TROOP GUIDEBOOK
Procedures, rules, and traditions
of CVBC's troop72
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
www.Troop72.com

(Last modified: $Date: 2008-09-30 20:04:21-05 $)           Visitors since 5/8/2006:
Table of Contents

(Click on any section heading or subheading to jump directly to that part.)

Introduction

History and purpose

What each boy needs

Advancement

Communication

Rules of conduct

Outside organizations

Troop structure

Troop operations

Troop finances

Glossary

Introduction

This is the official "Guidebook" for BSA Troop 72 of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Our intent is to capture all of our procedures, traditions, and rules into one document, that everyone can refer to. This should be especially helpful to parents of new scouts, so we encourage you to sit down and read the whole thing!

If you are reading this in a paper version, you should know that this is all on the web, at "troop72.com/guidebook". The paper version is handy if you want to read it in your easy chair or on a campout, or if you like to circle and highlight sections. But you might find it very useful to look at the version on the web, too, since the online version is full of links to other parts of this document as well as to other information on the web. In particular, the table of contents and glossary are full of links to the insides of this document.

Since this guidebook is on the web, we can treat it like a "living document," and make updates whenever we come up with them. So you will want to check back often whenever you have a question about anything.

We hope that this publication helps you get up to speed! If you notice any errors, or have suggestions for things to add, please let us know. The best way is to send email to "tom@arneberg.com".

Sincerely,

Tom Arneberg
March 2002

History and Purpose

  • Boy Scouts of America --

    From "http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-501.html":

    "The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America -- incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916 -- is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.

    "Community-based organizations receive national charters to use the Scouting program as a part of their own youth work. These groups, which have goals compatible with those of the BSA, include religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, and labor organizations; governmental bodies; corporations; professional associations; and citizens' groups.

    Of the seven different programs, "Boy Scouting is program for boys 11 through 17 designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership with the counsel of an adult Scoutmaster."

    From "http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts":

    "The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

    "Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society."

  • Troop 72 -- The history of Troop 72 really began in the 1970's, for it was in that decade that six of our original eight adult leaders were themselves Boy Scouts active in troops across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kentucky.

    As for troop 72, the idea for a new troop at Chippewa Valley Bible Church was first discussed by Tom Arneberg and Darin Thomas in 1997. (Darin had just moved to Chippewa Falls from Houston, where he was a Scoutmaster. And Tom had always intended to some day start a troop, a desire strengthened by the birth of his four sons.) They wrote a May 1999 article in the CVBC newsletter announcing their intentions, and several men responded favorably. However, Tom and Darin were a little disappointed that nobody made a commitment in response to the September 2000 article about the leadership training offered.

    Despite their discouragement, they decided to press on, and went ahead with the troop charter with three boys on the roster in January 2001. Once the troop launch was imminent, however, men started stepping forward. By the time the first meeting was held on March 19, 2001, there were a dozen boys and seven men involved! Four of the other leaders also went for all three levels of the Scoutmaster Fundamentals training (Glenn Woods, Mark Hedrington, Steve Nutzmann, and John Mathwig), so the troop was blessed with no fewer than SIX MEN who were fully trained, within a month of the first meeting. (Other men who helped in the first year but hadn't gone through the full training yet include Jamey Mauk and Paul Lasiewicz.)

    By the end of the first year of existence, five boys had dropped out, but new ones kept coming. As of March 2002, the troop's one-year anniversary of their first meeting, there there were 18 officially registered boys in the troop, with 23 boys having been on at least one campout. The troop is looking forward to a bright future!

    One question you might have is, Why did we want to form a new troop when there were already three other good troops right here in Chippewa Falls? That's a question we asked ourselves, and District Executive Dave Higgins encouraged us to go ahead with a new troop. The reason is, we have an Awana program at our church for kids through grade 6, that draws a lot of kids from the community. Awana features Scripture memory, but borrows a lot of other things from the Cub Scout program. So we thought it would be a natural thing to offer a Boy Scout program that starts with those who have finished fifth grade, and that would be a complement to the existing Jr./Sr. High youth group (but that would stress different goals specifically for boys -- character, responsibility, adventure, and leadership).

    Sure enough, that strategy proved to be very valuable, as a full 100% -- EVERY BOY in the TROOP -- was new to the Scouting program! There were no Cub Scout crossovers. So it's quite possible that none of the 23 boys who participated in the troop's first year would have ended up getting involved in Boy Scouts, if it weren't for a troop meeting right there at their own church, with boys and leaders that their families already knew.

