The services which a Troop Committee may perform are most apt to occur in connection with the matters enumerated below. In connection with these various items, however, the Scoutmaster should give boys the opportunity to do things as much as possible-sometimes in cooperation with adults, sometimes as an individual project for an older Scout.

1. Leadership

Besides selecting the Scoutmaster and Assistants, be alert toward securing others who may aid the Troop Leaders in their leadership responsibilities.

Aid in securing special instructors and speakers for special occasions, as requested by the Scoutmaster.

Serve as special instructors whenever occasion arises.

2. Meeting Facilities

Secure material as needed for the decoration or development of the Troop meeting room.

Offer special services in connection with the decoration or development which the boys themselves may not be able to handle, such as wiring, plumbing, installation of heat, etc. If meeting room is inadequate, be on the look-out for a better one.

3. Proper Interpretation Of Scouting

Make available to the Scoutmaster an adequate amount of the literature interpretive of Scouting published by the Boy Scouts of America.

Be the link between the Sponsoring Institution and the Troop.

4. Observance of Rules and Regulations. Participate in special training#for Troop Committeemen put on by the Local Council.

Study the program and fundamental policies of Scouting as expressed in the literature of the Boy Scouts of America.

Assure adequate and creditable representation of the Troop's interests in the administration of the Local Council.

5. Troop Activities And Uniforming

Make possible occasional hikes to distant territory by providing motor transportation to a convenient point of departure on foot.

Get special permission for "industrial hikes" to local plants or places of unusual interest.

Conduct occasional Troop inspections, at the request of the Scoutmaster, in an effort to help him in keeping the boys on their toes and alert at all times.

Provide judges, as needed, for Inter-Patrol contests within the Troop.

Assist toward the Troop's participation in community affairs put on by the Sponsoring Institution, the local church, school or other organizations.

Arrange for Parents' Meetings, handle attendance, reception and other details, leaving Troop Leaders free to prepare and execute programs.

Aid in the development of a Troop library of Scouting literature and suitable boys' books. Promote the reading of BOYS' LIFE by every member of the Troop.

Help boys of small means to secure their Scout Uniforms by finding jobs for them through which they may earn the necessary funds.

Establish a special Uniform Fund or a Uniform Exchange of used Uniforms.

6. Troop Permanency

Unless there has been some unusual catastrophe, a successful Troop will wish to continue its Chartei, year after year. The renewal of the Charter then becomes the business of the Secretary of the Troop Committee, who without awaiting the receipt of formal notification of the expiration of a Charter, should bring the matter to the attention of the Committee for its action. If approved, the renewal forms should be signed bv the Committee and the Head of the Institution, at the Committee meeting and then turned over to the Scoutmaster for his completion. It is a sign of a Committee not fulfilling its obligations when it becomes necessary for a Scoutmaster to run around from house to house to find three Committeemen to sign these papers. This is not the Scoutmaster's task. Since he has enough to do, it is a small matter for the Committee to see that these renewal papers together with the necessary fees are filed at the Local Council office in time to permit the Troop to have continuous registration.

In this connection the Scoutmaster may request the Troop Committee to interview the parents of Scouts who have shown irregularities in attendance or dues- or conduct-in an effort to adjust possible personal misunderstandings.

It is quite often within the province of the Troop Committee to confer with parents and explain the principles, policies, program and activities of the Scout Movement, with a view to convincing them that Scouting is the thing for their boy.

The Troop Committee should also take it upon itself to provide for an impressive yearly Charter Presentation, in conjunction with the Troop Leaders.

7. Troop Funds

Establish a Troop Budget Revolving Fund. Secure finances as needed for special projects, and assist the Scoutmaster in devising ways and means whereby the Troop may earn money.

The Scoutmaster renders an interesting report to his friends, the Troop Committeemen and the District Commissioner.

Serve as custodian of Troop funds, paying bills on proper authorization of the Scoutmaster, and audit the financial records at appropriate intervals.

8. Troop Property

Assist the Troop Quartermaster in checking the inventory of Troop Equipment and devise means of taking care of needed repairs, replacements and additions.

9. Troop Camping

Secure permission for Troop and Patrol camping on suitable spots discovered by the Troop.

At the request of the Scoutmaster, call on parents who hesitate about letting their sons attend summer camp, reassuring them as to safety and leadership.

Help poor boys to pay their way to summer camp by securing work for them to do.

Make available needed transportation to camp.

Offer services in filling leadership positions in camp.

10. Active Direction Of Troop

If the Scoutmaster resigns this is the proper procedure for the Troop Committee to follow: a. Call a meeting of the Troop Committee for action.

b. Notify the Local Council.

c. Arrange to have a member of the Committee or an Assistant Scoutmaster, over 21 years of age, act as Scoutmaster in the interim.

d. Look for a new leader and after his selection have him apply for a commission.

If the Troop Committee after a sufficient length of time and trial be convinced that the Scoutmaster is incapable of handling his job and should be removed, it must seek the advice of the Local Council and abide by its decision, bearing in mind that when a Troop loses its Scoutmaster the Committee must carry it on until a successor has been found, at least until the end of the chartered year. The Charter may not then be renewed until a Scoutmaster is found. But, of course, only very grave repeated offenses against the ideals of Scouting or the rules of the Movement on the part of the Scoutmaster would cause a Troop Committee to consider such a step.

And Finally Last, But Not Least:

The Troop Committee will serve the Troop well by leading the parents of all the Scouts to be conscious and appreciative of the unselfish and valuable service of the Scoutmaster and Assistants.

Suggested Order Of Business For Troop Committee Meetings

Roll Call of Committeemen, Scoutmaster, and Assistants.

Reading and action on minutes of previous meeting.

Report from Chairman-on status of Troop, work accomplished by Committee and Troop Leaders, cooperation with other organizations, satisfaction of Sponsoring Institution, etc.

Report from Treasurer-on Troop budget, reregis-trations or Troop Charter renewal, equipment to be secured, methods of increasing the Troop's income, etc.

Report from Scoutmaster-on

1. Net gain or loss in membership.

(a) Separations. Name, age, and rank of each boy. Reason for leaving. Length of service in Scouting.

(b) Transfers. Names of boys moving away. Steps taken to assure their joining Troops in new communities.

2. The activities of the Troop, including Service Activities, Camp and Hiking Programs, Advancement.

3. List of Scouts completely and correctly uniformed with proper insignia.

4. Number of subscribers to BOYS' LIFE.

5. Financial problems.

6. Needs of the Troop.

7. Specific requests for the service of Troop Committee members on various projects.

Old and new business-such as: Plans for recruiting more boys. Reaching the parents of the Scouts. Getting Troop equipment.

Assigning of Committeemen as aides on Troop projects as requested by Scoutmaster.

Adjournment.

But that point, possibly, should not even be mentioned in a Handbook for Scoutmasters.

Meetings Of The Troop Committee

The Troop Committee should meet as often as necessary to deal with problems that come within the scope of the Committee's responsibility. During the handling of a problem it may be necessary to meet frequently. Then, there may be intervals when the Chairman of the Troop Committee in close conference with the Scoutmaster does not think it necessary to have a meeting.

The Scoutmaster and the Chairman of the Committee together should prepare an agenda for each meeting, including the usual business routine, reading of minutes, old business to be disposed of, report from the Scoutmaster of past events and an exposition of plans for the future, treasurer's report, and decision upon specific duties to be performed by the Committee, such as a schedule of Troop visitation, investigating new meeting facilities, and so on.

It is only through a definite program of cooperation and a mutual feeling of responsibility for getting the Troop's work done that the Troop Committee-Scoutmaster combination will be truly successful.