Mission Statement
It is the mission of Troop 110 to promote and foster an atmosphere that will provide a foundation for growth of the membership in moral strength and character, participating citizenship, and physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Responsibilities of the Adult Committee include providing an adequate meeting facility, supporting and enforcing the policies of the Boy Scouts of America, the Chartering Organization, and the Troop, providing financial stability utilizing a budget plan, managing troop property, providing an adequate camping program, and recruiting the best leadership available to operate the program.
Troop Meetings
Meeting Days: Tuesday Evenings for Troop Meetings, Wednesday Evenings for Adult Committee
Meetings; specific dates are identified on the Troop Calendar
Time: 7:00 p.m. -- 8:30 p.m.
Place: Our Lady of Sorrows Church (Middle School Lunch Room, or Church Hall North)
1. Scouts should arrive 5 minutes prior to the start of any troop meeting.
2. By pre-assignment, members of one patrol will be required to arrive 15 minutes prior to each troop meeting to set up the hall, and shall remain following the meeting to put the meeting place in order, and to clean.
3. Any scout unable to attend a Troop meeting is to let his Patrol Leader know that is not coming, and the Patrol Leader is to inform the Scribe.
4. No Scout will be allowed to leave a troop meeting early without a written note or personal telephone call from a parent or guardian.
5. All meetings that require us to leave our normal meeting place require a permission slip. The troop provides a special permission slip for every event and we request that you use these slips at all times.
6. Scouts exhibiting improper behavior requiring premature dismissal from any scouting event will be sent home. If a parent cannot be reached by telephone to come and get the scout, the scout will be separated from the general program and kept at the meeting until its scheduled completion time.
It is important to adhere to the above times and schedule requirements to ensure a smoothly run program. Our unit leaders all have full time employment and we schedule their arrival times to ensure they have time to return from work and have dinner with their families. The Boy Scouts of America requires two deep leadership, and Troop 110 abides by this requirement at all times.
Meetings between parents and the Scoutmaster or his assistants can be scheduled at any time throughout the year. Any parent wishing to discuss any special situation is encouraged to schedule such a meeting with the Senior Patrol Leader, where appropriate, and/or with the Scoutmaster. We will make every effort to accommodate your schedule whenever possible.
Operating Fees
The following is the fee structure of Troop 110. The fees include Registration (national fee), Insurance (council wide policy) and additional costs as outlined below. The fee structure is based on a January to December calendar year and is applicable to returning Scouts, Scouts transferring from other units, or graduating Webelos from the Cub Scout program. The current fees are $20.00 per youth and $10.00 per adult. The yearly fee includes the registration and the appropriate magazine. Troop expenses are paid for by group fundraisers, such as our pancake breakfasts and can and bottle drives, rather than by dues.
Program
Troop 110 will operate using the Patrol Method. Program planning is done by the Patrol Leaders Council which meets approximately twice a month. The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) is run by our Senior Patrol Leader, under the supervision of the Scoutmaster. Every Patrol leader attends every PLC, or sends his assistant or some other member of his patrol, in order to effectuate communication in both directions between the patrols and the Patrol Leaders Council. All actions of the PLC are democratically decided. As a result of this method of operation, Scouts learn more about responsibility and stand to realize greater rewards from involvement in this program. The entire calendar, including both its creation and its implementation, is the responsibility of the junior leadership, acting democratically through representation to the Patrol Leaders Council, consistent with the patrol method.
Each Patrol and each Scout is assigned specific duties to put the program plan into action. For example, individual patrols, under the supervision of the Senior Patrol Leader, are charged with all facets of preparing every one of our weekly troop meetings and each of our campouts. Reservations for campouts are made by the patrol charged with organizing the camp out. Guest speakers invited to our troop meetings are invited there by the patrol charged with organizing that troop meeting. The individual Scout’s performance on these assignments is the true measure of success of the program.
The program is BOY RUN and ADULT SUPERVISED.
Weekly Meetings
The Troop meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., in the middle school lunchroom at Our Lady of Sorrows, or in the Church Hall North, depending on arrangements made in advance with Our Lady of Sorrows.
The meetings are planned under oversight provided by, and with the assistance of the Patrol Leaders Council, but each individual meeting is the more particular responsibility of one of the patrols. Meetings include formal opening and closing ceremonies, skill work, guest speakers, games, and inter-patrol activities. Meetings are scheduled to be fun while educational. The boy leaders conduct the meetings under the supervision of the Scoutmaster and his staff. The patrols are encouraged to bring in a merit badge counselor, or other guest speaker, in support of the subject matter of every Troop Meeting, where feasible.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp is an annual event. Troop 110 traditionally attends one week of summer camp at the end of June. Costs of attending camp are the responsibility of the parents of the Scout. According to need, we have sometimes been able to provide "campership" funds to some families, to offset at least some part of the cost of Summer Camp. At the troop level, we have also sometimes allocated troop funds raised through our regular fund raisers to offset summer camp costs for all in the troop. Activities at summer camp include scout crafts, swimming, rank advancement, merit badges, and optional boating or high adventure (usually for older Scouts). We presently attend Lost Lake Scout Reservation, near Clare, Michigan.
