All Scouts are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Scout Oath and Law. Scouting is not the place for the use of foul language, bullying, fighting, disrespect or disregard for the instructions of the Troop leaders or any other behavior inconsistent with the Scout Oath and Law.
Insubordination / Disrespect – A Scout shall not be disrespectful, refuse, or fail to comply with directives and reasonable requests of Assistant Scoutmasters, Scoutmasters or any other adult leader.
Profanity/Obscene Language/Inappropriate Gestures –
A Scout shall not use profanity or obscene language, either written
or verbal, in communicating with any other person. Included in this
prohibition, but not limited to, is the use of obscene gestures,
signs, pictures, or publications. Obscenities or profanity directed
at any adult leader either verbally or in writing regardless of the
time or place (during a Scouting event or outside of a Scout event)
may result in suspension from Scouts.
Two- Deep Leadership – At least two adult leaders who are registered in Scouting should be on the job during troop campouts and other outdoor programs. This is not only a policy - it is just common sense.
1. If an incident occurs between a Scout and an
adult leader, the leader who was disrespected will remove himself
(this also refers to female leaders/adults but in the interest of
space, all leaders shall be referred to in the masculine) from the
situation for a cool-out period, he will alert the other leader(s)
about the incident.
2. When the adult has cooled off, in the absence of three leaders,
the two leaders will speak with the boy about the situation. If
there are three leaders, the other two leaders not involved in the
said situation can speak with the boy.
3. The Scout will then have to call his parent(s) to explain the
situation and to have the parent pick him up right away.
4. There will be an automatic two-week suspension from all Scouting
activities from that point on, regardless of whether or not there is
a campout (in which case the family will lose whatever fees have
been paid out) or other extra activity.
5. The Scout will then be place on automatic and non-time limited
probation. If and when the Scout returns and the same behavior
continues, the same procedures as above will be observed, and an
automatic one-month suspension from any and all Scouting activities
will be enforced.
6. If behavior reoccurs after the third offense, then Scout will be
asked to leave Troop 61.
The above consequences can also be visited upon any adult leader
should the adult leader be the offender.
Harassment/Bullying – a Scout shall not harass, intimidate, disparage, incite, provoke, stalk, bully/cyber bully, or threaten any individual at any Scout event , whether at a Scout meeting, or day event, or camp out. For this purpose, harassment or intimidation includes but is not limited to: inappropriate contact, unauthorized touching, slurs, profanity, written information, denigrating remarks or actions, obscene gestures, the wearing or display of insignia sign buttons, clothing, or apparel, or other verbal or physical conduct including, those based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, handicap, age, gender, or sexual orientation that have the purpose or effect of:
(1) causing or intending to cause any other Scout or leader to be reasonably placed in fear of his or her personal safety,
(2) causing or intending to cause a hostile, intimidating , or offensive environment for any other Scout or troop leader,
(3) causing or intending to to cause material disruption of the Scouting process,
(4) unreasonably interfering with a Scout’s performance, or
(5) otherwise unreasonably having a negative impact on a Scouts’ opportunities. A Scout who believes he has been a victim of harassment should report and file a complaint with the patrol leader, senior patrol leader, assistant Scout master or Scout master.
Troop 61 strives to maintain an environment where
all boys will be free from harassment. Troop 61 will not tolerate
harassment of any type whether it is behavior, comment or conduct.
In the event a Scout feels that an unsafe/hazardous condition exists
or if a Scout is injured (physically or mentally) while at a
Scouting event, he shall be required to report such a condition to
his patrol leader.
It is the responsibility of any Scout who is subjected to harassment to inform his patrol leader (follow the chain of command) of the facts regarding such harassment so that the appropriate corrective action may be taken. All incidents of harassment will be taken seriously and investigated in an efficient and expeditious manner. The offending Scout will be informed that an investigation of alleged harassment will be conducted and an appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted.
If a Scout is having a problem with another Scout(s):
1. The boy who is being intimidated shall first
alert the patrol leader.
2. The patrol leader at the discretion of the Scoutmaster can ask
the patrol to come up with an appropriate punishment if it is a
first offense. However, the Scout is expected to by-pass the
standard chain of command and should report to the next higher
leader when the person to whom the Scout would normally report to is
the person who allegedly committed such harassment.
3. If the boy is having a problem with the patrol leader than the
boy may approach the senior patrol leader with the problem.
4. The parent(s) of the offending Scout will be called by the
offending Scout himself to explain his actions and to be picked up.
5. The parents of the Scout who was harassed will also be notified
of the incident.
6. The patrol leader can accompany the boy to seek the assistance of
the Assistant Scoutmaster.
7. The Scoutmaster may be called in.
8. If the conduct continues then the situation can be brought to the
Committee Chair.
If the boys who are opposing are in the same patrol, then they need
to be separated.
Violence-Free Environment
Troop 61 will not tolerate threats or acts of violence and are
committed to providing a safe environment. All Scouts are expected
to treat each other in a friendly, courteous, kind and respectful
manner. Consistent with this policy, threats or acts of physical
violence, including intimidation, harassment and/or coercion which
involve or affect other Scouts will not be tolerated.
Leaders should utilized necessary precautions, including two-deep leadership, supervision at all times, and to protect all Scouts when a threat is made. It is the responsibility of each Scout to report incidents of threats or acts of physical violence of which he is aware to his adult leader.
1. If violence occurs an Assistant Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster
should be immediately notified. The boys involved will be separated.
2. An investigation will immediately take place to see how this
happened and how the situation escalated.
3. The offending Scout will have to call his parents to explain the
situation and to will need to be picked up immediately.
4. The parents of the other Scout will also be notified of the
incident.
5. There will be an automatic two-week suspension of all Scouting
activities and all moneys paid toward camping or any other activity
will not be refunded.
6. The Scout will automatically be put on parole. If another
incident of violence reoccurs, the Scout will be suspended for one
month.
7. If conduct reoccurs a third time after a one-month suspension,
the Scout will be asked to terminate his membership with Troop 61.
Dropping off and picking up Scouts.
The adult leaders will do their utmost to provide a safe and secure
area and environment for the program. Leaders are not responsible
for the boys until fifteen minutes prior to the meeting (6:45 P.M.)
Parents should not drop their children off until this time. If there
is an early arrival, parents must wait with their son until said
time.
Parents need to be aware that they need to physically come in and pick up their children from inside the building. The boys will no longer be allowed to step outside to be picked up by their parents.
It is very important that parents take the two on-line trainings that Simon Kenton Council’s website: www.Scouters.org. Click on training>training courses>
1) Fast Start,
2) Youth Protection.
Please print up the certificates that show on your screen after the completion of each course and give to the Scoutmaster. This is a requirement of Troop 61 that all adults in a Scout’s household complete these trainings.
It is important that the Scouts parents are
knowledgeable of Scouting principles, values, procedures and
processes. It is also a reassurance to other parents that every
adult in the Troop is aware of the aforementioned. Please hand in
these certificates within the first month of membership.