UPCOMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
13-14: Radiation/Training Campout
, Yards Creek
21: Troop Carwash-9 to 3
OCTOBER
24-26: District Camporee
NOVEMBER
6-9: Teachers Convention: Day trip to Philadelphia, Day trip to Jockey Hollow
TBD: Leaf Raking
DECEMBER
6:Columbia Trail Hike
JANUARY
2-4:Cabin Campout-KMSR
FEBRUARY
6-8: Klondike
MARCH
21: Hike on Bear Mountain, NY
APRIL
17-19:Campout-TBD
MAY
1-3:District spring Campore
16: Troop Carwash
JUNE
5-7: Whitewater Rafting or Canoe Trip-TBD
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Links Section
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LEADERSHIP
YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Troop 149 is a boy-run troop. The chart above shows the positions of Leadership a Scout might hold in a troop. Any Scout interested in finding out about the above positions should read about the position in their Scout Handbook and discuss the qualifications needed and responsibilities with the current officer, their Patrol Leader (PL), Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) or any of the older Scouts. They can also ask the Scoutmaster or any other Adult Leader. Elections are held in February and September for the SPL and PL's. The other positions shown above are then assigned, usually to the most qualified who volunteer. Scouts must consider time required for other activities before committing to a Leadership position. Please discuss any concerns with the Scoutmaster.
There are other ways Scouts can help. Scouts can serve as Newsletter Editor to prepare a monthly e-mail newsletter along with an Newsletter Advisor; Webmaster to maintain the website along with an Web Advisor; Troop Outdoor Coordinator (this position fulfills the alternate Leadership requirement for Star and Life) to plan troop outings along with the Outdoor Coordinator Advisor; Cheer Master to teach cheers at meetings and campfire programs.
PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL
The SPL is the leader at all troop events and is the chairman of the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC). The PLC consists of the SPL, the Patrol Leaders (representing the Scouts) and other invited Scouts, and meets with the Scoutmaster (representing the Adult Leaders) in the Summer to plan the annual calendar, monthly to finalize the plans, and after weekly troop meetings for a short discussion. Other Adult Leaders may be invited to attend.
The Patrol Leaders are elected by the Scouts and represent the Patrol members at the PLC meetings. They hold weekly patrol meetings to discuss the PLC plans, prepare the Patrol for Troop activities, and work on individual advancement. They agree to follow the Patrol Method, provide leadership for their patrols on camping trips, and can approve all the requirements for advancement up to First Class (with Scoutmaster permission), except the last two, the Scoutmaster Conference and the Board of Review conducted by the Committee.
Patrols for experienced Scouts last for one year and are rearranged in February after the Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders are elected by all the members of the troop. The New Scout Patrol is formed in March when the Webelos join and is assisted by a Troop Guide. They elect a Patrol Leader and the Patrol exists until the troop elections the following February. In September, elections for all Patrol Leaders are held again within the patrols.
HOW ADULTS SUPPORT THE SCOUTS
In addition to the specific responsibilities listed further below, Adult Leaders and unregistered PARENTS can help out in many ways. They can help with a fund-raising project, help with the Food Drive and other Service Projects, provide transportation, attend outings, act as a camping trip or hike leader, arrange a tour, teach a skill at a meeting or outing, help with a Court of Honor, substitute for or assist another leader with their job, pitch in and help solve problems, share their expertise, and encourage the Scouts. Parents can attend any troop function including Committee meetings. On campouts we have an Adult patrol which consists of Leaders and parents working together as a unit to allow Scouts to work together in patrols.
