Troop Committee

Responsibilities

The Committee is the Troopâ€™s administrative body. It is made up of all the Parents of the Scoutsâ€™ who serve to provide organization for Scouting activities. The Committee Chairman presides over Committee Meetings and many Troop functions are delegated to Committee Members holding specific positions, such as Treasurer and Advancement Chairman. All Committee Members must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America, and all are encouraged to take the basic Scout Leader Training offered by the Bill Hart District.

The Committeeâ€™s primary responsibility is to support the Scoutmaster and the Troop Leadership in running a successful, safe, and sound program. The Committee oversees the Troop's program and activities, ensures that proper leadership is provided for the Scouts, and sees that the Troop has adequate equipment, meeting facilities, funds, etc. In performing these functions, the Committee supports the Scoutmaster in four areas: Program Planning, Advancement, Outdoor Program and Administration.

Program Planning

The Patrol Leaders' Council, made up of the Scouts who hold leadership positions within the Troop, is responsible for planning the Troop's Scouting program, while the Scoutmaster is responsibility for making sure that the program is carried out as it should be. However, the Troop Committee supports the Scoutmaster in delivering a quality program by reviewing the PLCâ€™s proposals to ensure that the necessary support, equipment, and funding exists, and the proposed activities do not violate the Guide to Safe Scouting or other BSA guidelines.

The Troop Committee does not communicate with the Patrol Leaders' Council and Scouts directly, but interacts with them through the Scoutmaster. The Committee also advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting.

The Committee should is responsible for informing Parents of the Troop Program and enlist their support of that program. In addition, the Committee provides other necessary support, such as finances, transportation, equipment, and Leadership to ensure that the program is successful, whether it is for Troop Meetings, activities, or special events.

Advancement

The Troop Committee oversees and supports the Advancement Program by conducting Boards of Review for Rank Advancement, obtaining badges and awards, keeping accurate Advancement records, and ensuring that Courts of Honor are planned and carried out to recognize advancing Scouts ceremonially.

Outdoor Program

The Troop Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Troop provides a camping and outdoor program with a minimum of 10 days and nights per year. Support for the outdoor program comes by recruiting leadership for Summer Camp, encouraging the Parents' support of the Troop's outdoor program, providing transportation for tours and camps, filing necessary tour permits and by promoting standards of safe and healthful experiences for Troop.

Administration

The Committee handles a wide variety of administrative functions. It is responsible for assisting in the selection of the best person to serve as Scoutmaster, and to ensure that additional quality Adult Leadership is recruited and trained as Assistant Scoutmasters.

The Committee manages all Troop funds and approves expenditures in line with an approved budget plan. The Treasurer pays all approved bills, maintains savings and expense records, and informs the Committee the Committee of any financial matters related to Troop budget.

The Committee ensures that the Troop has an adequate meeting place for weekly Troop Meetings and other activities. It also supports the Troop Quartermaster by assigning an Equipment Chair to assist with procurement, storage, inventory and repair of Troop equipment. Other Committee members are responsible for sending out meeting notices, recording meeting minutes, re-registering the Troop with the BSA, and running its recruiting plan.

The Committee assumes responsibility for all these tasks so that the Scoutmaster does not become overburdened with administrative and support needs, and allows him Scoutmaster to concentrate on bringing the Scouting program to the boys in the Troop.