ORGANIZATION
Origin of the Boy Scouts of America.
In the beginning of 1910 the idea of introducing the Boy Scout Movement along lines similar to those of the English Boy Scouts, which had been organized in 1907 and developed. under the personal supervision of Lieutenant-General Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, was first proposed by Mr. W. D. Boyce of Chicago. Prior to this time a number of troops had been started in various parts of the country by men who had been impressed with the possibilities of the scheme, through reading Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Baden-Powell’s English handbook, “Scouting for Boys.” It is significant that Mr. Boyce’s interest was occasioned because of an actual service rendered him in true Scout spirit by a London Boy Scout, who because of his obligation to do a good turn daily and the rule against the acceptance of tips, greatly astonished and impressed Mr. Boyce. After the conference with Sir Robert Baden-Powell he secured the coöperation of friends in Washington, D. C., and proceeded to incorporate an organization of the Boy Scouts of America under the laws of the District of Columbia. This was effectively accomplished on February 8th, 1910. Headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America were temporarily established at 124 East 28th Street, with the coöperation of representatives from a number of National organizations having headquarters in New York City.
Growth and Development.
Simultaneously with this effort, other organizations established National Headquarters for themselves. Happily, however, before the middle of July, 1910, all of these organizations with the exception of the American Boy Scouts merged with the Boy Scouts of America. It was largely through the efforts of Mr. Edgar M. Robinson that the different organizations were brought together. From the very beginning he saw the possibilities of the Scout movement; his wide experience in boys’ work enabled him to give wise counsel in his endeavor to have the movement inaugurated under satisfactory conditions. The continuance of the American Boy Scouts in the field proved to be a source of embarrassment and greatly retarded the proper development of the movement in this country. Furthermore it was one of the important factors in causing a misunderstanding as to the true aims and purposes of the movement because so much emphasis was placed by the American Boy Scouts upon military drill and training.
Through the influence of Adjutant-General Verbeck, one of the National Scout Commissioners, the National Scouts disbanded early in the year.
The National Council.
Early in the summer of 1910, it was deemed wise to secure for the movement a more representative and substantial backing. A conference was called of representatives from all existing organizations who might be interested in the development of this new organization. As a result of this meeting, at which thirty different existing organizations were represented, a committee on permanent Organization was appointed. This committee consisted of Ernest Thompson Seton, Chairman; Lee F. Hanmer, Secretary; George D. Pratt, Treasurer; Dr. Luther H. Gulick, Jacob A. Riis, Edgar M. Robinson, Colin H. Livingstone, Daniel Carter Beard, Adjutant-General William Verbeck and Col. Peter S. Bomus. As a result of the deliberations of this committee a working plan of the present organization was developed. This puts the administration of the Boy Scouts of America as an association in the hands of a National Council working through an Executive Board. This National Council is composed of representative and prominent men who are selected for their positions by Local Councils throughout the country. Each member pays an annual membership fee of at least five dollars a year. The officers of this National Council are an Honorary President, two Honorary Vice-Presidents, a President, five Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer. There are also a National Scout Commissioner and a Chief Scout who are honorary members of all standing committees.
Fortunately, about this time, the infant organization was honored by a visit from Lieutenant-General Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell. A dinner was arranged at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The presence of the General and the publicity gained did much to focus the attention of the American people on the organization as the real organization of the Boy Scout movement in this country.
Early Definite Accomplishments.
The demand for information from all parts of the country compelled the hasty production of a mass of literature giving an outline of the movement. Six bulletins were written and a revised edition of the English handbook for boys hastily prepared under the direction of Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton. The organization will ever be under obligation to Mr. Seton for his unremitting zeal and effort to produce this book and for his willingness to send it out in an uncompleted form in order to meet the insistent requests from the field.
President Taft cordially consented to serve as Honorary President of the organization and Col. Theodore Roosevelt as Honorary Vice-President. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and Honorable Gifford Pinchot have become more closely identified with the movement by accepting membership on the chief scout staff, Colonel Roosevelt as Chief Scout Citizen and Mr. Pinchot as Chief Scout Woodsman. Other men of national reputation accepted membership on the National Council. An unusual group of efficient men consented to serve as members of the Executive Board. They not only gave freely of their money but generously gave much time at this important period in the development of the Movement.
Beginning January 1st, 1911, permanent headquarters were secured in the Fifth Avenue Building and an executive officer was employed. The first meeting of the National Council was held February 14th and 15th at Washington, D. C. The members assembled in the East Room of the White House and were addressed by President Taft. In connection with the meeting of the National Council, there was a conference of Scout Masters and Scout Commissioners.
The Executive Board and Its Duties.