What each boy needs

The troop is open to any boy over the age of 11, but the boy will not have a good experience in Scouting unless he is equipped properly. This section will outline a few things that are the responsibility of each boy.

Advancement

  • Scout rank advancement -- Rank advancement is a big part of the Scouting method. Scouts can measure their growth in skills by climbing through the ranks. Here is an overview of Scout ranks:

    Rank Overview of requirements
    Scout very simple -- just have to explain a few things
    Tenderfoot Campout; basic skills; memorization; physical tests
    Second Class 5-mile hike; fire/ax; service; first aid; swimming
    First Class Orienteering; cooking; plants; knots; swimming
    Star 6 merit badges (4 Eagle-req.); service; 4 months troop leadership
    Life 5 more merit badges (3 more Eagle-req.); service; 6 months troop leadership
    Eagle 10 more merit badges (5 more Eagle-req.); Eagle Project; 6 months troop leadership
    Eagle Palms 3 months and 5 more merit badges for each (bronze, gold, silver)

  • Merit Badges -- Merit Badges are awards earned by Scouts, and are required for rank advancement past First Class. There are about 120 different merit badges available.

    A merit badge "blue card" can only be signed by an official merit badge counselor, which is an adult pre-approved by the Scout Office in Eau Claire and is registered with the Boy Scouts of America.

    Most Scouts in Troop 72 earn most of their merit badge at the week-long summer camp (which is enough time to earn several badges) or at "merit badge clinics." Clinics are usually offered once a year in each of various cities: Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Barron, Rice Lake. Watch for all-troop emails that are sent for merit badge clinic sign-ups.

    We also sometimes earn merit badges as a troop, either on a camporee or campout, or at troop meetings. Even when done as a group, however, each Scout must prove competence in each requirement before he can be signed off.

    Regardless of what venue you use to work on a merit badge, it's very helpful to print off a merit badge worksheet to guide you through the process.

  • Service Projects -- Service projects are required for several rank advancements. A huge project typically requiring hundreds of man-hours is done for the Eagle Project. For the next two lower ranks of Star and Life, six hours of service is required, and one hour of service is required for Second Class.

    The Eagle Scout candidate must work closely with advisors at the Council level before, during and after his project.

    For Life, Star, and Second Class, service projects must be approved in advance by the Scoutmaster. Projects must benefit the community or the church or some worthy nonprofit organization. Usually the Scout uniform must be worn. The purpose of the service project is to get the Scout thinking of helping others and making his community better, but it is also to let the world know what Scouting is about, and recognizing a Scout in uniform performing these deeds is important.

  • Scoutmaster Conferences -- When a boy has fulfilled all his other requirements for a rank advancement, he participates in the Scoutmaster Conference. This is the final check of all requirements being met before the Board of Review.

  • Board of Review -- For each rank advancement after Scout, the boy must go before the Board of Review (BOR) after all the other requirements are set. The BOR consists of three to six adults, not including the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. BORs for the Eagle rank are held at the Council level.

    The main objectives of a BOR are to make sure the Scout has completed the requirements for the rank, to see how good an experience the Scout is having in the unit, and to encourage the Scout to progress further. For information, see the Guide to Conducting Boards of Review.

  • Court of Honor -- The "Court of Honor" (COH) is an event where each boy gets public recognition for the awards and rank advancements he has earned since the last COH. It's also a good time to communicate with parents, such as discussing summer camp or high-adventure activities coming up.

    In our troop we hold a COH two times per year, in March and September. (In 2008, we're going to try moving to three times per year -- February, June, October.)

    The Court of Honor for a boy earning the highest rank, Eagle, is a separate event from the normal tri-annual COH.

  • Eagle Court of Honor -- The Eagle Court of Honor (ECOH) is perhaps the peak experience of Scouting. It is a chance to honor the Scout who has earned his way up to the highest rank in Boy Scouts. It also has secondary goals of motivating younger Scouts to keep working toward their Eagle, and it also may attract outsiders to join Boy Scouts.

    Despite what you may have heard or read, there is actually no standard ceremony or requirements for the ECOH. The candidate himself, along with his parents, can decide exactly how they'd like the ceremony to go, where they want to hold it, and what kind of reception to have, if any. Of course, the troop will help out as much as the family desires. (If you want to see an example ceremony, see details from our troop's first ECOH on 10/29/2006.)

