Cedar Heights Elementary School PTA

Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613

The Troop Committee is the troop's board of directors. They support the Boy Scout program administratively and monitor to keep the program fiscally sound.
The troop committee roles include:

• Ensures that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained. In case the Scoutmaster is absent, a qualified assistant Scoutmaster is assigned, if unable to serve, a replacement is recruited.
• Provides adequate meeting facilities
• Advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting and the chartered organization
• Carries out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America
• Supports leaders in carrying out the Boy Scout Program
• Is responsible for finances and disbursements with the approved budget plan
• Obtains, maintains, and properly cares for troop property
• Provides adequate camping and outdoor program for the scouts
• Ensures boards of review and courts of honor.
• Supports the Scoutmaster in working with individual boys and problems that may affect the overall troop program.
• Provides for the special needs and assistance some boys may require.
• Helps with the Friends of Scouting campaign.
• Assists the Scoutmaster with handling boy behavior problems.

Charter Organization Representative:
The troop is “owned” by a charter organization (Cedar Heights Elementary School PTA), which receives a national charter yearly to use the Scouting program as part of its youth work. These charter organizations have goals compatible with those of the Boy Scouts of America. Each chartered organization using the Scouting program provides a meeting place, selects a Scoutmaster, appoints a troop committee and chooses a charter organization representative.

Chaplain:
Provide spiritual tone for troop meetings and activities. Give guidance to Chaplin aide. Promote regular participation of each member in activities of the religious organization of his choice. Visit homes of the scouts in time of sickness or need. Give spiritual counseling service when needed or requested. Encourage Boy Scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems.

Committee Chairman: Organizes the committee to insure that all required functions are completed. Maintains a close relationship with Chartered Organization Representative and the Scoutmaster. Ensures adequate training opportunities and roundtable representation for the troop. Ensures troop leadership has completed appropriate training. Interprets national and local policies as required. Calls, presides over and promotes monthly troop committee meetings and any special meetings. Secures camp leadership. Arranges for charter review and recharter annually.

Treasurer:
Administers troop funds and scout accounts. Responsible for timely and accurate payment of troop liabilities and receipt of troop assets). Prepares annual budget and reports status to Troop Committee. Supervises fund raising and secures proper approvals.

Secretary:
Maintains minutes of troop committee meetings. Handles publicity, correspondence and troop communications. Insures advance communications of fund-raisers, community service projects, etc.

Key Committee Members:

The responsibilities of each committee include (but are not limited to) the following descriptions. Each committee is autonomous and responsible for deciding how to best fulfill their tasks. The role of the above committee members is to assist and give direction as needed (not to do the work of these committees). Each committee will give updates at Troop Committee meetings to help keep all Troop 55 members informed of activities (current and upcoming).

Training :
Ensure troop leaders and committee members and scouts have opportunities for training. Maintain an inventory of up-to-date training materials, videotapes, and other training resources. Work with 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 with the troop and at a council and national level.

Camping :
Coordinates monthly camping trips. Insures proper authorizations (permission forms, Tour permits) are complete, policies are followed, and adequate transportation is available. The camping committee is responsible for securing camping sites for activities, collecting scout permission forms, collecting scout fees and arranging for adequate transportation to and from each activity for the scouts. Insure the guidelines to “A Guide to Safe Scouting” have been met for each outing. Works closely with the quartermaster.

High Adventure :
Coordinates current and upcoming High Adventure activities for the troop. Provides information on upcoming trips, arranges for Tour Permits (as required), needed forms, and appropriate fees. This committee will try to offer a High Adventure activity yearly with each activity offered on a rotating basis. Will work closely with the Fund raising committee regarding funds needed for each adventure.

Advancement Coordinator:
Ensures troop advancement policies are established, communicated to boys, and administered in fair, impartial manner. Secures appropriate awards and maintains records of advancement. Reports to troop committee regarding boys with significant advancement and those who need assistance in moving forward.

Life to Eagle Coordinator:
This position is a direct report to the Advancement Coordinator. Works with new life scouts to inform them of requirements to continue their path to Eagle.
Provides coaching and counseling on how to:

1: complete Eagle forms,
2: decide on project,
3: organization of project,
4: completion of project.

Recruiting and Membership :
Work with local schools, packs and organizations to recruit new members. Coordinate and plan with local Cub Packs to insure a successful crossover of new members. WEBELOS - Serves as communication link to Webelos II dens of feeder packs. Insures boys receive regular communication for upcoming activities that they may attend. Webelos recruiting night is coordinated by this committee and may be done per the "Webelo Recruiting" document.
Arranges for attendance of Scout meeting and outings. Works to help the retention of current scouts.

