SUCCESSFUL TROOPS have good Troop Committees, and by good is meant Committees that commit.

There are very definite things expected of the Troop Committeeman and he should be selected only if he is the kind of a man who can and will do those things.

Troop Committee Required

According to the By-Laws of the Boy Scouts of America (Art. XI, Sec. 1, Clause 5), "Each chartered Troop of the Boy Scouts of America shall be under the supervision of a Troop or boys' work committee, consisting of three or more male citizens of the United States, twenty-one years of age or over, selected by the institution with which the Troop is connected, or, in the case of a Community Troop, of those who make application for the Troop Charter, one of whom shall be designated as chairman."

Responsibilities Of The Troop Committee

By this it is seen that the Troop Committee is an integral part of the Boy Scout Movement. The Committee members may be called upon by the Scoutmaster to help him with special projects, and the By-Laws of the Boy Scouts of America charge them with certain responsibilities, as follows:

The Troop Committee shall be responsible for:

1. The selection of a Scoutmaster and one or more Assistant Scoutmasters.

2. Providing proper facilities for meetings.

The selection and securing of a meeting place is one of the first responsibilities of the Committee. In an Institutional Troop the Troop Committee occupies, a dual capacity as representative of the Troop and of the institution, which usually insures the housing of the Troop and lifts a heavy responsibility from the shoulders of the Scoutmaster and his Assistants.

In a community Troop it is the Committee's responsibility to secure a suitable meeting place and maintain it with the help of the Troop and the community.

3. Advising with the Scoutmaster from time to time on questions of policy affecting the proper interpretation of Scouting and the requirements of the Institution with which the Troop is connected.

The Scoutmaster is or should be the technical expert on Scouting in the Troop. He can always refer to his Local Council or to the National Council, when questions of interpretation arise, but many matters can be settled locally with the advice of the Troop Committee.

The Troop Committee should also transmit and interpret to the Scoutmaster the rules, regulations and requirements of the Troop's Sponsoring Institution.

4. The observance of the rules and regulations of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America. They will seek opportunity, through literature or training courses, to become familiar with the regulations and fundamental policies of Scouting in order that they may render this service to the Scoutmaster more effectively.

In the observance of these policies the Troop Committee's support is fundamental.

5. Encouraging the Scoutmaster and his Assistants and the members of the Troop in carrying out the Boy Scout Program as outlined in Article VI of the By-Laws. The members of the Troop Committee will take pride in the appearance of the Troop and will cooperate with the Scoutmaster in securing the proper use of Uniforms, Badges and Insignia by members of the Troop. (See the pamphlet "The Official Uniform, Badges and Insignia," and amendments thereto.)

They will cooperate with the Scoutmaster in developing opportunities whereby members of the Troop may earn money to secure the Uniform and Equipment and other expenses incidental to Scouting, and be alert to have a maximum number of boys fully and correctly uniformed. (See Chat 18.)

6. The operation of the Troop in such a way as to ensure its permanency.

The permanency of a Troop depends on a good Scoutmaster, a friendly cooperation between the

Troop and its parent institution, adherence to regulations and a "live" and varied program.

7. The finances, including the securing of adequate support and the proper disbursement of funds.

It has been well said that we must master the problem of finances or it will master us. One member of the Troop Committee serves as the Troop Treasurer, and it is essential that he study and develop with the Scoutmaster the Troop Budget Plan within the Troop. This plan solves the problem of Troop Finances, prompt reregistration, and a surplus treasury for necessary equipment. The Troop Treasurer is naturally responsible for a regular check-up of the Troop records and funds. The Troop Committee holds title of all Troop funds.

8. Troop Property.

In the matter of acquiring Troop equipment, the Troop Committee can use its influence to secure the best prices on purchased material, to secure gifts, etc. It should be the aim of the Committee to see that the Troop is furnished with all materials and equipment necessary to carry on an effective outdoor program.

The Troop Committee acts as the trustee of the Troop property. If the Scoutmaster leaves the Troop, the property should be turned over to the Committee in trust against the time when a new Scoutmaster assumes charge.

In the event of the dissolution of a Troop or the revocation or lapse of its charter, the Troop Committee shall apply Troop funds and property to the payment of Troop obligations and shall turn over the surplus, if any, to the Local Council, if there be one, or if there be no Local Council, shall dispose of the same in accordance with the direction of the Executive Board of the National Council.

In the case of an Institutional Troop, any funds or equipment which may have been secured as property of the Troop, shall be held in trust by the institution or the Local Council, as may be agreed upon, pending the reorganization of the Troop, or the development of other plans, with the approval of the Council, for the use of such funds and property in connection with a program for character building and citizenship training for the boys of that institution, or by the agreement of those involved, be used elsewhere for the promotion of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Troop Committee that aids the Scoutmaster solve his problems and shows a friendly interest will help in building a fine Troop.

9. Securing suitable opportunity for the members of the Troop to spend one or more weeks in camp, with adequate facilities and supervision.

The Scout Program is an out-of-door program, and well planned, well supervised camping is essential to every Troop. The National Camping Service has drafted a set of Minimum Standards which must be complied with before any Troop camp can be approved and permitted by the Camping Committee of the Local Council.

10. Assuming active direction of the Troop in case of the inability of the Scoutmaster to serve, until his successor has been duly appointed and commissioned.

This is one of the most important functions of the Troop Committee. Lack of leadership in cases where Scoutmasters have been compelled to relinquish their commissions has caused many Troops to disintegrate. The proper leader is needed to hold the Scouts together. In the event that a Scoutmaster finds it necessary to resign, the Troop Committee should immediately delegate one of its members or all members by rotation to give supervision to the Troop. At the same time the Local Council Office should be notified and every effort should be made to secure a new Scoutmaster, with the cooperation and approval of the Local Council.