    Here is how costs are handled for an ECOH:

    Troop pays for: Family pays for:
    Eagle badge & pin
    Eagle parent pins
    Printed programs
    Requests for letters of commendation
    Frame for Eagle certificate & pin
    Membership in Nat'l Eagle Society
    		Invitations
    Speaker honoraria (if needed)
    Food for reception
    Paper goods for reception
    Photo displays for reception
    Hall rental (if not CVBC)

Communication

  • "Ask your patrol leader" -- The phrase most often heard around a campsite or Scout activity is "Ask your patrol leader!" New boys are notorious for asking nonstop question of any adults around, but the Scout Method puts great emphasis on giving patrol leaders responsibility for their boys, so adults should be careful not to interfere with that. Of course, adults can help out from time to time to teach skills and impart wisdom, but let the PL do his job.

  • Email lists -- Email is by far the preferred method of communication in Troop 72. We have an email list for everyone connected with the troop -- Scouts, leaders, adults, relatives, helpers. If you are at all connected with the troop, please be sure that you are subscribed to our email list! Just send your subscription request to tom@arneberg.com (and be sure to mention your name and phone number and how you're connected with the troop). The all-troop email list typically sees about one message per week.

    We also have an email list just for adult leaders of the troop. That list gets much more traffic, as we plan, discuss, and brainstorm. Last, we have a third list just for the PLC.

  • web pages (troop72.com) -- The web is another way we communicate in Troop 72. This Guidebook you're now reading is on our web page, with hypertext links into many sections and subsections from the table of contents at the top, and also cross-links within the document.

    In addition to this Troop Guidebook, our troop web page features information like this:

    • Thousands of photos of past campouts
    • Names and phone numbers and email addresses of adult leaders
    • Permission slips for campouts
    • Packing list for various types of trips
    • Annual calendar overview
    • Plans for upcoming meetings
    • Forms of several kinds
    • Links to lots more information
    • Latest news about the troop

    One important compenent of our troop web page is the members-only section. Every troop family should have the user name and password for this; if you don't, email the Scoutmaster. The members-only section has information like this:

    • A table of the current rank of each Scout
    • Leadership positions and patrol assignments
    • Troop roster with phone numbers and addresses
    • Troop election ballots
    • Birthday lists
    • Details on summer camp
    • Detials on fundraisers
    • Attendance charts (from Troopmaster software)
    • Merit Badges earned by each Scout (from Troopmaster software)
    • Certain event details not for public consumption

Rules of conduct

Boy Scouts is a boy-led environment, but there do need to be some ground rules of conduct laid out for Troop 72:

  • Christian ministry emphasis -- Troop 72 is first and foremost a ministry of Chippewa Valley Bible Church. As such, our primary goal is to teach godly values to boys.

    We make no assumptions about the spiritual or religious background of any boy joining the troop, but we treat boys as if they are Christians -- expecting the behavior of a Christian, holding worship services, sometimes Bible studies and discussions, integrating Scripture into some of the teaching, etc. All meetings and outings will begin with prayer. (Note: CVBC is a non-denominational church; we use God's Word as our guide. For more information about the church, see the web page at www.cvbc.net.)

  • Adult leaders -- Adult leaders of Troop 72 are expected to maintain a standard of conduct, even outside of troop time. For example, anyone who is involved in an extramarital or premarital affair will not make a suitable leader, nor would someone who abuses drugs or alcohol (i.e., gets drunk). Given the rampant abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and various drugs in our culture, we request that our adult leaders set a good example by not using any tobacco on troop outings or activities. As for alcohol, there is an official policy with our national organization:
    "The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members."

  • Two-deep adult leadership -- The rules of the Boy Scouts of America's national organization require "two-deep" leadership at all events, for the protection of the boys. This means that at no time can only one adult be with a boy or boys on a campout or other activity. If a second adult cannot be found to accompany the group, then the event must be canceled.

  • Respect for adults -- Boys in Troop 72 must address adults by their proper title, e.g., "Mr. Nutzmann." We realize this isn't very common these days, but it is a good way to get the boys to show respect to their adult leaders (and it's what they already do for teachers and most coaches). Similarly, boys are taught to stand up when a lady enters the room.

  • Respect for peers -- While a little friendly teasing and rough-housing is natural and healthy for adolescent boys, we try to encourage and enforce respect for peers. (E.g., we will try to prevent excessive teasing and mean-spirited making fun of other boys, as well as any use of profanity.) Also, boys are expected to pay attention when someone is talking to the group.

  • No electronic gadgets -- We will not allow devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, and Gameboys on troop outings. There is nothing inherently wrong with these activities, but it robs the boy's time and attention away from other activities that are more helpful to his development. Believe it or not, boys in the 21st century still can have a lot of fun the old-fashioned way! (Note that adults may carry cell phones for emergency use and to provide a heads-up for return time.)

