SHERBORN BOY SCOUTS - TROOP

NewParentOrientation

September2017

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

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Contents

• GeneralOverviewofBoyScouts– MissionandVisionStatements– ScoutOathandScoutLaw– SimplifiedOrganizationalHierarchy– FundingSourcesandUses– MajorPhilosophicalDifferencevs.CubScouts– ProgressioninRank– MeritBadgeChoices– MeritBadgeProcess

• SpecificsAboutSherbornTroop1– RangeandTimingofMajorActivities– ParentInvolvementandSupport– KeyInitiativesfor2017-18– OrganizationandLeadership– CriticalOpenPositions

• Appendix– HelpfulHintsandTips

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BSA- MissionandVisionStatements

MissionStatementThemissionoftheBoyScoutsofAmericaistoprepareyoungpeopletomakeethicalandmoralchoicesovertheirlifetimesbyinstillinginthemthevaluesoftheScoutOathandLaw.

VisionStatementTheBoyScoutsofAmericawillprepareeveryeligibleyouthinAmericatobecomearesponsible,participatingcitizenandleaderwhoisguidedbytheScoutOathandLaw.

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BSA- ScoutOathandScoutLaw

ScoutOath(orPromise)OnmyhonorIwilldomybestTodomydutytoGodandmycountryandtoobeytheScoutLaw;Tohelpotherpeopleatalltimes;Tokeepmyselfphysicallystrong,mentallyawake,andmorallystraight.

ScoutLawAScoutistrustworthy,loyal,helpful,friendly,courteous,kind,obedient,cheerful,thrifty,brave,clean,andreverent.

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BSA- SimplifiedOrganizationalHierarchy

•• HeadquarteredinIrving,Texas•• Establishesnationwidepolicies,programs,

requirements,andresourcesNational

•• OursisMayflowerCouncil inMarlborough,MA•• ProvidesguidancetoourTroopandimportant

resourcessuchassummercampfacilitiesRegionalCouncil

•• OursisCannonDistrict,alsoinMarlborough•• Providesmorespecificguidanceandin-person

supporttoourTroopLocalDistrict

•• OursisPilgrimChurch,which“owns”theBoyScout“franchise”inSherborn

•• UltimatelyresponsibleforTroop1’ssuccess

CharteredOrganization

•• ComprisedofTroopleaderswhomeetmonthly•• Providesoverallleadership,guidance,resources,

andadministrativefunctionsfortheTroopTroopCommittee

•• ComprisedoftheScoutmasterandhisAssistants•• ProvidesdirectguidancetotheTroop’sboysas

theyplanandruntheindoor/outdoorprogramsScoutmasters

Us

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BSA- FundingSourcesandUses

Funding National Regional Council Troop1- Sherborn

Sources • Scoutsupplysales• Membershipfees• Grantsfrom

foundations• Legaciesand

bequests• Corporate

sponsorships

• FriendsofScoutingdonations• Specialevents• Productsalessuchaspopcorn• Legaciesandbequests• Foundationgrants• LocalUnitedWays• Activityfeesfromsummercamp,

camporees,etc.• Investmentincome/endowments

• Annualduespaidforeachboy• Proceedsfromthemajorfund

raiser,whichisthewreathandcandlesaleinDecember

• Participationfeesforspecificactivitiesandtrips

Uses • Developmentofprogrammaterialsandresources

• Infrastructuresupportforlocalcouncils

• Developmentoftrainingmaterials

• Salariesandbenefitsforemployees

• Maintaincamppropertiesandthecouncilservicecenter

• Provideinsurance• Maintainmembershiprecords• Salariesandbenefitsfor

employees• Purchaseprogramsuppliesfor

youthactivities• Providevolunteertraining

• CostsofTroopactivitiessuchascampingandevents/trips

• Equipmentsuchastents,campstoves,etc.

