ARTICLE I. General
Section 1. The troop is chartered by South Garland Baptist Church.
Section 2. The boys will operate the Troop using the principles of BSA. The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) will plan and carry out all Troop functions. The basis of operation will be the Patrol method, whereby each Patrol camps, cooks, hikes, and participates in troop meetings as a unit, cooperating with other Patrols under the direction of the Senior Patrol Leader. Guidance, training, leadership development, program approval, and basic policy will be supplied by the Scoutmaster and his staff working with the PLC and Troop Committee. High standards will be maintained at all times with an emphasis on the Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law.
Section 3. The Constitution and Bylaws will be made available to anyone who wishes to see them. They should be on hand at all troop meetings.
Section 4. The committee will meet regularly to provide oversight, advice and assistance to the troop leadership. The committee is responsible to recruit leadership for the troop and to maintain the financial health of the organization. The committee is responsible to be sure adult leaders are qualified, capable and trained for the positions they hold.
Section 5. The Constitution and Bylaws are subject to amendment by a majority vote of the committee.
Section 6. The committee will establish Bylaws (policies) for items not otherwise covered in this constitution. All Bylaws will be adopted by majority vote of the troop committee, and are subject to the policies and guidelines of the council and national organizations of BSA.
Section 7. Matters not covered by the Constitution or Bylaws are handled at the discretion of the Scoutmaster under advice from the troop leadership.
ARTICLE II. Attendance and Troop Participation
Section 1. No minor will be permitted to attend a campout or scouting activity unless he is a registered member of Scouting, or as a guest with his parent or guardian. Guests must be aware that they are not covered by BSA insurance and should be otherwise insured.
Section 2. Each Scout is expected to attend a majority of troop meetings and activities. Low attendance seriously jeopardizes a Scouts ability to participate fully in the program. The committee will establish policy regarding attendance in conjunction with the leadership.
Section 3. Lack of regular attendance as, stated in Section 2 will cause a Scout to become ineligible for any leadership position.
Section 4. If a Scout fails to live up to the Scout Law and Oath or Promise, he should be disciplined in accordance with the guidelines in Article VII (Obedience and Discipline).
Section 5. at least one parent or guardian is strongly encouraged to be active on the troop committee or in a leadership position.
ARTICLE III. Dues
Section 1. Each Scout will pay dues. The amount of dues will be set by the committee with advice from the treasurer and Scoutmaster.
Section 2. Payment of dues will be made in advance by quarterly or semi-annual payments. The treasurer will keep records of dues payments and will regularly notify Scouts of status.
Section 3. If a Scout gets behind in payment of his dues by more than 3 months he may be disallowed to go on any campout until his dues are paid.
ARTICLE IV. Health and Safety
Section 1. A permission slip and medical release form signed by a parent will be required for all troop activities other than meetings. This will be present at all troop activities and outings. The BSA Class 1 medical form is acceptable for this purpose.
Section 2. Each Scout will have a medical check by a physician before attendance at Summer Camp or an extended camping trip each year. Official Scout Medical forms will be used for this purpose. In accordance with National Scouting policy these forms may be extended up to 3 years on an annual basis with a physician's approval. The medical forms will remain in the possession of the Scoutmaster and will be present at all troop activities and campouts.
Section 3. First Aid equipment will be available at all Scout outings.
Section 4. Scouts will be transported in powered vehicles only (no trailers). No Scout will be permitted to ride in the bed of a truck.
Section 5. All vehicles will comply with State laws regarding safety equipment, inspections and insurance.
Section 6. At least two adult leaders will be present at all troop and patrol activities.
Section 7. Hazing by Scouts or adults is not condoned in any manner.
Section 8. Per BSA policy, all registered adult leaders are expected to attend Youth Protection training classes every 3 years.
Section 9. All adult leaders working directly with the youth are required to have background checks as provided by South Garland Baptist Church.
ARTICLE V. Advancement and Uniform
Section 1. A Scout investiture ceremony will be held for all new boys joining the troop. Recognition will be given at the first meeting of his attendance as a Scout.
Section 2. A Scout will be encouraged to advance regularly as prescribed by the Scout handbook.
Section 3. Scouts must wear complete uniforms to all meetings and activities except work activities.
Section 4. Scouts will present a neat and clean appearance.
ARTICLE VI. Patrol Leaders Council
Section 1. The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) consists of the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and a representative of the Adult Leadership. The Scribe also attends the PLC meetings but does not vote. Members unable to attend should have an assistant fill in.
Section 2. PLC meetings will be held once a month. Date and time to be determined by members.
Section 3. An annual planning session will be held to select themes and outings for the year.
Section 4. Leadership positions will be filled by secret ballot from qualified Scouts as approved by the Scoutmaster.
