New Parent’s Meeting

1. New Parent’s Meeting March 25, 2003 M. Glor Scoutmaster P. Petersen Chair L. Ellis Communications

2. Agenda • BSA Program in a Nutshell • Troop 1257 Organization • Scout Masters • Scout Leadership • Troop Committee • 2002-2003 Program (emphasis on remaining events) • Troop Communications • Fundraising • Summer Camp • Volunteer Needs • Dues

3. Boy Scout Aims • Fun • Growth in moral strength, character and leadership • Participating citizenship • Development of physical, mental, and • Emotional and spiritual fitness Baden Powell (founder of Boy Scout movement) “Scouting is a game with a purpose”

4. Scout Leadership • What is a Boy Run Troop? • What are the advantages of a Boy Run Troop? • How are we progressing towards this goal? • What role do adults have in a Boy Run Troop?

5. What is a Boy Run Troop? • Boys plan, implement, lead the troop activities • Troop Meetings, Troop Outings, PLC, Service Project, COH, etc. • Patrol • 6-10 Scouts • Elect PL • New Scout • Regular Scout • Venture Scout • Patrol method • Senior Scout leadership may include handling scout disciplinary actions and crowd control

6. What are the advantages of a Boy Run Troop? • Boys learn leadership skills, management skills, planning skills, delegation, budgeting, following skills, public speaking, teamwork • Scout “buy-in” to Troop program • Scout led is more fun • Disadvantage: Noisy!

7. How are we progressing towards this goal? • SPL and ASPL now plan agenda for Troop Meetings, and PLC • SPL runs the Troop Meetings, and PLC • SPL, ASPL, Troop Guide, PL work the patrol method on all troop outings. • PLC planned the 2002 – 2003 Monthly Outing Program • PLC planned the 2002 – 2003 Weekly Troop Meeting Program • PLC has assigned a clean-up patrol for each Troop Meeting • PLC has resolved the Troop policy for caffeinated drinks on campout and Usage of Walkman devices on campouts. • Scouts plan the majority of our service projects: e.g. Habitat for Humanity – Ryan Small • Scouts plan and run the COH: e.g. Neil Reuter • Scouts plan menu and duty roster for all monthly outings • Scouts develop grocery list and purchase food for their patrols • Scouts do all cooking and cleaning on campouts

8. Youth leaders • Senior patrol leader • Assistant senior patrol leader • Troop historian • Librarian • Instructor • Chaplain aide • Junior assistant Scoutmaster • Patrol leader • Assistant patrol leader • Venture patrol leader • Troop guide

9. The patrol leaders’ council • Run by SPL • Meet once per month • Senior patrol leader • Assistant senior patrol leader • Patrol leaders • Troop guide • Venture patrol leader • Plans and conducts the troop’s activities • Submits yearly plan to troop committee for approval

10. What role do adults have in a Boy Run Troop? • Adults are a resource for the troop leadership: • MB Program, trip planning, discipline and behavior issues, advice, mentoring, encouragement • Adults ensure physical, spiritual and emotional safety for each scout • Adults coordinate Monthly Outings • Adults organize and implement fund raising for the troop • Adults keep financial record • Adults keep advancement records • Adults go on campout and have fun with the scouts • Adults organize Uniform Share/Swap programs • My favorite line as a Scout master, “Go ask your Patrol Leader”

11. Scoutmaster • THE SCOUTMASTER is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. • The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. • The importance of the Scoutmaster’s position is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop. • The Scoutmaster can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years old. • The Scoutmaster is appointed by the head of the chartered organization.

12. Scoutmaster Duties • General • Train and guide youth leaders • Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys. • Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting • Ensure mental, physical, emotional and spiritual safety for each scout • Meetings: • Meet regularly with the patrol leaders’ council for training and coordination in planning troop activities • Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary, arrange a qualified adult substitute • Attend troop committee meetings. • Conduct periodic parents’ sessions to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.

13. Scoutmaster provides: • Guidance • Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements • Provide a systematic recruitment plan for new members and see that they are promptly registered. (This is a direct responsibility of the assistant Scoutmaster for new Scouts.) • Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations. • Activities • Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of camping each year • Participate in council and district events • Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature • Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.

