Introduction to
Troop 351 Guidebook
After you read this guidebook, please read the contract, print it, sign it, and give it to a Scoutmaster.
Introduction to
Troop 351 Guidebook
Welcome to the family of Scouting. As part of Scouting, you can help enrich the lives of boys and make a difference in the kind of citizens they become. Since 1910, it has been the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime and achieve their full potential.
Boy Scouting works toward three aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. We may define this as what the boy is -- his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.
The values we strive to instill are based on these found in the Scout Oath and Law:
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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. Be Prepared
Do a Good Turn Daily |
A Scout is |
The second aim is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the boy's relationship to others. he comes to learn of his obligation to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society.
The third aim is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).
Our youth must make mature decisions about many things that their limited experience with life has not prepared them for. Many of these decisions will have long-term consequences. The ready availability of drugs and alcohol and the rising number of youth gangs are situations our youth face daily. The number of single-parent households, the effects of the seemingly never-ending change caused by the impact of new technologies, and the increased time parents must spend away from their children to ensure economic survival are all factors that make Scouting so vital to our nation's future.
Boy Scouting has successfully assisted more than 80 million members since 1910 to develop the character and peer group associations to make ethical decisions and become role models in their communities. The Scouting movement has also developed special programs to educate our youth regarding drugs, child abuse, literacy, the new world of careers, and hunger in America.
Working as a team in support of the troop and our Scoutmaster, we can help our boys to develop the confidence, skills, character, and mental fitness that will allow them to give quality leadership to a changing society.
Troop organization is based on boy leadership with adult guidance. The Troop Committee is responsible to our Sponsor. The committee is made up of parents of Scouts of Troop 351 and other adults interested in promoting Scouting and our Troop, such as former T-351 Scouts and their parents. It makes Troop policies, approves the Troop program, approves the budget and runs the treelot, approves Eagle projects, recruits adult Troop leaders, and provides transportation and other needed support services for the program.
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The SCOUTMASTER and the ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTERS are responsible to the Troop Committee, advising them of budget and equipment needs, training boy leaders and supervising the troop program, counseling each Scout in his advancement, and advising the Troop Leaders Council (TLC) in leading the Troop. |
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These positions help the boys develop their leadership skills. Holding one or more of these offices meets the leadership requirements for rank advancement:
- 1. A JUNIOR ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTER (JASM) is a Scout at least 16 years of age who has demonstrated outstanding leadership ability. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster and works closely with him.
The SENIOR PATROL LEADER (SPL) is the top junior leader in the Troop. He also has the most challenging job in the Troop. He has the job because his fellow Scouts elected him. That means they feel he is the best qualified Scout to run the troop--which is exactly what he does. He leads all Troop and TLC meetings and in consultation with the Scoutmaster appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.
- The ASSISTANT SENIOR PATROL LEADER (ASPL) is appointed by the SPL upon consultation with the Scoutmaster. He is responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, Troop historian, librarian, and instructors. He also may lead parts of meetings and other activities and step in to lead the Troop in the SPL's absence. Qualifications for this position match those of the SPL's. He is a member of the TLC.
- The SCRIBE is the troop secretary. He attends the TLC meetings and keeps a logbook of their decisions. He keeps a record of attendance at meetings and activities and troop advancement. He works with a member of the Troop Committee in carrying out his responsibilities and entering the information in the Troop's computer.
- The QUARTERMASTER is in charge of supplies and equipment. He keeps a current inventory of patrol and Troop equipment and sees that it is in good condition. He checks equipment in and out and reports to the TLC on equipment needing major repair or replacement. He works with a member of the Troop Committee in carrying out his responsibilities.
- The Troop HISTORIAN collects and cares for Troop memorabilia--photos, news stories, trophies, scrapbooks, flags, and awards.
- The LIBRARIAN keeps the Troop's books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for checkout by Scouts and leaders. He also keeps a file of all troop literature and a record of all material loaned out. He recommends new acquisitions and reports on repair or replacement needs.
- The INSTRUCTOR is usually an older Scout who is proficient in one or more advancement skills, which he teaches to other Scouts.
