The Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan are Scouting’s ideals which are designed to be guidelines for Scouts to follow and live by.  Should any Scout disobey these ethical foundations of Scouting, a discipline problem arises.  Let us specifically define a discipline problem as any poor behavior which is not upheld by Scouting’s ideals, or behavior which is disruptive, unsafe, or overall unacceptable.

Every Scout in the troop has the right to report anyone who he feels is a discipline problem.  The following procedure should be followed in the event of a discipline problem:

1. Any incident should be reported immediately to your patrol leader, another patrol leader, or an acting patrol leader.  If the incident is of a sensitive matter, you can take your complaint to the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) or an adult leader.  However, in most cases you should report to a patrol leader.

2. The patrol leader will then attempt to solve the discipline problem if it specifically concerns a member of his patrol.  He should try to resolve the conflict, issue a warning if necessary, and take immediate action if necessary.

3. Should the problem not be resolved, the patrol leader will report to the Senior Patrol Leader.  If necessary, the Scout(s) in question will call their parents to be removed from the activity immediately, and the final word on this will go to the SPL and/or the Scoutmaster.

4. Should the Senior Patrol Leader not be able to resolve the conflict for any reason whether it be there is not enough time or the situation just demands the attention of the other Patrol Leaders, the issue will be brought up at the next Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC).

5. The Senior Patrol Leader has the right to take whatever actions necessary until the set PLC (i.e. immediate suspension from all troop activities).  At the PLC the Patrol Leaders will discuss the problem and decide on a definite action, whether it be immediate punishment or a hearing to decide the outcome.

6. The parents of the Scout(s) in question will be notified of the decision of the PLC.

7. Should a hearing be required the Scout(s) in question will be brought before the SPL, ASPL, Patrol Leaders, and Scoutmaster (PLC) to explain their cases.  Any witnesses should be there at that time.

8. The PLC will make a decision.  Should it be deemed necessary, apologies for the poor behavior by the guilty Scout(s) will take place at a date and place to be determined by the PLC.  Should the decision include suspension from troop activities, any money the guilty Scout(s) paid to attend a Scouting activity taking place during the suspension will be returned, if possible.  However, this is not a right or guarantee.  The PLC/troop will not spend any length of time beyond the hearing worrying about Scout(s) who cannot behave properly.

9. Should the PLC’s decision not satisfy any Scout for any reason, he has the right to appeal the decision by delivering a written complaint to the SPL within one week of the PLC’s decision. The SPL will discuss the complaint with the PLC and decide if it warrants further action. If the PLC deems this unnecessary, the decision is final.