  • Soda pop & junk food -- Similarly, we try to limit junk food and soda pop on campouts. Pop is heavy to pack, can get messy and sticky if spilled, attracts bugs and animals, can lead to behaviour problems with the sugar/caffeine blast, and requires boys to pack out the empty cans. It just isn't worth it! Some sweets are allowed for desserts and snacks, but the boys are encouraged to plan well-balanced meals since that's required for some rank advancements.

  • Other contraband -- It should go without saying, but we'll say it just in case. We will swiftly deal with any boy who brings any "contraband" to any Scouting activity -- alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, pornography, firearms, etc. Repercussions may include expulsion from the troop.

  • Safety -- Boys do the planning and lead the way on Scout campouts and activities, but the adults are there to make sure that a minimum level of safety standards exist. For example, some parents cringe at the thought of their "little boy" wielding an ax or saw to cut firewood, but that is a privilege that the boy must earn by getting his "Totin' Chip" certification.

    The Boy Scouts of America puts out a document that has all the minimum rules of safety that every Boy Scout troop needs to follow:

    "The Guide to Safe Scouting" (GTSS)
    http://www.bsa.scouting.org/pubs/gss/toc.html

    Please read that and let us know if you have any questions. It covers safety while in the water (swimming, canoeing, sailing, etc.), safety while camping, first aid, youth protection, transportation, stoves and campfires, winter activities, and others.

Outside Organizations

Although Troop 72 is an independent organization under the authority of Chippewa Valley Bible Church, there are several organizations and activities larger than our troop that help to enhance our Scouting experience:

  • Area Council & District -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Order of the Arrow --
    The Order of the Arrow (OA) is sort of an honor society for Boy Scouts. The purpose of OA is to recognize Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and to promote camping traditions.

    An OA lodge has members from several area troops. Scouts are elected to OA by their fellow troop members. To be eligible, the Scout must be First Class or above, must have spent at least 15 nights camping in the previous two years, and must be approved by the Scoutmaster. For more information, see the "OA Basics" web page.

  • Camporees -- A Camporee is a weekend event where several troops from a district or council get to gether for a shared campout. Usually each troop has their own campsite and cooks their own food, but many of the day's activities are held jointly. Often a camporee is focused on earning a merit badge together, such as Orienteering (May 2001), Pioneering (Sept. 2005), etc.

  • Jamborees -- A Jamboree is a national or international campout of Scouts. The National Jamboree is always held near Washington, DC, and draws 40,000 Scouts and Scouters. It is held every five years (2000, 2005, 2010).

Troop Structure

Scouting at its core is to be a boy-run program. The boys have a detailed organizational structure, implemented with elections and appointments. Adults are needed, of course, to provide transportation and oversight, but should operate in the background whenever possible.

  • The "Patrol Method" -- All of scouting revolves around the "Patrol Method." With the exception of a couple key troop leaders, all Scouts are divided into patrols. Patrols should consist of 3-8 boys. But since many boys can't make it to a given campout or meeting, we need to start with slightly larger patrols, so that we hit the 3-8 target in actual attendance. Boys are divided into patrols by the SPL, and can be reallocated once every six months, immediately after the SPL election. The founder of Scouting described patrols as "natural gangs" -- boys who would hang out together if given the choice. (Read more about the Patrol Method.)

  • Troop Elections -- There are two offices in the troop that are elected: the Senior Patrol Leader of the troop, and the Patrol Leader of each patrol.

    SPL Election
    The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is elected twice a year, in March and September. Any registered scout who is at the rank of Star or above and who has been to JLT (now called "NYLT") will be on the SPL ballot. (If fewer than three such boys exist, then the JLT restriction may be relaxed.) Votes can be cast in person at a designated regular meeting, or in writing before that meeting. A valid election requires the votes of over 50% of the active boys on the official troop roster. Whichever boy receives over 50% of the votes cast will be the new SPL for six months. If no boy gets 50% of the votes, then the top two will face off in another election that same night. If the runoff election also ends in a tie, it will be reheld, and if still a tie, then the Scoutmaster will decide how to pick the SPL from the two. Within one week of his election, the new SPL will appoint his ASPL and possibly other troop leaders.

    PL Election
    After the SPL election and ASPL appointment, we'll know who is left for the regular patrols. If any patrol reallocation needs to be done, now is the time for that. When patrol rosters are solidified by the SPL, then each patrol elects a Patrol Leader. Scouts can vote for their PL in person at the designated meeting (usually the week after the SPL election), or in writing before that meeting. We need votes from over 50% of the boys in the patrol, and the Scout who receives a majority of the votes cast will be the new patrol leader. If no majority is reached, the top two will be voted on again in a runoff election. If the runoff is also a tie, it will be reheld, and if still a tie, then the SPL will decide how to pick the PL. The PL will appoint his APL within one week of his election.

