Parents are encouraged to show support for their Scout as an adult leader with the Troop. Many hands make light work; and the more adult involvement with the Troop, the better program we can provide for our sons.

Only registered troop leaders may accompany the Troop on outings, unless the outing is specifically designated as a family outing. To become a registered adult leader an adult must complete and submit an Adult Leader Application that must be approved by the Troop Committee Chair and the Chartered Organization Representative. The application is then submitted to the Minsi Trails Council for final approval. All adult leaders are required to submit a BSA medical form. All registered adult leaders are expected to have a specific function within the Troop.

Before a parent joins the Scouts on an outing, it is important for that parent to remember that Boy Scouts is a Scout run program, not an adult led program. The Scout run Troop is one of the most basic and important principles of the Scouting program. If a parent participates in an activity, it is very important that s/he do their best to be adult Scout leaders, not parents. In order for the Scout program to succeed, the Scouts have to be free to make decisions, succeed, fail, and learn by running their own Troop. Failure is sometimes the best teacher, and success is a reward both for the Scouts and the adults who guide them. Parents should not be offended if the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster asks them not to make suggestions or to help in certain situations, and should not worry when the Scout leader appears to be letting the Scouts make a bad decision. Adult leaders are there to guide and maintain safety, and we will never allow a Scout to make a mistake that would seriously compromise their safety. Being a Scout leader is not easy in any capacity, and becomes even harder when your own son is involved. Rest assured that the Troop adult leaders want parents to participate in all aspects of the Troop, and they will do anything they can to make the experience fun and rewarding.

All adult leaders serving an active role with the Troop must make arrangements for the BSA training class appropriate for their position. This training is offered several times a year and helps to assure that everyone involved in the Troop's leadership understands the goals of Scouting. In addition, trained leaders are one of the requirements for the Troop to earn the Quality Unit Award. Many of the required training courses are available online.

The Adult Troop leadership consists of two main groups: The Troop Committee and The Program Leadership (also referred to as direct contact leaders).

The first group, the Troop Committee, is made up of adults who meet on occasion to discuss issues and make decisions for the Troop. The Committee is led by the Committee Chair and must have a Treasurer and Secretary. The members of the troop committee fill other committee positions. The Committee makes policy decisions, keeps records, and constantly monitors the program quality. Committee members also are welcome to join outings and help with special events. Committee meetings are held as necessary. All parents are encouraged to attend these meetings; however, voting on troop matters is restricted to members of the troop committee.

In order to serve on the troop committee, you need to be a registered adult of the Boy Scouts of America. You must complete the training requirements for your position, and have a specific role within the troop committee. The committee may appoint other members to serve on the troop committee as needed.

Committee Chair
Organize committee to see all functions are delegated, coordinated and completed. Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the Scoutmaster. Interpret national and local BSA policies to the troop. Prepare troop committee meeting agendas. Call, preside over and promote attendance at troop committee meetings and any special meetings that may be called. Ensure troop representation at monthly roundtables. Secure top-notch, trained individuals for camp leadership. Arrange for charter review and recharter annually. Plan the charter presentation.

Secretary
Keep minutes of meetings. Send out notices for committee meetings. Secure location for committee meetings. Conduct the troop resource survey; maintain results. Maintain troop records as agreed between chair, treasurer, scoutmaster, and advancement coordinator. Maintain the database of driver and vehicle information for the troop. Complete tour permit applications (with the help of Scoutmasters and Activity Coordinators) for each troop-sponsored activity or outing that requires a tour permit. Provide outing or activity leaders copies of approved tour permit. Act as the troop point- person for the annual process of troop charter renewal. Includes attending district orientation, developing a timeline and plan for our troop recharter, distributing information, collecting fees, updating membership records and submitting charter to the District Scout Executive for processing.

Treasurer
Handle all troop funds. Pay bills on recommendation of the Scoutmaster and authorization of troop committee. Maintain bank accounts. Train and supervise the troop scribe in record keeping. Keep adequate financial records. Supervise money- earning projects, including obtaining proper authorizations. Prepare the annual troop budget. Report status to troop committee at committee meetings as necessary.

Outdoor Activity Coordinator
Ensures that each troop activity is conducted so that it meets a common set of criteria, including adherence to BSA guidelines, participation minimums, and troop standards for organization and coordination. Recruit Activity Coordinators for each activity planned by the scouts and acquaint the coordinator with standard methods for making a successful troop activity happen (e.g.: historical records from prior similar activities, promoting the event, sign ups, tour permits, fee collection, organizing transportation, etc.) The Activity Coordinator's goal is to have each activity quality in our outings.

Training Coordinator
Ensure that troop leaders and committee members have opportunities for training. Maintain, as appropriate, an inventory of up-to-date training materials. Keep the troop informed regarding the availability of district or council sponsored training opportunities. Be responsible for BSA Youth Protection training within the troop. Encourage periodic junior leader training within the troop.

Advancement Coordinator
Encourage Scouts to advance in rank. Maintain troop scout advancement records (Troopmaster software). Complete and forward to the council troop advancement reports. Secure badges and certificates for courts of honor. Provide advancement status reports to scoutmaster and assistant scoutmasters. Oversee troop advancement advisory committee and secure adults to serve on Boards of Review.

Eagle Scout Adviser
Advise Life Scouts as they work toward their Eagle rank. Help the scout with the process of selecting and preparing his plans for his Eagle project. Guide the scout through the process of project approval through the District Eagle Committee.

