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Welcome to Troop 9
Glen Avon Presbyterian Church
The scouts, leaders and committee of Troop 9 want to welcome you and your son/daughter to our troop. The following is to help provide you with general troop information.
MEETINGS:
The Troop holds regular meetings on Tuesday evenings starting at 7 p.m. and generally ending in an hour, at Glen Avon Church, 2015 Woodland Avenue . The troop welcomes parents to stay for the meetings, benefit from the demonstrations, and get to know other troop parents.
Parents can assist their scouts by keeping a close eye on the Calendar and the Announcements tab on the Troop 9 website: troop9duluthmn.wixsite.com/troop9 and social media sites for announcements, updates to be aware of, and unusual meeting times or locations,
Regular meetings begin the first Tuesday in September that public school is in session. Meetings continue until the last Tuesday of the public school year in June. Troop 9 periodically rents out the Ordean-East Middle School swimming pool for the troop to have fun swimming, but also as an opportunity for completion of the Swimming Merit Badge. There will be no meeting when public school is not in session such as Christmas and Spring break.
In event of inclement weather, the meeting is canceled if public schools are closed as announced on the radio. When in doubt, contact the Senior Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster.
Financial Policies:
Dues:
Annual dues for the period 2/1 to 1/31 are paid in November for an amount that is approved by the troop executive committee each October. A scout that enters the troop at a time other than February pays a prorated dues amount. The dues amount includes registration, Boy’s Life, insurance plus a troop fee. The boy may choose to use his scout fund (from product sales) to pay his dues.
Reimbursement:
If you have purchased something for the troop that has been approved by the Leadership Committee you can use the Individual Scout Reimbursement form which may be downloaded on Troop 9’s website or is available at meetings.
Financial Assistance:
A Scout Assistance Request Application must be completed in full by Parent/Guardian and Unit Leader for Consideration.
UNIFORM (adopted 11/30/07):
Each scout is encouraged to follow Troop 9 dress code for troop meetings, activities, merit badge sessions, advancement reviews, Court of Honors, other special events, and while traveling to/from a scouting destination; unless otherwise notified by the Scoutmaster or adult leader of the activity.
The Troop 9 dress code is as follows:
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Official khaki scout shirt (short or long sleeve) tucked into pants, plus:
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the appropriate insignia patch placement (see handbook), including a patrol patch
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the Troop 9 neckerchief and BSA slide (provided at new scout induction). An alternative to the BSA slide is one that was handmade during a scouting activity/meeting. Top collar button of shirt is unbuttoned and neckerchief worn under the collar.
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nametag (first one is provided).
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Official scout pants are added to #1 above after the Board of Review for the rank of Star. Those seeking Life or Eagle rank reviews (Scoutmaster Conference and/or Board of Review) can be deferred until the scout presents himself in compliance with the appropriate dress code. See also merit badge sash expectations below.
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The merit badge sash is added when:
a. Courts of Honor and other formal events, or
b. Seeking Star, Life or Eagle rank reviews (which can be deferred until the scout
presents himself in compliance with the appropriate dress code).
Except for travel to/from (see # 1 above), the summer camp uniform consists of a Troop 9 t-shirt or sweatshirt and appropriate pants or shorts, according to the weather and the conditions. This informal uniform can also be worn for other camp outs and work projects, as well as certain troop activities specifically identified by the Scoutmaster or other adult activity leader.
ADVANCEMENT:
Each scout is responsible for his own advancement status. He will be required to have a Scoutmaster’s Conference and a Board of Review before he can receive his badge. The Advancement Chair maintains the official record of a scout’s status. If a scout is unclear about about his advancement status he should request a report from the Advancement Chair and discuss it with an Assistant Scoutmaster, the Scoutmaster, or the Advancement Chair. The requirements for each rank can be found in his handbook. It is possible to complete a conference and a Board of Review during one meeting. however, the process works best if the scout can plan to have his or her Board of Review by one week prior to the Court of Honor and a Scoutmaster Conference a week prior to that. If he or she misses those deadlines, he or she will still be awarded rank with the effective date of his Board of Review, but may not receive the award during the Court of Honor. It will be given tothe scout at a later regular meeting or next Court of Honor. Upon completion a qualified scout or adult leader signs off requirements (Not Parents)
Merit badges are the responsibility of the individual scout to contact the counselor for the particular merit badge or through the adult leader in charge of advancement. If a scout has Eagle rank as his or her goal, he or she will need to earn the required merit badges listed in the scout book. Some merit badges have rank requirements. In some cases a merit badge may be offered at the troop level or at summer camp and your scout needs only to sign up. Scouts who have successfully completed a rank Board of Review receive that rank effective the date of the Board. They will be presented their badge at the next regular scout meeting and will be recognized at the next court of honor. Courts of honor are generally held in October, February and May.
