Troop Committee

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

Description

The troop committee is responsible for conducting the business of the Troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities. The Committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for Boards of Review. This is an important responsibility and is one area we can always use more help. The Committee consists of parent volunteers who fulfill various roles on the Committee.

The Boy Scouts require that a unit have a Committee Chairperson and at least two other Committee members.

Responsibilities

• Ensures that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained. In case the Scoutmaster is absent, a qualified Assistant Scoutmaster is assigned. If the Scoutmaster is unable to serve, a replacement is recruited.
• Provides adequate meeting facilities.
• Advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting and the chartered organization.
• Supports 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.
• Ensures the troop has an outdoor program (minimum 10 days and nights per year).
• Serves on boards of review and courts of honor.
• Supports the Scoutmaster in working with individual boys and problems that may affect the overall troop program.
• Provides for the special needs and assistance some boys may require.
• Helps with the Friends of Scouting campaign.
• Assists the Scoutmaster with handling boy behavioral problems.

Qualifications

Adult leaders must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary for positive leadership to youth. They must also:

• Abide by the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Scouter Code of Conduct.
• Subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle.
• Reside within the USA or a U.S. territory, or be a U.S. citizen residing outside the USA.
• Respect and obey the laws of the United States of America.
• Be 21 years of age or older for primary leadership positions.
• Be 18 years of age or older for assistant leadership positions.
• Complete Youth Protection training (YPT) before application is processed and renew training as required.
• Review the disclosure information related to the BSA’s background check process and complete and sign a Background Check Authorization form.
• Take leader position-specific training.
• Hold only one position within the same unit. The chartered organization representative may multiple as the committee chair or a committee member.

The adult leader application process will not be complete until Youth Protection training has been completed and a criminal background check has been obtained.

References

• 36 BSA Monthly Troop Programs with Troop Meeting Plans (free & online), Printed: Vol I - Vol II - Vol III - Resources
• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) - Troop Meeting Planner - Campfire Planner - Resource Survey - Troop Committee Challenge
• Senior Patrol Leaders Handbook - Patrol Leaders Handbook - Scoutmaster Handbook - BSA Nameplates

• Applications: New Unit - Adult Application
• Fundraising, Popcorn, and the importance of Individual Youth Accounts
• Advancement - Advancement Report - First Class-First Year - Advancement Campout - Merit Badge Day - Individual Record

Online or classroom Leader Training

Youth protection (MANDATORY) – every registered adult must be re-certified every year at my.scouting.org, where they can also complete the following courses:

• Before the First Meeting
• First 30 Days
• Position Trained

• Other training opportunities: Roundtable – University of Scouting – Teaching EDGE

Outdoor Leader Training

In addition to fulfilling other requirements, some unit leaders need outdoor-specific training.

• BALOO – To have a Pack campout, or a Webelos Den campout, at least one unit leader must be BALOO trained.
• Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills – Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters -- at least one must be trained to have a campout.
• Wood Badge – Advanced Leadership skills for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, district and council Scouters.
• Seabadge – Advanced Leadership skills for unit, district and council Sea Scouters.

Other outdoor-related links

• Camping Links
• Outdoor Awards Links

Boy Scout Troop Committee
(Adult Leaders)

Troop Committee Chairman	Secretary	Treasurer	Advancement Chair
Equipment Coordinator	Activities Chair	Membership Chair	Training Chair
Fundraising Chair	Public Relations Chair	Friends of Scouting Chair	Scouting for Food Chair
ScoutParent Unit Coordinator	Chaplain	New Member Coordinator
Reports to: Chartered Organization Representative		Advisers: Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

Troop Positions of Responsibility
(Youth Positions)

Senior Patrol Leader  Asst.(s)	Quartermaster	Junior Asst. Scoutmaster(s)	Order of the Arrow Rep.
Patrol Leader(s),  Venture Patrol Leader,  Asst.(s)	Historian	Instructor(s) & Troop Guide(s) & Outdoor Ethics Guide	Chaplain Aide
Scribe	Librarian	Den Chief(s)	Bugler & Musician
Advisers: Scoutmaster,   Troop Committee Chair,   Assistant Scoutmaster(s)