About  

Location: Iowa City, IA
Council: Hawkeye Area Council #172
District: Old Capital Valley District
Charter Organization: Mark Twain Elementary School PTO

1. Introduction
   Troop 204 is in the Old Capital Valley District of the Hawkeye Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Each troop committee has a great deal of freedom in outlining the way their troop functions.
   This page gives a description of Troop 204 and how it functions. It is hoped that it will be helpful to all the members and in particular to new members and their families.

2. Troop Charter/Charter Organization
   Each unit in the Boy Scouts of America has a charter which is renewed once each year. Troop 204's charter is renewed in December. The significance of the rechartering date is that the registration fee (currently $15.00) must be paid, and the dues must be current before a Scout will be registered for the coming year (See #8 - Finance). Troop 204's Charter Organization is the Mark Twain PTO, which furnishes the Troop's meeting place and provides minimal financial support.

3. Organization
   The major parts of the troop are patrols, the Senior Patrol Leader, troop guides, the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC), the Scoutmaster, and the Troop Committee. The patrol is a small group of boys who are usually good friends, the same age and/or have common interests. A Patrol Leader (PL) is elected from the patrol membership by the patrol itself. The term of office is six months. The Patrol Leader appoints an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) for any length of time within his own term of office and assigns other jobs in his patrol as required.

   The Senior Patrol Leader, the highest boy leader in the troop who must meet certain requirements set forth by the Scoutmaster (a First Class Scout, has been in the Troop for at least one year, and the Scoutmaster's approval), is elected to office by all members of the troop. The term of office is six months. The Senior Patrol Leader appoints the other troop offices: Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), Scribe, Quartermaster (QM), Librarian, Historian, Instructors, and Den Chiefs, as required for any length of time within his own term of office. The term of office for Scout Leaders is six months. A Scout may succeed himself for a second term. Elections are held in six month intervals, with elections taking place in May and November.

   The Troop Guide is selected by the Scoutmaster. He is a Scout, at least 14 years old, and a Life Scout. The guide helps in the running of the meetings and advancement of the Scouts.

   The Patrol Leaders' Council is comprised of the Patrol Leaders, the Senior Patrol Leader, a representative of the leadership corps and the Scoutmaster. The Patrol Leaders' Council plans the troop program and then carries it out.

   The Scoutmaster is selected by the Troop Committee and approved by the Charter Organization. He is the adult leader (must be at least 21 years old) of the Troop and provides the direct interface between the Troop Committee and troop. He manages the troop program. He recommends to the troop committee Assistant Scoutmasters as required to implement the program.

   The Troop Committee is made up of parents and other adults who are responsible for the operation of the troop. The committee members have troop responsibility in the areas of leadership, advancement, finance, membership, records, outdoors, and facilities.

   The following are the Scout leadership positions in the Troop:

Senior Patrol Leader: (elected position)            Click here for more

1. Presides at all meetings, events, outings, and Courts of Honor.
2. Chairs the Patrol Leaders' Council.
3. Appoints boy leaders with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster.

Asst. Senior Patrol Leaders: (appointed position)            Click here for more

1. Be responsible for giving direct leadership to the following appointed leaders: scribe, Librarian, Historian, and Quartermaster.
2. Helps with leading meetings.
3. Takes over troop leadership in the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader.

Patrol Leader: (elected position)            Click here for more

1. Leads the patrol at meetings.
2. Keeps patrol members informed.
3. Represents the patrol at all Patrol Leaders' Council meetings and annual planning conference.

Asst. Patrol Leader: (appointed position)            Click here for more

1. Assists the Patrol Leader at meetings.
2. Takes over patrol leadership in the absence of the Patrol Leader.

Troop Guide: (appointed position)            Click here for more

1. Helps Scouts in advancement requirements through First Class.
2. Helps with program at the meetings.
3. Prevents harassment of new Scouts by older Scouts.

