Troop 20 Common Law
The sum of our experience as a Boy Scout Troop has resulted in a set of
decisions by the leadership on what is acceptable behavior. These "rules"
were made as the need arose. For the sake of new members, as well as a
reminder to older members, these rules are listed below.
- T
he Scout Oath and the Scout Law are the guiding principles of Troop 20. - Individual safety is very important. Actions by individual scouts may be restricted if they are judged a safety hazard.
- Individual advancement is the focus of the Troop 20 program. Each scout is expected to earn a minimum of four requirements toward Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class, or one Merit badge toward Star, Life, or Eagle scout during each calendar quarter, except summer (i.e., January - March, April - June, and October - December). Life scouts who have 21 merit badges may devote 20 hours to their Eagle project in lieu of merit badge work. Falling behind one quarter (3 months) makes the Scout ineligible for troop leadership positions. Falling behind two quarters (6 months) places the scout in an inactive status. Before reinstatement into the troop program, an inactive scout must have a conference with the Scoutmaster.
- A requirement for Star, Life, and Eagle is to be active in your troop and patrol for a given period of time. "Active", for advancement purposes, is defined as attending and participating in at least 1/2 of the Monday night meetings and at least 1/2 of all other scheduled troop and patrol activities during the period of time immediately prior to the Board of Review. Scouts participating in sports or other activities which require that they miss Monday night meetings will be considered active and present for 1/2 of the meetings missed because of the activity.
- A requirement for Star, Life, and Eagle is to hold one of several troop leadership positions. "Holding a leadership position", for advancement purposes, is defined as attending and participating in that position.
- Scouts are expected to attend Monday night meetings, and to remain in the meeting room until dismissal time. Any scout who misses four Monday night meetings in a row without notifying his patrol leader will be placed in an inactive status. To become active again he must make his wishes known to the Scoutmaster. Each scout must be in active status before he can participate in any troop activities.
- Troop dues are $5 per month. Dues are usually paid on an annual basis each Fall. Dues must be paid through the previous month in order for a scout to be eligible for a troop outing and to receive advancement at a Court of Honor.
- Fire, flame, and smoking are prohibited in tents for safety reasons. Use of tobacco in any form by scouts is not permitted.
- Fighting, excessive rowdiness, and hazing are prohibited.
- Liquor, illicit drugs, "adult" reading material, fireworks of any type, firearms, and non-essential weapons are prohibited on troop activities.
- Language should be consistent with scouting principles and reflect a good example to younger scouts.
- Before a scout may carry a knife on troop activities, he must have earned a Totin' Chip card.
- Carrying or using matches or other fire-starting devices is prohibited until a scout has demonstrated to an adult leader proper knowledge of their use.
- Class A uniform is to be worn in transit to and from an outing and when entering a restaurant.
- Only scout hats may be worn during troop activities.
- The meeting room is to be cleared by 8:45 PM unless an adult plans to stay, in which case, the meeting room is to be cleared when the adult leaves.
- The Scoutmaster is responsible for determining the appropriate punishment for any offense. In general, punishment will consist of a specific work detail or short-term suspension from troop activities. Serious violation of safety or the Spirit of Scouting will result in dismissal from the troop.
Jon Schaffer, Scoutmaster