At each annual meeting the National Council elects an Executive Board of eighteen members, who have immediate charge of all the business of the organization. This Board, having also legislative powers, makes its own rules, grants charters to Local Councils and credentials to Scout Commissioners and Scout Masters, copyrights badges, insignia, and other scout designs, arranges for their manufacture and distribution, selects designs for uniforms and scout equipment, and appoints an executive officer or Chief Scout Executive and such other officers and employees as may seem desirable.
National Headquarters.
These latter officers and employees have charge of the bulk of the national business of the organization and the routine work of the National Headquarters. They hold their positions at the pleasure of the Executive Board.
The Chief Scout and His Staff.
Also upon the recommendation of the Executive Board, the National Council elects a Chief Scout, who is the honorary head of the organization. He appoints and is the active director of his own staff, made up of experts on the different phases of Scouting. This staff consists of the Chief Scout offices of Surgeon, Woodman, Stalker, Camp Master, Citizen, Director of Health, Director of Athletics and Director of Chivalry. These officers are appointed with the approval of the Executive Board, and are specifically charged with the development of the Scout programs.
The National Scout Commissioner and Staff.
The National Scout Commissioner is the head of a staff of official representatives of the various national organizations engaged in work with boys and also interested in the Scout program. The Commissioner and his staff adapt the activities to the needs of the groups represented, and work for the development of a high grade of leadership in boys’ work.
The Community and the Local Council.
The promotion of the Boy Scout Movement is essentially a community enterprise. It is the community’s opportunity to reach the boy with corrective influences for character-building and good citizenship. To give the work proper direction, a governing committee, known as the Local Council, is needed in each community where Scouting is developed. Like the National Council these are composed of men who are seeking for the boys of the community the very best things possible, and who are representative of all community interests. The Local Council, through Scouting, makes a valuable asset of the boy; it makes him coöperative in promoting the interest of the community and places a value on the minority years of his citizenship life; it is proof of the community’s interest in the healthful, normal, mental and moral development of its boys.
Organization Policies
In proceeding with the organization of Local Councils, the committee should observe closely the following policies outlined by the National Council:
1. The boundaries of a town, city or county council shall be determined by the boundaries adopted by such town, city or county for political purposes.
2. Any village or town just outside of or adjoining a city having a Local Council may affiliate with such Local Council by making application to the National Council to do so.
3. Charters for county councils are granted with the understanding that such councils have no jurisdiction over any city council already organized within the county and further that the right is reserved by the National Council to grant separate charters to any other city within the county when in its judgment it is for the best interest of the Scout movement to do so.
4. The National Council reserves the right to authorize the establishment of provisional Local Councils for territories larger than one county, such Councils to be recognized as provisional and temporary in character; and that any county, town or city within such provisional area may have the privilege of withdrawing from this temporary organization upon the approval of the National Council.
5. It is the conviction of the National Council that any federation of Local Councils and the formation of district organizations at this time would not be for the best interests of the Scout movement, and that it would be unwise at the present time to authorize the formation of state organizations in any part of the country.
Methods of Organization of Local Councils.
In order to understand thoroughly the duties and activities of the Local Council, it is needful to know how such a council is organized. A small group of six or seven men who believe in the scout idea and wish to start the movement in their community, should meet as a “Committee of Organization,” to take such steps as are necessary to awaken an interest in the movement, and bring about the regular organization of a Local Council. Details of the plan to be pursued should be carefully considered, and the work divided among the men present. In proceeding to organize a Local Council, the following steps must be emphasized: —
The Publicity Campaign.
First — The necessity for a community-wide publicity campaign in an effort to inform the public generally about the Scout Movement is all-important. This may be accomplished through the medium of the local newspapers, by personal interviews and, by public addresses. Newspaper articles may be written, outlining the general scope of the Boy Scout Movement, stating its aim and objects, and its relation to other institutions; also showing the opportunity it presents a community to interest boys in character-building activities and make them an asset in city life. It should be clearly stated in newspapers and interviews that the Boy Scout Movement is not antagonistic to any civic enterprise, but rather seeks to coöperate with all other good movements in the interest of the boy. The Movement is wholly non-sectarian and plans to work with every sect and creed alike; it is non-military, and seeks to promote Peace Scouting and to develop educational character-building for good citizenship. It is wholly non-partisan. It cannot favor one interest against another and cannot countenance interference on any debatable questions, whether social, religious or political. It seeks to make the boy a more useful and appreciative son to his parents or to those to whom he owes his home comforts, a more diligent and obedient student in his school life, a more valuable aid to the community in promoting its material progress and protection, and a more efficient and better prepared young man in development for future citizenship and the pleasures and hardships of mature existence.