  • Leadership Positions -- Once the SPL is elected, the ASPL is appointed, and the various Patrol Leaders are elected, then the SPL may choose to appoint other boys to a troop leadership position. (Boys appointed to other troop leadership positions remain in their patrols.) All troop leadership positions expire at the end of the SPL's term (six months after his election).

    In order to advance in rank past First Class, boys must serve in a troop leadership position. Any qualified boy can fill out an application for the position(s) he's interested in. The SPL can fill none, some, or all of the troop leadership positions, depending on availability and troop need. Once appointed, each boy signs a contract owning up to his duties and responsibilities of that position. Here's a list of troop leadership positions qualified for rank advancement, and their requirements (as approved by the PLC in September 2008):

    Leadership position Minimum rank Meeting attendance Campout attendance
    Senior Patrol Leader Star, NYLT graduate 60% 60%
    Assistant SPL First Class, NYLT graduate 60% 60%
    Patrol Leader Second Class 60% 60%
    Quartermaster Second Class 60% 60%
    Bugler Second Class 60% 60%
    Scribe Second Class 60% 60%
    Librarian Second Class 60% 60%
    Chaplain's Aid Second Class 60% 60%
    Troop Instructor Second Class 60% 60%

    If a boy fails to meet the minimum attendance set up by the PLC, he may or may not be replaced by the SPL, but he will not receive credit for time served in that leadership position for rank advancement. Exceptions due to special circumstances may be granted by the PLC on a case-by-case basis. (If the absence is due to an official Scout activity such as Order of the Arrow or NYLT, then the absense may not count against the Scout.) (NOTE: many boys are very involved with sports, band, etc. It is perfectly fine if they come to Scouts whenever they can! We'd much rather have a boy on ONE CAMPOUT a year than not at all. However, I'm sure you'd agree that a boy who can participate in only a small fraction of the activities really could not take on the responsibility of a true troop leader.)

    Job Descriptions for troop leaders:

    • Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) -- he's the guy in charge. He runs the meetings and campouts, and runs the PLC (Patrol Leaders' Council) meetings where troop decisions are made. He appoints all troop positions except for Patrol Leaders. The SPL and ASPL can sign off most rank requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class.

    • Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) -- helps the SPL in training and giving direction to the troop and patrol leadership. He fills in any time the SPL can't be at a meeting or event. The ASPL also serves on the PLC.

    • Patrol Leader (PL) -- is elected by his patrol, and is in charge of it. He runs patrol meetings and helps make troop decisions on the PLC. He is the first line of leadership for most boys in the troop, and is especially valuable to new boys coming in. He makes the final decisions for patrol menus for campouts, makes sure his patrol has the right gear, and creates work charts. One of his main responsibilities is helping his newer scouts advance to First Class rank.

    • Scribe -- the "troop secretary" who handles all records and written notes:
      • Collects and maintains attendance records at meetings and outings;
      • Records results of uniform inspections;
      • Collects permission slips for campouts;
      • Possibly writes articles for church newsletter.

    • Quartermaster -- responsible for the troop's equipment. Duties include:
      • Responsible for troop's flags and banner, bringing them to all events and returning them to storage.
      • Keeps inventory of troop camping equipment: ropes, stoves, tents, cooking gear, water filter, etc. Checks out gear to patrols or scouts as needed.
      • Responsible to repair or replace damaged gear.

    • Librarian -- maintains the troop library. The library is a resource for the troop while working on merit badges or planning events. His duties include:
      • Keep inventory of all merit badge pamphlets. Authorize purchase of additional pamphlets as needed.
      • Remove old merit badge pamphlets that do not meet current requirements.
      • Keep track of other troop written resources, such as Patrol Leaders' Guide, Fieldbook, Outdoor Cooking books, Boy's Life, etc.
      • Keep records on all materials checked out, and compile statistics on their usage.

    • Chaplain's Aid -- responsible for the spiritual development of the troop. He opens meetings and travel with prayer, and plans informal worship services for campouts. Reads "Bible Verse of the Day" for each meeting.

    • Troop Instructor -- responsibility is teaching skills and helping boys advance in rank. Works with patrol leaders to help new boys get up to First Class rank. Plans and teaches specific skills at meetings and campouts such as "Fireman Chit" (campfire-building), first aid, cooking, "Totin' Chip" (knife and ax), pioneering, etc.