• Advancements/awards,i.e.,rankemblemsandmeritbadges

• Boys’Life subscriptions• Trainingofadultleaders• Troop1annualdonationto

FriendsofScouting• Aidforfamilyhardshipin

affording Troop1activityfees

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BSA- MajorPhilosophicalDifferencevs.CubScouts

• TheBoyScoutadultleaders’roleistoprovideanenvironmentandsupporttoexposetheboystonewactivities,knowledge,andskills...but...

• The BoyScoutprogramistobeledandrunbytheboys...sotheadultleadersand parentsmustcontinuouslyremindthemselvesto“chillout”!

• It’sallaboutdevelopingnewleaders...sothefocusislessonresults...andmoreonallowingtheboystolearnhowtoplanactivities,torecruitparticipants,andtotrain,motivate,andleadotherboys.

• “Failure”isavaluablelesson...notonlyinwhatdoesn’twork...butmoreimportantlythatfailureissimplyanopportunitytostartoverinabetterway.

• Ifadultleadersalways“stepin”toprevent“failure”...thelessonislost!• AfamousHenryFordquoteis“Theonlytimeyoucannotaffordtofail...is

thelasttimeyoutry.” PersistenceisanimportantskilltodevelopinScouts.• Whatoftenemergesfromthisenvironment...isthattheScoutsfigureout

somethingmoreinteresting,imaginative,andeffectivethananyoftheadultleadershadeverconsidered...and theboysarekeenlyawareofthedifferencebetweendoingitthemselvesvs.havingitdoneforthem!

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BSA- ProgressioninRank

1– 2years6months– 18months 1– 2years 1– 2years

• Eachrankrequiresamasteryofknowledgeandskillswithdocumentedwork

• Progressioninrankisnota“fasttrack”race...norisitjusta“resumebuilder”

• Someboysmaynotbemotivatedbyhigherrank...theymayjustenjoyparticipatingintheoutdoorprogramsandskillsdevelopmentactivities

• Rankprogressionreflectsnotonlyindividualaccomplishments...butalsoleadershipofyoungerboysandservicetotheTroopandthecommunity

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BSA- MeritBadgeChoices(Younameit...they’vegotit!)

American Cultures Cycling (Eagle)* Journalism Rifle Shooting American Heritage Dentistry Landscape Architecture Rowing American Labor Disabilities Awareness Law Safety Animal Science Dog Care Leatherwork Salesmanship Archaeology Drafting Lifesaving (Eagle)* Scholarship Archery Electricity Mammal Study Scuba Diving Architecture Electronics Medicine Sculpture Art Emergency Preparedness (Eagle)* Metalwork Shotgun Shooting Astronomy Energy Model Design and Building Skating Athletics Engineering Motorboating Small Boat Sailing Automotive Maintenance Entrepreneurship Music Snow Sports Aviation Environmental Science (Eagle) Nature Soil and Water Conservation Backpacking Family Life (Eagle) Nuclear Science Space Exploration Basketry Farm Mechanics Oceanography Sports Bird Study Fingerprinting Orienteering Stamp Collecting Bugling Fire Safety Painting Surveying Camping (Eagle) First Aid (Eagle) Personal Fitness (Eagle) Swimming (Eagle)*Canoeing Fish and Wildlife Management Personal Management (Eagle) Textile Chemistry Fishing Pets Theater Cinematography Fly Fishing Photography Traffic Safety Citizenship in the Community (Eagle) Forestry Pioneering Truck Transportation Citizenship in the Nation (Eagle) Gardening Plant Science Veterinary Medicine Citizenship in the World (Eagle) Genealogy Plumbing WaterskiingClimbing Geology Pottery Water Sports Coin Collecting Golf Public Health Weather Collections Graphic Arts Public Speaking Whitewater Communications (Eagle) Hiking (Eagle)* Pulp & Paper Wilderness Survival Composite Materials Home Repairs Radio Wood Carving Computers Horsemanship Railroading Woodwork Cooking (Eagle) Indian Lore Reading Crime Prevention Insect Study Reptile and Amphibian Study

* The Eagle badge requires one of Cycling, Hiking, OR Swimming AND one of Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving

