Cub Scout Pack 710 Bylaws & Guidelines

Transcription

1 Cub Scout Pack 710 Bylaws & Guidelines Revision A 13-March-2012 Charter Organization: Sherwood Rotary Sherwood, Oregon Be it known to all current and future members of our Pack, a set of guidelines is hereby established to ensure the participation of all members in the Pack functions. These guidelines are necessary to provide for the basic premise of the Cub Scout Program, which is that all members will have fun (adults as well as our Cub Scouts)!!! Section 1 Nature and Purpose of the Pack This Pack operates under the guidelines of Boy Scouts of America as incorporated on February 8, 1910, and charted by Congress in June 1916, which is to provide for boys an effective educational program designed to build desirable qualities of character; to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship; and to develop personal fitness. In Cub Scouting, boys, families, leaders, and chartered organizations work together to achieve the following objectives: Influence a boy's character development and spiritual growth. Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body. Improve understanding within the family. Strengthen a boy's ability to get along with others. Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills. Provide fun and exciting new things to do. Show a boy how to be helpful and do his best. Prepare him to be a Boy Scout. Section 2 General Policies A. This Pack shall be governed by the principles set forth in the Cub Scout Leader book and all other applicable Boy Scouts of America guidelines. The Chartering Organization, Sherwood Rotary, has responsibility for providing Pack leadership, a meeting place, and ensuring the Pack operates within BSA guidelines. B. Each Parent/Guardian, by registering his/her boy in the Pack, assumes the following duties and obligations: 1. Serving as an active member on one of the following of our many Pack Program Committees, such as: 1

2 Membership & Recruitment Pinewood Derby Rain Gutter Regatta Space Derby Amazing Race Cub Scout Day Camp Uniform Inspection Community Projects Arrow of Light Ceremony Awards Blue & Gold Dinner Fundraising Food Drive Special Projects Crossover Ceremony Packrageous Family Picnic 2. Understanding the importance of his/her role in the Cub Scout Advancement Program. 3. Ensuring his/her Cub Scout(s) attends regularly scheduled Den and Pack meetings. 4. Conducting themselves in a manner consistent with the Core Values of Scouting, with particular emphasis on Cooperation, Positive Attitude and Respect. The Pack is run solely by parent volunteers who dedicate considerable time to making Pack 710 and Cub Scouts a great experience for your boy(s). All disputes with Pack Leadership that are not resolved quickly and directly must be taken immediately to the Cubmaster or Committee Chair. Section 3 Pack Leadership A. A committee is appointed to conduct Pack business, record Pack activities, ensure leader training and coordinate other Pack Program committees. The committee consists of the Cubmaster, Committee Chair, Treasurer, Assistant Cubmaster(s), Den Leaders, Advancement Chair, and all present scouting parents. B. The Chartering Organization must approve the Cubmaster. The Cubmaster is responsible for: 1. Ensuring Pack leadership is provided and properly trained 2. Conducting Pack meetings 3. Ensuring all Pack activities are conducted in accordance with National BSA guidelines 4. Ensuring the Pack is properly funded 5. Conducting an annual Pack program planning meeting 6. Upkeep of the Pack website, C. The Pack Committee Chair is responsible for: 1. Rechartering the Pack 2. Supervising Pack Committee operation by calling and presiding at Pack Committee meetings, assigning duties to and training committee members, recruiting 3. Approving bills before payment by Pack Treasurer 4. Seeing that new Dens are formed when needed 5. Coordinating with the Cubmaster on Council-approved money earning projects; 6. Ensuring that every activity committee is fully staffed and properly planning its assigned activity. 2