Troop Scribe: (appointed position)            Click here for more

1. Attends and keeps a log at the PLC.
2. Records sign-up of Scouts for activities.

Troop Librarian: (appointed position)            Click here for more

1. Maintains the Troop Library.

Troop Historian: (appointed position)            Click here for more

1. Keeps scrapbook of the troop history.
2. Maintains the Troop Ribbons.

Troop Quartermaster: (appointed position)            Click here for more

1. With the help of the adult quartermaster, the maintenance of the Troop equipment.
   

   The following are adult positions in the troop:

Committee Chairman:            Click here for more

1. Chairs the Troop Committee.
2. Maintains the Committee positions.
3. Helps with the running of the Troop.

Scoutmaster:            Click here for more

1. Runs the troop.
2. Provide a good Scouting program for the Scouts.

Advancement Asst. Scoutmaster:            Click here for more

1. Keeps all advancement records.
2. Sets-up and runs the Courts of Honor.
3. Helps with the advancement of the Scouts.

Outdoor Asst. Scoutmaster:            Click here for more

1. Helps with planning of campouts.
2. Attains the permits for the campouts through the Scout Office.

Program Asst. Scoutmaster:            Click here for more

1. Helps with Troop program at meetings.

Patrol Asst. Scoutmaster:             Click here for more

1. Help with patrols.
2. Keep with Scouts attendance at meetings.

Troop Secretary:            Click here for more

1. Keeps minutes for the Troop Committee.

Troop Treasurer:            Click here for more

1. Keeps Troop fiancees.
2. Keeps the Scout credits.

Troop Newsletter Editor:            Click here for more

1. Writes a Troop newsletter six times a year.

Troop Quartermaster:            Click here for more

1. Maintains the Troop equipment.

4. Meetings
   The Troop meetings are held between 7:00 and 8:30 every Monday evening, or as directed by the Scoutmaster. The meeting place is Mark Twain Elementary School during the school year.
   The place in the summer is at Faith UCC. The last Thursday of the month is usually reserved for a meeting of the Patrol Leaders Council.

   Each Scout is expected to attend meetings regularly in uniform and have his Scout Handbook with him. The official Scout uniform for Troop 204, is a class A uniform, an official shirt, that is worn during the school year, Scout slacks (optional). During the summer months the uniform is a class B Scout t-shirt. Adult who participate regularly in Scout activities are requested to be attired in official uniform.

   The Troop Scribe will maintain minutes of the troop meetings/activities and the patrol scribe will maintain the minutes of the patrol meetings/activities and prepare a report to be given to the the Scoutmaster/Senior Patrol Leader at the following troop meeting. The meetings are conducted by the Scouts (with guidance from the Scoutmaster), and patrols are assigned specific tasks for a meeting. An agenda for the upcoming month's meetings/activities will normally be available at the last troop meeting each month. A yearly calendar of activities will be presented at the August Court of Honor and maintained by the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee.

5. Advancement
   There are two main types of advancement awards boys can earn after becoming a Scout; merit badges and progress awards. Also there are special awards that can be earned (religious awards, world conservation, Paul Bunyan, and others).

   Merit badges are recognition of an individual's higher level of skill and achievement. These are earned when the requirements are met and approved by a approved merit badge counselor. When working on a merit badge, the Scouts must work in pairs with the merit badge counselor. The badge is presented by the advancement chairman at a succeeding Court of Honor ceremony.

   Progress awards are: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Tenderfoot through First Class are basic Scouting achievements in camping, cooking, hiking, citizenship, the environment, first-aid, swimming, and physical fitness. These achievements are signed off by the Scoutmaster, Scout leaders, or troop guides.
      Note: Scout advancement is different from Cub advancement in that parents cannot approve or sign any requirement for the Scout. Only the Scoutmaster, Scout leaders, troop guides, or approved counselors can sign off progress awards and merit badge requirements.

   Star through Eagle achievements are merit badges (21 for Eagle, 11 of the 21 are required), leadership positions in the troop for at time periods of six months. Service projects that are approved by the Scoutmaster or advancements chairman before completion of the project. A Scoutmaster conference is performed, this is a Scout and Scoutmaster viewing his advancement.

   The final requirement is a board of review. The Scoutmaster performs the review for Scout badge. The board of review for Tenderfoot through Eagle is held by adults of the Troop Committee. Boys wishing a review of advancement must make an appointment with the advancement chairman. The first Monday of each month is set-up for board of reviews during the meetings. An Eagle application must also be approved by the district, council, and nation offices of the Boy Scouts of America.

   Recognition of advancement will be made at Courts of Honor. The Courts of Honor will be held in the months of March, June, August, and December. The cut-off date for submitting awards to the advancement chairman shall be one week prior to the Court of Honor. A special Court of Honor is held for Eagle Award and will be held at a time and place arranged with the committee, the Scout, and his family.

