Topics

• Role of the Chartered Organization
• Aims and Methods of Scouting
• The Troop Committee
• Finance

Role of the Chartered Organization

The chartered organization (you)

• Receives a charter each year to use the Scouting program
• Owns the scout troop
• Provides a meeting place
• Selects a scoutmaster
• Appoints a troop committee
• Selects a chartered organization representative (COR)

The Chartered Organization Representative

• Is a member of the chartered organization
• Serves as head of the scouting department
• Secures a troop committee chairman and encourages training
• Maintains a close liaison with the troop committee chairman
• Helps recruit other adult leaders
• Serves as liaison between your troop and your organization
• Assists with troop rechartering
• Encourages service to the organization
• Is an active and involved member of the district committee

Aims and Methods of Scouting

Aims of Scouting

• Moral strength and character
• Participating citizenship
• Development of physical, mental and emotional fitness

Methods of Scouting

• Ideals
• Patrols
• Outdoors
• Advancement
• Adult association
• Personal growth
• Leadership development
• Uniform

Scout Oath

Scout Law

Scout Motto

Scout Slogan

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The Troop Committee

Responsibilities of the Troop Committee

• Provides adequate meeting facilities
• Advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting and the Chartered Organization
• Carries out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America
• Encourages leaders in carrying out the program
• Is responsible for finances, adequate funds and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan
• Obtains, maintains and properly cares for troop property
• Provides adequate camping and outdoor program (minimum 10 days and nights per year)
• Sees to it that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained. In case the Scoutmaster is absent or unable to serve, a qualified substitute is assigned.

Roles of the Committee

• Chairman
• Secretary
• Treasurer (Finance/Records)
• Outdoor Activities
• Advancement
• Chaplain

Committee Chairman

• 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
• See that troop leaders and committee members have training opportunities
• Interpret national and local policies to the troop
• Work closely with the Scoutmaster in preparing troop committee meeting agendas
• 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 membership
• Arrange for charter review and recharter annually

Secretary

• 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
• Plan the charter presentation program

Treasurer (Finance/Records)

• 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
• Receive troop income each week from the troop scribe
• Keep adequate records in the Troop/Team Record Book
• Supervise money-earning projects, including obtaining proper authorizations
• Supervise the camp savings plan
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting
• Lead in the preparation of the annual troop budget

Outdoor/Activities

• Supervise and help procure camp equipment
• Work with quartermaster on inventory, storage and proper maintenance of troop equipment
• Help in securing permission to use camping sites
• Serve as transportation coordinator
• Encourage monthly outdoor activities or special activities
• 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

Advancement

• Encourage Scouts to advance in rank
• Arrange and conduct monthly troop boards of review
• Conduct frequent courts of honor, at least quarterly
• Develop and maintain a merit badge counselor list
• 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 scribe to maintain all Scout advancement records
• Work with the troop librarian to build and maintain a troop library of merit badge pamphlets

Chaplain

• 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
• Give spiritual counseling service when needed or requested
• Encourage Boy Scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems
• Provide opportunities for Boy Scouts to grow in their duty to God and their fellow Scouts

Finances

Troop Bank Account

• Checking Account in local bank
• Two signatures per check
• Troop funds recorded and deposited weekly
• Disbursements approved by committee

Petty Cash and Scout Office Accounts

• Petty Cash
• • Maintained by Scoutmaster
  • Miscellaneous unplanned expenses
  • Replenished when receipts presented
• Scout Office Account
• • Prepaid purchases from scout office
  • Preauthorized users
  • May not go negative

Annual Budget

• Membership registration fees
• Boy's Life subscriptions
• Unit accident insurance
• Advancement and rank badges
• Literature for the troop library and record keeping
• Unit charter fee (which goes to the general liability insurance program)
• Reserve fund (for unexpected expenses
• Program materials (including unit flags, new camping gear and program supplies)
• Activities funds for summer camp and high-adventure trips (Usually paid by the participating boy and his parents or raised through special troop money-earning projects

Sources of Income

• Dues
• Troop Money-Earning Projects
• • Troop-sponsored dinners
  • Recycling
  • Car washes
  • Lawn care service
  • Council-sponsored fundraisers
  • Bake sales
  • Product sales

How can you help?

• Volunteer for the committee
• Become an assistant scoutmaster
• Become a merit badge counsellor
• Volunteer for short-term projects
• Let us know of any skills or resources you can provide

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