1 New Parent Meeting - PowerPoint Presentation

1 New Parent Meeting BSA Troop 945 March 21, 2011

New Parent Meeting Goals of Scouting Scouts Organization Adult LeadersRank AdvancementMerit BadgesRecognitionUniform PolicyRecommended EquipmentTroop Outings Record KeepingMeetingsDues/Fundraising/Scout BucksCommunicationsTroop CommitteeHow can you help?Summer CampQ & A?? 2

Goals of Scouting The Aims of Boy Scouting Character development Citizenship trainingPhysical, mental, and emotional fitness Aims are Delivered by these MethodsIdealsPatrolsOutdoor ProgramsAdvancementPersonal GrowthLeadership DevelopmentUniform3

Scouts Organization Patrols Grouping of six or more boys who work together. Each patrol elects its own boy leader, called a patrol leader. Troop Youth LeadersThe troop is actually run by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.Senior Patrol Leader - top boy leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council (PLC) and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - fills in for senior patrol leader in his absence.Patrol Leader - gives leadership to members of his patrol and represents them on the PLC.Assistant Patrol Leader - fills in for the patrol leader in his absence. Additional positions include, Quartermaster, Librarian, Historian, Instructor, Troop Guide, Scribe, Chaplain Aide, etc…..4

Scoutmaster and ASM’s The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the program of the troop and is responsible for training boys to be Troop leaders. With the ASMs, they are responsible to bring Scouting to the boys, helping the boys grow into good Scouts and responsible citizens and Interfacing with the Troop Committee to ensure that the necessary resources are available to ensure a good Scout program is provided to the boys. A lead ASM is assigned to each Troop outing to coordinate the activity with the PLC and trip SPL. Scoutmaster – Chalk Dawson5

Troop Committee The Troop Committee is responsible for seeing that the necessary resources are made available to support the Scouts as necessary. These resources include funding, record keeping, adult recruiting, boards of review, re-chartering and more. Specific Committee positions include: Committee Chair, Merit Badge Coordinator, Life-to-Eagle Coordinator, Board of Review Coordinator, Quartermaster, Training, and Treasurer (as well as the Chartered Organization Representative and the Scoutmaster). Committee Chair – Jim Fraser6

Rank Advancement Process by which Boy Scout Progresses Designed to help Scout have exciting and meaningful experience Education and fun are key to advancement principlesScout through First Class Ranks focus on Scouting’s basic skillsGoal of BSA and Troop 945: every Scout achieves First Class within 1 year of joining the TroopThe last two steps of each Rank advancement is the Scoutmaster Conference and the Board of Review 7

Merit Badges Over 120 Boy Scout Merit Badges Teach Scouts about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers Required for rank advancement beyond First Class Scout21 Merit Badges required for Eagle Scout that include 12 specific badges (Silver Merit Badges)Troop 945 currently has Counselors for 87 of the 120+ Merit Badges (including ALL Silver Merit Badges) 8

Recognition Court of Honors are held three times per yearMonday nights - Instead of the Troop Meeting that weekCeremony to celebrate the achievements of the boysRank AdvancementMerit BadgesAdditional awards or recognitionSlide show that documents the Troops activities 9

Uniform Policy Class A Uniform (generally worn) Scout uniform shirt, Scout pants, Scout socks, and Scout belt. Class A+ Uniform (special occasions, COH) Same as Class A plus neckerchief and slideClass B Uniform (worn during work activities)Scout pants and Boy Scout T-ShirtTroop 945 Scouts always travel in Class A uniform!! 10

Recommended Equipment Equipment needed for weekend trips Flashlight Mess kit (includes fork/spoon)Water bottleScout HandbookSleeping BagPocket Knife (once approved)Troop providesTentfood 11

Troop Outings The Troop goes on weekend camping trips about once a month. These trips are usually within 4 hours of the Damascus area. The boys are not required to go on these trips, however they are a lot of fun . We usually leave from the Plantations 2 pool parking lot.Trips usually cost $20 - $25 dollars and include camping fees and most meals.REMINDER: We always travel in Class A uniform.12

Record Keeping Troop keeps Merit Badge & Advancement records in advancement database ( TroopMaster )Critical that you also keep your own recordsCampouts attendedCamped days, miles hiked/backpacked/floatedService hours and projectsLeadership positions and timeRank Advancement cardsMerit badge blue cards13

Meetings Troop Meetings Every Monday (except last Monday of month) at the IWL from 7:30 to 8:30 PM Patrol MeetingsLast Monday of the month, time and location determined by PatrolPatrol Leaders Council (PLC) MeetingsFirst Thursday of Each Month at the Damascus Rec Center from 7:30 to 9:00 PMAssistant Scoutmaster (ASM) MeetingsLast Tuesday of each month at the IWL from 7:30 to 9:00 PM Committee MeetingsSecond Thursday of each month at the Damascus Rec Center from 7:30 to 9:00 PM14

Dues/Fundraising Annual dues (Nov ), for recharter and troop needsFull year scouts - $50 / year (includes Boy’s Life)$60 / year obligation from Mulch salesTransfer scouts - $1 transfer feeTrained Adult Leaders – Dues paid by the Troop Major fundraisers (performed by entire Troop)Mulch ( generally sold in Feb and Early March). Mulch delivery day is mandatory for all families.Cowboy ShootsChristmas wreaths Christmas treesPopcorn sales15

Communicating How do we get the word out? Troop Web Site www.troop945.orgTroop Meeting agendaTypically e-mailed to Troop prior to meetingYahoo Groups e-mail listAdult and Scout announcements at the start of the Troop meetings 16

How can you help? Troop Resource Survey ASM CommitteeMerit Badge CounselorSpecific skill or interestPlenty of other ways…….17

Summer Camp Camp Powhatan, Blue Ridge Mountain Council, Hiwassee, VA July 24-30, 2011 Cost : $295 per Scout, $160 per Adulthttp://www.brmcreservation.org/camp-Powhatan_2.htmFirst year Scouts participate in a specific program with other Scouts their age (Brown Sea Island).Focus on requirements and not Merit BadgesDave Wrona is the summer camp coordinatordavid.wrona@verizon.net 18

19 Q’s & A’s