Troop 3 Bylaws

Here are the current bylaws for Troop 3, Grafton, VA

Organization and Charter

The name of this organization is Boy Scout Troop 3. It operates under a charter granted to Grafton Baptist Church, located at the corner of Dare Road and George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17). The purpose of the organization is to carry on a Scouting Program for purposes of character development, citizenship training, mental and physical fitness in accordance with the charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America.

This charter is issued by the National Council on a yearly basis and must be renewed before the last day of January each year.

Committee

The Troop committee must consist of a Charter Organization Representative, a Committee Chairman, and a minimum of two other adults, per BSA policy. Any adult at least 18 years of age is eligible to register as a committee member. The committee should include a vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer, and committee members responsible for advancement, transportation, membership, and other provisions as the committee finds necessary.

Committee meetings are held on a regular basis, normally the third Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. However, the date and time may be modified by the Committee Chairman.

A Troop 3 quorum is considered convened when any four Committee Members are in attendance. With this understanding of a quorum, any business carried out and voted on will become Troop policy providing a majority vote is received.

It is established that, the Committee Chairman (or Vice Chairman in his/her absence) can only vote in the event of a tie. It is further established that the Scoutmaster has no official vote on the Committee. The Scoutmaster is permitted to present troop reports and/or requests at committee meetings.

Meetings

Troop meetings are held weekly on Tuesdays at 7 PM at Grafton Baptist Church. The weekly meeting schedule may be modified by the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader to allow for school activities, holidays, or any unforeseen problems.

All troop meetings must have two registered adult Scout leaders present, one of which is fully trained and at least one is required by BSA policy to have current Youth Protection Training. All troop outings must have at least two registered adult Scout leaders present, one of which is fully trained and at least one is required by BSA policy to have current Youth Protection Training. Planned activities/meetings must be cancelled if these requirements are not met.

Patrol meetings are held on a weekly basis during the regular troop meeting. Additional patrol meetings may be held by the Patrol Leader when approved by the Senior Patrol Leader and/or the Scoutmaster. A monthly Patrol Leaders Council will take place following the regular weekly troop meeting. This meeting will take place the second Tuesday of each month.

Any Scout absent three consecutive troop meetings or three consecutive camping activities may be placed on inactive status unless the Scoutmaster is notified by the Scout involved and the absence is excused by the Scoutmaster. Reinstatement may be requested after an interview with the Scout and his parent(s) with the Scoutmaster and Committee Chairman.

Membership

The size of the troop membership will remain unlimited provided the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee feel there is sufficient adult leadership to safely carry out all activities. Should the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee decide by a joint consensus that there is insufficient leadership for the size of the troop membership the following priority selection procedure will be implemented:

Boy Scouts transferring from existing programs.
Webelos from feed Packs (Packs 3, 54, 154, 155, and 200).
New boys to the Scouting program.

Any boy desiring membership should contact the Scoutmaster. Assignment to a patrol must be agreed upon by the Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and the Scoutmaster. Transfer from one patrol to another is subject to the approval of the Patrol Leaders involved, the Senior Patrol Leader, and the Scoutmaster.

Dues are collected monthly. The amount of the dues is approved by the Troop Committee.

Awards

The troop will furnish all the basic awards that are presented to the Scouts at the Court of Honor. These include the various service pins, badges of office, ranks, mother's pins, and merit badges with the appropriate cards. Dues must be kept in a current status, failure to do so will result in the Scout's awards being withheld. Scouts will be held responsible for the cost to replace lost or damaged awards.

In order for a Scout to earn awards, he must meet the requirements stated in the current Boy Scout Handbook, specific Merit Badge booklets, and those outlined in the adopted Troop 3 Advancement Guidelines. Requirements should be initialed off at weekly troop meetings by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster. Presentation of rank badges will be after successful completion of the Scout's Board of Review. Formal recognition of rank advancement and other awards, including merit badges, will be at the Troop Court of Honor.

Troop Courts of Honor will be held quarterly or as deemed necessary by the Troop Committee. Troop Court of Honors will be used to recognize both Scouts and Leaders. Eagle Court of Honors are planned and carried out by the Eagle candidate and his parents. The date and time should be coordinated with the Scoutmaster if use of Grafton Baptist Church facilities will be required. The troop has its flags and "props" that may be used by the Eagle candidate upon request.

The Troop Committee is responsible for the confirmation and documentation of all rank advancement, including merit badges, but short of the Eagle Scout rank. The Eagle rank is done at the district level, sent through the Colonial Virginia Council, and completed at the National BSA office in Irving, Texas.

Outings

All outings planned by the troop or patrols must have the approval of the Troop Committee. Permission slips signed by a parent are required for all Scouts attending the outing. A Tour Permit is required for each troop or patrol outing, especially when the event happens away from the normal meeting place (Grafton Baptist Church). These must be signed by a committee member and the tour leader.