    • Bugler -- helps run troop activities with bugle calls. Must bring the bugle to every meeting and campout. Plays "To the Colors" during the flag ceremony at every meeting and campout; plays "Taps" at the end of every meeting and at lights-out on campouts. Also plays "Reveille" at daybreak, and "Mess Call" for meals. Since most troops (sadly) don't have a bugler any more, the Troop 72 bugler is usually asked to play for all the troops at Camporees and other multi-troop functions. The bugler doesn't have to be perfect, but strives to the best he can with accuracy and tone quality.

  • Troop organizational chart -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Current personnel -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Troop Committee -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Junior Leader Training -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Adult Leader Training -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Other parental involvement -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

Troop Operations

[TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Weekly Troop Meetings -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Troop camping -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Patrol Leaders' Council -- The Patrol Leaders' Council, or PLC, is the primary decision-making body of the troop. It is run by the SPL, and also consists of the ASPL and the Patrol Leader for each patrol. (The Scribe is a non-voting member of the PLC.) The PLC typically meets before or after meetings, and during a campout. Each fall they plan the overall schedule for the coming year. They are responsible for planning themes and activities for meetings and campouts.

  • Troop-owned equipment -- [TO BE WRITTEN]

  • Loaner backpacks -- Since most boys coming into the troop do not own good backpacks, the troop has decided to have a few on hand for the purposes of loaning them out for backpack trips. The goal is to enable boys to get a taste of backpacking, while encouraging them to buy their own backpacks eventually. There is a nominal charge of $5 per weekend (including subsequent weekends after the campout, to encourage its timely return).

    If there are more people wanting to borrow a troop backpack then there are backpacks available for a given outing, they will be alloted according to these priorities:

    1. Top priority will go to an adult, if there are not already at least two adults going on the trip with their own packs. (If we don't have two adults, then the trip is canceled!)

    2. Next highest priority category are boys who have never borrowed a troop backpack before. (Within this category, priority goes from highest Scout rank to lowest.)

    3. Next priority goes to boys who borrowed a troop backpack before, but are still in their first year of Scouting (sorted by rank within this category).

    4. Last priority is boys who have borrowed a troop backpack and have been in the troop more than one year (sorted by rank within this category). These boys have already been through one fund-raising cycle, and can choose to earn funds to buy a backpack.

    A troop backpack is available for purchase at any time by a boy, who may use his Scout Account money or a personal check. The amount will be the original purchase price minus the total rental fees accumulated. This gives boys an excellent opportunity to "try before you buy" and make sure everything fits properly.

Troop Finances

Like any organization, operating an active Boy Scout troop requires finances. We have a Troop Treasurer who is responsible for writing checks, depositing income, and keeping an eye on the balance sheet.

  • Needs -- The troop spends money on many things during the year. The dues paid by the boys do not cover it all; we want to keep dues low so every boy can join if he wants. Expenses include camping gear, badges and awards, training fees, and more.

  • Fund-raising -- We do several fundraisers a year -- selling BSA popcorn in the fall, selling pop at the Pure Water Days parade, sometimes selling candy bars, etc. We'd love to offer more opportunities for boys to earn their own way, so let us know if you think of any!

    We are grateful for the generosity of our charter organization, who pays much of our operating expenses. Because of that, we are able to give back to the boys 100% of the proceeds they earn in their various fund-raising activities. Thus, fundraising in Troop 72 is totally optional! We think it's a good idea for boys to earn their own way, but that decision rests with each boy and his parents.

  • Scout accounts -- Each boy has a "Scout Account" in our troop treasury. This is money set aside in his name that he has earned and that he can use to help defray expenses. Funds in the accounts technically belong to the troop, but boys can use their funds for dues, campout fees, and even to buy scout-related equipment. (For the latter, fill out a purchase request and turn it in with a receipt.) Purchase of equipment is discouraged if it interferes with the ability to pay for camp fees.

    When a boy drops out of the troop, then any funds remaining in his Scout Account will revert to the troop's general fund, since most of those funds were given to Scouting in general. (One exception is that if a boy ages out of the troop and has a younger brother in the troop, funds can be transferred to that brother.)

    Parents, grandparents, or friends can deposit money into the Scout Account at any time, which some find more convenient than writing checks for every campout.

  • Donations -- Any donations to the troop are always welcome! If you agree with the goals of Scouting, to raise our boys into responsible young men through outdoor adventure, donating to a troop is a great way to support those ideals. You can write a check to "Troop 72" at any time; it's a tax-deductible contribution. Some people donate their time; some donate their money; some donate both! Note that if you incur any expenses on behalf of the troop (purchases, mileage, etc.) that are not reimbursed, you can deduct them from your income taxes as charitable donations.

