Troop 55 Bylaws: Scouts

1. Troop Meetings
   • Troop meetings are held during the school year at St. Francis Episcopal Church on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00.  During the summer, a schedule of meeting places will be issued.  Check the troop calendar for each month for troop meeting dates.  Generally, the troop meets each Wednesday except the fourth Wednesday of the month.
   • Special troop meetings may be held to meet the needs of the troop program.  Special meetings must be approved by the Scoutmaster and generally must be announced at least one week in advance.
   • Boy scouts are expected to attend troop meetings.  We realize that homework, religious instruction, sports activities, music, and other activities may interfere with regular attendance.  It is incumbent upon the boy scout to inform the Scoutmaster if there will be a protracted period of absence.  Unexcused absence may delay advancement in rank.  
2. Patrol Meetings
   • The Patrol Leader should schedule patrol meetings at least once a month to plan for upcoming outings and to conduct patrol business.  They may be held in conjunction with regular troop meetings.
   • All members of the patrol are expected to attend patrol meetings
3. Special Events and Campouts
   • All troop special events and camp outs will be planned by the PLC including the determination of associated fees.
     • Each patrol will assess food costs in advance to each participating boy scout.
     • Boy scouts may be responsible for additional fees for special activities.
     • Refunds may be available on request if the troop has not unrecoverably spent the funds on behalf of a boy scout who does not attend the event.
     • A scout is obligated to repay expenditures made on his behalf, by the troop or others, though the Scoutmaster, in his discretion, may relieve the obligation
   • The troop intends to conduct an outdoor overnight camping trip each month except July and August. Occasionally, as in the case of a ski trip, indoor accommodations may be used
   • A long-term camp (one week) is scheduled in the summer of each year, normally in June
   • Patrols are encouraged to schedule special patrol activities including overnight campouts. The Scoutmaster must be advised of and approve these activities in advance
   • A minimum of two adult leaders must be present at every troop activity, except approved patrol activities
   • A parent’s permission is required for a scout to attend each troop or patrol activity conducted at a location other than the normal meeting place.  A Parent Permission Form must be filled out and submitted to the Scoutmaster prior to attending any such event.  Event coordinators will prepare permission forms for distribution to the scouts.
   • Parents must inform the Scoutmaster or his representative of the need for scouts to receive medication while on a troop or patrol activity.  This notification must be in writing with the medication and the dosage listed.
   • A Local or National Tour Permit Application will be submitted to and approved by the NCAC prior to overnight troop or patrol events.  Tour permits are not required for District or Council activities such as camporees.
   • The parents of the troop’s scouts provide transportation for scouts to and from troop and patrol activities.  Carpooling is encouraged.  The Troop Committee Transportation Coordinator maintains a list of drivers so that Tour Permits can be properly filed.
4. Personal Equipment
   • Each Scout must provide his own uniform, outdoor clothing including boots, personal items, eating utensils and mess kit, sleeping bag, and backpack or bag. 
   • Prohibited and Controlled Items for Scouts on Troop or Patrol activities:
     • Prohibited items:
       • Sheath knives
       • Electronic entertainment or communication devices (ex. radio, CD players, cell phones)
     • Controlled items, subject to the stated conditions:
       • Folding knives with a blade of less than 4 inches provided the Scout has earned and is in possession of his Totin’ Chip certification.
       • Hatchets and axes, properly sheathed, and with the specific knowledge of the Scoutmaster, provided the Scout has earned and is in possession of his Totin’ Chip certification.
       • Matches, provided the scout has earned and is in possession of his Firem’n Chit certification.
5. Uniform
   • All Scouts are expected to have and wear an official Boy Scout uniform.  The official uniform consists of a scout long or short sleeve shirt with all insignia properly in place, a scout belt, scout long or short pants, scout socks, neckerchief, and slide.  Camouflage apparel is never part of any scout uniform nor is it to be worn during any scouting function.  Scouts are expected to wear the official uniform to official scouting functions including troop, patrol, PLC meetings, and outings.
   • The Scoutmaster may specify an alternative Uniform of the Day for certain events.
   • Scouts who are not in the required uniform for an event may be sent home.  Scouts who are not in uniform should provide a reason to the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader as to why they are not in uniform.
   • The troop shall maintain a program to promote the reuse of donated uniform components.  The Scoutmaster shall recruit an adult coordinator for this program and, with the consent of the Troop Committee, the coordinator shall establish guidelines and implement the program.
6. Behavior and Discipline
   • The Scouting program is designed for group activity in a team environment, with appropriately trained youth and adult leadership.  Each Scout is expected to conduct himself at all Scout activities according the Boy Scout Oath and the Boy Scout Law.
   • Scouts whose behavior is disruptive or inappropriate will be addressed first by their Patrol Leader.  If the problem continues, it will be brought to the attention of the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader.  Should they be unable to resolve the situation, they will bring the problem to the attention of the Scoutmaster.  The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster may conduct an informal Scoutmaster’s Conference with the Scout concerned or suggest that an immediate Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) be called to review the problem and options.  If the disruption is serious enough, the Scout’s parents or guardian will be informed.  If the problem is interfering with troop activities, the parent or guardian will be called to come and pick up the Scout immediately, even if the Troop is on a trip, regardless of distance or time of day or night.  Persistent behavior problems will be referred to the Troop Committee.
   • Parents or guardians of Scouts who are taking behavioral medication are asked to provide the Scoutmaster with the necessary medication.  This will help everyone have a good trip and will lessen the likelihood of discipline problems.
   • The following behaviors are prohibited at any Boy Scout activity:
     • Physical contact:  touching, slapping, punching, kicking, shoving, and wrestling.
       Exceptions:  the Scout handshake; a “pat on the back” for a job well done; practicing skills such as first aid bandaging on another Scout or rescue carries; supervised physical skill games such as “wheelbarrow” races, etc.
     • Touching an item that belongs to another individual without first asking their permission.
     • Use of inappropriate language or name-calling.
     • Smoking.
     • Drinking of alcoholic beverages.
     • Use of any controlled substances, not in accordance with a medical prescription.

(Revised March 10, 2009)