Troop 903 Scouters, Adults, Parents, and Scouts 14 and older:

 Our primary annual fundraising is our concession stand at the University of Maryland home football games.  We make 11% of the net proceeds during each game which we split between the Troop and the Scouts/Parents manning the stand (we usually see how the proceeds are trending and adjust percentage split accordingly).  Manning the stand is FUN!!!  IT is a great place to share in fellowship while earning money for your Scout and the Troop.  The proceeds can help defray the cost of summer camp!  Scouts 14 and older may work in the stand too!

As is our usual practice, we require that every family participate in at least one game each season.  Our contract with the University of Maryland requires that we provide 20 people to man the stand at every home game. Not to worry, we will  training you...we've been doing this for a long time.

 Please note:  The game times are usually made available to me 2 weeks before each game.  This delay is due to TV coverage which is normally made two weeks out from each game.  I will forward start times as soon as I have them.  Report times to Byrd Stadium is three (3) hours before game time

Below is the schedule.  Please sign up for your game now!  The more the merrier!  

Date	Event	Location	# of Volunteers
September 11	Morgan State	B04	20-25
September 25	Florida International	B04	20-25
October 2	Duke	B04	20-25
October 30	Wake Forest	B04	20-25
November 20	Florida State University	B04	20-25
November 27	NC State	B04	20-25

Troop 903

 We have our annual troop leadership and our 6 month patrol leadership elections approaching.  Elections will be conducted at our Troop Meeting on September 2nd.  I have attached the revised Troop 903 Leadership Position Duties and Responsibilities Guide and the Leadership Position Application (click on the link below to download the documents).  Please use this to research and understand the duties and responsibilities for any position which you would like to serve.  There have been some requirement changes to a few positions particularly with respect to age, training, and prior experience.  I have outlined below a summary of what you need to know about the upcoming elections:

 https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0D0a8xEy76RNDRhN2YzMjQtMTc5My00ZWRjLWFmM2MtODc3MmU1MGUwZDg3&hl=en&authkey=CK-JnM4O

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0D0a8xEy76ROTEwYWE2ZjgtY2RlYi00OGI0LWE2ZjgtYjYyMjNlOGI4ZWVk&hl=en&authkey=COGkz8MK

 What do I need to do to be considered for election or appointment?

1.     Review your current rank advancement situation.  What do I need to advance? email the Scoutmaster if you have any questions.

2.     Review the Troop 903 Leadership Position Duties and Responsibilities Guide.

3.     Decide what position you would like to stand for election (SPL and PL) and review the job requirements.

4.     Make sure you have cleared your calendar to attend TYLT on Sept 10-12) 

5.     Fill out the Troop 903 Leadership Application Form.  Pick three choices, Scout signs and Parent signs.

6.     Send to Scoutmaster no later than the troop meeting of August 26 (this is our first troop meeting).  You can fill it out in MS Word and email to the Scoutmaster)

7.     If you are interested in standing for election to SPL, please make sure you read the requirements.  If you are interested in being considered for SPL, you MUST email me your application no later than Friday August 27th.

8.     The Scoutmaster will review the Scout's participation history.  Only active Scouts will be considered for leadership election or appointment.

9.     IMPORTANT:  IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT.

10.  Patrol Leaders Council Meetings are the 1st Monday of every month unless noted otherwise.  The first meeting is Tuesday, September 7th, at 7:00pm at Mr. Simmons House (snacks and refreshments are served).

 What positions are elected and what is their term?

Senior Patrol Leader (elected by Troop for 1 year) (Requirements change see attachment)

Patrol Leader (elected by Patrol for 6 months)

 What positions are appointed, by whom are they appointed and for what term?

Note:  all SPL appointments are with the advice and consent of the Scoutmasters.

 Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (appointed by SPL, 1 year)

Troop Scribe (appointed by SPL, 6 months) (Requirements change see attachment)

Assistant Patrol Leader (by the PL, 6 months)

Junior Assistant Scout Master (appointed by Scoutmaster, term is indefinite)

Troop Order of the Arrow Representative (must me a member of OA, appointed by SPL, 1 year typically)

Den Chief (appointed by Scoutmaster, 1 year)

Instructor (appointed by Scoutmaster, 6 months)

Troop Guide (appointed by Scoutmaster, 1 year)

Chaplains Aide (appointed by SPL, 6 months)

Troop Historian (appointed by SPL, 6 months)

Troop Librarian (appointed by SPL, 6 months)

Troop Quartermaster (appointed by SPL, 6 months)

 
Why are some positions appointed?

All Scout ranks above 1st Class require 6 months of service in a position of leadership. If all leadership positions were elected positions it could be theoretically possible that some Scouts would be prevented from advancement in rank if they were never elected to a leadershipposition.  It is the SPL's and Scoutmaster's responsibility to create the appropriate leadership opportunities for those interested in rank advancement.  Please note: Only positions above that of Patrol Leader qualify.  So, as an example Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Quartermaster, and Patrol Scribe do not qualify as leadership positions for rank advancement.  However, these positions are important in order to get the training and experience in order to become an effective leader in future positions.

 Leadership Training

Make sure you read the training requirements for all positions that you may be seeking. In particular, please read the new section of the Guide titled "Leadership Training."  All positions whether elected or appointed REQUIRE attendance at Troop Youth Leadership Training (TYLT).  In the past, attendance has been manditory but many officers did not attend.  Before you commit to standing for election or appointment, please make sure that you have cleared your calendar in order to attend TYLT.

 TYLT Dates:  Friday, September 10 @ 6:00 PM to Sunday, September 12 @ 11:00 PM

 For those Scouts interested in advanced leadership training and particularly those that are interested in rising to the office of Senior Patrol Leader, they should plan on attending National Youth Leadership Training, also called Impeesa.  Again, please read the new section in the attached Guide. Also note the annual Troop 903 NYLT Scholarship in the attached Guide.  This scholarship is typically awarded in the Spring of each year.