3 D. Den Leadership and Den Meetings: 1. Each Den will have a designated Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader. They are responsible for attending training designated for their leadership position. The ultimate goal of any Den Leader is to ensure their Cub Scouts have FUN through proper program planning and activities. Den Leaders will follow the Pack and BSA guidelines for advancement. 2. Den Chiefs should be requested from any of the nearby BSA Troops to help with the Den leadership. 3. Two-deep adult leadership is required to hold a Den meeting. No Den Leader may hold a meeting or outing without another adult in attendance. If there is only one Den Leader, that Den Leader must coordinate with the Den parents to ensure that proper supervision and assistance is provided at the meeting. 4. The Pack will recognize advancement awards of individual Scouts at designated Pack meetings. Belt loops and activity segments will be awarded by the Den Leader at the designated Pack meeting time. Progression toward advancement beads will be handed out at the den meetings. 5. Siblings must be accompanied by an adult at den and pack meetings. Pack leadership is not responsible for siblings. E. Youth & Adult Protection National BSA Policy and guidelines will be strictly adhered to all times. The Pack Committee will appoint a Youth Protection Officer, typically the pack trainer, who will have responsibility for training Pack Leaders on BSA Youth Protection Guidelines and will supervise the distribution and showing of the BSA Youth Protection video It Happened to Me" annually. This person will be responsible for insuring leaders are retrained every 2 years. Section 4 Pack Meetings A. Pack meetings will normally be held once a month at the Archer Glen Cafeteria. Special events may be held on weekends at specified locations. Pack meetings are intended to be a display of Den accomplishments, a place of learning, and a place to have FUN!! As such, the Pack has established the following Behavior Policies which need to be learned and enforced: 1. Our meeting place is rented to us for the night and worthy of our respect. All children must remain in that portion of the building being used for the Pack Meeting and not be allowed to run in the hallways or enter any of the other rooms not designated for Pack use. 2. All Scouts and adults will be respectful of guest speakers and leaders addressing the Pack. 3. Observe the Cub Scout sign (right hand up with two fingers in a V-shape) when raised and become quiet. Leaders will ensure each Cub Scout and adult knows what to do when the Cub Scout sign is shown. 4. Scouts and family should attempt to arrive 10 minutes before the starting time so that meetings can begin promptly. 5. A parent or designated adult must accompany a scout to the pack meetings. 3

4 B. Dens will be assigned a Pack Meeting to Host during the year. The Host Den is to arrive 30 minutes early to the Pack meeting. Host responsibilities include but may not be limited to setup, opening/closing ceremonies (including flag detail), the game, a skit or song, refreshments and cleanup. All present are responsible for cleaning their tables at the end of the meeting. 1. Expenses incurred by the hosting Den for activities and refreshments are to be covered by the Den through den dues or other contribution by each family. An effort should be made to bring enough refreshments for the expected number of siblings at the Pack meeting. Section 5 Committee Meetings A. Committee meetings are held once a month at the Masonic Lodge in Old Town Sherwood. All committee members, den leaders, and applicable program committee members should be in attendance. These planning sessions finalize preparations for the current month's Pack meeting, initiate plans for future Pack meetings, and ensure all advancement awards earned by the Cub Scouts will be available for presentation. B. While Committee Meetings are open to all Pack adults, only Council registered adults are eligible to vote at a meeting. Registration is accomplished by completing an Adult Leadership application and paying the annual National Registration fee. All parents and guardians are eligible to become registered volunteer leaders, and are encouraged to do so. Section 6 Financial Obligations A. All fees collected by the Pack are described on the Cost Payment Form, available on the pack website The Cost Payment Form is to be submitted with all payments to the Pack Treasurer to designate reason for payment AND transactions from Individual Activity Accounts (see below) 1. A registration fee of $50 per Scout is assessed to cover annual re-charter fees and a Boy s Life subscription. a. The registration fee for Webelos 2 Scouts is only $30 because advancement to Boy Scouts occurs in February. 2. A single fundraising fee will be determined at the budget meeting each year and is in part based on the operating budget for the Pack. The balance of the budget for the year is generated through fund-raisers. 3. There may be special circumstances where the Pack, by approval of the Cubmaster, Committee Chair, and Treasurer, will allow short-term payment deferral to a Scout family. Given the many opportunities for fundraising this is highly discouraged. Payment deferral will be accounted for as a negative balance in the Scout s Individual Activity Account. a. If the Cubmaster, Committee Chair and Treasurer determine that payment is not forthcoming and the Scout is not participating in Fundraising, the Scout may not be included in the Pack Charter the following re-charter cycle, and he will not be able to continue membership with Pack