• 122choices

• 13Eaglerequired*

• CandosomejustforFUN

• BadgesearnedaresewnonaBSAsash

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BSA- MeritBadgeProcess

• MeritBadgeshavespecificrequirements,andmostofthemalsohaveaninformationalBSAPamphletwithmoredetailedguidelines

• ScoutsmustworkinpairswithaMeritBadgeCounselor whoisapprovedandregisteredbytheRegionalCouncil

• Tostarttheprocess,the Scoutmasterapprovestherequestand“opens”aMeritBadgeBlueCard,whichtracksprogressanddocumentseventualcompletion

• EachScoutmustsaveandmaintainrecordsofhispartialandcompletedBlueCardsforsubsequentadvancement (seeAppendixfortips)

CitizenshipintheNation

Fishing

SilverborderforEaglerequiredbadges

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Contents

• GeneralOverviewofBoyScouts– MissionandVisionStatements– ScoutOathandScoutLaw– SimplifiedOrganizationalHierarchy– FundingSourcesandUses– MajorPhilosophicalDifferencevs.CubScouts– ProgressioninRank– MeritBadgeChoices– MeritBadgeProcess

• SpecificsAboutSherbornTroop1– RangeandTimingofMajorActivities– ParentInvolvementandSupport– KeyInitiativesfor2017-18– OrganizationandLeadership– CriticalOpenPositions

• Appendix– HelpfulHintsandTips

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Troop1- RangeandTimingofMajorActivities

Indoor Program(Weekly)

Outdoor Program(Monthly)

High Adventures

(Annual)

Wreath and Candle Sale

(Annual)

Summer Camp(Annual)

Troop Court of Honor

(Semi-annual)

Eagle Court of Honor

(Varies)

Merit Badge College(Annual)

Civic Duties and Events

(Periodic)

• Philmont• Sea Base• Nat’l Jamboree• Other

• Camping and hiking• Field trips• Orienteering• Annual ski trip• Kayaking• Biking• Rock climbing• Regional Jamboree• Winter “Freeze-Outs”

• Memorial Day• July 4th

• Veterans’ Day• Lions Club

recycling help• Other

• Usually 2 days in March

• Run by Council• Fast way to earn

merit badges

• Teaching skills to younger Scouts

• Group work on merit badges

• Preparing for camping trips

• Holding Scoutmaster conferences

• Playing indoor and outdoor games

• “Green Bar” meetings to plan upcoming program

• One week in July• Major fun activities• Key for advancement

• Primary Troop 1 fundraiser

• Run by the boys• Also teaches

salesmanship• Recognizing Scout

advancement

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Troop1- ParentInvolvementandSupport

• Troop1dependsentirelyuponadultvolunteerstosupporttheprogram

• ActiveparentinvolvementcloselyalignswithScoutenthusiasmandsuccess

• Existingleadersalsobalancedemandingcareers,managecomplexfamilyschedulesandhouseholds,anddevotetimetoothersiblings

• Weofferawiderangeofvolunteeropportunities:

– TroopCommitteemembership hasamorepredictabletimecommitmentanddefinedscopeofresponsibilities

– AssistantScoutmasters havesomewhatmoreactiverolesbutgettoenjoytheactivitiesthemselves...greatifyouplantocampoutanyway!

– MeritBadgeCounselors cancontributeaparticularexpertiseorskilltotheboys

– ”One-shot-wonders” fillspecificfunctionssuchaspreparingforTroopandEagleCourtsofHonor,managingannualTroopregistration,etc.

• Offeringto“helpout”anotherleaderisn’treallyahelp...weneedpeoplewhocanownacertaindefinedscopeofresponsibilitymatchedtoyouravailabilityandpreferences

• Obviously,wedon’tsetpeopleuptofail...sowefindrolesthatyoucanmanage,providetransitionperiodswithcurrentleaders,andofferBSAtraining

• Withyourhelp...wecancontinueofferingoneofthebestScoutingprogramsaround!