Troop Structure
A Boy Scout troop is made up of patrols of from five to eight boys. Each patrol elects a Patrol Leader. Each patrol leader appoints an Assistant. Each Patrol Leader sits as a member of the Patrol Leaders Council, the governing body within the troop at the boy level. The Patrol Leaders Council is presided over by an older Scout who is elected Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). The Senior Patrol Leader appoints an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster(s) help oversee troop functions. Other leadership positions your son may hold include: Troop Scribe, Historian, Quartermaster, Librarian, Chaplain's Aide, and Bugler. He may also be selected to work with a Cub Scout Pack as a Den Chief. The SPL, ASPL, Scribe, and Patrol Leaders, and any others invited to those meetings for a specific purpose, meet about twice a month to make sure the troop is running properly.
Troop Committee Meetings
The Troop Committee is an assembly of adults, in most cases parents of scouts presently active in the troop, who work together in support of the Troop program. The committee is appointed and approved by the Chartering Organization. Some members of the troop committee have titles, like treasurer or advancement chairman, while other interested parents participate as members "at large." The Troop Committee meets once a month to review the progress of the program, to offer advice, consent, and support to the undertakings of the Patrol Leaders Council, and to discuss future plans. It is the responsibility of the Troop Committee to perform the following functions:
Provide for adequate meeting facilities. Advise the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting. Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America. Provide encouragement to the leaders as they carry out the program. Be responsible for finances in support of the program, and to make disbursements as needed. Supervise a program of fund raising. Secure, maintain, and ensure the proper care of troop property. Provide for an adequate camping program. Insure that qualified leadership is recruited and trained.
Troop Committee members are assigned to specific tasks such as Treasurer, Advancement Chairperson, and Secretary, to name a representative few. Every parent is welcome to join the committee and/or sit in on its monthly meetings. Parents’ views and opinions are very important to us and we encourage open communication with the members of the Troop Committee. Only registered committee members have authorization to vote on issues brought before the Troop Committee. The Scoutmaster and his assistant Scout Masters are not members of the Troop Committee, and do not vote on matters which come before the Troop Committee, although they are invited to join in its discussions.
Uniform
Troop 110 encourages a complete uniform. The Scout must purchase a special troop neckerchief and numerals from the troop. The BSA khaki shirt and the official BSA pants are necessary and are to be worn at all troop meetings and functions unless otherwise instructed. The troop maintains a box in the locker which contains shirts and pants turned in by Scouts and scouters which no longer fit. All are invited to take from there, according to need. All are likewise encouraged to consider turning their old stuff in. All of the clothing in the box is available at no cost. See the BSA Handbook for correct placement of all insignia. Uniforms and Scouting items can be purchased at various locations locally. Contact one of the unit leaders for a list of. these places.
Training
Training for Scouts in leadership positions is provided within the Troop. Training courses are scheduled at least once a year, or more often to accommodate leadership changes during the year. There are sometimes costs associated with certain of the training events available, and the Troop Committee will make every effort to absorb those costs, based on the Scoutmaster's recommendation. It is the Scoutmaster’s responsibility to train the Senior Patrol Leader. Direct leadership training below the level of SPL within the Troop is the responsibility of the Senior Patrol Leader, in partnership with the Scoutmaster and his assistants. Wherever possible, the scouts should be teaching, training, and supervising each other. Troop 110 also sends boys who appear to the Scoutmaster to be ready for such to a Clinton Valley Council "Junior Leader Traning Conference," also known as "Top Knot." The troop has been underwriting one half of the expense of this week long program.
Troop 110 encourages its adult leaders to avail themselves of the training opportunties made available through the Clinton Valley Council, and through other councils.
Youth Protection Training
It is the intention of Troop 110 to provide Youth Protection Training to all members of our scouting family. This training is for both youth and adult members. The training is regularly offered by the Troop. All leaders in Troop 110 are required to participate in this program. All parents are strongly encouraged to participate.
The safety and well being of our Scouts is very important to us and we again strongly encourage participation by all in these training sessions.
