The Constitution of Troop 381
We the Scouts of Troop 381, in order to form a more perfect Organization, establish justice, and promote the general welfare do ordain and establish this Constitution for Troop 381.
Article I
Section 1. All legislative powers will be granted to a council in Troop 381 known as the Patrol Leaders Council.
Section 2. The Patrol Leaders Council shall consist of:
1. Senior Patrol Leader*
2. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
3. Troop Guide
4. Junior Assistant Scoutmasters
5. Patrol Leaders**
6. Scribe
7. Any additional scouts as deemed necessary for that meeting by the Senior Patrol Leader
* - the Senior Patrol Leader is a member of the Patrol Leaders Council but has different responsibilities than that of the other members. He shall act as the Chairman of the Patrol Leaders Council and is responsible for the successful completion of the agenda for that meeting.
** - In the event that the Patrol Leader will not be able to attend the Patrol Leaders Council meeting, the Assistant Patrol Leader will take his place.
Section 3. Elections for Patrol Leaders will be held on the first meeting in the month of June. The Scouts who win the election will take office on the first Patrol Leaders Council meeting of the Scouting year.
Section 4. The members of the Patrol Leaders Council will be responsible for planning camp outs and other scouting activities. They will also see and discuss all proposed amendments to this Constitution first. If the Council feels that the Senior Patrol Leader is not fulfilling his duties, the Council may, by a two-thirds vote, ask for a re-election before his term is up.
Article II
Section 1. The executive power of Troop 381 shall be vested in the Senior Patrol Leader.
Section 2. Elections for this official will be held on the first meeting in the month of June. In order to be able to be nominated for election the Scout must be of at least the Star Rank, must be fourteen years of age, and have at least two years in the Troop. The Scout who wins the election will then be able to appoint an Assistant to himself, with the consent of his Scoutmaster. The new Senior Patrol Leader will take office on the first Patrol Leaders Council meeting of the Scout year. The Senior Patrol Leader can be in office for a maximum of two one-year terms.
Section 3. In the event that the Senior Patrol Leader is unable to attend a meeting, it is his job to make sure his Assistant knows what is to be done at that meeting. If the Senior Patrol Leader gives up his position, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader becomes the Senior Patrol Leader. The new Senior Patrol Leader will then appoint a new Assistant, approved by the Scoutmaster. If the Senior Patrol Leader is not fulfilling his duties he may be asked to run for re-election before his term is up.
Article III
Section 1. The Judicial Power of Troop 381 shall be vested in the Scoutmaster with aid from the Troop Committee.
Section 2. The Troop Committee shall consist of:
1. Committee Chairperson
2. Scoutmaster
3. Assistant Scoutmasters
4. Parents
Section 3. The Committee shall discuss plans made by the Patrol Leaders Council. They will also approve major equipment expenses. In the event that a bill is seen by the Scoutmaster, he will inform the Troop Committee of the possible change, but he has the final say in any Troop function.
Article IV
Section 1. Each leader of Troop 381 has certain responsibilities that he must adhere to.
Section 2. Leaders and their responsibilities
1. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - Helps the Senior Patrol Leader lead meetings and activities, runs the troop in the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader, and serves as a member of the Patrol Leaders Council.
2. Patrol Leader - Represents his patrol on the Patrol Leaders Council and keeps patrol members informed.
3. Assistant Patrol Leader - Represents his patrol in the absence of his Patrol Leader on the Patrol Leaders Council.
4. Troop Guide - Guides new Scouts through early Scouting activities, coaches the Patrol Leader of the New Scout Patrol on his duties, works with the Patrol Leader at the Patrol Leaders Council meetings, and teaches basic Scout skills.
5. Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - Functions as an Assistant Scoutmaster, and performs duties as assigned by the Scoutmaster.
* * *
6. Scribe - Records individual Scout attendance, and attends and keeps a log of Patrol Leaders Council meetings.
7. Quartermaster - Keeps records on patrol and troop equipment, makes sure equipment is in good working condition, issues equipment, and makes suggestions for new or replacement items.
A. The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader, and the approved by the Scoutmaster. He must be of at least the Star Rank.
B. Patrol Leaders are elected by the members of their patrol.
C. Assistant Patrol Leaders are appointed by their Patrol Leader, and approved by the Senior Patrol Leader.
D. The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is appointed by the Scoutmaster. He must be between the ages of sixteen and eighteen.
E. The Troop Guide is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader and approved by the Scoutmaster.
F. The sixth and seventh leadership positions are appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader after a discussion with the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and then is approved by the Scoutmaster and Committee.
Section 3. If one of the above leaders resigns from his position, the Senior Patrol Leader or the Patrol Leaders Council (depending upon the position) will appoint a new leader, with approval of the Scoutmaster. If one of the above leaders is not fulfilling his duties, the Patrol Leaders Council may vote to have that person re-elected. If it is an appointed position, that person can be stripped of his position by a three-quarters vote of the Patrol Leaders Council with approval by the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster.
