1. Joining Troop 53.
Parents or Guardians of all applicants must meet with the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or the Committee Chairman for a personal interview before a boy will be registered with the Troop. The purpose for this meeting is to explain how Troop 53 functions, what the boy's and parent's responsibilities are, and allow the parents and boy to ask questions about the Troop.

The Troop cannot function without the involvement, at some level, of every parent. Accordingly, the Troop must ask parents to assist in some capacity from time to time. This could include serving on a committee, in adult leader positions, or participating in outings/activities, or sitting on advancement Board of Review.

2. Scout Commitment.
In order to remain registered as a member of Troop 53 a boy must attend a minimum of one meeting per month and four monthly outings per year.

3. Annual Parent's Meeting.
The Troop Committee Chairman will convene an annual Parents Meeting in late September or early October. The purpose of the meeting is to approve plans for the ensuing year, including the next year's Activity Calendar, proposed budget and associated fund-raising activities, approve key Committee officers, adult leaders and Troop By-Laws. This meeting is mandatory for the parents/guardians of all boys currently registered with the Troop. Anyone who is unable to attend the meeting must notify the Committee in advance.

4. Transportation to Outings.
Parents shall be responsible for assisting with the transportation of their sons to campouts and other Troop activities as required. All drivers must carry liability insurance of at least $50,000 (each person), $100,000 (each accident) and $50,000 (property damage). All riders must wear seat belts while traveling as required by South Carolina State law. Parents and adult leaders who transport Scouts to or from troop events must provide updated information about their vehicle(s) and associated insurance to the Troop as required. All drivers who take Scouts in their vehicle must be 21 years of age or older on any Troop outings.

5. Transportation Home.
The parents are responsible for picking up their sons after a Troop activity or, to be home when the Scout is dropped off by the Troop. The Troop will not leave a Scout at home after a troop activity unless a responsible adult is present. If a boy is to be dropped off somewhere other than his residence address or to be picked up by someone other than a family member or the parent of another Scout in the Troop, a registered troop adult leader must be informed by the parent in writing prior to the Troop activity (e.g., a note on the permission slip for that activity).

II. Troop Committee Responsibilities

1. Troop Committee Organization and Responsibilities.
The troop committee is the troop's board of directors and supports the troop program. The troop committee responsibilities include the following:

a. Ensures that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained. If the Scoutmaster is unable to serve, a replacement is recruited.
b. Provides adequate meeting facilities.
c. Advises the chartering organization on policies relating to Boy Scouting and troop activities.
d. Supports leaders in carrying out the program.
e. Is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements to support troop
functions in line with the approved budget plan.
f. Ensures the troop has an outdoor program (minimum 10 days and nights per year).
g. Serves on boards of review.
h. Supports the Scoutmaster in working with individual boys, maintaining discipline and solving problems that may affect the overall troop program.

2. Elected Offices:
Key Committee Positions include the following:

a. Troop Committee Chairman
b. Treasurer
c. Secretary
d. Outdoor Program Coordinator
e. Advancement Coordinator
f. Fund-Raising Coordinator
g. Membership Coordinator

Persons to fill these positions will be elected at the annual Parents' meeting or by vote of the Troop Committee. There shall be no limit to the number of terms for any of these positions. Any person elected to one of these positions is expected to serve until the following annual Parent's Meeting.

3. Other Committee Positions and Subcommittees.

In addition to the Key Committee Positions, the Troop Committee Chairman will seek persons to carry out numerous other tasks such as: Uniform Exchange, Ceremonies Coordinator, Awards/incentives, Transportation Coordinator, Summer Camp Coordinator, Leader Training Coordinator and Data Processing Coordinator.

4. Committee Meetings.

The Key Committee Officers shall meet regularly to discuss Troop Business. Meetings shall be scheduled by the Troop Committee Chairman who will provide a written agenda. The meetings shall be open to parents, registered members of Troop 53 and non-key Committee officers, however, only the key Committee personnel, as defined in Rule 3 above, will have the authority to vote. A quorum will exist when any four of the seven key committee officers are present. Meetings are permissible without a quorum; however, no matters requiring a vote may be decided.

5. Approval of Expenditure of Funds.

A simple majority vote of the key committee members will be necessary to approve any expenditure of Troop funds beyond the discretionary $50.00 allotted to the Scoutmaster not to exceed $300.00 annually.

6. Expedited Approval.

Should a need arise to obtain committee approval of an expenditure on an expedited basis, the Committee Chairman shall be authorized to contact the other key committee officers by telephone to discuss the matter and conduct a role call vote. In any such instance where a telephone vote has been conducted, the results of that vote shall be ratified at the next regular Committee meeting.

7. Interim Amendments to the By-Laws.

Interim amendments to the By-Laws may be made by majority vote of the key Committee officers after introducing the amendment at one Committee meeting and publishing the proposed amendment in the Troop newsletter or by electronic mail. The amendment will be voted upon at the next committee meeting after the newsletter is distributed. Any interim amendment passed in this manner shall remain in effect only until the next Annual Parents Meeting, at which time a two thirds majority vote will be required to make it permanent.

III. Disciplinary Actions

1. Every Scout is required to live by the Scout Oath and Law at all times when wearing the scout uniform or present at any Troop 53 outing/event. Troop 53 has a "zero tolerance" policy regarding the following behaviors:

a. Bullying, hazing or any action intended to degrade, humiliate, or ridicule any other person or group(s).
b. The use of foul or vulgar language, sexual innuendo racial/ethnic remarks of any kind.
c. Any action deemed to present a safety hazard to others.

