BSA Troop 41, Overview

Troop 41 Overview

Welcome to Troop 41 – We are very proud of our troop family and hope that you too feel this pride. This year we have planned another exciting and rewarding program of scouting activities to challenge our scouts both mentally and physically. We hope you will take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible.

While you can depend on Troop 41 leadership to give you a quality program, Troop 41 expects many things of you.

MEETINGS:
Troop Scout Meetings -

held from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at First Church Congregational, 37 High Street, Marlborough, every Monday night when there is school in Marlborough
scouts are to wear their Class A shirt and scout pantsand come prepared with their Scout book, paper and pencil
meetings are to be run by scouts and divided into segments involving learning and practicing skills or preparing for troop campouts and activities

Adult Committee Meetings -

held once a month also at First Church from 7:00 to no later than 9:00 pm
committee consists of a number of named positions for adults to support the troop
success of the troop program hinges on the activity of the parents and guardians of the Scouts therefore all parents and guardians are invited to attend Committee meetings and get involved

Church Use Code of Conduct

only leave the meeting room to go to the bathroom
do not wander through the church or run around the parking lot
do not sit on tables and stay off the stage
do not disturb items in the meeting room that are not for scouting
tables and chairs are to be returned to their original state when we leave
one patrol will be assigned each week to sweep the floor, check the bathrooms and ensure everything is in order

NOTE: Scout Sunday is held in February and all scouts are requested to attend service with the troop at First Church Congregational on that day. We also help our ushering and sometimes with fellowship hour.

TROOP BEHAVIOR:
Simply stated, all scouts are to act in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law.

adult leaders are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary
parents of youth members who misbehave will be informed and will be required to accompany their child at meeting and scouting events for a minimum of four weeks
for severe problems or incidents where a threat to the safety of another individual is concerned parents or guardians of the offending scout could be called to pick up their child regardless of where the troop is
the unit committee will review repetitive or serious incidents of misbehavior in consultation with the parents of the child to determine a course of corrective action including possible revocation of the youth's membership in the troop
the BSA does not permit the use of corporal punishment by unit leaders when disciplining youth members.

ADVANCEMENTS
Troop 41 is committed to providing opportunities for all boys to advance through the scout ranks. The best way to get requirements completed is to attend as many meetings and camping events as possible. Sign off of requirements must be done by an authorized signer (Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and in some cases Instructors). Parents are not allowed to sign off for their own son regardless of his/her position.

Each level of advancement requires the scout to “show scout spirit” and be an active member which Troop 41 defines as follows:

demonstrating appropriate behavior
attend at least 75% of all troop meetings
participate in at least 55% of all troop outings

Ranks above 1st Class include a requirement to serve in a leadership position:

each youth leadership position will have a written job description that spells out the responsibilities to be used as the guideline for earning leadership credit
some of the positions (SPL, ASPL and Patrol Leader) require 75% participation at troop outings
scribe must ensure coverage at all meetings and PLC meetings
term of leadership positions is normally 6 months which may be longer than the published requirement for rank advancement

NOTE: The handbook will include all the youth leadership job descriptions however each of our current youth leaders should be aware of their responsibilities. If you have any questions or if you have concerns about meeting your requirements to get sign off contact Mr. Blomquist ASAP.

FUNDRAISING PLANS
To help defray costs of trips, replace needed equipment and fund other troop activities we hold a number of fundraisers throughout the year. For the 2006 – 2007 session we have planned the following:

Scout O concession stand at Nobscot in Framingham
Pack Pinewood Derby concessions
Annual Yard Sale
Popcorn Sale – benefits both the scout seller and the troop – ongoing from now until late October

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
For the troop to be successful we need the help of all parents. There are many ways for everyone to get involved helping out the troop by working or leading one of our fundraisers, serving on the adult committee, participating in adult committee meetings, serving as a merit badge counselor, helping out at camping trips, or helping out at meetings to name a few. If you would like to get involved please contact Paula Blomquist, John Morgello or Tom Moore.

We thank you for your support in the Troop 41 scouting program and supporting our scoutmaster, Ken Blomquist, in his enforcement of our troop guidelines.

Yours in scouting,
Troop 41 Committee