SCOUTMASTER AND ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTERS
Scoutmaster - The responsibilities are too numerous to discuss here. The position requires formal and informal interactions with scouts, adult leaders, parents and other members of the community. Besides working with the Scouts at Troop meetings and other events, the Scoutmaster is responsible for training and advising the Senior Patrol Leader and other Youth Leaders (either directly or through another Adult or Youth Leader), conducts a Scoutmaster Conference with each Scout prior to the Board of Review, represents the Scouts at the Committee meetings, and represents the Committee members at the PLC meetings. The Scoutmaster signs off on all rank advencement requirements except the Board of Review and/or assigns that responsibility to other Adult or Youth Leaders. Responsible for determining the role of the youth and adult Outdoor Coordinators for each outing, based on the plans of the PLC. It is acceptable for the Scoutmaster to not attend a function. It becomes the responsibility of the Troop Committee to provide a Leader if he cannot attend or find a substitute.
Assistant Scoutmasters - Volunteers always needed. No experience necessary and frequent attendance at troop activities is not required. On call to assist the Scoutmaster and they agree on specific responsibilities, which often change depending on the interests of the ASM and the needs of the troop. In general, Assistant Scoutmasters help by attending camping trips, participating in troop meetings, or agreeing to accept a Committee responsibility. Many of our Youth Members become Assistant Scoutmasters when they turn 18.
COMMITTEE
We can always use new members and frequent attendance at troop activities is not required. The Committee supports the Scoutmaster and the Scouts in the operation of the troop and meets once a month. Attendance at Committee meetings is not mandatory. The role of Committee members in the advancement process is that they conduct the Board of Review, the final approval needed for rank advancement (Eagle Scouts require further approval at the Council and National level). The Boards of Review should consist of at least three Committee members. The Scoutmasters may not participate. (Troop 149 Modifications - For Tenderfoot to First Class, two Scouts with a rank of Star or higher will participate in the Board of Review, with the support of three Committee members. In the event that the troop does not have enough Scouts of Star or higher rank, or enough Star or higher Scouts interested in being on a Board of Review, the three Committee members will conduct the Board of Review.) A summary of some, but not all, functions for each Committee position is included and many Committee members accept more than one role.
Committee Chair - Prepares Committee meeting agenda; assigns Committee responsibilities; ensures Committee functions are carried out; approves Adult Leader Applications.
Secretary - Records minutes at Committee meetings and prepares a written copy for review before the next meeting. May prepare letters, public notices or newspaper articles or ads.
Treasurer - Write and sign checks; collect money and make deposits; keep a balanced checkbook; keep committee aware of Troop balance/expenditures; responsible for advising and training the Scribe (Scribe keeps track of attendance; collects dues; keeps track of money earned by scouts through fundraising).
Adult Troop Historian - Maintains Troop archives and works with the Youth Troop Historian to keep records up-to-date. Some of the information he likes to record are lists of attendees at each camping trip and newspaper articles about the troop and its members, Scout and non-Scout related.
Outdoor Coordinator Advisor (OCA) - Advises the youth Troop Outdoor Coordinator (TOC). This is an important Leadership position in the smooth operation of our troop and is sometimes a challenge. This is a boy-run troop; the PLC plans the details of the outing. The responsibilities of the OCA and TOC vary for each event and are discussed frequently with the SM as part of the planning process. For some outings, upon agreement with the SM, the OCA and TOC may assist in the planning of the details of the outing and/or may share responsibilities with an interested adult. Minimum responsibilities follow. Assists the PLC by providing information on the event, campgrounds or other points of interest, to meet their guidelines, and provides the Troop with the information at the appropriate time. Is expected to monitor websites or other sources for information about events on the Troop calendar and bring them to the attention of the SM and others involved in the planning process. Makes appropriate reservations; files tour permit; prepares sign-up sheets and permission forms; collects sign-up sheets, permission forms and fees; provides Treasurer and Scribe with fee records; provides Transportation Coordinator with the headcount and makes sure he has driving directions, if needed; provides Tour Leader with proper medical forms, permission slips, tour permit and other necessary paperwork; give copies of completed sign-up sheets and trip information to historian.
Equipment Coordinator - Maintains equipment. Works with Youth Quartermaster to provide proper equipment for camping trips.
Back-up Equipment Coordinator - Works with the Youth Quartermaster to provide proper equipment for the camping trips when the Equipment Coordinator is not available.
