Troop Governance

Troop 373 is a chartered Boy Scout unit in the Gemstone District of the Piedmont Council, Boy Scouts of America. Grace Baptist Church Statesville, North Carolina is the chartering partner for Troop 373. In return, all members of Troop 373 are expected to act consistently with the wishes of the chartering partner and the Church.

Governance:

Troop Policy will follow the guidelines and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America as set forth by the National Council for the Boy Scouts of America and the Gemstone District of the Piedmont Council.

Specific Troop Policy will be established or changed by majority vote of the Troop Committee. Approved policies will be posted on the Troop website and published in updates of the Troop’s Guide To Scouting.

Finance

1.     The PLC and Troop Committee will develop a proposed budget for the next year during their Annual Planning Meeting each January.  

2.     Camp or activity fees will be set to cover the estimated cost of each event. Surpluses or shortages will be added or subtracted from the Troop account.

3.     The Troop will provide accident insurance through the Piedmont Council for all Scouts, registered adult leaders, and registered Committee members.

4.     The Treasurer for Troop funds will maintain a checking account. It is expected that the Treasurer report on the financial activities of the Troop monthly. The Troop Treasurer and Troop Committee Chair will each be authorized to sign checks on Troop accounts.

5.     The Troop checking account will be managed through separate ledger accounts; one for the Troop at large and separate ledger accounts showing Scout balances for each Scout. Money earned by individual Scouts from Troop fund-raising projects will be maintained in separate “Scout Accounts” and reported by the Treasurer.

Scouts may earn money through select Troop-approved fundraising events.  This money will be credited to the youth’s Scout Fund by the Troop Treasurer.  The funds may be used for dues, registration fees, campout or sum­mer camp fees, camping equipment, Scout uniforms, or other Scout-related expenses.  The Scout may donate a portion of their Scout Fund monies to another Scout within the Troop.  

• Money paid directly by the scout or parents can be refunded

• Money earned via fundraising can be transferred to a new troop.  Cash refunds will NOT be given on money earned via fundraiser.  If the scout is leaving the BSA completely, they may transfer their balance to another scout or the troop will absorb the balance.

Troop Committee

The Troop Committee is the governing authority of Troop 373. All parents of Scouts on the active roster are encouraged to attend Committee Meetings. The Committee Chairperson is selected by the Chartering Organization. Registered Troop Committee members are expected to complete the required training for their position.  Positions with specific responsibilities on the Troop Committee are:

• Troop Secretary

• Outdoor Activities Coordinator 

• Troop Treasurer

• Troop Quartermaster

• Fund Raising Coordinator

• Community Service Coordinator + Committee

Scoutmaster Staff

The Scoutmaster is selected by the Troop Committee. Assistant Scoutmasters are selected by the Scoutmaster and approved by the Troop Committee. Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are expected to be fully trained and must complete the required training for their position provided.

Youth Protection

All registered leaders, including "Uniformed" Leaders, Committee Members, are required to be Youth Protection Training (YPT).  

Non-registered adults going on outings for 72 hours or more (such as summer camp) must take the new YPT (the 72 hours are cumulative, not consecutive).

• Quick Link:  BSA Youth Protection Website.

• Quick Link:  BSA Youth Protection Barriers to Abuse and Reporting

Junior Leaders

The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the youth leader of the Troop.  Eligible Scouts may run in a Troop wide election for the role of Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader(s) (ASPL). Senior Patrol Leaders and Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders will be selected at a Troop election using a secret ballot.  A majority of registered Troop members must be present at the meeting in order to conduct the election. The Troop may utilize two ASPLs.  

Additional Leadership Opportunities:

• Troop Scribe

• Troop Instructor

• Troop Quartermaster

• Troop Chaplain’s Aide

• Troop Webmaster

• Troop Outdoor Ethics Guide

• Troop Librarian

• Troop Order of Arrow Unit Rep

• Troop Historian

• Troop Bugler

Scouts holding these Junior Leadership positions remain members of their Patrols.

Troop Guides will be appointed by the Scoutmaster and will serve at their discretion. The Scoutmaster will establish the duties and responsibilities of the Troop Guides.

A Junior Assistant Scoutmaster may be selected by the Scoutmaster and approved by the Troop Committee.  A Scout should be at least 16 years old, an Eagle Scout and be active in the Troop to be appointed to this important position.

Patrol Organization

The Patrol is the most basic and important unit within the Boy Scout program.

Troop membership will be divided into Patrols. The Scoutmaster Staff is responsible for assignment of Scouts to Patrols, taking into consideration the individual preferences of the Scouts themselves. It is in everyone’s interest to establish content and cohesive units.

Each Patrol will determine its own name, flag and yell, and will elect a Patrol Leader for a term of six months.  The Patrol will also elect an Assistant Patrol Leader.

Patrols are strengthened by successful relationships among our Scouts, but we understand there may be occasional squabbles among or between members. If you believe a problem has developed within the Patrol, please report your concern to the Assistant Scoutmaster of the Patrol concerned in place of stepping into the situation yourself. Our Scoutmasters will work with the boys to address the problem and dispel any issues. Hazing of New Scouts is banned by the Troop, is against BSA policy, and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)

The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) will consist of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPLs), Patrol Leaders representing each Patrol, Troop Guide, and appointed Troop Junior Scout Leaders.  Although the Troop Junior Scout Leaders are required to attend the PLC, they do not have voting rights. In addition, all Scouts are welcome to attend the PLC Meeting as non-voting observers.

The PLC will meet monthly to develop plans for Troop activities and meetings. The PLC is chaired by the SPL. Other Scouts may be asked to participate as determined by the SPL.

The Scoutmaster will act as advisor to the PLC and will hold discretionary veto power over all PLC decisions.