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Mustang District

Table of Contents

1. Joining Troop 336

Applicant(s) and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each applicant must meet with the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster, the Committee Chair or Key Committee position(s) for a personal interview before an applicant will be registered with Troop 336. The purpose for this meeting is to explain how Troop 336 functions, what the applicant's and parent's responsibilities are, and allow the applicant and parents/guardians to ask questions about the Troop. The Troop cannot function without the active involvement of every Scout's parent/guardian. Accordingly, the Troop requests each parent/guardian to volunteer for a Committee or adult leader position, to participate in at least one outing or activity annually in a supervisory capacity, to be a carpool driver providing transportation to outings and campouts and to sit on Boards of Review for the Scouts on a rotating basis.

2. Annual Patent's Meeting

An annual Parents/Guardians meeting will be convened by the Troop Committee Chair in late October or early November. The purpose of the meeting is to approve plans for the ensuing year, including the next year's proposed Activity Calendar and associated fund-raising activities, approve the executive board, adult leaders and Troop by-laws. This is an important meeting and parents/guardians are encouraged to attend this

meeting. Anyone who is unable to attend the meeting should notify the Committee Chair in advance.

3. Transportation to Outings

BSA requires that adult and youth Scouts being transported to a scouting activity must wear their Class A (without neckerchief) Uniform while traveling to and from the activity. Troop 336 will make every effort to organize carpools wherever possible; however the ultimate responsibility will lie with the parents/guardian. All carpool drivers must carry liability insurance of at least $50,000 (each person), $100,000 (each accident) and

$50,000 (property damage). All riders must wear seat belts while traveling as required by Texas law. Parents/guardians and adult leaders must provide updated information about their vehicle(s) and associated insurance to the Troop annually. The usual departure location is Heritage Church of Christ parking lot.

4. Transportation Home

The usual return location is also Heritage Church of Christ parking lot. Generally, parents/guardians will be contacted approximately 30 minutes before the Troop is scheduled to arrive at SBC only if the arrival time varies from the time stated on the permission slip. Parents/guardians are responsible for promptly picking up their sons after a Troop activity, or make other arrangements with another Troop Parent. Unless it's

an emergency, the adult leaders are to be informed of any pickup changes by the parent, in writing, prior to the Troop activity (e.g., a note on the permission slip for that activity). Adult leaders are to use common sense, and consider what is in the best interest of the Scout, should the occasion arise that a parent is not available when a Scout must be picked up.

II. TROOP COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Troop Committee Organization and Responsibilities

The Troop Committee is the Troop's Board of Directors and supports the Troop's programs. The Troop Committee does the following:

a. 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.

b. Provide an opportunity for CPR/First Aid training for Adult leaders on an annual basis.

c. Provides adequate meeting facilities.

d. Advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting and the chartered organization.

e. Supports leaders in carrying out the program.

f. Is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan.

g. Obtains, maintains, and properly cares for troop property.

h. Ensures the troop has an outdoor program (minimum 10 days and nights per year).

i. Serves on boards of review and courts of honor.

J. Supports the Scoutmaster in working with individual scouts and problems that may affect the overall troop program.

k. Provides for the special needs and assistance some scouts may require.

l. Helps with the Friends of Scouting campaign.

m. Assists the Scoutmaster with handling scout behavioral problems.

n. Reviews and recommends Scoutmaster (SM) for approval by Chartered Organization. Ensure minimum requirement for SM are met and maintained to include: 1) is/has been an ASM with Troop 336 for a minimum of 2 years, 2) successful completion of Wood Badge Training, and 3) current with required BSA training requirements.

o. Review and approve Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) applications submitted and recommended by Scoutmaster. Ensure minimum requirements for ASM are met and maintained to include: 1) Obtain or be current with BSA required training for the position 2.) While obtaining training serve on the troop committee in an active capacity).

p. Review and approve Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) recommendations made by the Scoutmaster. Ensure that minimum requirements for JASM are met which include 1) Scout has obtained the rank of Eagle. 2) Scout must desire to continue his scouting activities as an ASM with Troop 336 beyond his eighteenth (18) birthday. 3) Scout must be in his 11th year of age 4) Scout must serve as a JASM for a minimum of six (6) months before turning eighteen (18), 5) Scout must agree that upon turning eighteen (18) he will at the first available opportunity take the required BSA training expected of all ASMs. 5) Successful completion of the JASM program takes place of ASM requirement 0.1.