Transportation Coordinator - Makes sure enough vehicles are available for every outing, an obvious necessity. Makes sure drivers are provided with directions, if needed.
Advancement Chair - Keeps merit badge and rank advancement records, an essential function of any troop; presents awards at Troop meetings; schedules Board of Reviews and chairs each one, including Eagle; reviews final Eagle Scout paperwork; prepares Court of Honor bulletin.
Eagle Advisor - Assists Life Scouts in the Life-to-Eagle process and updates Committee on progress.
Membership Chair (VACANT) - Registers new members; prepares annual charter; maintains a Troop roster.
Cub Scout Liaison – Arranges joint events and provides the Second-Year Webelos Group with information needed to join the troop.
Den Chief Advisor - Trains and advises the Den Chiefs who work directly with Cub Scout Dens. Den Chiefs are provided at the request of the Den Leaders, if we have Boy Scouts willing to serve in this capacity.
New Scout Advisor - Trains and advises the Troop Guide who advises new Scouts. May also work directly with the Troop Guide and new Scouts when necessary. Works with the Troop Guide to ensure two-deep Adult Leadership is provided when needed.
Newsletter Advisor - Works with the Newsletter Editor to provide a monthly e-mail newsletter, a valuable communications tool.
Publicity Chair - Prepare articles for town newsletter and other newspapers.
Web Advisor - Works with a Youth Webmaster to maintain the website. Deals with the website e-mail.
Good Turns Chair - Records service hours; provides monthly and yearly updates to the Committee; notifies Committee when 50 and 100 hour levels are reached so the Scout or Leader can be recognized with our Troop's unique Service Patch.
Food Drive Coordinator - Works with the SPL, Cub Scout Pack, and Food Pantry representative to make arrangements for our twice-a-year Food Drives. The Pack and Troop have conducted Food Drives for many years, so it's generally a smooth operation.
Adult Order of the Arrow Troop Representative - This is not an official BSA position. As a service to the Troop, the OA Adult Representative provides information on OA events and is available to assist the Youth OA Troop Representative.
District Commissioner - This is not a Committee function, but we are happy to have a Committee member who volunteers to serve in this capacity at the District level. In this role, he provides the Troop and other troops in the area with information from the Hunterdon Arrowhead District or Council office.
Friends of Scouting Coordinator - Works with the Scout Council to promote the annual Friends of Scouting fund drive at the Spring Court of Honor.
CHARTERED ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVE
Chartered Organization Representative - A member of the High Bridge Methodist Church. Approves all Adult leadership applications and the annual charter and assists the Troop in its interaction with the Church. Has authority over the Committee.
MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS
Merit Badge Counselors - Can be a Leader, parent or other interested adult. See Adult Volunteers webpage for details or ask an Adult Leader.
TRAINING AND ROUNDTABLE PROGRAMS
Leader Specific Training Programs have been developed for all Adults Leadership positions by the Boy Scouts of America. Additional Training classes are available (Youth Protection, Swimming and Boating, Climbing and others). See the Adult Volunteers Page.
RoundTables are monthly Hunterdon Arrowhead District meetings for Adult Troop Leaders. This meeting provides information about District and Council Activities and, sometimes, conducts training classes. Attendance is not mandatory to be a Leader, but we always have at least one representative present.
TWO-DEEP LEADERSHIP
Every activity, requiring a Tour Permit, must have a designated Tour Leader, who must be a Registered Leader 21 years of age or older. An Assistant Tour Leader is also required who must be a Registered Leader 18 years of age or older or a parent of one of the Scouts present. Certain training requirements must be met depending on the type of outing. Most Scouting activities require the same adult coverage. Patrol meetings are an exception. A rule that must be followed is no one-on-one meetings between an adult and Scout. Scoutmaster Conferences must be held in view of others and a Scout cannot meet one-on-one with a Merit Badge Counselor. For more information refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting in the Links Section or ask any Adult Leader.
 MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK.
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