CAMPOUTS:
The Camping Merit Badge is required if your son or daughter has Eagle Rank as their goal. The Camping Merit Badge requires 20 camping nights that meet specific eligibility requirements. The troop plans for at least one camping or outdoor event each month throughout the school year. There are also other camping experiences offered such as week long summer camp, high adventure trips (to include Philmont, Florida Sea Base & Okpik Winter Camping), National Jamboree, and other district and council events. Each scout is responsible for his own personal equipment to include sleeping bag, pack, eating utensils and clothing. Tents are provided but scouts can bring their own if they wish. Meals are paid for by a grub fee collected during the meeting a week prior to the event. All scouts are required to have the appropriate medical forms on file.
Scouts are encouraged to use their scout fund to pay for events such as summer camp, high adventure trips and other pre-authorized activities. All scouts are expected to follow the Scout Oath & Law in their conduct at all campouts and scouting activities. Inappropriate behavior may result in the parent being notified to come and pick up their son or daughter. We also expect the scouts to be trustworthy in that when they commit to going on event, they will keep their promise.
PATROL METHOD:
The scouting program firmly adheres to the patrol method in the operation of the troop. The Patrol Leader Council (PLC) is held the first Monday of each month. It is at this meeting the Senior Patrol Leader and his or her assistants discuss with the patrol leaders from each patrol the business of putting on the weekly program as well as campouts and other events for the troop. The PLC is responsible to inform the Scoutmaster of what they have scheduled and the Scoutmaster will bring their plan to the troop executive committee. The goal is to provide the scouts a program that is filled with training and fun. If your son or daughter is elected to a position of leadership in the troop, it is hisor her responsibility to attend all required meetings. If a patrol leader cannot attend a required meeting such as a PLC meeting, he or she should arrange for his or her assistant patrol leader to attend in their place.
ADULT PARTICIPATION:
A well-balanced scouting program requires adult participation at many levels. The Scoutmaster and his or her assistants are responsible for working directly with the youth to achieve a quality program. Additional assistant scoutmasters and merit badge counselors are always welcomed. There are also positions on the troop executive committee that require your assistance. The troop committee is responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the troop, including budget, advancement, selection of leaders and adherence to BSA policy. We also need adult help with such activities as popcorn sales, wreath sales, Scouting for Food, and hosting court of honors and other events (food & decorating). Transporting scouts is an important task considering the size of the troop and generally requires several drivers for all events. Parents are also encouraged to take part in campouts. Getting involved in the troop allows you quality time with your son that can never be replaced and will always be remembered.
TWO-DEEP LEADERSHIP:
Troop 9 follows the BSA guideline that calls for two-deep leadership. That means that on every scouting activity, there must always be two adult leaders (one must be a registered scout leader). We require that adult leaders complete and follow the Youth Protection Training developed by BSA.
TROOP 9 FUNDRAISER and SCOUT FUND POLICY (adoptedOctober 11, 2016):
All Scouts of Troop 9 are expected to participate in troop-sponsored fundraisers. The troop Executive Committee determines which fundraisers benefit the individual scouts or the troop as a whole. Troop 9 will periodically hold fundraisers that support the troop as a whole, such as the annual bake sale. Troop 9 has two major fundraisers each year in order for scouts to accumulate individual funds: Popcorn and Wreath sales. Special fundraisers may be added in order for boys and girls to accumulate additional funds for high adventure trips and other activities.
The sole purpose of troop sponsored fundraisers that benefit individual scouts is to help boys and girls and their families pay for any fees associated with membership and activities of Boy Scouting.
Procedure: The tax-exempt funds accumulated by individual scouts are recorded to a Troop 9 individual custodial account, administered by the troop’s treasurer. Scout account withdrawals are requested via a special form that requires prior approval signatures by both the scout’s parents and the scoutmaster. The Treasurer issues an annual scout account statement to the parents of each individual scout by April 1st each year, with a copy of this scout account policy.