Merit Badge Counselors
A Merit Badge Counselor works with Scouts individually or in groups to teach skills and impart knowledge in specific areas. After completing the requirements for a particular Merit Badge, the Scout receives a badge which is worn on his Merit Badge Sash, and a card which should be kept as proof of completion. There is no registration fee to register as a Merit Badge Counselor, and parents with special skills should consider providing this service to scouting, and particularly the Troop. No parent can act as a Merit Badge Counselor for his own child.
Advancement
All requirements for advancement are tracked using the Boy Scout Handbook. The information is then maintained though use of computer software by the Advancement Chairperson. The Scout should bring his Handbook to all functions to have requirements signed off and dated as they are satisfied.
Beginning boy scouts first earn the rank of Scout. The requirements can be found on page 4 of the BSA Handbook. These skills must be demonstrated to the Scoutmaster who will them initial and date the Scout's Handbook, after successful completion of a "Scoutmaster’s Conference." The initials or signature and date are required for the badge to be awarded.
The ranks of Tenderfoot Scout, Second Class Scout, and First Class Scout require skills learned at campouts, hikes, and Troop meetings, and also require service hours. Please be sure that all service hours are clearly documented if they are not performed at a Troop activity. The requirements will then be initialed and dated in the Scout Handbook as they are completed. A Scout may work on the individual requirements for any of these three ranks in any order he wishes, but cannot receive those rank advancements out of order. All rank advancements up to First Class may be seen as directed or supervised advancements. The ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle should be seen as self-directed. Requirements for completion of those ranks exceed the basic skills of the lower ranks, and the Scout assumes personal responsibility for his advancement, always with support from the Troop.
The last two requirements for every rank are a Scoutmaster Conference and a Board of Review. At the Scoutmaster Conference, the Scout and Scoutmaster review the requirements for that rank and any previous ranks. If the Scoutmaster feels confident that the Scout has demonstrated the knowledge and skills required, he will initial and date the Handbook and arrange for a Board of Review. Only the Scoutmaster is entitled to sign off on the requirement that a scout seeking advancement has shown "Scout Spirit" such that he should be advanced in rank, other requirements having been satisfied. Scout Spirit is a requirement for each rank advancement above the rank of Scout.
Scoutmaster Conferences must be scheduled through the Senior Patrol Leader. Before a Scoutmaster Conference can be scheduled by the Senior Patrol Leader for a Scout seeking to advance in rank, the Senior Patrol Leader must convene a group of boys senior in rank to the scout seeking advancement whose responsibility it shall be to review scouting skills, and then to certify to the Scoutmaster that, in their judgment, the scout seeking advancement is ready for a Scoutmaster Conference, and thereafter for a Board of Review. By invitation of the SPL, one committee member or other adult, but not the Scoutmaster or any of his Assistants, may be asked to participate as an observer at the pre-Scoutmaster Conference Scouting Skills Review.
Boards of Review are functions falling within the responsibility of the Troop Committee. A Board of Review panel consists of a minimum of three adults. The SPL, or any senior scout designated by theSPL, may be invited, at the panel’s discretion, to sit in as an observer and as an adviser for a portion of the Board of Review, provided that such scout participant must be excused from at least part of the exchange between the scout seeking advancement and the members of the board of review. This is to facilitate the free expression by the scout seeking advancement of any complaints or criticisms he might have about the troop, including the junior leadership of the troop. The Scoutmaster, his Assistant Scoutmasters, and the Scout's parents MAY NEVER sit on a Board of review.
The Scout must present himself in a neat, clean, and complete uniform, and must have his Handbook with him. Failure to present himself in this manner may result in the review being rescheduled and advancement delayed. The Board will ordinarily ask the scout seeking advancement questions about Scouting, about the Troop, about activities he has attended, and about advancement requirements pertaining to the rank he is completing. Particular attention may be paid to Scout Spirit and how the Scout has demonstrated this since his last rank advancement. Failure to demonstrate the proper Scout Spirit will restrict a Scouts advancement opportunities. The Board of Review may deny or delay advancement to any Scout, notwithstanding the fact that the Scoutmaster has signed off on the "Scout Spiriti" requirement and convened the Board of Review. The Board will announce the results to the Scout and to the Scoutmaster after conferring. All awards, including rank and merit badges, are presented at the meeting following the completion of the requirements, to ensure timely recognition, and are again recognized at the next Court of Honor, before the entire Troop 110 scouting family at Our Lady of Sorrows.