2. Elected Committee Members (Executive Board) and a brief description of their duties are as follows:

a. Troop Committee Chair - Oversees Committee operations (appointed by COR)

b. Treasurer -- keep track of Troop funds and Scout accounts and provides monthly reports

c. Secretary - takes and distributes minutes of Committee meetings

d. Communications Coordinator - maintains communication w/ parents/guardians

e. Advancement Coordinator - maintains advancement records for Troop

f. Fund-Raising Coordinator - coordinates fundraising opportunities for Troop

g. Troop Training Coordinator - Maintains training records for Troop 336 Leaders including merit badge counselors, committee members, executive board, SM and ASMs. Also ensures that all Adults working with boys have current Youth Protection Training (YPT)

h. Troop Coordinator - Greets new parents and helps them to fit in with the troop Adults filling these positions will have completed or will complete at next available training required BSA training for their position and will be approved at the annual Parents/guardians' meeting. There shall be no limit to the number of terms for any of these positions. Adults approved for a position are expected to serve until the following year's annual Parent's Meeting or until a replacement has been found.

3. Other Committee Positions and Subcommittees. 

In addition to the Executive Board, the Troop Committee Chair will seek persons to carry out numerous other tasks including but not limited to:

a. Outdoor Program Coordinator - coordinates all troop outings

b. Outdoor Equipment Coordinator - Reviews needs and purchases Troop Equipment

c. Board of Review Subcommittee - Assists in scheduling and participating in Board of Reviews

d. Membership Coordinator -responsible for registering new scouts and ensuring all who need the contact information receive a copy of the application.

e. Refreshments/Court of Honor Subcommittee - plans and coordinates Court of Honors

f. Webmaster for Troop 336 Internet Site

g. Benevolent Fund Administrators - three (3) adult members who review and approve requests for supplemental funding for scouts.

h. Troopmaster Administrator - Updates the information in Troopmaster to ensure correct contact information, medical information and other information is up to date.

4. Committee Meetings. 

The Executive Board shall meet regularly to discuss Troop Business. The Troop Committee Chair will schedule all committee meetings, provide

notice to the Troop members and adults of the meeting date and time and provide a written agenda for each meeting. All Troop parents/guardians are encouraged to attend and may vote on any issues and motions brought to the meeting. A quorum, for voting purposes, will exist when any four of the seven Executive Board Members are present at a Committee Meeting. Meetings are permissible without a quorum; however, no matters requiring a vote may be decided. 

5. Expedited Approval. 

Should a need arise to obtain Committee approval of an expenditure on an expedited basis, the Committee Chair shall be authorized to contact

the other Executive Board by telephone or electronic mail to discuss the matter and conduct a vote. In any such instance where a telephone vote has been conducted, the results of that vote shall be ratified at the next regular Committee meeting.

6. Amending the By-laws. 

Interim amendments to the By-laws may be made by majority vote of the Executive Board after introducing the amendment at one Committee

meeting and/or publishing the proposed amendment in the Troop newsletter. The amendment will be voted upon at the next committee meeting. Any interim amendment passed in this manner shall remain in effect only until the next Annual Parents/Guardians Meeting, at which time it will be offered as a permanent change. 

7. Boards of Review. 

The Troop Committee, acting through its Advancement Coordinator, will arrange for a Board of Review (BOR), for Scouts who have completed all of their requirements and their Scoutmaster's Conference for the following ranks: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle Palms.

When a Scout completes his Scoutmaster's Conference the Scout should contact the Advancement Coordinator, or in his absence, Assistant advancement coordinator or the Troop Committee Chair to arrange for a Board of Review Boards of Review can be held for Scouts for any reason, to determine how the program is working for the Scout. Troop 336 supports the BSA goal of having every new Scout advance to First Class

within one year.

8. Troop Web Site. 

To facilitate communication within the Troop, the Committee promotes and helps maintain a Troop website with a web address of www.t336.com. On this website there are links to: 1) the Troop Activities Calendar which has current and future monthly listings of events, campouts and fundraising activities, 2) summer camp and winter camp pages with information and pictures of where we have been and/or where we are going next, 3) the high adventure page which lists general information and eligibility requirements and, 4) individual patrol pages where patrol activities may be presented in pictorial form. Additional pages and/or links may be added as needed. The Troop Committee recognize that the website is a useful tool for dissemination of Troop information. The Committee also recognizes that such information could be used in a manner not intended. To minimize this possibility, the Committee, as a policy does not allow the Troop Webmaster to use the last name of any scout. Troop 336's webmaster may put photos of various troop and/or patrol activities and events on the troop's website. The name of any scouts shown in any photographs will not appear in association with the photograph. If a scout's name appears on the website only the scout's first name and last initial will be used. A scout's parent or guardian who does not wish their son's name to appear in any form on the troop website should submit a written request stating that to the Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee Chair or the Communications Chair.