Coöperation with Other Interests.
By personal interviews, the committee on organization should seek to enlist the interest and coöperation of the principals and superintendents of public and private schools, representatives of churches, Sunday Schools, boys’ clubs (both denominational and undenominational) directors of playground associations, settlement houses, etc, and wherever possible, should endeavor to present the work by addresses in churches, schools, city clubs, or other organizations interested in the welfare of boys. Suggestive material for newspaper articles and lantern slides for illustrated lectures are always gladly furnished by National Headquarters.
Membership of Representative Citizens.
Second — A selected list of representative citizens should be interviewed to obtain their consent to serve as members of the Local Council. All different creeds and sects should be recognized and all organizations dealing and working with boy-life should be represented. In case any such organization or institution forms a troop to carry out the Boy Scout program and uses the name of the Boy Scouts of America, such organization should be invited to designate an adult representative other than the Scout Master to serve as a member of the Local Council. Such an organization should be in honor bound to have its troop and Scout Master conform to the regulations made by the Local and National Councils. The following is a list of some of the sources from which to select members of the Local Council: — civic authorities, boys’ clubs, charity associations, juvenile courts, public schools, Sunday Schools, church clubs, men’s brotherhoods, Young Men’s Hebrew Associations, Young Men’s Catholic Associations, Young Men’s Christian Associations, playground associations, boys’ brigades, social workers’ clubs, medical societies, settlement houses, business and professional men, the Press, the police forces, fire departments, military organizations, and public and private institutions for boys.
Size of the Council.
The number of men composing the Local Council should be determined by the size of the community. In a small town there should be at least ten members; larger communities may have from twenty-five to one hundred and fifty or more.
A Constitution.
The committee on organization should further be prepared to submit to the newly organized Council a Constitution and By-Laws for their approval. It is deemed advisable that the following Constitution be adopted without alteration; the By-Laws, however, should be changed to meet local requirements. As a suggestion the following Constitution is herewith submitted: —
SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
For a Local Council of
THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.
ARTICLE I.— NAME.
The name of this organization shall be the ......... Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
ARTICLE II.— OBJECT.
The object of the organization shall be to promote the general welfare of the Boy Scout Movement within the territory specified in the charter granted under the direction and with the coöperation of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
ARTICLE III.— MEMBERSHIP.
This Council shall be composed of ……… members, representing the civic, business, educational, philanthropical, religious, and other interests of the territory as specified.
ARTICLE IV.— OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS.
Section 1. The officers of the Council shall consist of a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and Scout Commissioner.
Section 2. The regular election shall be held at the annual meeting to be held some time during the month of October in each calendar year, and all officers shall serve until the next annual election or until their successors shall have been elected.
Section 3. Any vacancies occurring in the membership of the Local Council or among the offices thereof may be filled temporarily by the Executive Committee, but shall only be filled permanently by action of the Council.
ARTICLE V.— MEETINGS.
Section 1. The Council shall hold at least two stated meetings in each calendar year on the third Tuesday of …….. and ……., and the meeting in …….. shall be the annual meeting of the organization.
Section 2. Due notice of all regular meetings shall be sent to all members of the Council.
Section 3. Special meetings of the Council may be called by the President upon his own authority and shall be called by the President and Secretary upon petition of any five members of the Council, providing that notice in writing be given each member not less than two calendar days before such meeting.
Section 4. A quorum shall be as specified in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI.— COMMITTEES.
Section 1. The standing committees shall be an Executive Committee, a Finance Committee, a Nominating Committee, and a Court of Honor.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Council, who shall serve respectively as chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary of the Committee, together with such other members elected at the regular annual election.
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows: —
(a)To pass upon the qualifications of Scout Masters and Assistant Scout Masters on recommendation of the proper authorities in charge of local troops.
(b)To register troops, patrols, and scouts.
(c)To pass upon recommendations of the Court of Honor to the National Council for the award of badges and other honors.
(d)To recommend ways and means of giving instruction in Scoutcraft to Scout Masters.
Section 3. The Finance Committee shall consist of such members as may be appointed by the President.
Section 4. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members selected by the Executive Board not later than one month before the Annual Meeting.
Section 5. The Court of Honor shall consist of at least three members appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.
It shall be the duty of the Court of Honor: —
(a)To conduct examinations for the various merit badges and such other Scout tests as may be prescribed in the By-Laws.
(b)To investigate and recommend all claims for honor medals or other special awards.
(c)To pass upon appeals made from Scout Masters’ decisions.
ARTICLE VII.— REPRESENTATION ON NATIONAL COUNCIL.
