Troop Meetings & Policies
Troop Meetings & Policies| Leadership Positions | Advancement
Troop Meetings
. Troop meetings will be held every Tuesday during the regular school year from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. To quote our Scoutmaster, “If there’s school, there’s scouts! No school, no scouts.” Scouts will be notified by telephone if there are any changes to this policy. Meetings are held in the basement of St. Catherine’s Parish Center. Scouts and adults are reminded to be respectful of others using Church facilities and of the facilities themselves.
Please park in the lot across from the rectory, walk down the driveway, and enter the left side of the parish center. For the safety of our Scouts, Scouts are not permitted to wait outside for their parents. Parents – please come inside to drop off and pick up your Scout.
As per BSA program recommendations, the Troop Leadership operates the individual meetings under the guidance of the adult volunteers. Monthly leadership meetings plan the detailed program for the weekly Troop meetings
Troop Committee Meetings
The Troop Committee meets monthly, from September through June. All interested parties are encourages to attend. Please contact the Committee Chairman for further information.
Troop Policies
Uniforms
The “Class A” uniform consists of a standard BSA (Boy Scouts of America) khaki shirt along with the troop neckerchief and slide, which is available for purchase from the Troop. Pants should be Boy Scout uniform pants, chins or dark belted pants. Shorts may be worn in summer, but these should be belted and dark colored as well.
The “Class B: uniform consists of a troop knit shirt, which can be purchased from the troop. Pants should be appropriate, as in the Class A uniform.
Scouts should present a neat, “tucked-in” appearance.
Registration
Registration is held annually in February, and it is necessary for all boys, adult leaders, and troop committee members to register. Registration fees, set by BSA, also cover insurance for all troop-sponsored functions. These fees go directly to BSA, not to the Troop.
Boy’s Life
All boys are encouraged to subscribe to Boy’s Life magazine at the time of registration. The annual subscription fee is in addition to registration fees.
Dues
Troop dues are $2.00 per month for the ten months the Troop meets. Dues are collected at the beginning of the school year. Scouts who have dues in arrears will not be allowed to advance in rank, and may not be allowed to attend campouts. New Scouts joining the Troop at crossover must pay dues for the remainder of the year and the following year’s dues upon joining.
Adult Volunteers
The Troop does not function without adult volunteers. Two adults must be with Scouts at all times per BSA policy. May more are needed for camping trips, summer camp, Troop meetings, and other Troop activities. Adults are also needed for administrative and fundraising activities. Each Scout’s parents should plan to participate in Scout activities throughout the year. Please see the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair to find out how you can help.
Internet Resources
http://www.westford.com/troop195/ contains general information and useful links.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ScoutTroop195/ has administrative items and informative emails. Our Yahoo administrator will tell you how to register there.
Scout Accounts
The Treasurer maintains a Scout Account for each Scout. Money a scout earns through troop-sponsored fundraisers is deposited into this account for the Scout’s use. Any refunds from camping trips where there are overages or refunds returned to Scouts for other reasons are deposited into Scout Accounts. Scouts and their parents may also deposit money into a Scout’s account.
Money in a Scout’s account may only be used for Scouting-related expenses. For example, a Scout can pay for all of part of a trip with money in his account. Scout Account money can also be used for camping gear. The Scout must purchase the gear, and then present the Treasurer a receipt for reimbursement. If there is any doubt as to what may be purchased with Scout Account money, it is best to check with a Scoutmaster BEFORE the purchase is made, just to be sure.
If a parent wishes a refund from a trip NOT to be deposited into a Scout’s account, he/she must personally notify the Treasurer. When a Scout leaves the Troop, the money from his account is given to the scout assuming that he is in good standing with the Troop. If the Scout transfers to another Troop, the Scout may request that his Scout Account be transferred. In that instance, a check will be sent directly to the new Troop.
If you have not paid your dues or registration by the specified dates, money will automatically be withdrawn from your Scout Account to cover your debt.
No Scout Left Behind
The troop maintains an account to help scouts who are unable to afford the monthly camping trips. Please see either the Scoutmaster or the Committee Chairman in confidence. There is a yearly limit, and summer camp and big trips are excluded. Donations can be made to the fund at any time.
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