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Troop1- KeyInitiativesfor2017-18

• RecruitnewASMsandstrengthenthesharedASMleadershiprolestocontinuesupportingtheScoutmasterandallScoutactivities

• ManagethetransitionofScoutsnewtotownandCubScoutcrossovers

• RecruitnewTroopCommitteemembersandtransitionexistingleaders

• ProvideBSAtrainingforallASMsandTroopCommitteeMembers

• RecruitnewMeritBadgeCounselors

• ReplaceandupgradeTroopgearandequipmentasneeded,consistentwithongoinglife-cycleequipmentplan

• SustainandexpandtheTroopWebsiteandphotographrepository

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Charlie WilliamsChartered Organization

Representative

Jeff WaldronTroop Committee Chairman

Mike KickhamFund Raising

Corinne WhitakerEagle Ceremony Coordinator

Erik SirriTraining Coordinator

Dominick WalshASM

Terri ShanahanEagle Advancement Advisor

Jason Worcester(Not Registered Yet)

Rick StoneTreasurer

Kim WilsonPublicity & Communications

Gary GregorySenior Advisor

Anne MacDonoughSenior Advisor

Amy DavidsonScout & Adult Registration

Maria KadisonAdvancement Coordinator

Steve ScrimshawScoutmaster

Jennifer BethelEagle Ceremony Coordinator

Matt CollinsTBD

Dennis GallantASM

Andy GuilletteASM

Greg KennanASM

Chris PlimptonASM

Mike LinehanUnit Commissioner

Nick KeyesSenior District Executive

Brian FeatherCEO/Council Scout Executive

Mayflower Council /Cannon District

Jack MulhallSenior Advisor

OPENSecretary

OPENMerit Badge Coordinator

Ric SperlingASM – Senior Advisor

Rob WolffASM – Senior Advisor

Mike DonovanASM – Senior Advisor

Mike KickhamASM – Senior Advisor

Troop1- OrganizationandLeadership

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Troop1- CriticalOpenPositions

• AssistantScoutmasters

• AdvancementCoordinator

• EagleScoutCeremonyCoordinator

• TroopCommitteeSecretary

• MeritBadgeCoordinator

• RegistrationCoordinator

• MeritBadgeCounselors

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Appendix- HelpfulHintsandTips

• DO buyaCOVERforyourBSAbook...itmustlastmanyyearsandendureallkindsofadventures!

• DO buythebasicBoyScoutuniformshirt,buttheuniformpants,belts,andsocksareoptional.

• DON’T raceoutandbuylotsofcampingandoutdoorgear becauseweoftenhave“gearswaps”totradeandbuylightlyusedequipment.Also,NatickOutdoorrentssomeotherwiseexpensivegearsuchasextremecoldweathersleepingbags.

• DO setupalargebinderforBoyScoutsandinsert10orsoblankpagesoftheplasticpockets usedtostorebaseballcards.Eachtimeaboymovesuparankorearnsameritbadge,hewillbegivena“bluecard”,whichmustbekeptbyhim.Thebindercomesinveryhandyastheybeginearningmoreadvancementsandawards,especiallyforEagleScout.Also,atBSAcamportheCouncil-run“MeritBadgeColleges”,theywillworkonmeritbadgesthataren’talwayscompletedthere...sotheymustalsokeeptrackof“partialbluecards”tobecompletedlater.

• DO helptheboyskeeptrackoftheirservicehours ...whichcountforschoolandforBoyScouts.

• DO keeptrackofthedatesandlocationsofovernightcampoutsintheScoutHandbookorinthebinderyouhavesetupbecausethisisrequiredfortheCampingmeritbadge.

• TheboysareawardedtheirrankadvancementsandmeritbadgesatCourtsofHonorheldperiodicallythroughouttheyear.TheseceremoniesrequirethemtoweartheirClassAshirtsandtorepresentthetroopwell.Allparentsareinvited,anditisexpectedthatScouts(andsomeparents)thatareNOTearninganawardnonethelessattendtosupporttheboysthatarebeingrecognized.

• MothersaregivenaribbontoweartotheCourtsofHonor...onwhichtokeepthe‘”parentspins”tomirrortheboy’sawards.Savethemall...hopefully,culminatinginyourson’sEagleceremony!