Equipment Coordinator
Work with the quartermaster on inventory and proper storage and maintenance of all troop equipment. Maintain the troop trailer. Make periodic safety checks on all troop camping gear, and encourage scouts in safe use of all outdoor equipment. Report to the troop committee at meetings as necessary.

Cooking Coordinator
Provide assistance to the PLC and scouts assigned to meal planning for troop activities. Give advice in planning the menu, to ensure a healthy balance of food choices. Work with scout(s) to ascertain the amounts of food needed to meet menus as planned. Assist scouts in preparing a shopping list. Consult with the grubmaster to ascertain what supplies are already on hand in troop inventory.

Procurement Coordinator
Help the troop procure any necessary equipment. Research prices and report to troop committee. Make necessary purchases upon approval of troop committee. Coordinate with troop committee chair and treasurer.

Health Officer
Collect and maintain BSA Medical Forms for all troop scouts and leaders. Keep list of expirations of all medical forms, and advise troop leadership and individual members when new medical forms are required. Provide copy of medical forms to trip leaders in advance of any troop outings.

Summer Camp Coordinator
Prepare camp flyer in advance of camp registration. Collect all registration forms and fees for summer camp. Coordinate with Health Officer to ensure medical forms for all camp attendees are up to date as of the week of camp. Work closely with the troop assigned in-camp scoutmaster. Forward any fees and paperwork to camp (usually council office for the chosen camp).

Historian Adviser
The historian adviser will assist the troop historian with research and documentation of the troop history.

Librarian Adviser
The librarian adviser will assist the troop librarian maintain the troop library.

Communications Adviser
The Communications adviser will work with the troop webmaster to administer the troop web site and other electronic forms of communication. This position requires knowledge of web-based language, such as HTML and CSS.

Ceremonies Coordinator
The Ceremonies Coordinator will coordinate with event leaders or hosts to develop the guest list for the event. They will maintain a standing list of local dignitaries and district and council scouting representatives, and invite or suggest guests that should be invited to major troop events such as Courts of Honor or Eagle Courts of Honor.

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters

The second group of adult leaders is the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts and help them advance, learn new skills, and live by the Scout Oath and Law. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters also accompany the Scouts on outings.

The Scoutmaster is ultimately responsible for a quality program that provides opportunities for advancement, leadership experience, and an exciting outdoor program. He also maintains the safety of the Scouts. The Assistant Scoutmasters are responsible for specific areas of the Troop Program based upon their interests and expertise and the needs of the Scouts. Currently, we have ASMs working with Program, Troop Guides, Instructors, Community Service, New Scouts, Den Chiefs and High Adventure. The ASM-Program, or First Assistant Scoutmaster, fills the SM role at any activity that the Scoutmaster cannot attend.

Adult Activity Leader Responsibilities

Troop 34 will make every effort to share the responsibilities for overseeing the planning and conduct of troop activities amongst the troop adult leadership. Therefore, below is a set of expectations for adult leaders of such activities:

• Work with the Scoutmaster and/or PLC to identify activities during the year that you would like to oversee;
• Assure that they are appropriately scheduled on the troop calendar;
• Take the lead in making arrangements in advance, as needed, e.g., campground reservations and payments;
• Attend a PLC to discuss the event planning at the appropriate time – include coordination of meal planning and shopping;
• Assure that adequate adult leadership (e.g., two-deep) is in place and assure that proper adult training (e.g. Safe Swim, Safety Afloat, etc) has taken place;
• Work with the troop secretary to have a tour permit prepared, if required;
• Prepare an activity flyer at the appropriate time and share this with the Scoutmaster and Outdoor Activity Coordinator. Arrange for distribution to the troop. Consult with the troop treasurer, if necessary, regarding event costs;
• Discuss the event openly with the troop at a troop meeting;
• Communicate all final travel arrangements;
• Check with Health Officer regarding records of any special medical needs or issues with the scouts. Obtain medical records and be responsible for them on the event. Return the records to the Health Officer upon completion of the event;
• Assure that all scouts and scouters attending have a completed permission form;
• Oversee the event, assuring that appropriate boy leadership is in place and working properly. Make every effort to allow the boys to run the event, to a reasonable extent;
• In lieu of a Scoutmaster, take attendance and give this information to the Scoutmaster;
• After the event, document and discuss any ‘performance issues’ with the scout, as appropriate. Include praise for any scout who demonstrated good spirit, leadership, etc.
  In line with the point above, also share this information with the Scoutmaster and the Advancement Coordinator. This will be valuable information in future coaching sessions.

The chartered organization representative is the direct contact between the pack and the chartered organization. This individual is also the organization’s contact with the district committee and the local council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the local council. If the chartered organization has more than one unit, one representative serves them all.

Qualifications: Is at least 21 years old, is a member of the chartered organization, and is not the unit leader or assistant unit leader. Is appointed by the chartered organization to serve as its official Scouting representative and is registered as an adult leader of the BSA.

Responsibilities: The chartered organization representative's responsibilities are to

• Help select the right leadership for the unit.
• Promote well-planned, quality unit programs, including outdoor programs, advancement, and recognition.
• Serve as a liaison between the units and the organization.
• Promote the recruiting of new members and units.
• See that boys transition from unit to unit.
• Help with the charter renewal.
• Suggest Good Turns to benefit the organization.
• Encourage the unit committee to hold meetings.
• Cultivate organization leaders, and encourage necessary training of existing and new leaders.
• Utilize district help and promote the use of district personnel and materials.
• Use approved unit finance policies.
• Cultivate resources to support the organization.
• Represent the organization at the council level.