Troop Committee

Troop 575 Committee
Organization and Responsibilities

Troop 575's Troop Committee meets the first Monday of each month, unless otherwise scheduled.  Locations vary.  Please check the troop calendar for more details of meetings.

The Troop Committee is the troop's board of directors and supports the troop program. What does the troop committee do? The troop committee does the following:

• 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
• Carries out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America
• 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
• Provides adequate camping and outdoor program (minimum 10 days and nights per year)
• Serves of 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 behavior problems.

Duties of the Chairperson  

• Organize the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed.
• Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organizations representative and the Scoutmaster.
• Interpret national and local policies to the troop.
• Prepare 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 leadership.
• Arrange for charter review and recharter annually.
• Plan the charter presentation.
• Ensure troop leaders and committee members have opportunities for training.
• Maintain an inventory of up-t0-date training materials, videotapes, and other training resources.
• Work with the district training team in scheduling Fast Start training for all new leaders.
• Be responsible for BSA Youth Protection training within the troop.
• Encourage periodic junior leader training within the troop and a the council and national levels.

Duties of the Scoutmaster

The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and his Assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster's job is reflected in the fact that the quality of his guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop.

The Scoutmaster can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years old. The Scoutmaster is appointed by the head of the chartered organization.

The Scoutmaster's duties include:

General

• Train and guide boy leaders.
• Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.
• Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

• Meet regularly with the patrol leaders' council (PLC) for training and coordination in planning troop activities.
• Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute.
• Attend troop committee meetings.
• Conduct periodic parents' sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.
• Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.

• Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements.
• Provide a systematic recruiting plan for new members and see that they are properly registered.
• Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations.
• Supervise troop elections for the Order of the Arrow.

• Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of camping each year.
• Participate in council and district events.
• Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature.
• Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.

To fulfill his obligation to the troop, the Scoutmaster, with the assistance of the troop committee, recruits assistant Scoutmasters to help operate the troop. Each assistant Scoutmaster:

•  Is sssigned specific program duties and reports to the Scoutmaster.
• Provides the required two-deep leadership standards set by the Boy Scouts of America.
• Is at least 18 years old, but at least one in each troop should be 21 or older

Duties of the 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.
• At each meeting, report the minutes of the previous meeting.

Duties of the Treasurer (Finance/Records)

• Handle all troop funds. Pay bills on the recommendation of the Scoutmaster and authorization of the troop committee
• Maintain checking and savings accounts
• Train and supervise the troop scribe in record keeping.
• Keep adequate records in the Troop/Team Record Book.
• Supervise the camp savings plan.
• Lead in the preparation of the annual troop budget.
• Lead the Friends of Scouting campaign.
• Keep adequate records of expenses
• Report to the troop at each meeting

Duties of Activities Chairperson

• Help in securing permission to use camping sites.
• Serve as transportation coordinator.
• Ensure a monthly outdoor program.
• Promote the National Camping Award.
• Promote, through family meetings, attendance at troop campouts, camporees, and summer camp to reach the goal of one outing per month.
• Secure tour permits for all troop activities.
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting.

Duties of Advancement Chairperson

• Encourage Scouts to advance in rank
• Work with the troop scribe to maintain all Scout advancement records.
• Arrange quarterly troop boards of review and courts of honor.
• 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 librarian to build and maintain a troop library of merit badge pamphlets.
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting.

Duties of the Fundraising Chairperson    

• Conceptualize and promote fundraising activities to help offset the costs of operating the troop. 
• Solicit ideas from Scouts, parents, adult leaders, etc. for fundraising ideas
• Introduce fundraising activities at Troop meetings.
• Report to the troop at each meeting

Duties of Communications Chairperson

• Promote sound communications within the Troop to include policies, procedures,  etc.
• Coordinate activities for bimonthly newsletter
• Coordinate activities for Troop website
• Assess effectiveness of troop communications and develop / implement improvement plans as needed.
• Report to the troop committee at each meeting.

Duties of Eagle Project Coach

• Develop and maintain Eagle Project Coach program
• Help Eagle candidate understand the Eagle advancement roadmap.
• Help the Eagle candidate understand the components of good project management and help them apply good practices in their Eagle project.
• Provide feedback and guidance to Scout as they work through their Eagle project development.
• Make recommendations to Troop Committee and help the Eagle candidate schedule his committee review when ready.
• Provide a consistent criteria for reviewing and approving Eagle projects.
• Report to the troop at each meeting