5 B. Den dues are collected at the discretion of the Den Leader and managed by the Den Leader to purchase supplies for Den meetings. The amount and timing of Den dues is at the discretion of the Den Leader. 1. Den meeting supplies will not be reimbursed out of the Pack general fund. 2. Den dues will not be reimbursed from Individual Accounts (see Section 7). C. The cost of the Cub Scout uniform is the responsibility of the family. The Pack has established a Uniform Standard, as detailed in Section 12, which all Cub Scouts are expected to meet. Section 7 Individual Activity Accounts and Fundraising A. Individual Activity Accounts Once a scout has made his Pack fundraising contribution, all profits from additional individual sales will be designated for his individual activity account. This account will be managed by the Pack and can be used to cover costs for Pack events such as the Fall Campout, Winter tubing, Packrageous, and Summer camp. All financial obligations to the Pack can be transacted out of Individual Activity Accounts if there is a sufficient balance. 1. In consideration of the Pack s large membership, and the corresponding amount of effort required by the Treasurer to manage individual accounts, reimbursement to scouting families out of their scouting account will be approved under the following conditions: a. Reimbursement is for official BSA scouting supplies purchased from the Scout Shop only. Receipts are required and must be submitted within 6 months. AND b. The Scouting account exceeds $500. This policy is to encourage Scouts to participate in fundraising throughout the year. OR c. The Scouting Parent is a registered Adult Leader who is active in the Committee. Active is defined as serving in a leadership position, participation in the majority of monthly Committee meetings, or championing at least one Pack Event during the year. 2. The Pack reserves the right to transact funds out of Individual Activity Accounts to cover financial obligations of the Scout, without approval of the Scouting family. Effort will be made to notify the Scout family prior to moving funds. 3. A balance statement will be made available at least once per year, prior to the due date of the Fundraising fee, and at Scout families request. 4. Upon transitioning out of Pack 710 to Boy Scouts (or affiliated BSA group), the balance of a Scout s Individual Activity Account will be transferred to the Boy Scout Troop for continued use by the Scout towards financial obligations in Boy Scouts. a. The transaction from Pack 710 to the Boy Scout Troop will be managed by the Pack Treasurer and the corresponding Troop. It is the responsibility of the Scout family to get the Pack Treasurer the contact information of the Troop. The balance will not be paid directly to the Scout family. 5

6 b. If the Scout does not transition to Boy Scouts the balance of the Individual Activity Account will be transacted into the Pack general fund. B. Individual Account Fundraising Trails End Popcorn Sales and Wreath Sales are the two fundraisers organized by the Pack for the purpose of enabling the Scout to fundraise his annual Fundraising Fee AND contribute funds to his Individual Activity Account. 1. Popcorn Sales start in September and go through October. Scouts can sell Popcorn door-to-door to friends, neighbors and family or participate in Show-and-Sells. Show-and-Sells are arranged at local businesses (Safeway, Fred Meyer) and ran in shifts, which can be signed up for on a firstcome first-served basis. A Scout s participation, in total hours, is recorded and he receives a corresponding allocation from the total Show-and-Sell amount for the duration of the selling season (Sept.-Oct.). 2. Wreath Sales kick off at the October Pack meeting and end at the November Pack Meeting. Wreath sales are only door-to-door to friends, neighbors and family. C. Group Fundraising Group fundraisers go directly into the Pack general fund. The group fundraisers we ask scouts to participate in include the soda sales at the Onion Festival and the Christmas tree recycle. These are a fun experience for the Scouts as well as opportunities to participate in the larger community. Fundraising is an important, necessary component of the scouting program, and it can be a very positive and rewarding experience for your boys. We appreciate your support and participation in our fundraising events. Section 8 Membership A. Membership Recruitment activities are held twice each year to encourage Cub Scout-age boys in the immediate local area to join our Pack. These activities are held in the spring and fall at Archer Glen. Scouts joining in the spring will need to pay a minimum of $25.00 to cover registration fees. New boys are welcome to join the pack at any time in the year. BSA registration and Boys life will be paid in full and the Pack dues will be prorated. B. A BSA application must be completed for each boy. This application will be accepted only after at least one parent or guardian attends an orientation meeting with a member of the Pack Committee to discuss Pack operation, Bylaws and parent/guardian participation requirements. Acceptance of the Bylaws requirements will be proven by signature on the Pack Participation Statement attached. 6

