutmaster’s Document” and provide detail and practical definition to the By-Laws. The 510 Handbook can be more easily modified as the needs of the Troop change as long as they remain within the scope and intent of the By-Laws.
To amend the existing bylaws, notice of intent must be given to the Committee Chair at the Committee meeting prior to the meeting at which a motion to amend will be made and voted upon if seconded.
Ratification of the by-laws will require 51% of registered Committee Members two of which must be officers, the Scoutmaster, and 51% of Assistant Scoutmasters be present at the committee meeting at which the vote is taken. A two-thirds majority is required for passage and Scoutmasters do vote on this committee action.
To amend or make changes to the 510 Handbook, the Scoutmaster must present the proposed change to the Committee. The committee will vote and approve the change if they deem the change to be within the scope and intent of the By-Laws. A simple majority is all that is required to approve the measure.
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