It is the discretion of the Scoutmaster and/or the Assistant Scoutmasters to determine if a violation of the zero tolerance policy has occurred. Violations will result in one of the following actions based on the severity of the incident.

a. A verbal reprimand/on the spot correction.
b. Counseling by Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster, to work: out the issue and or correct the behavior.
c. Parents are notified and the Scout is sent home from the activity (including Summer Camp). If this action is necessary the parents/guardians will be required to make arrangements to take custody of the boy. The Troop shall not be liable for any cost involved.
d. Suspension from the Troop. Should this action be taken, The Scoutmaster and the Committee Chair will meet with the parents to determine the boy's future with the Troop.

2. Disciplinary actions will be dealt with in strict confidence. The Scout's Parents will be fully informed of the Issue. Together the Troop Committee, parents and Scoutmaster will work toward a solution.

IV. Scout’s Expenses

1. Fee to Join Troop 53.

The parents of each new Scout registering with Troop 53 shall pay a fee of $20.00. (With the exception of any registered Boy Scout or Webelos Scout transferring into Troop 53, from another troop or pack whose fee will be $16.00). Additionally, as explained below, each Scout and his family will be required to contribute the Prorated Program Fee toward the Troop's operating expenses for the year.

2. Scout Dues.

Dues shall be $1.00 per week and may be paid on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. Dues are non refundable. Troop 53 encourages parents/guardians to have their sons pay their own dues. This will emphasis the 9th point of the Scout Law - A Scout is Thrifty.

Any Scout in arrears by more than $5.00 may be suspended.

3. Scout Uniform.

Parents are responsible for providing their Scout with the following uniform items: Shirt with Flag patch. Scouts rank First Class and above must also have a BSA web belt, BSA Trousers/Shorts, BSA socks and merit badge sash.

Troop 53 attempts to maintain a limited uniform exchange program. Parents and Scouts are encouraged to donate used uniform items to the Troop. (Preferably with the appropriate patches still sewed on.)

4. Summer Camp.

Summer Camp costs approx. $150.00. Each Scout should be encouraged to earn this money himself through participation in Troop fund raisers or by his own enterprise.

5. Outing Cost.

Unless otherwise stated each Scout shall pay $10.00 per campout for food, Admission/Camporee fees, Fuel for troop van etc. These funds shall be collected at the weekly troop meeting prior to the campout / event. Patrols will assume responsibility for purchasing their food for campouts. One person in each Patrol will be assigned to purchase food and will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts.

6. Camping Equipment.

Each Scout is expected to provide their own backpack, mess kit, knife/fork/spoon set, sleeping bag, ground pad, flashlight and necessary personal articles for each outing. Each scout will need to obtain a Backpack as soon as possible. Until a Scout has a backpack he may, based on availability be able to use a pack belonging to the Troop. No Scouts will be allowed to carry gear in paper or plastic bags.

V. Troop Expenses

1. Major Expenses: The Troop shall be responsible for paying the following expenses:

a. Troop Registration (annually).
b. Troop Insurance (annually).
c. Troop equipment (as needed).
d. Advancement badges/pins, merit badges, etc.
e. Summer Camp fee for registered adult leaders.
f. Leadership Training Costs for selected Scouts from the Troop.

2. Routine Expenses: In addition the Troop has ongoing expenses, which are normally paid from the general fund.

a. Office Supplies.
b. Propane and other outing related necessities.
c. Court of Honor Expenses.
d. Copying and Postage expenses.
e. Refreshments for Annual Parents Meeting and Courts of Honor.

VI. Troop Financing and Fund Raising

1. Fund raising sufficient to support the Troop is the responsibility of each Scout and his parent. Each Scout and his family must undertake an obligation to contribute $50.00 annually to enable the Troop to carry out its program. This obligation shall be separate and distinct from a Scout's weekly dues requirement. Scouts may choose to satisfy the obligation by participating in Troop fund-raisers, through their own or their family's contributions or some combination of these alternatives.

The $50.00 obligation shall be divided into quarterly installments; each Scout will be expected to contribute $12.50 on or before the Troop's first meetings in September, December, March and July. This works out to approximately $4.16 per month or $.96 per week. A new Scout joining the Troop will simply start making payments the next due date after he joins.

2. All Scouts in the Troop will be afforded ample opportunities to participate in fund raisers and other projects to earn enough money to meet this requirement and reduce the burden on our scouting families. Fund raising activities shall be supervised by the Fund Raising chairman and will be conducted as needed. These activities may include annual Mum sales, recycling drives, sales of various other items, hike-a-thons, car washes and other activities agreed to by the key Troop Committee officers.

3. Profits from fund raising activities shall be apportioned as follows: until a Scout has satisfied his 50.00 annual contribution obligation, all profits he generates shall be applied to satisfy this requirement. Once he has satisfied that obligation any additional profits he earns will be credited to the troop general fund unless otherwise specified.

VII. Scoutmaster’s Fund

A fund of $50.00 may be maintained by the Scoutmaster out of Troop funds as working capital. This fund shall be replenished by the Treasurer only upon presentation of receipt(s)

VIII. Complaints

All Complaints and /or inquiries shall be directed to the committee Chairman.