- The CHAPLAIN AIDE assists the Scoutmaster in the observance of religious holidays, program planning, and chapel meetings during campouts.
- The TROOP GUIDE, usually an older Scout at least First Class in rank, is both a leader and a "big brother" to each patrol of new Scouts. He is a member of the TLC.
- The VENTURE CREW CHIEF is the elected leader of the Troop's Venture Crew. The Venture Crew is defined in the section below.
The PATROL LEADERS are the elected leaders of the Patrol. They speak and vote for their patrol in TLC. They explain the Troop program to their patrol and lead them in carrying it out; they lead by example. They are elected by their patrol members for approximately 6 months. They appoint their ASSISTANT PATROL LEADERS. When elected Patrol Leader the Scout is expected to place Scouting responsibilities above other commitments.
- The WEB PAGE DESIGNER and WEBMASTER will work with the Scoutmaster to create and update a T-351 webpage with timely information for families.
PATROL ORGANIZATION
The Patrol is a small (6-10) close group of Scouts that is the base of the entire Troop program. They plan, camp, cook, hike, and do things together. Patrol names are selected by the patrol and approved by the Scoutmasters.
The Leadership Corps consists of Scouts 14 years of age or older who have advanced at least to First Class rank. They instruct and provide service to the Troop wherever needed at meetings and campouts. Membership in this group includes, but is not limited to, the SPL, ASPL, JASM, Instructors, and Troop Guides.
The Troop Leaders Council (TLC) consists of the Leadership Corps, individual Patrol Leaders, Quartermaster, and Troop Scribe. The TLC suggests program needs, campsites and summer camp. The TLC meets monthly to plan the meeting agendas and campout activities. The dates of the monthly TLC meetings are decided each fall. For a detailed explanation of the qualifications and responsibilities of the Leadership Corps and individual Patrol Leaders, see "Troop Leader Council Bylaws."
The Venture Patrol is an optional activity. Venture activities are for older Scouts interested in high-adventure experiences or sports. Because many of these activities may have limits on the number of boys who may go, the committee limits participants to boys of Star rank and above. According to BSA rules, boys must be at least 13 years old to participate in Venture activities.
EVERY MEMBER of the Troop is expected to attend all Scout functions in full uniform, unless otherwise instructed. Meetings are held at St. Ignatius Hall at 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. every Wednesday. Scouts are expected to attend all Scout meetings . Roll is taken at the opening flag and anyone arriving late should check in with the Scribe. Parents may offer excuses for absenteeism. Failure to attend at least 75% of the meetings may result in a Scout being ineligible for campouts, Venture Crew outings, and special campouts (like Winter Lodge and horse camp). Allowances will be made for Scouts with other obligations. Meetings are also crucial for rank advancement. The meeting schedule changes during vacation periods.
Scouts are expected to
advance regularly in rank, starting with Scout Rank.
The Scout Rank is achieved by completing the joining
requirements listed near the front of the Scout Book. Unlike
Cub Scouting, Boy Scouts may work on all ranks
simultaneously, although ranks must be completed in
sequential order: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second
Class, First Class, Star, Life, and
Eagle. A boy who achieves Eagle Rank has accomplished
a remarkable task; it is something that is respected by the
private and government sectors and stands out on a job
resume.
Boy Scouts are
encouraged to work with their parents on rank advancement; however,
they must show their proficiency in each skill to a Scoutmaster or a
JASM
to get the skill signed off in his Scout Handbook (parents may
not sign the book). A boy's Handbook is his responsibility. If he
loses it, he may lose all records of his advancement, including the
partials that he is working on. He may have to start over on those.
To protect against this, the Scout should regularly show his book to
the Advancement Committee member who will record the information in
the Troop 351 Advancement Book which is the link to the T-351
computer database.
A sign-up sheet is posted at Troop meetings for Scouts wishing to work on specific skills with the Scoutmasters. When requirements for a rank have been met, Scouts may sign up for a Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review.
All Troop 351 Scouts are expected to keep a notebook. This consists of a 3-ring binder containing information about their activities, merit badges, and rank advancements. This notebook is required at Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review for First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Ranks.