7 C. Boys transferring into our Pack from another Pack must fill out a Cub Scout registration form with medical information, and pay the current Council transfer fee of $1.00. The Pack registration fee will be adjusted to reflect the difference between a transfer fee and Council registration fee. The Pack Registration fee will be prorated. D. Den membership will be limited to eight boys. However, Den Leaders will only be asked to take as many boys into his/her Den as he/she feels are manageable. Accepting more than eight boys requires the permission of both the Pack Chair and the Cubmaster. Membership in the Pack is directly controlled by the availability of adults to be Den leaders. New boys will not be accepted into the Pack if leadership cannot be recruited. Section 9 Awards A. Advancement awards will normally be presented at Pack Meetings. The Den Leader will submit lists of Cub Scout achievements to the Awards Chair, preferably at the Committee Meeting prior to the Pack meeting or at a minimum a week prior to the Pack meeting at which the award is scheduled to be presented. It is left solely to the discretion of the Awards Chair to accept late award list submissions, as the Chair needs to have adequate time to purchase the awards and complete the necessary paperwork. Awards will be presented in accordance with Pack customs. B. Tiger, Wolf and Bear Badge Awards are encouraged to be completed by the March Pack meeting. This goal ensures sufficient time for each family to work on Arrow Point electives. It is strongly encouraged to have the Bobcat badge earned within 2 months of joining. The Bobcat Awards ceremony is typically held at the November Pack meeting. C. It is the goal of this Pack to have each Webelos Scout obtain his Arrow of Light Award by the Crossover ceremony. This is a special recognition in the Cub Scout program and is the only award that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform, excluding the religious award. Since it is special, the Pack Committee will hold an Arrow of Light review with each Webelos Den Leader at the January Committee meeting to ensure each boy will complete all requirements for the award before Crossover ceremony. D. Participation in the Cub Scout Sports and Academics program is optional, but highly encouraged by the Pack. See Pack guidelines for participation credit and award guidelines. E. It is highly encouraged by the Pack that each Scout earn his faith's religious award sponsored in conjunction with BSA National. However, this is done completely outside of the Pack. The Scout works directly with his family, Priest, minister, Rabbi or spiritual leader. The Pack Religious Award chair is available for guidance and will pick up awards. The Pack will pay for the square knot. The medal is the optional but recommended; the cost of the medal is the responsibility of the family. This money must be provided to the Religious Award chair prior to picking up the award. 7

8 Section 10 Cub Scout Day Camp and Resident Camp Attending summer camp is one of the highlights of Scouting and is closely linked to retention of membership. It is the goal of our Pack that every Cub Scout attends either Day Camp or Resident Camp each year. It is the job of each Den Leader to promote attendance at one or both summer camps and to build enthusiasm for attending. Section 11 Camping and/or Over nights A. All Dens who plan overnight cam p outings will follow strict adherence to BSA cam p guidelines. This includes the requirement that an adult member must accompany each boy from his own immediate family or by an adult approved and designated in writing by the boy's parent/guardian. In the case of scout siblings, only one parent/guardian is required to attend. Exceptions to the one family adult per boy are made for District or Council sponsored camp outs when the District or Council so indicates. Den Leaders will file tour permits with Council offices. B. Webelos Scouts should participate in a minimum of one overnight outing each Pack year such as the Council Resident Camp. C. No overnight camp outs will be held during cold or snowy weather months per BSA policy with regards to Cub and Webelos Scouts. Section 12 Uniform Standards A. The Pack's goal is to have each boy and adult leader in complete uniform as described by Boy Scouts of America. The uniform for both the Cub Scout and adult leader is an important and meaningful part of the Cub Scout program. We recognize the cost involved to outfit each Cub Scout and leader. The minimum requirements for Cub Scout uniforms are attached as EXHIBIT A. B. Adult leaders should provide the example of wearing their uniform to all Scout functions and especially to Pack meetings. Leaders should note that uniform purchases for them might be taxdeductible, as are other non-reimbursed Scouts related expenses, and are encouraged to speak with their personal tax accountants about their situation. C. Uniform inspections will be conducted at the Den meetings, by the Den Leader and/or Assistant Den Leader. Section 13 Pack Service Project It is the goal of this Pack to be "Service Oriented'. Each year the Pack Committee will choose a Pack Service Project in which all members of the Pack are expected to participate. The importance that each Cub Scout learns to serve his community or fellow man cannot be overemphasized. Each member of the Pack may suggest Service Projects to the Pack Committee members at any time during the year. Dates of Service Projects will be given to each Pack member. 8

