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Bylaws (Revised 12/2007)
Download the complete Troop 214 bylaws here.
Activities
Each scout must have on record with the Troop, a signed Medical Release Form and BSA Class III physical, before participating in any scout function. The release is to authorize medical attention by a doctor or hospital in case of an emergency. Parents/guardians will be notified of such emergencies as soon as possible.
The Scoutmaster must know if a Scout is taking any prescribed medication during a Scouting function. All medically recognized conditions, mental or physical, must be brought to the attention of the Scoutmaster. This information will be held in confidence. The information is for the Scout's safety.
Scouts must wear Class "A" uniform to travel with the Troop on Troop functions, unless otherwise specified.
The troop strives to have one outdoor activity per month. Such activities may include campouts, day hikes, or service projects. The troop will provide all tents, cooking equipment, and related items for each campout. All costs will be paid early enough to enable purchasing food or finalizing other preparations. (A typical meal cost about $2 per scout.)
The following items are not allowed at Troop Activities:
Radios, TV's, CD/DVD players, hand held computer games, cell phones, etc. Bulky items which are difficult to carry Sheath knives or knives with spring loaded blades Martial art devices Explosive devices & fireworks Items restricted by BSA policy in the Guide to Safe Scouting
Adult leaders consist of registered adults. BSA requires that two (2) adult leaders will be present at all activities.
Any adult wishing to participate in activities must have youth protection training, which must be updated annually.
Adult leaders will be required to receive official leadership training appropriate for their Scouting position.
The Troop's leaders are volunteers that give of their time to help in the operation of the Troop. Parents are asked to fill positions on the Troop Committee, which meets monthly, or in Troop leadership roles.
Adults will set an example of good character and responsibility for the Scouts.
Each Scout sets his own pace for advancement in rank; however the Scoutmaster and the Advancement Chair monitor the advancements. The Scout is responsible for maintaining their advancement in their handbook and informing the Advancement Chair so the Scout's achievements can be documented in the Troop advancement records periodically.
Requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class are listed in the front of the Scout Handbook. Opportunities to meet these requirements are usually provided during the Troop meetings, campouts, and other outings/activities.
Requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle Ranks are listed in the back of the Scout Handbook. These ranks are achieved through individual and small group work. Opportunities for Merit Badges are usually provided during Troop and District activities. The way a Scout advances in rank is as follows:
Twenty-one merit badges are required to attain the Eagle Rank. Twelve of these twenty-one merit badges mandatory - that is, specifically named - , the other nine may be any of the more than 100 merit badges offered by the program. To earn a merit badge, the Scout must obtain a blue card signed by the Scoutmaster stating the merit badge to be started. After contacting the Merit Badge Counselor, the Scout will study and complete all the necessary requirements for that Badge. The requirements will need to be signed off by the counselor as completed on the blue card. The blue card has three parts. The first part serves as the application for the badge and is forwarded to the Council office with the advancement report. The second part is the Scout's personal record of earning the merit badge and should be kept in his personal records for future verification if necessary. The merit badge counselor will keep the third part of the card as a record of the scout's achievement for future verification if needed. When the Scout has completed requirements to the next rank, he should request a Scoutmaster Conference with the Scoutmaster. After the Scoutmaster Conference, the Scout will request a Board of Review. The Scout will present himself in full class "A" uniform for the Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review. Members of the Board of Review may request the scout to demonstrate skills learned as part of his advancement requirements. The Board of Review is not intended to be a comprehensive "grilling" of the scout's ability; rather, it is designed to serve as a medium to hone a scout's communication skills and to build self confidence.
Advancement requirements may be certified or "signed off" by registered adult leaders. Boy Scouts who have achieved 1st class rank or above may sign off on requirements for tenderfoot, 2nd class, and 1st class achievements under the direction of the scoutmaster.
Parents are not allowed to sign off on advancements unless they are registered Scouters. Parents are always encouraged to help their sons in their advancement. When advising on Merit Badges, a parent should not work with their son(s) individually, but work with a group of two or more boys. A Scouts parent may not sit in on their own son's board of review.
It is the Scout's responsibility to record service hours completed on pre-approved service projects in his handbook. If the Scout fails to record/report his hours, the hours will not be recorded in the Scout's official Troop advancement record and cannot be counted.
Scouts will be recognized for their advancements during a Court of Honor, which are held in January, May and September. Parents are encouraged to attend the Court of Honor and may be asked to help provide refreshments for this special occasion.
Troop meetings are held on Tuesday nights at Grace Fellowship at 7:00 PM. Scouts should arrive on time, in class A uniform, with their Scout Handbook, notebook, and pencil. Most meetings formally end with a closing ceremony at 8:30 PM. Scouts should remain at the Scout meeting until dismissed by the Scoutmaster.
Demonstration of Scout Spirit for advancement purposes includes regular meeting attendance. A good spirited scout's record will show at least 75% attendance for four consecutive months prior to his Board of Review. At least a 50% attendance at activities other than meetings is considered another measure of Spirit. Every effort should be made to attend all events.
The Scribe or his designated replacement will record attendance at each Troop meeting. It is the responsibility of the Scribe or his designated replacement to insure that attendance rosters are submitted to the advancement chair at each troop committee meeting. Attendance on activities will be recorded from the troop permission sign in sheet.