Article V
Section 1. All three powers will be involved in passing Amendments to this Constitution
1. Legislative - Sees and discusses the bill first. Makes any changes necessary. Voted on by the members.
A. If passed by a majority, the bill is then sent to the Senior Patrol Leader.
B. If the bill is not passed by a majority, the bill is discarded.
C. If the bill is vetoed by the Senior Patrol Leader, the Patrol Leaders Council may vote on the bill again, and if it is passed a second time it goes to the Scoutmaster.
2. Executive - If a bill is seen by the Senior Patrol Leader he discusses it with his Assistant, and then does one of three things:
A. He passes the bill, which then goes to the Scoutmaster.
B. He vetoes the bill, which then goes back to the Patrol Leaders Council.
C. He changes things in the bill, and then gives it back to the Patrol Leaders Council for a re-vote.
3. Judicial - If a bill is seen by the Scoutmaster, he decides whether or not the Constitution should be amended.
4. The Scouts of Troop 381 - In the event that the Scoutmaster passes a bill the Troop votes on it. If the majority favors it, it is added to the Constitution.
Article VI
Section 1. In the event of any leaders absence, the following Chain of Command exists:
1. Senior Patrol Leader
2. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
3. Troop Guide
4. Highest Ranking Member
Article VII
Section 1. Any part of this document which is found to be in conflict with the operating policy of the Boy Scouts of America, as stated in the Scoutmasters Handbook or Scoutmasters Fundamentals Training Syllabus, Junior Leaders Leader Handbook or the Junior Leaders Training Kit and The Boy Scout Handbook, shall be deemed null and void. Remaining parts shall stay in force until changed by the standing members of the Patrol Leaders Council.
Article VIII
This Constitution will go into effect on the first meeting of the next Scouting year. It will be signed by any Scout already in Troop 381, and all Scouts entering Troop 381.
May 7, 1998
Senior Patrol Leader - Jimmy Hackett
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - Richard Marby
Troop Guide - John Lyons
Amendment I [1998]
Section 1. In the event that a Scout is unable to attend a meeting he must tell his Patrol Leader. If he cannot reach his Patrol Leader he must call his Assistant Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader in that order. If none of these leaders can be reached, the Scout must inform the Scoutmaster that he will not be at the meeting.
Section 2. All Scouts must attend sixty-five percent of the meetings. All absences will be noted, and if they exceed thirty-five percent it will be noted during his Scoutmasters Conference. All Scouts must attend fifty percent of Scouting trips. Any absences will be noted, and if they exceed fifty percent it will be noted during his Scoutmasters Conference.
Amendment II [1998]
Section 1. Each Scout will have to pay two dollars a week in Troop dues. Dues will be asked for each week the Troop is scheduled as having a meeting.
Section 2. In the event that a Scout does not pay for a period exceeding a month, he will be suspended from Scouting until the money is paid.
Amendment III [1999]
Section 1. Patrol elections will take place on the first meeting in the month of January as well as the first meeting in the month of June. Appointed positions including Quartermaster, Librarian, and Scribe may also be changed on these two dates with the approval of the Scoutmaster. (See Amendment VI)
Section 2. Section 1 is not applicable to the positions of Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Guides. Elections for these positions are the same to that of Article II, Section 2.
Section 3. Scouts must be nominated by members of the Troop/Patrol in order to run for election. If a Scout is nominated, but does not want to run for election, he may choose to decline the nomination. Nominations will take place on the last meeting in December, and May.
Section 4. In the event that the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster feel that a Scout is not fulfilling the duties of his position, the Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster may appoint another Scout to the position, without the consent of the Patrol Leaders Council, who will finish the term.
Amendment IV [1999]
Section 1. All members of the troop are expected to mold their behavior to the tenants of Boy Scouts of America policy as stated in the publications noted in VII of this document and additionally The Boy Scouts of America publication “Guide to Safe Scouting”. Acts of physical abuse, disrespect and or defiance of lawful direction given by the Scoutmaster, Asst. Scoutmasters, members of the Patrol Leaders Council or the Troop Committee will not be tolerated.
Section 2. Punishments for violations of Section Amendment IV section 1 will be dealt with on a case by case basis and set by the Scoutmaster and/or the Troop Committee and may include:
1. A verbal or written apology to the aggrieved party
2. A verbal or written warning by the Scoutmaster or Troop Committee
3. Being sent home from a meeting/outing
4. Having an advancement Board of Review subject to a three to six month recall
5. Being suspended from troop activities
6. Having your membership with the troop terminated
Section 1. Any reference herein contained in this document in reference to appointed positions “including Quartermaster, Librarian and Scribe.” The position of OA Troop Representative shall be included
Amendment VI [2002]
Section 1. Amendment III Section 1 shall be modified to read:
Section 1. Patrol elections will take place on the first meeting in the month of September as well as the first meeting in the month of March. Appointed positions including Quartermaster, Librarian, OA Troop Representative and Scribe may also be changed on these two dates with the approval of the Scoutmaster.