(The article covering this subject should be framed to fit conditions in each case. One representative on the National Council is allowed to each Local Council where there are five or more Scout Masters, with one additional member for each 1,000 enrolled Scouts.)
ARTICLE VIII.— DUES.
Each member of the Local Council shall pay annually the sum of $—— as dues, $I of which shall be transmitted to the Treasurer of the National Council for the work of the national organization with the understanding that each member’ will receive a yearly subscription to the semimonthly bulletin, Scouting and the official magazine, Boys’ Life.
ARTICLE IX.— AMENDMENTS.
This constitution having been adopted in accordance with the charter granted by the National Council may be amended upon motion of the representative of the Local Council at any of the regular meetings of the National Council.
Public Meeting for Plans of Organization.
Third — A public meeting should be arranged for at which the entire plan of organization should be submitted. This meeting should be for adults only. Sufficient notice should be given through the daily papers in order that everyone, who is at all interested in the scout work, may be able to attend and take part. Wherever necessary, special notices should be sent by mail. Greatest care should be exercised both in choosing the date and in the proper selection of a meeting place. The time of the meeting should not conflict with anything else of general interest to the public; and the meeting place ought to be centrally located in order to be available to all parts of the community alike, and should be wholly non-partisan in order not to give cause for prejudice to any class at this very important stage in the development of the work.
Need for a Clear Conception of Purposes and Results
In planning the program of this meeting, everything should be done with a view to giving the people of the community a clear conception of the aims of the Movement and its unusual possibilities for good among boys, so as to enlist their friendship and secure their sympathetic support. The chairman of the meeting should be one of the most representative men available in the community, but preferably not connected with the militia. Military men have greatly aided the Movement with their support, but it is essential because the character of the Movement is Peace Scouting, to have men as officers in the Council who are not connected with the military, so that the ideas of peaceful scouting activity which we seek to promote, may find greater favor and more hearty support in the minds of the general public. Such men are usually very busy, but our greatest American citizens are none too busy to give such service to the boys of their communities, if they can be assured that by serving in this capacity, they will assist in forwarding this work among the boys. Arrangements should be made well in advance to secure an inspiring speaker to give an address on the Boy Scout Movement, which will lead up to the need of a Local Council. It is essential that the speaker be well versed in the principles and methods of the organization, so as to be able to answer questions on this subject. Such a man may be obtained from some adjacent city in which scout work has already been organized or the National Headquarters may be able to assist in securing a speaker. Whenever it is possible the National Headquarters will always be glad to lend such aid.
Purpose of the Meeting.
One of the local men, preferably a member of the “Committee on Organization,” should outline the purpose of the meeting and state fully what steps have been taken to start and develop a scout organization. The nominations of the Committee on Organization for the membership of the Council and its officers should be given, and opportunity extended to those present to submit additional nominations.
Officers of the Local Council and Their Duties.
The officers of the Local Council are a President, from one to five Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Executive Committee of five or more, a Court of Honor of five, and a Scout Commissioner. The duties of the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer are the same as those of similar officers in other organizations. The Executive Committee should consist of these officers and as many more business men as may be necessary for the proper promotion of local affairs. The Court of Honor of a Local Council passes upon the examinations of Scouts for Merit Badges and reports upon such cases through the Scout Commissioner to the National Council. It investigates all cases of life-saving and presents affidavits to the National Court of Honor for the award of Honor Medals. It also acts as a final court to pass judgment on appeals from opinions and decisions of Scout Masters and their Assistants.
The Local Council Charter.
At the earliest date, after the organization of a Local Council and the selection of a Scout Commissioner, application should be made to National Headquarters for a local charter and for the official appointment of the Scout Commissioner. In making this application, a complete list of officers and members of the Local Council should be submitted together with a statement showing what business and religious interests each member represents in the community. All requests for charters should be submitted on a regular application blank which will be supplied by the National Council upon request. Charters when granted are issued for one year and must be renewed annually thereafter.
There are two general classes of Local Councils, based upon the development of the Scout work in the community.
Two Classes of Local Councils
Local Councils are divided into two classes — First and Second Class.
A First Class Council maintains an office and provides the services of one or more employed officials to give all of their time to the promotion of Scout work in that district.
Councils of the Second Class are those organized in communities where the work is not sufficiently developed to make necessary the employment of a Scout Executive to give all of his time to the work.
Each Local Council having five or more registered troops is entitled to elect one representative to the National Council and an additional member for every one thousand boys enrolled as Scouts.
