General Policies

Purpose

Any organization, in order to be successful in achieving its purposes and to have meaning and relevance, must be important to its members, must have members and leaders who are dedicated to its objectives, and must set high goals and standards. Toward this end and to achieve clarity of understanding, this Statement of General Policies, as adopted by the Troop Leadership Council, is promulgated.

Conduct and Deportment

It is expected that all members of the troop will at all times, to the best of their ability, live by and exemplify the scout oath and the scout law. Scouts are expected to obey troop rules, show respect to troop leaders, and to be courteous to leaders and each other.

General Policies

• Scouts are expected to attend all troop functions. It if is impossible to attend a troop function, the scout should notify the scoutmaster and his patrol leader in advance.
• Scouts may not bring to campouts or summer camp any gear not specifically authorized by the scoutmaster. Radios, tape recorders, walkman type devices, and personal stoves are specifically not authorized.
• Profanity is not permitted.
• Scouts are not permitted at any time to have tobacco in their possession.
• No person, scout or adult, is permitted to bring any alcoholic beverages to any troop function or any function sponsored by the troop or any of its organizations.
• Scouts should be punctual at all times. To this end, they should arrive at troop meetings at 7:25 p.m. in order that the meeting may start at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Meetings will end at 8:30 p.m. sharp.
• The designated uniform should be worn at all functions.
• Scouts should not have any medicines in their possession unless the scoutmaster is so advised in advance and given written instructions regarding proper administration of the medicine.
• At no time will scouts play with matches or fire nor will they have any fire or burning material in or near a tent.

Perfect Attendance

Perfect attendance is defined as having attended and participated in all Troop meetings and required campouts without having missed, in a consecutive twelve (12) month period, more than three (3) meetings and/or campout days.

Patrol Assignments

Generally, we do not like to move scouts from one patrol to another. However, we are aware that valid reasons may exist for a reassignment. If a scout is dissatisfied with his patrol or is having difficulty with his patrol leader or with other scouts in the patrol, the scout or his parents may feel free to discuss these matters with the scoutmaster with assurance that the discussion will be kept in strict confidence.

Responsibility for Troop Equipment

The Troop has sufficient organizational camping gear to outfit each patrol. The gear will be signed out to the patrol leader prior to a campout and turned in at the first troop meeting after a campout. The patrol will be held financially responsible for damaged or lost gear.

Food for Campouts

Most campouts require the patrol to prepare food as a group. Food purchase and cost sharing will be administered by the patrol leader at the patrol level. One patrol member should be selected to purchase the food and supplies required. The total cost should be estimated and paid in advance. Over-collection should be reimbursed.

Merit Badge Counselors

Except in cases approved by Mac in advance, parents may not act as merit badge counselors for their own sons.

Other Troop Policies

For statements regarding other troop policies, see the following:

• Belief In God and Its Role In Scouting
• Troop Attendance and Participation Policies
• Troop Advancement Policy - Merit Badge and Time Sequences
• Troop Advancement Policy - Leadership Requirements
• Troop Transportation Policy - Drivers and Insurance
• Troop Transportation Policy - Parents' Responsibilities
• Policies Re Troop Activities - Standards of Conduct
• Merit Badge Policy and Procedure
• Merit Badge Counselors' Guide