1. Delivering the Promise. 

The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the public image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster's job is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop. Scoutmasters are selected by the committee in a process determined by the chair. The chair presents the candidate(s) for approval to the COR. The Scoutmaster is approved by the COR.

a. Train and guide scout leaders.

b. Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.

c. Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting. Meet regularly with adult leaders to coordinate efforts in support of the program.

d. Attend monthly Roundtables or arrange for an Assistant Scoutmaster to substitute

e. Meet regularly with the patrol leaders council for training and coordination in planning troop activities.

f. Attend all troop meetings or when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute

g. Attend Troop Committee meetings or arrange for an ASM to attend and give a report.

h. Conduct periodic parents/guardians' sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.

2. Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.

3. Disciplinary Actions. The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and/or the Troop Committee shall have the authority and discretion to contact parents/guardians and send home any Boy Scout who refuses to carry out the instructions of the Scoutmaster or his designated representative, or who, through his actions endangers lives, causes physical harm or damages property. In the event this occurs, the parents/guardians of the scout will be required to make arrangements to take custody of the scout. The Troop shall not be liable for any costs involved; these will be solely the parents/guardians' responsibility. Disciplinary action(s) will be dealt with in strict confidence. The Scout's parents/guardians will be fully informed of the issue. Because serious or recurring behavioral problems may require the Troop Committee's involvement, the Scoutmaster will share all discipline matters with the Troop Committee. All problems will be addressed in a firm, fair manner with the goal to integrate the youth into the Scouting program. Problems that may lead to a youth's permanent removal from the Troop will be handled by the Troop Committee, the Scoutmaster, and the Scout's parents or guardians. Together, the Troop Committee, parents/guardians, and Scoutmaster will work toward a solution with the Troop's best interest in mind. With regard to the above guidelines, the Committee Chair is empowered to act on behalf of the Committee, so that disciplinary actions can be dealt with on a timely basis. The parent of a Scout involved in a disciplinary action, who is the Scoutmaster, outing leader involved, or the Committee Chair, shall defer to another leader or Committee member during problem resolution. Any disciplinary action will include conditions, if any, under which the Scout may return to the Troop's regular program.

1. Joining Fee. The parents/guardians of each new Scout registering with Troop 336 shall pay a joining fee of $95.00.

2. Dues. Weekly dues for each Scout shall be $2.00.

a. Any scout in arrears by more than $20.00 will be denied the opportunity to attend campouts until his dues are caught up.

b. All Scouts must have their dues paid in full by November 30th of the calendar year in order for the Troop to pay the Scouts recharter fees.

Any Scout who has been dropped from the troop roster due to inactivity or nonpayment of dues will have to rejoin the Troop and pay the Troop joining fee again. 

3. Uniform. It is the parent's responsibility to provide a complete Field (Class A) uniform for the Scout Troop 336 defines "Class A" as the Boy scout shirt, Troop neckerchief, blue jeans or green or tan pants or shorts, belt and appropriate shoes (no sandals or open toed shoes of any kind). Troop 336's approved "Class B" uniform consists of the Troop Tshirts with appropriate color worn as directed by the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC).

4. Summer Camp. Each Scout is encouraged to earn his Summer Camp money himself through participation in Troop fundraisers or through his own enterprise. Each year the Summer Camp Coordinator will provide parent's with a monthly payment schedule, starting in January, in order to help minimize the financial burden of paying for summer camp. Scouts, who do not have their weekly dues current, will not be allowed to attend

summer camp. 

5. Activity Fee. Each scout shall pay an activity fee for each campout or other activity. The activity fee will cover the cost of food and the camping fees. Permission slips and activity fees shall be collected by the Outdoor Program Coordinator for that event and turned in to the appropriate adult leader two weeks prior to the activity. A Scout may elect to use his Scout account funds to pay the fees for a Troop activity. To avoid possible confusion in the transfer of funds from the Scout's account, written confirmation from the Scout's parent/guardian will be required. This can be done 

by the parent/guardian checking the appropriate box (cash, check, Scout Account) on the permission slip prior to signing it.

6. Equipment Expenses. Each Scout is expected to provide his own mess kit, knife/fork/spoon set, cup, sleeping bag/bedroll, necessary personal articles and spending money for each outing. Each Scout is strongly encouraged to acquire his own tent as soon as possible

7. Pick-Up Expense. If a Scout is on a Troop Activity or a Troop camp out and the scout becomes sick beyond the capabilities of the Troop or the Scout Camp, the parents/guardians will be notified and the Troop requires that the parent/guardian, at their expense, immediately come and pick up the Scout at the activity or campsite even if the activity is out of the District Council or State.

A budget will be prepared annually to include anticipated expenses throughout the year. The budget committee will consist of Committee Chair, Fundraising Chair, Treasurer, ASM and a parent at large. The proposed budget will be presented to the troop committee for approval prior to the annual parent meeting

1. Major Expenses.

a. Troop Registration

b. Boy's Life subscriptions

c. Troop Insurance/HCOC Insurance Riders

d. Summer / Winter Camp fee for adult leaders

b. Troop equipment

f. Eagle Recognition Award

g. Leadership Training Costs for registered Adult Leaders

h. Basic First Aid / CPR training for Adult Leaders

i. Recharter fees for former and current COR, former and current Committee Chair, former and current SM, current ASM, current executive board members and the founding members as long as the members are current on required BSA training requirements.