Local Councils shall transmit annually to the National Council a sum equal to at least twenty-five cents for each enrolled Scout as provided for in the membership plan, and a registration fee equal to one dollar for each member of the Local Council and other Scout officials. Such registration fee will entitle each member of the Local Council and other Scout officials to receive the semi-monthly bulletin Scouting and the official magazine Boys’ Life.
National Council.
The National Council is made up of representatives of the Local Councils and such others as are elected in accordance with the articles of incorporation and the Constitution and By-Laws and includes representatives of the various agencies and organizations definitely interested in work for boys, the president and ex-presidents of the United States, the governors of the various states and other men distinguished for achievement in boys’ work or public service.
Each member of the National Council pays an annual membership fee of at least five dollars.
Scout Movement direction and act as the local authority on all Scoutcraft matters. In almost every community there is some man who has had considerable experience in out-of-door life, whose natural qualifications for leadership would commend him for the position of Scout Commissioner.
Scout Executives.
The Scout program has proven practical as a civic enterprise, because, where properly organized, every phase of boy life is being reached by its activities. It is adapting itself not only to the wealthy boys of the community, but to the boys of the slums, to the news-boys and foreign boys alike. It can be successfully introduced and promoted without the expenditure of a large sum of money for equipment and running expenses. A budget of $2000 or more a year will enable any city to set up an effective organization and employ a Scout Executive. It will be seen at once that the cost is infinitesimal compared with the possibilities for good citizenship which the Movement offers.
The Scout Masters, for the most part, are volunteer workers, and when they give one evening a week, with perhaps a Saturday afternoon in addition, to the boys in their care, they cannot be expected to do much original work in the preparation for Scout meetings. They want to feel that there is someone who knows Scoutcraft better than they, to whom they can go for advice and help. If this advice and help is not forthcoming without a great deal of effort on their part, they are likely to become discouraged and give up their scout work. Therefore, while the Scout Commissioner is usually a volunteer worker, it is essential that he should be able to give considerable time to the work, so that it shall have proper supervision. When a Local Council has secured the services of a capable and efficient man to serve as a Scout Commissioner, he should make proper application to National Headquarters for his official commission. Application blanks will be mailed upon request.
The Scout Commissioner and His Duties.
The duties of the Scout Commissioner, who acts as local authority on Scoutcraft and directs the work of the Scout Masters in his community, are really fourfold. He is first of all an executive in his relation to the Local Council. Secondly he acts as the representative of the National Headquarters. In this official capacity he must investigate all applications for Scout Masters’ Certificates, seeing that these are issued only to men of good character whose influence will be uplifting; and he must safeguard the sale of the official badges and uniforms so that only boys who have passed the various Scout examinations receive them. Thirdly, as a leader of Scout Masters he organizes and presides at the Scout Masters’ Council, which should be composed of the officers of the Local Council and the Scout Masters in the community; plans Scout Masters’ meetings; takes the initiative in the promotion and development of new work; outlines courses of instruction for Scout Masters and their patrol leaders; arranges for summer schools for Scout Masters; plan inter-troop meets, games, camps, and in general assists the Scout Masters in putting all the work of the community on a uniform basis. Lastly, the Scout Commissioner acts as an organizer, introducing the scout work in unorganized districts under his jurisdiction, and otherwise continuing the general policy of promotion of the scout work as outlined by the “Committee on Organization,” namely, in keeping up the interest of the public through newspaper articles.
The Scout Executive.
The Scout Executive is the employed officer of the Local Council who devotes his entire time to carrying out the program for Scouting as outlined by the Executive Committee. His duties in the field are defined by the Executive Committee, and he is responsible to the Scout Commissioner for carrying out such activities as may be delegated to him. He should be a man of high ideals and a zealous worker with boys; the employment of such a man has been found absolutely necessary in the larger cities of the country, in order to carry on the work of the district with efficiency and despatch. In some localities, on account of local conditions, the offices of Commissioner and Scout Executive are combined by the vote of the Local Council.
The Scout Master — His Duties and Responsibilities.
The officer of the organization in immediate charge of the boys is the Scout Master. He must be at least twenty-one years of age, and is usually chosen because of good moral character and interest in the development of boys. He should be genuine in his own life, have the natural ability to lead, and should command the boys’ respect and obedience. He need not be an expert on Scoutcraft, but he should at least by personal study and effort seek to keep himself enough in advance of the boys to be prepared on the different topics of study as they are considered in the program; moreover, a good Scout Master will easily progress through his mature comprehension of the work and by his own initiative, and will discover experts to aid him in the various activities. As a leader of the troop, the Scout Master is responsible for its meetings, outings, and general program; he supervises the work of patrol leaders and prepares the members of the troop to take their various scout examinations. He is the representative of the Local Council in charge of a troop, and is responsible to the Council in carrying out the Scout program as outlined in the official “Handbook for Boys,” and for the use of badges, uniforms, and other Scout equipment; but his independence and initiative in his manner of carrying on his work is not to be questioned. It is essential that he consult with the Local Council or Scout Commissioner on every important question that may affect the movement, either locally or nationally.