Boy Leadership

The Senior Patrol Leader and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader are appointed by the Scoutmaster, with recommendations from the Assistant Scoutmaster(s). Troop Guides and Instructors are also appointed by the Scoutmaster. Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, and all other troop positions are elected by the Scouts. Elections are held semi-annually to facilitate the six month criteria for holding a troop position towards rank advancement. Patrol Leaders may appoint patrol members to patrol jobs, these do not count towards rank advancement. Junior Assistant Scoutmaster assignments are at the discretion of the Scoutmaster. All Scouts elected or appointed to a position may be removed by the Scoutmaster. Failure to do the duties of the job, lack of attendance, or poor Scout Spirit may be grounds for removal.

A Den Chief may be assigned to a local Pack den to serve as the Den Leader's assistant. Den Chiefs are chosen on the recommendation of the Scoutmaster and the approval of the Den Leader and Cubmaster.

As a "Boy run Troop" the following is a reminder to all Scouts, those in leadership positions or not, per BSA policy: "Any form of hazing, initiations, ridicule, or inappropriate teasing are prohibited." Along these lines no Scout may discipline another Scout. This will impact on the signing off of Scout Spirit for rank advancement and/or removal from leadership position.

Taken from Guide to Safe Scouting, "Hazing and Initiations", page 35.

Adult Responsibilities

The Troop Committee Chairman registration is approved by the Charter Organization Representative. All other adult registrations are approved by the Committee Chairman and the Charter Organization Representative. Committee members may be assigned responsibilities by the Committee Chairman. The Scoutmaster is responsible for Assistant Scoutmaster assignments.

The Scoutmaster is responsible to the Troop Committee for the troop's weekly program. The Scoutmaster and Patrol Leader Council will develop the yearly program. The Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader will present the yearly program to the Troop Committee for its approval. The Troop Committee will publish the yearly program after it is approved. The yearly program should include troop outings, council events, Court of Honors, fund-raisers, etc.

Uniforms

Uniforms will be worn by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Junior Assistant Scoutmasters, the Senior Patrol Leader, and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Uniforms should be obtained within 30 days after registration. Committee members are encouraged to acquire Scout uniforms.

Uniforms will not be worn at any fund-raising function except when approved by BSA guidelines.

General appearance-good posture, clean face and hands, hair combed, and neatly dressed.

A Class "B" uniform should be worn to all meetings when not wearing the Class "A". The Class "B" uniform is defined as being any BSA approved tee shirt or the green Troop 3 tee shirt with neat jeans or shorts. The Class "A" uniform is required for inspections, first Tuesday of every month, Scoutmaster conferences, Board of Reviews, and all Court of Honors.

The following constitutes the Class "A" uniform:

1. Cap-not required. If the Scout ball cap is worn, the visor is in front.

2. Neckerchief-mandatory. The troop has its own neckerchief which may be purchased. It should be worn folded and placed snuggly around the neck and held in place with an approved slide. There will be six inches from the top to the point of the triangle. The front ends should hang loose and not be tied. When worn with the uniform shirt, it should be place under the collar. Boys who have reached the rank of Eagle may wear either the Eagle Scout neckerchief, bolo, or the troop neckerchief.

3. Neckerchief Slide-May be official Scout slide or appropriate home version.

4. Shirt-Official Scout, either long or short sleeved.

5. Belt-Official, required when wearing official Scout shorts or trousers. Required when advancing to Star, Life, and Eagle. Any, required when wearing shorts or trousers with beltloops.

6. Trousers or shorts-Official, required when attending summer camp or advancing to Star, Life, and Eagle. Neat trousers or shorts required at all other times.

7. Socks-Official, required when wearing Scout trousers or shorts. Required when advancing to Star, Life, and Eagle. Any required at all other times.

8. Shoes-Clean and compatible with good appearance. Tennis shoes are acceptable. Cleats are prohibited on church floors.

9. Insignia-All insignia will be official BSA and will be worn in accordance with current BSA insignia guidelines.

Budget

The Troop annual budget will run in concurrence with the charter year (Jan. 31 - Dec. 31). It is the policy of the Troop Committee that dues paid by the Scouts will cover the cost of the various service pins, badges of office, ranks, parent pins, and merit badges with the appropriate cards. This may be supplemented by special fund-raising activities at the discretion of the Troop Committee.

Annual registration fees for Scouts and Leaders will be set by the Troop Committee in November of each year. These fees may change based on National BSA requirements. Fees will include monthly dues, registration, and Boy's Life magazine (if desired). Dues are paid monthly throughout the calendar year (January-December). Dues should be kept paid to date or ahead. These fees will be published for the troop no later than 1 December.

The troop neckerchief and the troop tee shirt may be purchased at cost. These are not fund-raising items.

Outings will be paid for by the individual Scout. This fee is usually for food and/or transportation and is normally set a week prior to the outing. Most Council sponsored events require an additional fee which covers the Council insurance and a patch. Upon final arrangements or the week prior to any outing a Scout who has signed up must pay all those fees involved..

Complaints

Any complaints in regards to the troop should first be taken up with the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman. If the complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved, then it should be taken to the Charter Organization Representative. After all other means have failed, complaints may be taken to the District Executive.

Revised Bylaws approved by Troop Committee on 20 November 2001.