Committee
The Scouts BSA Troop Committee's primary responsibility is supporting troop leaders in delivering quality program and handling troop administration. The troop committee is responsible for conducting the business of the troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities. The committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for boards of review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The committee consists of parent volunteers or other adults who fulfill various roles on the committee. Please contact us if you would like to be part of the planning and decision-making that makes our troop succeed!
Minimum positions for a chartered troop
A chartered Scouts BSA troop requires a Chartered Organization Representative, a Committee Chair, at least two committee members, and a Scoutmaster.
Positions of the Troop Committee:
The Chartered Organization Representative is the direct contact between the unit and the Chartered Organization. This individual is also the organization's contact with the district committee and the Local Council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council. The Chartered Organization Representative appoints the unit committee chair.
The troop committee chair is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. The unit committee chairman appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders.
The unit secretary is appointed by the committee chair to keep minutes and records, send notices, and handle publicity.
The unit treasurer is appointed by the committee chair to handle unit funds, pay bills, maintain accounts, coordinate the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, and supervise fundraising.
The unit advancement chair is appointed by the committee chair to ensure that the unit has regular boards of review and 2 to 4 courts of honor each year, and that the unit has goals of helping each Scout advance a rank each year and for new Scouts to reach First Class rank during their first year. The advancement coordinator is also responsible for record keeping and submitting advancement reports.
The unit equipment coordinator is appointed by the committee chair to work with the youth Quartermaster and is responsible inventory, storage, and maintenance of unit equipment.
The unit outdoor/activities chair is appointed by the committee chair to secure tour permits and permission to use camping site, serve as transportation coordinator, ensure a monthly outdoor program.
The unit membership chair is appointed by the committee chair to help ensure a smooth transition of new Scouts into the unit and orientation for new parents.
The unit training chair is appointed by the committee chair to ensure training opportunities are available, maintain training records and materials, and is responsible for BSA Youth Protection training.
The unit public relations chair is appointed by the committee chair to inform parents of their responsibilities in Scouting and with the chartered organization. Provides news and announcements about the unit to newspapers, bulletins of sponsors, web sites, etc. Promotes and stimulates service projects, Scouting Anniversary Week, Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath, and family participation in unit events. Promotes new membership and lets people in the neighborhood know that Scouting is available.
The unit fundraising chair is appointed by the committee chair to supervise Fundraising and ensure that every youth member has the opportunity to participate in troop sales or other council Fundraising events.
Direct youth contact leaders
Troop Chaplain - open
The unit chaplain is appointed by the committee chair to provide spiritual tone, guide the chaplain aide, give spiritual counseling, and promote the regular religious participation of each member.
The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains youth leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.
An assistant Scoutmaster is one of the adult leaders age 18 or over who assist the Scoutmaster in delivering the troop program.
The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters are NOT formal members of the committee. The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters are advisers to the committee. They may attend committee meetings to communicate scout plans and to coordinate the needs of the Scouts. This factor is important to remember during Boards of Review because the Boards of Review also serve as quality checks of the Scouting program as delivered by the Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters.
Responsibilities of the Troop Committee:
Ensures that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained. In case the Scoutmaster is absent, a qualified Assistant Scoutmaster is assigned. If the Scoutmaster is unable to serve, a replacement is recruited.
Ensures that all youth leadership is approved, registered, and trained and current in Youth Protection Training.
Ensures that all Youth Protection policies and guidelines are followed.
Provides adequate meeting facilities.
Advises the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Scouts BSA and the chartered organization.
Supports leaders in carrying out the program.
Is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan.
Obtains, maintains, and properly cares for troop property.
Ensures the troop has an outdoor program (minimum 10 nights camping plus 1 long term event each year.)
Serves on boards of review and courts of honor.
Supports the Scoutmaster in working with individual youth and problems that may affect the overall troop program.
Provides for the special needs and assistance some youth may require.
Helps with the Investment in Character annual council funding campaign.
Assists the Scoutmaster with handling youth behavioral problems.