The Method of Obtaining a Scout Master’s Commission.
A man may apply for commission as Scout Master by filling in properly a blank form similar to that of the Scout Commissioner. This, duly made out, is filed with the Secretary of the Local Council. It is then the duty of the Secretary to bring the application before the Executive Committee of the Local Council for its approval, and, having secured such approval, to send the application to the National Headquarters with a request that a certificate of commission be granted. Where there is no Local Council established, the applicant for the Scout Master’s commission should send the application blank direct to National Headquarters. Then upon proper investigation as to character and reputation of the applicant, the application is passed upon by the Executive Board of the National Council. Blank applications will be mailed at once upon request.
Scout Masters’ commissions are granted for a probationary period of six months, during which time the Scout Master has an opportunity to satisfy himself as to his personal qualifications for the work and demonstrate to the Local Council his ability as a leader of boys. At the expiration of this period the commission may be continued in force for the balance of the year, and thereafter renewed annually upon the recommendation of the Local Council on condition that the Scout Master has kept up an active interest in the work, and has provided the Local Council with such regular reports as may be required.
Assistant Scout Masters.
When the Scout Master cannot give all the time he would like to in the direction of scout work with his troop, and especially where the membership is large and the boys are anxious to meet oftener than the Scout Master can attend, assistance can be secured through the appointment of Assistant Scout Masters. In such case, these Assistants must be at least eighteen years of age, of good moral character, and acceptable to the Scout Master and Local Council. It is the Assistant Scout Master’s duty to take the place of the Scout Master in the latter’s absence, and to carry out the program under his suggestions and direction. Often young men are appointed to such position after they have reached the age of eighteen and have already been First Class Scouts; the step up from one rank to the other is a natural promotion for the energetic and efficient First Class Scout. The Assistant Scout Master fills out an application for commission on a blank very similar in form to that for Scout Masters, and the procedure of application, consideration by the National Executive Board, and appointment by official certificate is the same.
Local Troop Committee.
The organization of a Troop Committee is as important as the selection of a Scout Master. The applicant for the Scout Master’s commission is required to organize a Troop Committee, consisting of three or five representative men of the community, preferably members of the organization with which the troop is connected, to supervise the work of the troop. This Committee should endorse the application of the Scout Master and agree to coöperate with him in carrying out the Scout program should a commission be granted.
The formation of such a committee is of great value in securing permanency to the work. It will be found of great assistance to the Scout Master in determining policies and otherwise advising and aiding him with the work of the troop.
The assurance that three men are to work with the Scout Master throughout the year will add greatly to the success of the work of the troop. It will give added confidence to the parents of the boys and reassure the National Council that the Scout program is being carried out in accordance with the official handbook, thus assuring to the boys the full benefits and pleasure which the Scout program makes possible.
In the event of his resignation as Scout Master, this Troop Committee takes charge of all troop property and directs the work of the troop until such time as they may be able to secure a permanent Scout Master.
Each Troop Committee is entitled to elect one representative to the Local Council.
Troops and Patrols.
The Boy Scouts, themselves, are organized into troops and their subdivisions, the patrols. A patrol consists of eight boys, one of whom becomes the patrol leader, and another the assistant patrol leader. A troop consists of three or more patrols, but preferably three, as that seems to be the most efficient for working purposes, and a Scout Master can do a great deal better work with a small group of boys than with a large one. It is one of the emphatic rules of the National Organization that boys under the age of twelve years must not be enrolled.
Each Boy Scout pays an annual membership fee of twenty-five cents.
Collection of Dues.
Each troop pays annually to the National Council as a registration and membership fee a sum equivalent to twenty-five cents for each boy and Assistant Scout Master enrolled. The minimum registration of a troop is three dollars. However, when there are less than twelve boys enrolled, additional boys may be registered at any time within one year from the date of registration to complete the full quota of twelve boys without the payment of additional dues. If there are more than twelve boys, twenty-five cents additional to the three dollars must be paid for each boy to be enrolled.
Where there is a Local Council this registration is transmitted through the officials of the Council — otherwise it is sent direct to the National Headquarters of the Boy-Scouts of America, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Blanks are provided for this purpose.