14. Adult Leaders • ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTERS help the Scoutmaster, with assistance from the troop committee, operate the troop. • Each assistant Scoutmaster has specific assignments and reports to the Scoutmaster. • Assistants also help provide the required two-deep leadership standards set by the Boy Scouts of America. • An assistant Scoutmaster may be 18 years old, but at least one in each troop should be some-one age 21 or older who can serve in the Scoutmaster’s absence. • Types of assistant Scoutmasters include: • New-Scout patrol (Bill Branner) • Venture patrol 9 Harold Hughlett, Paul Petersen) • 2nd Year Boys (Wes Braudaway)

15. 2002-2003 Program * Indicates tentative date subject to availability * * Indicates an alternative date that may be used (if possible) to resolve Epiphany Church and Epiphany Youth activity conflicts

16. Equipment List • Uniform • Shirt • Neckerchief • Belt • Class B T-Shirt • Optional: • Socks • Hat • Pants • Camping • Sleeping Bag (20deg. Recommended) • Sleeping pad • Mess Kit, Knife, Fork, Spoon • Duffle Bag • Back Pack (Optional) • Rain Gear • Flashlight • Sturdy Hiking Boots

17. Laurel Caverns • Laurel Caverns Campout • Location: Laurel Caverns • Address: 200 Caverns Park Rd. Farmington, Pa. 15437 • Phone: (724) 438-3003 • Date: 03/28/03-03/30-03 • Departure from Epiphany: 03/28/03 5:00pm • Arrival at Epiphany:03/30/03 3:00pm • Point of Contact: Michael Glor 703 449-0639 home, (703) 624-0010 cell • Each Scout should bring a snack or $5-$7 for Friday night dinner and $5-$7 for Sunday dinner on the road. • Each Scout Parent MUST fill out a Laurel Caverns permission slip by Tuesday03/25/03 • Each Scout Parent MUST pay Laurel Caverns activity and food by Tuesday 03/25/03 • Program: • Tent Camping • Patrol Meal Preparation • Climbing MB Saturday • Geology MB Sunday • Forestry MB Saturday • Caving Adventure Saturday (must be 12 yr. Old)venture cave repelling • Cost: • Food and camping: $30.00 • Geology MB: $16.00 ($7.00 adult observer) • $ 5.00 (catered lunch required) • Climbing MB: $35.00 ($7.00 adult observer) • $ 5.00 (catered lunch required) • Forestry MB: $10.00 (no-charge for adult observer) • Caving Adventure: $16.00 (must be 12 yr. Old) • Miniature Cave Golf: $4.00 (optional) • Public Cave Tour: $5.00 (optional) • Venture Cave repelling:$45.00(must be 12yr.Old)

18. Laurel Caverns • What to bring: • Personal Gear • Sleeping bag (It may be cold at night so bring an extra blanket and long underwear if your bag is not rated at least down to 35 degree temperature) • Mess Kit (should include plate, bowl, cup, knife, folk and spoon) • Two pens or pencils • Change of clothing • Caving cloths (Old blue jeans and long sleeve sweat shirt, old tennis shoes or boots) • Several large plastic trash bags for storing wet caving cloths • Two Flashlights and extra batteries • **** Must reserve your spot on the trip and be paid by 03/25/03 • *****Please note catered lunches are required for some badges • *****Also note age restrictions

19. Summer Camp • Donna Lea Louis - Coordinator • New slots open for Olmsted • 1st week of August • Scouts have option of attending both weeks or switching to Olmsted if better for family schedule

20. Troop committee • Supports the Scoutmaster in delivering a quality troop program • Handles troop administration • Responsible for recruiting the Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters

21. Roles of the troop committee • Advise the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Scouting and the chartered organization • Assist in transportation • Assure that a qualified substitute leader is assigned if the Scoutmaster is absent or unable to serve • Assure that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained (the Scoutmaster is most important), and encourage adult leader training • Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America • Coordinate the Friends of Scouting campaign • Encourage leaders • Ensure that troop program provides at least 10 days and nights of outdoor programming per year

22. Roles of the troop committee • Manage troop finances • Obtain and maintain troop equipment • Provide adequate meeting facilities • Recruit and involve troop committee members • Serve on boards of review • Solve behavior problems that can’t be resolved within the troop (governed by the Scout Oath and Scout Law) • Support troop program delivery • Support youth recruitment

23. Chair Person • Organize the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed • Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the Scoutmaster • Interpret national and local policies to the troop • Prepare troop committee meeting agendas • Call, preside over, and promote attendance at monthly troop committee meetings and any special meetings that may be called • Ensure troop representation at monthly roundtables • Secure top-notch, trained individuals for camp leadership • Arrange for charter review and re-charter annually • Plan the charter presentation