6. Activities/Outings
   The troop in general will have one activity/outing each month. Patrols are encouraged to have activities/outings independent of the troop, providing the proper preparations are made with the Scoutmaster. The following general criteria have been established for Troop 204 and will be adhered to for activities/outings:

A boy must be registered with the troop. Plus filled out new permission form or the back of form health history, before he can participate in any activity/outing.

1. Overnight outings will require at least two adults (one at least 21 years old, and one at least 18 years old) before they can go, and it is desirable to have one adult for every five Scouts.
2. NO axes, hatchets, or sheath knives are allowed on an outing except for troop equipment or by special permission and must be checked in and out by the adult in charge on the outing. A Scout must have passed the knife and ax requirements (Totin' Chip) before they are allowed to use them.
3. NO electrical equipment (radios, game boys), squirt guns, and games will be permitted on outings.
4. The troop/patrols will not leave for campouts if the weather is too inclement in the judgment of the adults in charge. Also, any Scout who is not properly equipped for the activity, in the judgment of the adults in charge, will be sent home and not allowed along.
5. Approved flotation devices will be worn by everyone on troop/patrol canoe or boat outings. Also, everyone must be a blue swimmer on these outings.
6. All troop equipment will be used on activities/outings (adults may use their own equipment). Equipment must be checked out and back in by the troop quartermaster and committee equipment man.
7. The food and transportation cost of each activity/outing is split up (by troop or patrol as applicable) and an equal share is paid by each Scout and adult participating (adult food cost will be paid by the troop). A good figure for a meal is $1.25. Food for the adults on outings will be cooked by the adults. No refunds will be allowed after the deadline established by the troop leaders.
8. One member of the Troop Committee is responsible for arranging adequate transportation for each troop outing. Parents, please help when you are called upon. Any time the troop is traveling outside the Hawkeye Area Council, a travel permit is required by the Scout Office. Names of drivers and insurance coverage information is required. Please cooperate in providing this information when asked. When transportation is provided for extended trips (100 miles round trip), the driver(s) will be reimbursed (at least partially) for gas expenses from the Troop Treasury.
9. Parent(s)/guardian(s), sisters, and special friends are welcome to attend any of these outings/campouts. Please make advance arrangements with the adult in charge of the outing.
10. Scouts attending activities/outings must stay with the group, use the buddy system and participate in all activities.
11. Scouts on all outings will be in class A uniform to and there from the place of the outing.
12. After outings/campouts the Scouts will be dropped off at home.

7. Joining
   It is a good idea for a boy to visit a troop before joining, to insure that he feels comfortable in that troop. The Scoutmaster has application forms available when a boy is ready to join. The form is filled out, signed by the parent or guardian, and returned, along with the registration fees, to the Scoutmaster and processed by the Hawkeye Area Council Service Center. At that time, the boy becomes a registered member of Troop 204. Within the first month of joining, the boy is encouraged to meet the requirements of Scout, at which time he will be presented with his Scout badge.

8. Finance
   The cost of operating Troop 204 is maintained by registration fees, dues, fund-raising projects, and the PTO.
   The registration fee for new Scouts is as follows regardless of time of year he joins: Transfer/Registration Fee-$1.00; National Dues-$15.00 (if not transferring from another troop or pack); Boy's Life Magazine, optional, but encouraged-$12.00.
   This is a total of $15.00 plus Boy's Life fee of $12.00 if desired.
   If he joins after the 15th of the month, he will be required to start paying dues the following month. If he joins before the 15th of the month, he will be required to pay dues that month. The dues are $1.00 per month for every month of the year whether meetings are held or not. Dues and records will be collected by the Troop Scribe under the supervision of the Scoutmaster.
   When re-registering (each December), each Scout must pay the $15.00 National fee and be up-to-date in dues. If Boy's Life is desired, the $12.00 subscription must also be paid.
   In June of each year, the Troop Committee will elect to distribute extra funds of the Troop Treasurer.

9. General
   General rules for participating in troop activities are as follows:

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in connection with any Scout activity.

1. Objectionable, foul, or abusive language will not be tolerated in connection with any Scout activity.
2. Scouts are required to participate in troop meetings and be in good dues standing prior to participating in troop activities/outings.
3. These troop functional guidelines may be extended or modified at any time by majority approval of the Troop Committee.
4. Parents or guardians are encouraged to participate with the troop activities and to attend troop meetings occasionally. Your support is necessary to keep a strong functioning program in the troop.
5. Any Scout violating these troop guidelines must meet with the Patrol Leaders Council for a review and possible exclusion from future activities/outings. Any appeal will be handled by the Troop Committee.