From the troop registration fee, one dollar and a quarter is set aside at National Headquarters each year to pay for the registration and certificate of the Scout Master and for one year’s subscription to the semi-monthly bulletin Scouting and the official magazine Boys’ Life. The balance of the fund is used to pay for the registration and certificates for members of the troop and for the expenses of the National Organization. It is recommended that the members of the troop as individuals or collectively earn the money with which to pay their registration fee.
Additional Names.
Blanks are provided for the registration of additional boys who join the troop at any time after the troop has been officially registered. Twenty-five cents per boy is paid for each unless twelve boys were not registered with the original registration.
Troop Affiliations.
Patrols and troops are usually organized in connection with a Sunday School, boys’ club, playground, public school, settlement house, or other local institution. In this case the meeting place is furnished by the organization introducing the Scout work: Under special circumstances and where it is impossible to make use of existing institutions, troops are sometimes organized independently among the boys of the neighborhood. In such case, the first duty of the prospective Scout Master is to secure a club room or meeting place where regular weekly meetings can be held. Better results, however, are generally secured when troops are connected with some well-established institution.
Preliminary Troop Meeting.
When arranging a preliminary meeting for the organization of a troop, publicity should be avoided, as otherwise there will probably be more applicants than can be well managed at the preliminary meetings. It is always best to start with a few boys, preferably a patrol, and develop gradually in size and efficiency. A Scout Master should never begin with more boys than can easily be handled and given the first lessons in Scouting. At this first meeting it will usually be found that a goodly proportion of the boys already know something about Scouting, and therefore they should understand that a troop is to be organized because of their personal interest in the Scouting work. They should be put at ease, and their interest and enthusiasm should be encouraged and developed as much as possible. The method of developing the organization should always be natural rather than artificial. Starting with the knowledge already possessed by the boys and their awakened enthusiasm as a basis upon which to build up the Scout work, the Scout Master should proceed naturally in succeeding meetings to enlarge their interest, so as to include the many other things connected with Scouting.
How to Start.
At the first meeting, after furnishing the boys with application blanks to be filled in and signed by their parents, it is best to arrange for a definite date of meeting for the purpose of definitely organizing patrols. In a number of places it has proved successful to adjourn this second meeting long enough to allow sufficient time for the training of leaders, who will assist with the organization at the next meeting. Suppose there are twenty-four boys at this first meeting. As soon as practicable six of these boys should be selected as leaders and assistants and organized as a Scout Patrol. Then the training of these boys in the Scout principles should be begun at once, preparing them for the Tenderfoot Requirements. When they have successfully passed the examination, the first regular meeting should be called and the whole troop organized into patrols. In this way the twenty-four boys may be formed into three patrols of eight boys each with a trained patrol leader and assistant patrol leader in charge of each. The fact that these leaders have passed the Tenderfoot requirement will give them prestige among the other boys. The leaders should be given real responsibility: they should feel that their special task is to teach, influence, and lead the boys of their patrol. In assigning the boys to the patrols it is advisable to group boys as near the same age as possible, taking into consideration the natural instincts of the boys and their desire for association with one another. This is often a more important factor than age.
Troop Meetings.
It is desirable that troop meetings be held at least twice a month,— for instance, the first and third Fridays of the month. On the intervening Friday nights, the patrols could meet separately either at Scout headquarters or at a Scout’s home, and one afternoon, preferably on a Saturday, be set aside for outdoor Scouting. It is important that the evening meetings should be held on a night that will suit the convenience of most of the boys, and at the same time will not interfere with their regular school work. The Scout Master should be present at these meetings, or, when absent, be represented by a competent Assistant Scout Master. It is dangerous to have Scout meetings without the presence of an efficient adult. It is essential that these meetings be held regularly. Scout meetings should be conducted with order and decorum. The boys should be taught the value of parliamentary law in all of their proceedings. There should be a special method adopted for opening and closing all sessions. Minutes of every meeting should be kept, so that proper reports may be submitted from time to time to the Local Council. Every meeting should have its purpose, so that it may be conducted with profit to the boys.
It is desirable not to take up too much time with instruction. If talks are to be given on First Aid, Signaling, Woodcraft, or any other subject, these talks should not continue longer than fifteen minutes. The rest of the time should be taken up with Scout games or with a social program. A right proportion of reality and romance is essential.
The “Daily Good Turn.”
From the very beginning the importance of the “Daily Good Turn” and the principles of the Scout law should be emphasized. A newly organized troop is apt to be impressed with the pleasurable features of Scouting, and to believe that its chief aim is to have a good time. The boy must be led to realize that much more is expected of a Scout than any other boy in the community, and that he should make himself useful as far as a boy may do so. He should know that there is lots of hard work to be done, and that the harder the work, the more good it will do him and the greater the fun.