Boy Scout Troop 214, in the Magazine Mountain District of Westark Area Council, is chartered by Grace Fellowship Church, Russellville, AR.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) policies state that the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs by any scout during a Scouting function is not allowed. A Scout using or under the influence of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs will be sent home immediately.
Adult tobacco use is not allowed in the presence of scouts. Adult alcohol or drug use is not allowed prior to or during any scouting function.
A Scout endangering the health and welfare (physically or mentally) of another Scout will be sent home immediately.
Scouts are expected to behave properly at meetings, functions, and campouts. If a Scout causes major disruptions, his parents will be notified and asked to come get the Scout and take him home.
Hazing and harassment are the leading cause of disciplinary problems. This is not an acceptable behavior and will not be allowed. To maintain order and respect, all Scouts are expected to live by the Scout Law and Oath.
The Troop Leaders find these behaviors unacceptable and will deal with the instances on a case by case basis. Possible consequences include a discussion of expectations with parents, suspension, or delay in advancement. Documentation of any disciplinary discussions or plans will be kept on file.
Becoming an Eagle Scout is an important step in a Scout's life. The families of potential Eagle Scout's should be aware that committee members and Scout leaders are always available to help in preparation for this big occasion.
When preparing for the Eagle Scout Project, the Scout is personally responsible for meeting with the Troop Committee to set work days and coordinate them with the Troop calendar. The project should be approved before meeting with the Troop Committee and the approved paperwork should be in the Scout's possession when requesting work dates. A Scout is reverent, so Sunday work days are highly discouraged. Once dates are approved, the Scout is responsible to communicate those dates to the Troop in a timely manner.
The Scout is also responsible for working with the Tour Permit coordinator to request a tour permit for his work day(s).
The troop will provide lunch for one of the scheduled work days for each Eagle Scout project. This should be coordinated with the Troop Committee. The Committee will either bring the meal to the worksite, or will approve the cost of a meal to be delivered by the Scout's family.
In addition, the Troop will provide certain items of recognition for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. An anonymous donor at the council level provides the Eagle Scout Pin, along with the mother, father and mentor pins. The troop provides the neckerchief and slide, along with the authorized Troop recognition item, a blue blanket, which is decorated with the Eagle Scout Patch and is embroidered with the Scout's name and his Eagle Scout date. The Troop will also provide $150 toward the cost of the Court of Honor, which can be used for any items such as food, cake or decorations. Scout parents should pay for those items and turn in a receipt to the Treasurer for reimbursement up to the $150 limit. Each Eagle Scout of Troop 214 will have their name placed on a plaque, which is permanently displayed in our meeting site and their name will also be placed on the Troop trailer. Troop members will assist in the Court of Honor, serving or wherever needed.
The Scouting program encourages boys to pay their own way, but no boy will be denied the Scouting experience due to their financial situation. Partial scholarships are available through the Troop with approval of the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee. Participating in troop fundraising efforts is a requirement to receive a partial scholarship.
To provide the tents, stoves, lanterns, patrol boxes, advancement awards, Court of Honors, and the many other events, the Troop will have a fund raising project, typically selling popcorn. All scouts and their parents are expected to help in this project.
Other fundraisers may be held to enable the Scouts to pay their own way. These fundraisers are on a volunteer basis.
The Troop re-charters every year during the month of December. Scouts will be responsible for paying their annual national registration fees, boy's life subscription, and troop dues at this time.
Membership in Troop 214 is open to any eligible boy or adult, according to the membership criteria established by Boy Scouts of America. To become a member of the Troop, the boy or adult must complete the appropriate membership application form and pay the required registration fees established by the Troop.
All meetings, activities, and other events are open to all parents/guardians of scouts.
Troop 214 complies with Boy Scout of America standards. Its basic function is the patrol system, monitored by the adult leaders and subject to review by the Troop Committee. Patrol assignments will be a joint effort between the scout and the scoutmaster.
Cub Scouts entering Troop 214 will notice a big change in the scouting program. The Boy Scout program strives to build confidence, integrity, and leadership skills in scouts placing responsibility on each scout for advancement, self discipline, and personal responsibility.
The day to day operation of the Troop is accomplished through the Senior Patrol Leader and his junior leaders under the oversight of the Scoutmaster. The adult leadership is responsible to and serves at the discretion of the Troop Committee and the Charter Organization.
The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) sets the agenda for the troop and develops the troop's monthly plans for weekly meetings and outdoor activities. The PLC is composed of all elected and appointed scout positions. All scouts in these positions are required to attend. Any absence must be excused by the scoutmaster prior to the PLC meeting. The Scoutmaster is the principal advisor to the PLC.
Parents are expected to stay informed about the Troop and its activities. Be sure to talk to your Scout after each meeting and find out what the Troop is doing. The following sources of information will assist parents and Scouts: scribe notes, committee meetings, annual planning meeting, website, and the Troop calendar. Parents need to attend the annual planning meeting in September and are encouraged to attend the monthly committee meetings.
Parents/guardians will occasionally be asked to provide transportation for troop activities. Parents are required to sign each boy in and out with the Scoutmaster for each Troop activity. They must personally pick up their son at the appointed time/place at the conclusion of the activity/outing unless prior arrangements have been made with the Scoutmaster or tour leader. For the safety of the scouts, Troop leaders will not let boys leave with anyone other than parents/guardians without prior arrangements.
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