Troop 324 is a participating member of the San Diego-Imperial Council, Mission District, Boy Scouts of America. The troop organization includes the following components:

Chartering Organization (Sponsor)

Troop 324 is sponsored by the Fletcher Hills Kiwanis. They are responsible for providing a safe meeting place, and ensuring that there is adequate, trained leadership.

Scoutmaster (Adult)

The Scoutmaster has full responsibility for all program decisions of the Troop.

Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) (Adult)

The Assistant Scoutmasters operate under the direction of the Scoutmaster. Their duties are to train and guide boy leaders, using the methods of scouting. ASMs must have completed Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training from Council. All ASMs must be registered with and be commissioned by the BSA, and must be approved by the chartering organization, the troop Committee Chairperson, and the Scoutmaster. Certification is based on the standards of the BSA for youth leadership. ASMs provide direct support in the following areas:

*Overnight Adult Leader  * Guidance to Patrol Leaders *Summer Camp Adult Leader   * Merit Badge Counseling * Activity Leadership (Conduct a Troop meeting, game, or other single activity)

Troop Committee (Adults)

All committee members must be registered with the BSA. Any scout parent or other interested adult may register on the Troop Committee, subject to the approval of the chartering organization and the troop committee chairperson. The duties and responsibilities of the Troop Committee are described in the Troop Committee Guidebook, published by the BSA. The committee has 3 primary functions:

1. They are responsible for securing new adult leaders as vacancies occur.

2. They approve troop programs and activities as planned by the Patrol Leaders’ Council and Scoutmaster.

3. They provide troop program support as requested by the Scoutmaster in the following areas:

*Chairperson *Quartermaster/Inventory *Uniform Exchange

*Membership *Venture Scout Coordinator *Service Projects

*Secretary *Chartered Representative *Fund Raising

*Transportation *Merit Badge Coordinator *Outdoor/Activities

*Advancement *Finance/Records (Treasurer)

Parents & Registered Adults

It takes the active involvement of every family to make our troop successful. Even though this is a boy-run troop, the parents within the troop cannot be understated. Parents are expected to:

1. Read and follow the Youth Protection Guidelines at the end of this packet. Take the YPG certification and renew as required.

2. Read their scout’s Handbook and understand the purpose and methods of scouting.

3. Actively follow their scout’s progress and offer encouragement.

4. Show support to both the individual scout and troop by attending Troop Court of Honor and other special events.

5. Assist, as requested, in all troop fundraisers and other such activities. There is a job to suit your special talents and your available time.

6. Be aware of the troop program and annual calendar. Read all handouts your scout brings home and look for troop e-mail. If you have any questions about upcoming events or concerns about your scout, contact one of the Troop Committee Members.

7. We expect all parents and troop leaders to stress traditional moral and ethical values, in scouting and in their daily lives.

Patrol Leader Council (PLC) (Scouts)

The PLC is made up of Senior Patrol Leader, Asst Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Troop Guides and Troop Scribe. The PLC plans, conducts and evaluates the troop program under the guidance of the Scoutmaster, who trains its members and who has ultimate authority and responsibility over all decisions made. The Scoutmaster always has veto power over the PLC decisions.

Venture Crew

When a scout receives Eagle rank and is 14 years of age, he can join the Venture Crew. The Venture Crew is led by an elected Venture Crew Leader. The Crew Advisor may appoint 1 or more Asst. Advisors, and the Troop Committee Chairperson may appoint 1 or more Committee Members to work with the Venture Crew. The Venture Crew may plan Venture “ultimate adventure” or other activities appropriate to their age and experience level separate from the Troop.

Regular Patrols (Scouts)

The Patrol method is the most important and distinctive characteristic of Scouting, Only the Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Asst Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Asst Patrol Leaders are not in a patrol. Each Patrol elects its own Patrol Leader, who will represent the Patrol on the PLC. Regular Patrol functions as described in the Boy Scout Handbook and Scoutmaster Guide.