The funds that individual scouts have accumulated may be withdrawn for:
Payment on behalf of the scout towards any troop or Boy Scout sponsored activities for which payment is indicated, including but not limited to trips to Tomahawk, high adventure trips, troop sponsored outings, Eagle Scout expenses and annual dues.
Siblings in Troop 9: pass all or portion of the balance of the scout account to the sibling account,
Transfer to another troop: full balance administered under the policies of that troop
Troop 9 Scout Account
Purpose:
Troop 9 has a tradition of offering individual scout accounts to provide an incentive for scouts to participate in fundraising activities, teach scouts to be thrifty and manage money, and provide financial assistance for scouts to participate in troop activities.
IRS rules and Scout policy, however, do not allow scouts or their families to derive a private benefit from Troop 9 activities through scout accounts.
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the troop, scouts and their families to benefit from scout accounts yet comply with IRS rules and Boy Scout policy.
Scout Accounts
1. An individual scout account is established for each boy or girl when they join the troop. The troop treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining records relating to scout accounts.
2. The troop committee shall be responsible for funds held in scout accounts.
3. The troop committee shall establish the percentage of money earned through a troop fund raising activities which will be applied to an individual scout’s account. The balance of funds raised through fundraising activities shall be credited to the troop general fund.
4. Funds in a scout’s account may be used to pay for the following fees and activities:
A. Troop dues, the troop’s opt-out fee, or other troop fees;
B. Troop 9 camping activities such as Camp Tomahawk; and
High adventure trips such as Okpik, Philmont, Seabase, and
Jamborees, and Eagle Court Expenses.
C. In no event shall funds in a scout account be distributed directly to the scout or his family. Funds may not be used to purchase camping gear or other personal property privately owned by the scout.
D. All funds held in a scout’s account shall be transferred to the troop general fund when the scout, for any reason, terminates his membership in Troop 9. In the event a scout transfers membership to another troop, then funds in his scout account may be transferred to the scout’s new troop.
4. Funds in a scout’s account may be transferred to a sibling’s scout account at Troop 9.
5. Automatic donation to troop campership fund on March 1, of each year (if not otherwise transferred to the account of a sibling(s)when:
A scout’s registration lapses on the just preceding January 31st before reaching Eagle Scout Rank or age 18
Opt-Out Policy:
(Adopted October 11,2016 at Troop 9 Executive Meeting)
Troop 9 is joining other troops and packs in offering an opt-out program for popcorn and wreath sales.
Families have the option of opting out of popcorn and wreath sales by paying the difference between $100.00 and the amount a scout raises through any combination of popcorn or wreath sales.
Popcorn and Wreath Sales:
50% of the NET sales………………. Scout Account
50% of the NET Sales………………..Troop 9 account, to fund Troop funcations.
Net sales is defined by the difference between Gross Sales and and Cost.
EXAMPLES:
If a scout sells $200.00 of Popcorn Sales:
Gross Sales $200.00
Cost $-140.00 (Cost is approximately 70%)
Net Sales $60.00 (Net Sales is approximately 30%)
The net sales are divided with a Scout receives 50% or $30.00 and the Troop receives 50% or $30.00.
If a Scout sales $200.00 of Wreath Sales:
Gross Sales $200.00
Cost $-120.00 (Cost is approximately 60%)
Net Sales $80.00 (Net Sales is approximately 40%)
The net sales are divided with the Scout receiving 50% of $40.00 and the Troop receives 50% or $40.00
The Scout has now earned a total of$70.00 for the troop which is applied to his Opt-Out Amount of $100.00 and a cash payment is due to the troop. The Treasurer will send out statements in early spring showing Scout Balance and any money due to the troop for op-out.
Troop 9 Website: http://troop9duluthmn.wixsite.com/troop9. General information about the troop, calendar and announcements, optional parent contact list and downloadable forms.
Scoutbook: https://www.scoutbook.com/ A safe and secure platform so parents, leaders, and scouts can record, track and manage their scouting experience.
Facebook: ScoutsBSA Troop 9
If you have any questions that are not answered by checking the group website please contact:
Christopher Zupancich
Committee Chairman
Ken Stafford
Scoutmaster
218-724-0622 218-340-9877