9 Section 14 Retention of Membership in the Pack A. Retention of membership in Pack 710 is predicated upon a full understanding by the parent(s) /guardian(s) of their responsibilities toward the Pack program and their active support of it. The Den(s) and Pack are not in any position to carry out the Cub Scouting functions that are the parent/guardian(s) responsibilities alone. However, Pack discipline and program accomplishment are the Pack Committee's responsibility. A Cub Scout will be dropped from the program for the two following reasons: 1. Infractions of the Bylaws by either the Parent or Cub Scout deemed severe enough to warrant action if no resolution can be worked out. 2. Continuous refusal by a Cub Scout or family member to obey instructions at Den or Pack meetings. B. The provisions listed above will not be invoked except as a last resort. Den Leaders are to discuss problems with parent(s)/guardian(s) and Cub Scouts as they occur. When no satisfactory conclusion can be arrived at, Den Leaders will refer the problems to the Pack Committee. The Committee Chairman or Cubmaster will contact the family in an effort to reach a mutual understanding before the final action is taken. C. In the case of repeated Scout or Parent behavior not consistent with the Core Values of Scouting, resulting in a negative impact on Scout or Leader morale, where no single interaction warrants an action of removal, a 3-strikes policy will be implemented. Examples include bullying, intimidation, harassment, or other form of demeaning behavior. 1. The first strike is considered a warning, given to the Scout and/or Parent after consultation between the Cubmaster and Committee Chair. The Scout and/or Parent will be coached on the by-laws and may be given a fresh copy for review. A behavior record is initiated to document the occurrence. 2. The second strike is given to the Scout and/or Parent after discussion at the next Committee Meeting following the occurrence of the second offense. Depending on the severity of the offense, temporary removal from Pack and Den activities may be stipulated by the Pack Committee, with duration based on severity. The incident will be documented in the behavior record. 3. The third strike compels the Pack Leadership to convene a special board of review to discuss permanent exclusion from the Pack, based on most recent incident and the behavior record. The review board will consist of the Cubmaster, Committee Chair, the Charter Representative, and other Pack Leaders at the discretion of the Pack Committee. Exclusion of a parent does not necessarily mean exclusion of the Scout. Section 15 Revision of Pack Bylaws These Bylaws will be reviewed at least once each year at an announced meeting open to all adult leaders and parents of the Pack. Only the Pack Committee members will vote upon changes. 9

10 EXHIBIT A TO BYLAWS PACK 710 UNIFORM STANDARDS The Pack's goal is to have each boy and adult leader in complete uniform as described by Boy Scouts of America. The uniform for both the Cub Scout and adult leader is an important and meaningful part of the Cub Scout program. We recognize the cost involved to outfit each Cub Scout and leader. The minimum requirements for Cub Scout uniforms are as follows: CUB AND WEBELOS SCOUTS: A. Class "A" requirements for all Pack Meetings and other Scout functions 1. Shirt: Blue for all Cubs and tan for Webelos. Required to have all Council, District, Unit and Den Patches sewn on in accordance with the latest Uniform Insignia Guidelines. Shirts must be worn completely buttoned and tucked into pants. NOTE: The change from blue shirt to tan at the Webelos level is a Den Leader and Den Parent decision for advancing Cubs. The Pack encourages the change as part of the transition towards Boy Scouts. 2. Neckerchief: Proper color and worn under or over the collar secured with an appropriate tie slide. All members of same Den must wear Neckerchiefs in same manner and with same slide for uniform inspections. 3. Pants: Dark with Belt Loops. Blue jeans, navy blue cords, black pants, etc. all in good condition, must be worn at the waist, no "boggles". Dark colored Short pants may be worn during hot weather months. National BSA Policy does not permit camouflage colored pants. 4. Belt: Official Cub Scout blue-web belt required with proper belt buckle for rank. Green Boy Scout belt is not permitted. 5. Hat: Proper style for current Rank. Must be worn bill forward. Hat may be worn in doors for official Scout functions, unless otherwise directed to "uncover". Hat should never be worn in a House of Worship. 6. Shoes: Closed toe shoes appropriate for the activity. B. CLASS "B" requirements: 1. May be worn when designated as "uniform of the day" by Pack or District. 2. Pack T-shirt, camp T-shirt and/or Den T-shirt. 3. Pants, belt and hat: Same as Class A Uniform, unless others designated. C. TIGER UNIFORM - The Tiger uniform follows Cub Scout uniform 10