24. Secretary • Keep minutes of meetings and send out committee meeting notices • Handle publicity • Prepare a family newsletter of troop events and activities • Conduct the troop resource survey • Plan for family night programs and family activities • At each meeting, report the minutes of the previous meeting • Arrange for charter review and re-charter annually • Plan the charter presentation

25. Treasurer • Handle all troop funds. Pay bills on recommendation of the Scoutmaster and authorization of the troop committee • Maintain checking and savings accounts • Train and supervise the troop scribe in record keeping • Keep adequate records in the Troop/Team Record Book • Supervise money-earning projects, including obtaining proper authorizations • Supervise the camp savings plan • Lead in the preparation of the annual troop budget • Lead the Friends of Scouting campaign • Report to the troop committee at each meeting

26. Event Coordinator • Help in securing permission to use camping sites • Serve as transportation coordinator • Ensure a monthly outdoor program • Promote the National Camping Award • Promote, through family meetings, attendance at troop campouts, camporees, and summer camp to reach the goal of an outing per month • Secure tour permits for all troop activities • Report to the troop committee at each meeting • Trip Information Communication

27. Advancement Coordinator • Encourage Scouts to advance in rank • Work with the troop scribe to maintain all Scout advancement records • Arrange quarterly troop boards of review and courts of honor • Develop and maintain a merit badge counselor list • Make a prompt report on the correct form to the council service center when a troop board of review is held. • Secure badges and certificates • Work with the troop librarian to build and maintain a troop library of merit badge pamphlets and other advancement literature • Report to the troop committee at each meeting

28. Training Coordinator • Ensure troop leaders and committee members have opportunities for training • Maintain an inventory of up-to-date training materials, videotapes, and other training resources • Work with the district training team in scheduling Fast Start training for all new leaders • Be responsible for BSA Youth Protection training within the troop • Encourage periodic junior leader training within the troop and at the council and national levels • Report to the troop committee at each meeting

29. Equipment Coordinator • Supervise and help the troop procure camping equipment. • Work with the quartermaster on inventory and proper storage and maintenance of all troop equipment. • Make periodic safety checks on all troop camping gear, and encourage troops in the safe use of all outdoor equipment. • Report to the troop committee at each meeting.

30. Communications • How do you know what is going on??? • Announcements at the end of each Troop Meeting • Flyers given at Troop meetings at least two weeks prior to sign-up • Email announcements • Website – announcements and flyers are posted

31. What can you do if you don’t know what is happening?? • Come 15 min. early to pick-up from the Troop Meetings and listen to the announcements • Check email regularly. • The current email list is available for you to check your address • Check the website regularly • Bookmarks with the web address are available for every family Ask your scout!

32. Fundraising • Mulch – April 5 Delivery • Popcorn • Christmas Wreaths

33. What is New this Troop Year • We are no-longer a small troop • This Spring we will be adding one “New Scout Patrol” • Troop size is about 32 scouts • What does this mean for Troop 1257? • For our Scouts • For our Adults

34. In October, we said: 21 Families in Troop 1257 12 Families have signed up to serve on committee and /or troop positions 8 of the 12 Families serve in multiple positions 9 Families have not yet signed up 57% families are carrying the troop Now as of February: 21 Families in Troop 1257 18 Families have signed up to serve on committee and /or troop positions 85% of our families are now signed-up to help! Volunteer Status Our Troop Goal is still 100% but we have made huge progress!

35. Current Family Commitments

36. Coordinators/Adult Campers

37. Volunteer Positions Needed • Committee Positions: • Membership • Transportation • Health and Safety • Monthly Activity Coordinators • Still need May and June • Assistant Summer Camp Coordinator • Troop Positions • Monthly Adult Family Campers • Still need May, June, • Summer Camp Adult Campers (need 3) • Summer Camp Transportation (need 3) • Assistant Scoutmasters • Merit Badge Counselors

38. Training / Initiation • Monthly Activity Coordinator – package to explain process and requirements posted on website • Attend committee meetings 2-3 months prior to event • Adult Camper – BSA Youth Protection training is encouraged (available several times a year – 1-1/2 hours) • Troop and Committee training available 3 times a year (one afternoon) • Job Descriptions available upon request • Committee positions - see Paul Petersen • Troop positions – see Mike Glor

39. Committee and Troop Sign-ups – Available on Table following meeting

40. Dues • It is $50 per year per Scout • It is $30 for (most) Webelos transitioning into the troop; the regular annual fee is due in September.