Glossary

If you are new to Boy Scouts, you may be confused by some of the acronyms and unfamiliar terms that are tossed around. Does your son return from a scouting activity and seem to be speaking a foreign language? Do you note some strange words on a flyer or calendar? This page is an effort to help define some of the more frequently used terms. (If you have suggestions for additional entries to the glossary, please send an email to "tom@arneberg.com.") (Note: If you are reading the online version of this Troop Guidebook, there are links from many glossary entries that you can follow for more details.)

APL -- Assistant Patrol Leader
The APL is a boy appointed by the newly-elected Patrol Leader.
ASM -- Assistant Scoutmaster
See Scoutmaster (SM).
ASPL -- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
The SPL appoints one or more Scouts as his assistant.
Baden-Powell
Lord Baden-Powell was the founder of the scouting movement. The Baden-Powell training program is designed to get new scouts the basic scout skills and help them to advance to First Class.
BOR -- Board of Review
As a requirement for each rank advancement a scout must appear individually before a group of three to six adults (members of Troop Committee) to ensure that the scout has met the requirements for that rank. The SM and ASMs cannot sit on a BOR. A Board of Review takes place after a Scoutmaster Conference for Rank Advancement, or when a Scout requests it or if the Troop Committee feels the Scout needs it. Eagle boards are conducted at the district level.
Bridging
A ceremony where Webelos Cub Scouts cross a ceremonial bridge to signify their transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. This is normally done at a Cub Scout Pack Meeting with Boy Scouts from the Webelos' new troop participating.
Camporee
Campout attended by several troops within the district. Usually there are various competitions between the patrols attending. These are generally held twice a year, usually at the beginning of May and in the middle of September.
Charter Organization
The organization that is official chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to carry out the scouting program at the local troop level. The main liaison between the charter organization and the troop is the Charter Organization Rep. (COR). Our charter organization is Chippewa Valley Bible Church .
Commissioner
Adult volunteer working at district or council level. Unit commissioners are assigned to units and should be a friendly resource to the unit leaders.
Committee Chairperson
A registered adult appointed by the Charter Organization to chair the Troop Committee. Presides at Troop Committee meetings. Works closely with the COR and Scoutmaster to ensure the scouting program meets BSA guidelines.
COPE
Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. (Boy Scout activity involving heights, trust and team building.)
More information:
at USSP
at Scouters Belay
COR -- Charter Organization Representative
A person assigned by the chartering organization to be the liaison between the troop and the charter organization.
Council
An area of the country consisting of districts, each of which cover many troops. The Chippewa Valley Council, with headquarters office in Eau Claire, covers much of Western Wisconsin, including Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, Eau Claire, and Rice Lake.
COH -- Court of Honor
An awards ceremony held a few times a year at which scouts and sometimes scouters are recognized for their rank advancements, merit badges earned, and other awards. (See Troop 72 COH.)
CVBC -- Chippewa Valley Bible Church
"CVBC" is the abbreviation of our chartering organization, Chippewa Valley Bible Church (www.cvbc.net).
District
A subdivision of a council. Troop 72 is in the Glacier's End District of the Chippewa Valley Council. The Glacier's End district includes Chippewa Falls and Cadott, while the Clear Water District covers Eau Claire.
ECOH -- Eagle Court of Honor
An award ceremony convened specifically to honor one Scout who has earned the Eagle rank. (See Troop 72 ECOH.)
Fred C. Andersen
A scout reservation on the St. Croix River, north of Stillwater on the Wisconsin side. This one is actually owned not by our council, but by the Northern Star Council in the Twin Cities. But we use it for winter camping sometimes, because several of our troop leaders are familiar with it, having used it while growing up in Scouting, and it's not too far and offers some great caves along the National Scenic Riverway.
FOS -- Friends of Scouting
Annual fund raiser for the council. The council does not get any share of your registration fee and is grateful for your donation.
HAT -- High Adventure Training
Training classes to prepare adults and older youth leaders to plan, lead, and supervise High Adventure Activities such as backpacking, white water, rappelling, wilderness first aid, etc.
Jamboree
Scout meeting or camp out on a grand scale. There are national and international jamborees.
JASM -- Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A youth between 16 and 18 who has already held major leadership positions within the troop. Appointed by the Scoutmaster to help in guiding the troop and youth leaders.
Klondike Derby
A winter event somewhat similar to a camporee. Overnight camping experience in the snow with team building games and activities, but camping is optional -- many troops come only for the Saturday activities.
L. E. Phillips
A scout reservation west of Rice Lake, about 45 miles from Chippewa Falls. This is a beautiful piece of land, including __ lakes and __ acres of nearly untouched wilderness. This is owned by our Council, and is the site of our annual week-long summer camp, in addition to overnight leader training and troop weekend winter camping.