The Patrol Leader.
The patrol leader is one of the members of a patrol, and may be selected either by appointment by the Scout Master or elected by the patrol. It is his duty to aid the Scout Master with the work of the patrol, in keeping patrol records of the individual members or in performing such other duties as the Scout Master may require. He is responsible for the discipline of his patrol to the Scout Master, who is his superior officer. In carrying out his work, the patrol leader may have as an assistant one of the other members of his patrol.
The Scout Scribe.
Troop records giving details of the progress of the boys enrolled are invaluable to the Local and National Organizations. A complete set of records should therefore be kept by every troop. Inasmuch as the Scout Master himself may not be able to give the time required in the preparation of data of this kind, it is important that one of the members of the troop be chosen as Scout Scribe or Troop Secretary. Any member elected to such a position may feel proud of the honor conferred upon him by being appointed as the reporter of his troop. At the same time the service he renders will relieve the Scout Master of considerable work and be the means of developing and training one of the members of the troop in business efficiency. This position is of equal importance with that of Patrol Leader or any other officer.
The Scout.
Any boy 12 years of age or over is eligible to become a Scout. He should make application to the Scout Commissioner, who will place him in a troop in the neighborhood in which he lives, or will assist him in organizing a troop among the boys of his neighborhood. The only requirements are that he knows: —
1.The Scout law, sign, salute and significance of thebadge.
2.The composition and history of the national flag and the customary form of respect due to it.
3.Tie four out of the following knots: — Square, reef, sheet bend, bow-line, fishermen’s, sheep-shank, halter, clove hitch, timber hitch, or two half hitches.
The Scout is also required to take the Scout oath.
Things to Remember.
There are several things with which every Scout Master should be familiar in organizing a new troop, namely the official words of caution sent out to each Scout Master through the medium of books, bulletins, and Scout papers from the National Headquarters. These five cautionary measures follow: —
Start Efficiently.
1. In organizing, begin on a small scale. Do not undertake a greater task than can easily be done with credit. It is better to begin Scouting with a few older boys, giving them careful training in the principles of the movement, so that they in turn may render some assistance in promoting the work among other boys.
Keep Correct Age-limit.
2. Do no enroll boys under twelve years of age. They do not stick and will only lessen the interest of the older members who really need what the Scout work can give them. Scouting is a comprehensive plan of activities to enlist and enlarge the interest and to help the development particularly of the adolescent boys; and boys under twelve are generally too young to understand seriously the principles of Scouting or be materially helped by the movement.
Build Strong Impression of Scout Principles.
3. Do not fail to impress upon the boys the importance of the Scout Oath, Scout Laws, and the requirements for the various degrees. While there is some danger in making the examination so hard as to discourage the class of boys who need the work most, yet you must guard against any tendency to make the tests too easy.
4. Do not undertake at the beginning to give the boys everything there is in Scoutcraft. Work out your own plan with the boys from time to time, carefully avoiding a stereotyped form of meeting at each session, and always reserving something of interest for the next meeting.
Urge Ideal of Peace Scouting.
5. The primary object of the Boy Scouts of America is not military, but Peace Scouting and educational character-building for good citizenship.
The Scout Masters’ School.
In every community where two or more troops have been organized it is advisable that a Scout Masters’ Council be formed and that bi-weekly or monthly conferences be held for the discussions of local problems under the direction of the Scout Commissioner. In some cities, schools for Scout Masters have been successfully conducted. Here the Scout Master learns of plans that have met with success in other troops, and gains helpful suggestions about problems that confront him in the conduct of his own work. National Headquarters will be glad to furnish suggestions forth e promotion of such courses or render whatever help may be needed for the solution of local problems.
In the larger cities of the country, leadership training for Scout Masters is provided by means of small district and neighborhood conferences as a more effective method of training the individual Scout Master, in preference to the larger Scout Masters’ meetings, which include all the Scout Masters within the city.
National Anniversary Week.
The week beginning with the eighth day of February has been set apart as Anniversary Week of the Boy Scouts of America. During this week a special program is arranged for the purpose of bringing to the attention of the community the aim and scope of the Scout Movement throughout the United States and other countries.
In presenting the Nation-wide aspect of the work, emphasis is placed upon the possibilities of the Movement in developing the idea of the brotherhood of man and in proving a positive factor in the promotion of universal peace.
During the week a special troop meeting is held at which Scouts are given an opportunity to do one great “Good Turn” for boys who are not Scouts, by making a troop contribution for Boy Scout work in unorganized sections of the country. This contribution usually consists of the regularly weekly dues of the patrol or troop. A special program is furnished each year by the National Council.