T-Shirt and Sweatshirt :
Design, sales, distribution of troop t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Quarter Master :
Maintains inventory of troop equipment and requests additional as needed from troop committee. Ensures troop equipment is in satisfactory operating condition and arranges repair as needed. Is responsible to see that the troop has proper equipment in sufficient quantities. Insures proper care and maintenance of equipment. Has the trailer and all needed equipment ready for the next camp out. Works closely with the camping committee.

Service Project Coordinator:
Coordinates Service projects for the scouts and Troop. Acquires materials needed for each project.

Fund Raising:
This position is a direct report to the Treasurer. Oversees Fund Raising projects, schedules activities through Senior Patrol Leader (or designee) and Scoutmaster. The current fund raising efforts will help offset the costs of the scout’s High Adventure trips and other scout activities.

Webmaster :
Maintains web site for the troop. Keeps web space and domain name current and registered.

Merit Badge College/University Coordinator :
Coordinates both activities. Obtains and submits registration materials for scouts. Distributes pre-requisites and Merit Badge books to the scouts.

New Parent Orientation:
After new scouts have joined crossed over, this committee will provide a 2-3 night orientation class for parents new to the troop. This may be done per the "New Parent Orientation" document.

Popcorn, Ground Hog Dinner Coordinators:
These positions all report to the Fund Raising Coordinator. They oversee all aspects of each fund raising effort and get assistance from other parents and scouts as needed. Coordinates efforts with the Treasurer to insure timely collection of funds from the scouts and payments as required.

Summer Camp Coordinator:
Organize and coordinate summer camp activities. Insures proper authorizations are complete, policies followed, fees paid, and sufficient transportation is available. Secures sites for Summer Camp. Insures scouts have committed by proper time and paid necessary fees. Remits funds to Treasurer.

Court of Honor/Summer Picnic Coordinator:
Working with the person from the Pack, coordinate the summer Troop/Pack picnic. Arrange location, food needed, scouts to help with the pack fitness activities.
Coordinate with the Advancement Chair, items/food/materials needed for the Court of Honor as well as any special needs.

Scoutmaster:
The Scoutmaster is an Adult leader who trains and guides the youth leaders in carrying out the scouting program. The Scoutmaster is a direct report to the Committee Chairman. The Scoutmaster will be a role model for the boys and will reflect the character of the chartered organization. The Scoutmaster must be the kind of person you would want you own sons to be influenced by and whose judgment will always be in their best interest. A key function of your troop committee is assisting in the selection of the best possible person to be your Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster is a non-voting member of the committee.
The Scoutmaster’s duties include (but are not restricted to):

1. Conduct the Boy Scout program according to the policies of the Boy Scouts of America
2. Train youth leaders to conduct, at least annually, an introduction to leadership and a team-building workshop as described in the Scoutmaster’s Junior Leader Training Kit.
3. Conduct an annual troop program planning conference to assist youth leaders in planning the troop program.
4. Conduct a monthly patrol leader’s council meeting to plan weekly troop meetings and conduct troop business.
5. Conduct, with the SPL, and through the Patrol Leaders Council, weekly troop meetings.
6. Provide a minimum number nights of camping annually; including participation in a local council resident camp.
7. Work with the troop committee chairman to develop a monthly meeting agenda that will address the troop’s needs.
8. Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all ranks, and encourage rank advancement.
9. Provide the necessary framework (use the BSA’s Youth Protection program) for protecting the young people in your troop from abuse.
10. See that activities are conducted within BSA safety guidelines and requirements.
11. Assist in the recruitment of assistant Scoutmasters to work with the new Scout patrol, and Venture activities for older Scouts.

Assistant Scoutmaster:
The Assistant Scoutmaster is an Adult leader who is trained and helps guide the youth leaders in carrying out the scouting program. The Scoutmaster is a direct report to the Scout Master. The Assistant Scout Master’s responsibilities will be delineated as needed by the Scout Master. At any scouting function that the Scout Master is not able to attend, the Assistant Scout Master will be in charge. The Assistant Scout Master will be recommended by the Scout Master and approved by the Committee.

Board of Review:
Adult group of three committee members, who review specific requirements and overall progress of scouts requesting advance of rank (or those who have not advanced). Instructed in proper BSA procedures and policy. Serve as insurance that all scouts are treated fairly. You may not take part in a Board of Review of your own child. Cannot be Assistant Scoutmasters or Scoutmaster.