Leadership
To advance in the more senior ranks a scout must hold a leadership position for a set period of time. The rank requirements in the Boy Scout Handbook (as revised) lists the leadership positions that qualify.
NESA
National Eagle Scout Association. Open to membership to any youth or adult who attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
OA -- Order of the Arrow
A national brotherhood of scout honor campers of the Boy Scouts of America. Members are elected by their peers after meeting basic requirements of camping knowledge and experience. (See the OA section.)
OA Ordeal
The initiation ceremony experience for new OA members generally involving personal introspection, service to improve camp or trail and ceremonies based on Indian legend or lore.
Palms, Eagle
After a scout reaches the rank of Eagle, they can earn a Palm for every 5 additional Merit Badges they complete. You may wear only the proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned beyond the 21 required for the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm represents five merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15. For example a scout with 20 additional Merit Badges would wear a Silver and a Bronze Palm.
Patrol
The Patrol is the basic unit within a troop. It's made up of 3-10 scouts who camp, cook and eat together, and work as a team at various activities and events.
PL -- Patrol Leader
The elected leader for the patrol. He appoints an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) to help in running the patrol.
PLC -- Patrol Leaders' Council
Boy leaders of the troop. (See more info under PLC section of Troop Operations.)
Recharter
Annual process of re-registering the troop, scouts and scouters. Each unit designates leaders to collect the information and present updated paperwork to the council.
Roundtable
Monthly meeting for leaders to exchange ideas, fellowship, and, a few announcements that is run by the district. The roundtables for the Trailblazer district are usually held in Eau Claire.
Scouter
Any registered adult leader.
SM -- Scoutmaster
Adult leader who trains and guides the youth leaders in carrying out the scouting program. One or more Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) help the Scoutmaster and are often assigned specific roles and duties.
Scoutmaster Conference
A formal meeting that takes place at a Troop meeting or activity between a Scout and the Scoutmaster, or a person he designates, to review a scouts progress. A Scoutmaster Conference takes place at advancement time before a Board of Review, when a Scout requests it or if the Scoutmaster feels the Scout needs it.
Scoutmaster Fundamentals
The basic Adult Leader Training. Despite the name, this is an excellent training program for any adult wanting to become more involved in the Boy Scout program, or who just wants to learn more about how the program works. It would be useful to help any parent better understand the philosophy behind Boy Scouts, and how the boys learn leadership.
Scouting for Food
National Good Turn: Every year, Scouts collect food for the fight against hunger. Bags for canned food are distributed on a Saturday in April and then collected the following Saturday. The food is turned over to local food banks for distribution to needy families. This is a national "Good Turn" of the Boy Scouts of America. Food distribution centers rely on this huge influx of food right before the Thanksgiving holidays.
Scout Island
An island on the Chippewa River owned by another troop in town. This island is actually within the city limits of Chippewa Falls! We are very grateful to Troop 13 for letting us use their island once in a while for some private but close camping.
SPL -- Senior Patrol Leader
The senior most elected youth leader of the troop. The SPL is in charge of the troop at all functions and activities. He appoints one or more assistants (ASPL) to help him in running the troop.
Totin' Chip
A card that enables the bearer to use knives, axes, and saws. It must be earned by the Scout through educational and hands-on safety sessions led by an adult leader. Any time a Scout is observed doing something unsafe with a sharp tool, a corner is cut off his Totin' Chip card. When all four corners are gone, the card is taken away and must be re-earned.
Tour Permit
A document that must be filed with the council office before any official scouting activity can take place. Special permits are required for travel out-of-state, over 500 miles, or for flying activities.
Troop Committee
Adult committee of registered adults that provide oversight, assistance, and guidance to the Scoutmaster in carrying out the scouting program within the troop. The Troop Committee is responsible to provide the necessary resources requested by the PLC and Scoutmaster that are required to carry out the scouting program.
Woodbadge
Advanced Training for Boy Scout adult leaders. Woodbadge is also referred to as Advance Scoutmaster Training. Any adult who has taken Scoutmaster Fundamentals) can attend this advanced training course to expand their knowledge of the scouting program and be of more help to the troop.

NOTE: Nothing in this glossary should be considered the official policy of Troop 72 or of the Boy Scouts of America; it is intended only as a short description of some of the more common terms used in scouting. Official BSA or troop policy should be consulted if there are any questions.

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