Courts of Honor are held three times a year. Parents are urged to work with their Scout and be present at Courts of Honor.
Eagle Rank: Some boys
achieve Life Rank at an early age and drop out of Scouting.
Just before their 18th birthday, they then want to complete
their Eagle Rank. Troop 351 defines "Scout Spirit" as active
participation in the Troop and, therefore, requires a
minimum 6-month tenure in the Troop immediately prior to
earning the Eagle Rank. In that 6-month period, the Scout
must be an active member in the Troop with a minimum 75%
participation in meetings and outings. We will endeavor to
help the Scout in all remaining merit badges and his Eagle
Project. However, it is up to the Scout to complete all the
work. As a service to any Scouts who have dropped out of the
program, we will try to contact them to inform them of the
6-month deadline to rejoin the Troop as an active
member. Eagle Project Presentation: Our troop requires that boys give a presentation to the Troop Committee before undertaking an Eagle Service Project. Click here for details on this procedure, in pdf format.
Troop 351's sponsor is St. Ignatius Church. They provide us with a meeting place and choose a CHARTERED ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVE who acts as a liaison between the church and the Troop Committee. This Chartered Representative aids in the selection and approval of the Committee Chair and Scoutmaster.
Those are the minimum requirements for a sponsor. Our sponsor also provides us with storage space (The Scout Room) and a large section of the school grounds for our fundraiser, and on occasion the kitchen facilities and cafeteria for special events.
The Troop cannot function without
adult participation. In addition to the roles listed below,
remember to come along and enjoy our
campouts!
SCOUTMASTERS:
Troop needs a minimum of 3 Assistant Scoutmasters. They work directly with the boys at the direction of the Scoutmaster.
TROOP COMMITTEEA. Committee ChairB. Secretary
C. Treasurer
D. Outdoor Activities Chair
E. Quartermaster
F. Advancement Chair
G. Transportation Chair
H. Committee Members at Large: these people volunteer to help the Troop with tasks such as the following:
Boards of ReviewFOS Chair
Rechartering
Collecting permission slips
Publishing and distributing monthly newsletter
Miscellaneous tasks as requested by the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The TROOP COMMITTEE meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:00 P.M. at St. Ignatius in the Xavier Room (unless rescheduled). Each family in the Troop should be represented to help make decisions and be informed about the Troop program. However, in order to vote, you must be a registered committee member.
In addition to the monthly committee meetings, some Committee members assist at Troop meetings with advancement:
The ADVANCEMENT CHAIR and Scoutmasters are available at Troop meetings to work with boys on advancement. Upon completion of the requirements for each rank, a committee member enters the information in the T-351 Advancement Book.A BOARD OF REVIEW is made up of three registered Committee members supervised by the Advancement Chairman. The Board must approve Scouts for advancement on all ranks except for Scout Rank. Participating on the Advancement Committee and a Board of Review is an opportunity for parents to see what our Scouts are doing. A parent may not review his or her own son.
Scout families will be called upon to share in transportation responsibilities. Each parent is expected to help with transportation at least 3 times a year.
HELPING YOUR BOY AT HOME
Please work with your Scouts on their advancement. However, you are not allowed to sign off on the requirements in their books unless you are a registered Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or JASM. The boys who work with their parents advance much faster and get more enjoyment out of Scouting.
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MERIT BADGES Merit Badges are a very important part of the Advancement program. If you have interest and ability in any of the 121 Merit Badges, please inform the Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster. The Troop has a library of Merit Badge books that can be checked out. If you are registered as a counselor, you can work with your boy at home on a Merit Badge and you can work with other boys at meetings or elsewhere. |
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INFORMING THE PARENTS: Boys are informed of Troop events through their Patrol Leaders. The Committee recognizes that boys don't always remember to tell their parents what is going on. In order to keep confusion and misunderstanding down to a minimum, our Troop Calendar and the occasional Newsletter are available for boys and parents to take home. They are located on the bulletin board. Please take time to check out the bulletin board each time you bring your boy to a meeting.
We also try to keep the calendar updated. Calendars are available on the bulletin board and on this website.
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