BSA TROOP 128

Attendance

Each Scout is needed for his Patrol and his Troop to function at its optimum level. The older more experienced boys are needed for their leadership and teaching skills. Active status in Troop 128 is maintained by attending 70% regular Troop Activities in a four month period. Troop Activities include Troop Meetings, Court of Honors, Monthly Outings, Summer Camp, Service Projects, Fundraisers, Leadership Training, and Scout Sunday. The Scoutmaster may make exceptions to this requirement in special circumstances. Scouts may be dropped from leadership positions, unable to advance in rank and not be allowed to attend special trips if he does not keep an active status in the troop. If poor attendance continues, the Scout will be dropped from registration with the Troop.

Code of Conduct

We recognize that for boys to grow into responsible men, they need to be held accountable for their actions. These rules apply when a Scout is under our responsibility – that is any time he is with the Troop, either at the weekly meetings, a camping trip, or other troop sponsored activity.
The following actions will not be tolerated by Scouts, Adult Leaders, or Parents of Scouts:

  1. Possession or use of any illegal drugs
  2. Possession or use of firearms while not under instruction of trained Adult Leader
  3. Possession or use of alcoholic beverages
  4. Smoking or use of any tobacco products
  5. Stealing
  6. Cursing or foul language
  7. Any form of hazing, harassment or malicious behavior directed toward another Scout whether it’s physical or verbal
  8. Significantly unsafe actions that endangers himself or others
  9. Exploring physical hazards without permission and supervision (lakes, creeks, cliffs, etc.)
  10. Leaving designated area without the Scoutmaster’s or leader’s permission
  11. Excessively rowdy, unruly, loud, disrespectful, disobedient, or disruptive behavior
  12. Not following the Scoutmaster’s or leader’s (youth and adult) orders or directions
  13. Not behaving in accordance with the Scout Law and Scout Oath.

Consequences for not following the Code of Conduct will vary depending on severity of action, but in general will follow this escalation of severity:

  1. Verbal Correction by Adult Leader, Verbal Warning given to Scout clarifying what the next consequence is.
  2. Disciplined by Adult Leader, this may include assignment of extra tasks, duties, service projects, or educational assignments. Verbal warning given to Scout clarifying what the next consequence is. Written documentation is kept in Scouts file.
  3. Parent–Scout–Scoutmaster Conference Written warning given to Scout and Parents clarifying what the next consequence is.
  4. Suspension, Scout is prohibited from participation from future meeting(s), outing(s), or event(s). A Parent– Scout–Scoutmaster Conference is conducted. Written warning given to Scout and Parents clarifying what the next consequence is.
  5. Termination from the Troop, The Troop reserves the right terminate a Scout’s membership immediately.

Fees, Dues, and Fundraising

Joining the Troop
The cost of joining the troop varies depending on what month of the year you join. A full one-year membership costs $12.00. You are also required by Troop 128 to purchase Boy’s Life magazine. This subscription is $10.00 per year and is also varies depending on what month the Scout joins.

Dues
Each year a Scout must pay $60 in dues. This can be paid in one lump sum or in 12 - $5 payments at the meetings. Many parents prefer to pay in payments so their son learns responsibility. Dues cover many expenses that benefit the Scout every year. Those include badges, awards, re-registration ($12 every year), Boy’s Life subscription (for boys) ($10.00 every year), Scouting magazine (for adults), accident & liability insurance, maintenance of troop equipment, troop t-shirts, troop unit numbers for the uniform, and a quality unit patch.

Outing Fees
Dues do not cover the purchase of equipment or supplies for camping. The fee for an outing usually is around $20.00 depending on where we are going and what we are doing. This money covers food, travel expense, reservations, patches, admission, and program fees. We will let the Scout’s and Parents know when extra money must be brought for something that is not covered in our outing fee.

Individual Scout Account
Scouting can be expensive at times. We have created in our troop finances Individual Scout Accounts. Each Scout has the opportunity during fundraising activities (like Popcorn Sales) to earn money that will be for their benefit only. For example, if the Scout sold $300.00 worth of popcorn this year, our troop receives approximately $100 in profit. All of this profit earned by the Scout will be theirs to use on any Scout activity or to purchase any Scout related item. (Uniform, Scout Book, Backpack, pocketknife, sleeping bag…) This money is held in our troop account until it is needed. We will reimburse a Scout if they bring the cost and us a receipt showing us the Scout related item purchased. Many Scouts choose to use this money to pay for Summer Camp. If a Scout leaves the troop for another troop, we will release this money to the new troop if they have a similar program. If a Scout leaves Scouting completely, the money will be transferred into the troop’s general account.

Fundraising
Like most active Scout troops, Troop 128 conducts a few fundraising activities to subsidize its outdoor program. Annually we participate in the Trails End Popcorn sales. 1/3 of the sales made comes back to the troop (actually to the scout who sold it), 1/3 of the money goes to the Central NC Council for operating expenses, and 1/3 goes to Trails End for making the popcorn. We like to participate in this to help the council and to let the Scout earn money for his Individual Scout Account. Troop 128 has conducted other fundraising activities like selling bales of pine needles, selling Krispy Kreme Donuts, a car wash at Sam’s Club, and this year we will be selling Dutch Flower Bulbs.

A Scout is required to help in all fundraising activities. Participation in fundraising is counted toward the 70% attendance requirement. It would not be fair for a Scout to receive all the benefits of fundraising by doing nothing. Fundraising teaches the boys how to work for something they want. As the troop begins to go on more high-adventure trips (which are more expensive), we will have more opportunities for the Scout to earn his way to the outing.

Financial Assistance
We do not want any Scout to miss any Scout activity or experience because of a lack of money. We have a reserve account that is used specifically for this purpose. We also have the support of Epworth United Methodist Men, who have many times given money to help a Scout in need of assistance. Please see the Scoutmaster if help is needed. The Scoutmaster will keep this information private.