2. Routine Expenses.

a. Newsletter printing and postage

b. Bank charges and check printing

c. Advancement costs for awards, pins, merit badges etc.

d. Propane, and other immediate outing necessities

e. Court of Honor expenses

f. Annual parent's meeting expenses

g. Gasoline expenses for troop activities

h. Office supplies

i. PLC food

j. Honor Patrol award

k. Webloree

l. Trunk or Treat

m. Church meal expense

n. Supplies for Troop 336 neckerchiefs

3. Scoutmaster's Fund. A fund of $50.00 per month (non-cumulative) is provided to the Scoutmaster to be used specifically to support the Troop. This fund shall be used for but not limited to the following: 1) PLC and training event refreshments, 2) maintenance and improvements to the Troop trailer, 3) Troop gear and 4) other expenses necessary to support the Troop. The Scoutmaster shall submit receipts to the Treasurer for all expenditures.

4. Expenditure Approval. Items not included in the current budget must be approved by the Committee prior to expenditure, or the individual runs the risk of non-approval and non-reimbursement.

5. High Adventure. High adventure expenses are the sole responsibility of the scouts or adults who are participating in these events. The troop is not responsible for any fees associated with high adventure treks. The Troop will pre-pay high adventure fees that may be required before individual fees are collected. However all pre-paid expenses will be repaid to the troop.

1. Fiscal Year. The Troop 336 Fiscal Year is defined as January 1 through December 31.

2. Fundraisers. All scouts in the Troop will be afforded ample opportunities to participate in fundraisers and other projects to earn money to pay for activities such as summer camp, winter camp, and/or high adventure. Fundraising activities shall be supervised by the Fundraising Coordinator or "adult in charge". Fundraising activities will include at least one BSA Council sponsored fundraiser. Other activities can be suggested by the PLC, the Troop Committee or Troop parents/guardians subject to Troop Committee and/or BSA approval.

3. Distribution of Funds. There are typically two (2) ways fundraising proceeds are distributed within the Troop a. Scout Fundraiser. 100% of the participating Scout's prorata share of the net profits earned at fundraisers will be placed in the individual Scout's account. b. Troop Fundraiser. All of the net proceeds from the fundraiser will go into the troop general fund. When a fund raising opportunity is approved by the committee, the committee will also approve which distribution method or a combination of both where a percentage of the proceeds will be put into the Scout Account and the remaining percentage in the Troop general fund.

4. Ownership of the Scout's Fund - Each Scout and/or parent in the troop has a "Scout Account" where monies from fundraising activities are credited to the individual Scout. A scout may use his Scout Account funds for summer camp, winter camp and other scout related activities. A Scout may, with the written authorization from a parent/guardian, use his funds for the purchase of other camping or scouting related expenses such as scout dues, tents, sleeping bags, scout shirt, pants or belt, etc. The scout will be reimbursed based on submission of a receipt for the purchase. If an individual Scout has funds in his Scout Account that are not used by the time the time a Scout leaves the Troop, the funds shall be held in escrow for a period of six months before being moved to the Scout Benevolent Fund. If during the six months, a Scout transfers to another troop, the Scout may request his Scout funds be

transferred to the new Troop by having the new Troop submit a written request to Troop 336's Troop Committee Chair.

1. Benevolent Fund. In order for the Troop to be responsive to the needs of its scouts and be able to assist those who may not be able, from time to time, to afford certain scouting activities, the Troop will maintain a benevolent fund.

2. Fundraisers. From time to time during the year, as the Troop Committee deems necessary, the Committee will designate a fund raising activity which shall be distinct, separate and apart from the other fund raising activities listed in Section VI above. The specific purpose of these fundraising activities is to add money to the benevolent fund account. Donations from individuals and other sources may also be accepted as long as the donor makes it clear that the donation is for the benevolent fund .

3. Accounting. The Troop Treasurer will keep an accounting of the amount of funds collected for the benevolent fund and shall include the fund balance as part of the treasurer's report at Troop Committee meetings.

4. Administration. The Troop Committee Chair will designate three (3) of its members to act as fund administrators. The administrators will receive and review all fund expenditure requests and will make recommendations to the Troop Committee. Troop Committee approval is required for any and all benevolent fund expenditures.

1. All inquiries and/or concerns shall be directed to the Troop Committee Chair.

The By-laws as set forth above were reviewed by the Troop Committee members and approved by a majority of the Committee members in attendance at the annual Troop Meeting held at Heritage Church of Christ on January 18, 2011.