Once the rank of First Class has been earned, a scout may begin earning Merit Badges. With the Scoutmaster's approval, work on merit badges may begin prior to that time. A list of all available Merit Badges is near the back of t he BSA Handbook. The advancement chairperson will always have a current list of available merit badge counselors. Work on a merit badge may begin only after the scout obtains a "blue card" from the Scoutmaster. Scouts are encouraged to obtain a merit badge pamphlet and to identify an appropriate merit badge counselor before asking for a blue card. The Troop maintains a library of Merit Badge pamphlets which members of the troop may obtain from the Troop Librarian, but scouts are encouraged to get and keep their own copies of merit badge books, in most cases. They are cheap text books which should be read, thoroughly annotated to make them personally more useful, and kept for reference.
Some work on Merit Badges may be done at Troop meeting, in groups outside meetings, on an individual basis, or at summer camp. Scouts charged with organizing individual troop meetings are encouraged to consider merit badge counselors as likely persons to bring in as speakers. Merit Badge Counselors must be approved by the Scoutmaster. Likely Merit Badge Counselors may be identified by consulting with the Scoutmaster and the Advancement Chairperson.
Youth Protection Policies require that a third person be present when any individual scout is working with a Merit Badge Counselor. The third person may be, under these circumstances, another Scout, a parent, a friend, or a sibling.
An application for a Merit Badge (Blue Card) must be obtained from the Scoutmaster before starting work. The blue card is presented to the counselor at the first meeting. Upon completion of each of the several requirements for a given merit badge, the counselor will initial and dates that requirement. When all requirements for the merit badge have been completed, the counselor will sign and date the card and return it to the Scout. The card must then be presented to the Scoutmaster, for his signature, and then presented to the advancement chairperson. The advancement chairperson record it in his records. The scout, or the advancement chairperson should also enter the merit badge in the Scout's Handbook, initialing and dating that entry. The Advancement Chairperson will process the blue card, obtain the Merit Badge, and present the Merit Badge at the next regular troop meeting. The Scout should always save his portion of the blue card, as a back up to the troop’s records. Requirements for the ranks of Star Scout, Life Scout, and Eagle Scout are listed near the back of the BSA Handbook, just before the Merit Badge Listing. When a scout earns the rank of Life, the Scoutmaster and the Advancement Chairperson will meet with the Life Scout, present him with a "Life to Eagle Packet," to explain the requirements for advancement to Eagle, and to answer any questions about the rank of Eagle.
Fund Raisers
These are held occasionally. You will be notified ahead of time and asked to participate with your son. Funds raised are used to offset the costs of Scouting to the Scouts and their families. Funds raised are used for equipment (repairs, tents, cooking gear, etc.), camping fees (site fees, registration fees, etc.), Summer Camp Costs, and other expenses approved by action of the adult committee. All Scouts are required to participate in fund raising activities, and all parents are encouraged to assist when requested. All activity cost not covered by fund raising activities end up being passed on to the Scouts and to their families. We have selected types of fund raising activities which insure the money will be raised by action of the boys working together, rather than by action of their parents imposing on fellow workers or on networks of friends.
Service Projects
To help foster a sense of personal responsibility and citizenship, Scouts are required to participate in service projects approved by their Scoutmaster for several of the ranks, including Second Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.
The time of service must be a minimum of I hour for Second Class and 6 hours each for Star and Life ranks. This may be done as an individual project or as a member of a patrol or troop project.
For an Eagle Scout project, a Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project designed to benefit any religious institution, school, or community institution during the time that he is a Life Scout. The Eagle Scout service project provides the opportunity for the Eagle Scout candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting. He must do the project outside the sphere of Scouting. Before any Eagle Scout service project is begun, it must be approved by the District or Council Advancement Chairman. An Eagle Scout Service Project may not benefit the troop, the chartering organization, or any boy scout facility. It must look outwards to the community outside of scouting. It should involve real, useful labor. It should involve a significant number of people, whose efforts are recruited, organized, and directed by the Life Scout. It should benefit a worthy group in some substantial, enduring way. It must look outwards from scouting to the larger community and give service to that larger community.
Although an Eagle project may not benefit the chartering organization, Troop 110 often takes on service projects, large and small, which do benefit the Chartering Organization, as well as certain other community organizations. For example, our troop regularly puts on and serves meals to elderly and disabled persons as a part of an ongoing soup kitchen program at St. Patrick’s parish in Detroit. All Scouts must participate in these projects. We consider participation in these projects an important part of the dues of membership in scouting. This Troop's commitment to community is central to our scouting program. Information about all such troop projects may be found on our Troop Calendar, with updated information forwarded in timely fashion to all Scouts and parents prior to scheduled service dates. Parents are encouraged and welcome to participate whenever possible.
Last Updated on January 24, 1998 by David Ehrlich Thanks to Troop 26 -- Lowell, Massachusetts, whose format we have borrowed & adapted