Section 5. All responsibilities and authority assigned to the SPL will be assumed by the ASPL when the SPL is not present at a troop meeting or activity.” This will make it clear to the other scouts in the troop that the ASPL has the full responsibility of the SPL in such situations, including responsibility for correcting unacceptable behavior and anything else identified in this document or by the Scoutmaster.
ARTICLE VII. Obedience and Discipline
Section 1. There will be no physical punishment or bodily harm inflicted on any Scout as punishment. This includes hazing in any form
Section 2. Discipline will follow these basic steps:
a. The SPL or any adult leader will immediately correct unacceptable behavior. Correction should be reported to the Scoutmaster.
b. Continued disobedience will be cause for a Scoutmaster’s Conference regarding the matter.
c. Scouts demonstrating chronic lack of obedience at meetings may be sent home by the SPL with the Scoutmaster's approval. Parents will be notified. The Scout may be removed from any leadership position.
d. If sent home twice within one month (4 meetings), the Scout will not be permitted to go on the next 2 campouts and a parent’s conference will be conducted.
e. While we would not wish to deny the Scouting experience to any boy, if discipline problems continue beyond this point, the Scoutmaster may ask for a “cooling off” time of 2 to 3 months that the boy not attend meetings. If this does not help, the Scout will be asked to leave the troop.
Section 3. No Scout will smoke or possess any tobacco products at any Scout activity. Smoking adult leaders, should remove themselves from the area, as far as reasonable. Do not smoke in the presence of Scouts.
Section 4. No Scout will swear or use foul language or bring any reading materials showing the aspects of an unclean mind. "A Scout is Clean".
BYLAWS OF TROOP 94
1. Scouts with rank of First Class, Star, Life or Eagle will present themselves in Full Class ‘A’ Uniforms. During, Court of Honors, Scoutmaster Conference, and Boards of Review, and any special event that the Scoutmaster or Committee feels necessary. If the boy does not present themselves in full Class ‘A’ he will not receive any rank advancements, Conference or Board of Review.
2. Class ‘A’ uniforms will be worn to and from all troop meetings, activities and outings. Unless specified by Scoutmaster or the person in charge of the troop activity. Also, Class ’A’ uniforms will be worn to all meetings during the fall, winter and spring. Class ‘B’ uniforms will be worn to the weekly meetings during the summer.
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Full Class "A" Uniform |
Class "A" Uniform |
Class "B"Uniform |
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Khaki shirt (long or short sleeve) |
Khaki shirt (long or short sleeve) |
Troop Logo T-shirt |
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Green Pants or Shorts |
Cloth web belt with BSA emblem Buckle |
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Cloth web belt with BSA emblem Buckle |
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Neckerchief and slide |
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* No Open Toe Shoe will be allowed |
* No Open Toe Shoe will be allowed |
* No Open Toe Shoe will be allowed |
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3. A Scout must earn the “Totin’ Chip” card before being allowed to carry a knife or use an axe or saw.
4. No member of the troop will use or carry any knife having a blade that will not fold into the handle. Under no circumstances will a Scout carry a switchblade or stiletto or any knife with an unreasonably long blade.
5. Scouts may not bring firearms or ammunition on any outing. This includes air-powered weapons such as BB guns and pellet guns. Firearm training and use must be supervised by an instructor qualified by the local council. This also applies to archery equipment.
6. Scouts may not bring Slingshots.
7. Fireworks are strictly prohibited.
8. Propane and flammable liquids are to be used only under the supervision of adult leaders trained in the proper use and handling of these items. Matches will be supplied by the troop leadership and should be carried by Scouts only as emergency equipment in proper safety containers.
9. Electronic games, toys and entertainment equipment like tape and CD players are not allowed on troop outings. Emergency radios are permitted but should be used only for emergency situations. Drivers may permit use of electronic games and players during travel to and from events. These must be stored away and not used during the event.
10. Alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly forbidden. Any use of these substances at any Scouting function will be subject to immediate censure and/or dismissal.
11. Scouts will never go in any water without permission from an adult leader. Scouts "falling in" or being pushed in will be judged as being in the water on their own desire. To be safe, Scouts are expected to stay far enough from the water so that they cannot slip or be pushed into the water.
12. Regular attendance of both meetings and outings is necessary to gain the full benefit of the Scouting program. The Scoutmaster will use the following guidelines as an advisory on maintaining good attendance.
Scouts attending less than 75% of meetings and events are ineligible for leadership positions
Scouts attending less than 50% of meetings and events are ineligible for rank advancement
Scouts attending less than 25% of meetings and events are considered inactive.
Scouts attending less than 75% of meetings and events in the months shortly prior to elections are ineligible for elected leadership positions. Scouts attending less than 75% of meetings and events while serving in a leadership position will not get rank advancement leadership credit. The SPL and ASPL are required to attend one of the major troop summer activities (summer camp or a major high adventure trip) to continue in their position
13. No patrol outing will be undertaken without prior permission from the Scoutmaster or one of his adult assistants.