Final Draft, #10, November 23, 2021

 
From: David Sargent

Membership Chair and Training Chair Troop 373

Re: Interaction between the current Boy Troop, Troop 373B, and the future Girl Troop 373G.

Troop 373G will start in March of 2022, with about 5 to 10 girls, in one patrol.  

The amount of interaction between the current Boy Troop, Troop 373B, and the future All Female Scouts BSA Troop 373G is outlined here.

This outlines the maximum interaction between the two Troops but is subject to change and can be modified and amended as warranted. Female Troop 373G may want less interaction than what is listed in this guide. Troop 373G Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) can vote to accept or reject what is offered to Troop 373G below. Troop 373G is an independent Female Scouts BSA Troop.

Any questions, feedback and concerns should be taken to Dave Sargent cell 626-533-7523 email davejsargent@gmail.com.

This document is being made with the following in consideration:

1) BSA has things that are required, must be done.

2) BSA has things that cannot be done or is prohibited.

3) BSA has things that are allowed, but are up for discussion by the Troops.

4) BSA has things called "Best Practices". This is the way BSA would like Troops to be run, but are not hard policies like #1 and #2.

5) Troops can also make "Best Practices", so long as they do not conflict with the above.

"Separate" means the Troops will not share this program, and most not open to debate, unless noted. Boy Troops and Girl Troops that have the same host charter organization are called "linked" Troops. Christ Church Sierra Madre hosts the two Troops and Pack 373.

 
In a year or as needed the policies can be evaluated and changed if needed and warranted.

 
Programs:

 

Opening Flags: BSA policy is that joint opening ceremonies is allowed.

It is proposed joint every other month, but not more than six times a year.

 
The dates of the joint opening ceremonies will be posted on the Troop calendar, so Troop 373B Scouts can come late if they wish to miss this opening. Or come early if they would like interaction and participate.

 
The proposal to have joint openings each week has received very negative feedback. It is agreed that boys would not have full boy fellowship time each week. Girls would not have full girl fellowship time each week. So therefore an every week proposal has been rejected. It has been requested to have once a month joint openings. This is to be evaluated later, after evaluating the joint openings.

 
Troop 373G PLC can vote to accept or reject the option that will be offered to them.

 

Other parts of the Troop 373B meeting (games, teaching, patrol corners and a like): Separate. BSA policy is only the opening can be joint. All other parts must be separate.

 

Meeting Spot: Separate.

At this time the rear New Life Center is the T373 G meeting spot. Meetings are on Mondays at 7pm. Meeting spot may move to the south campus at a later date.

 

Scoutmaster and Committee Chair: Separate.

 

Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review: Separate.

 

PLC: Separate.

 

Parent Meetings: Separate.

 

Backpack Trip: Separate.

 

Summer Camp: Separate.

 

Campfire Program: Separate.

 

Hikes: Separate. (Allowed by BSA)

 

Camporee: Separate. (T373G, if they want to go to Camporee are on their own. It is the same SGVD Camporee, just nothing to do with T373B.)

 

Troop Aquatics: Separate.       (Allowed by BSA, with some rules, but not offered by Troop 373B)

 

Christmas Party: Separate.   (Allowed by BSA, but not offered by Troop 373B)

 

Committee Members: BSA policy is the two separate Troops may share Committee Members.

 

Merit Badge Classes: Joint. Open to both Troops. Separate seating area. (If attending Troop 373G must have female leader or guardian present.) Most schools are open to both boys and girls, so merit badge classes also are open to both Troops.

 

Court of Honor ("COH"):  Joint or separate. BSA policy is that joint COHs are allowed. No fixed T373 policy yet.

Proposed and approved: Let Troop 373G attend some Boy COHs, so they can learn and see how COHs function. The Troops can also then evaluate the joint COHs. Then later Troop 373G can host their own COHs if they wish. The two Troops would not have separate COHs on the same day and time.

 

Gear: Separate and joint. Troop 373G will have its own Patrol Box (later maybe boxes) and own tents to use. Other gear may be shared if available. Troop 373G would work on getting its own gear and storage of the gear.

Campouts: Separate.

But BSA does allow for this proposal: Troop 373G can join current Troop 373B campout two times a year. But the campout must be able to provide enough separation between the two Troops. If a group camp site, the site must be large enough for the two Troops to have physical separation of the two Troops or two separate group site. Troop 373G must have Female leaders at the camp. For a non-group campout, there is usually a group of campsites reserved close to each other. In this case, Troop 373G could have a campsite reserved that is some physical distance from Troop 373B. In both cases the Troop 373G Patrol Box and tents could be carried to the Troop 373G site for Troop 373G use. BSA policy is no co-ed camping, campsites cannot be next to one another.

 

In all cases the camp layout and amenities must meet all the requirements of BSA policy, including privacy and separate accommodations, no exceptions or deviations.

This would mean a minimum of no less than 200 feet between campsites.

The Troop 373G PLC can vote to accept or reject the option that maybe offered to them. If agreed it is required that all parents of both Troops to be informed of this camp out and the separation details.

 

Fundraising: Policy to be set depending on the event. Leaders and Parent committee, PLCs to work out interaction, if any. (If allowed Troop 373G must have Female leader present.)

Pancake Breakfast: No fixed policy yet.

Mistletoe: No fixed policy yet.

Popcorn storefront: No fixed policy yet.

Popcorn Order sheets: Separate

Other Fundraising: No fixed policy yet

 

Leadership Training classes: No fixed policy yet. PLCs can vote with guidance of Leaders.

Service Projects: No fixed policy yet. (Policy to be set depending on the event. Leaders and Parent committee to work out interaction, if any.)

Eagle Projects: Separate or joint. This is up to Youth Leader of project.

Memorial Day Flags: Joint Proposed: Troop 373G given its own area to support.

November Sierra Madre Winter Service Project: No fixed policy yet.

 

Parade: Joint. (Troop 373G must have Female leader present or guardian.)  Proposed Joint, as this has always been a family event.

 

Feb. Unknown Scout Ceremony: Joint. (Troop 373G must have Female leader or guardian present.) Proposed: Girls would have their own patrol at event, with Troop373G flag.

 

Instructors: Troop 373B may offer Troop 373B instructors to help teach scout skills to Troop 373G. These Instructors must be Seniors Scouts (Star or Life Scouts) that demonstrate maturity and are trustworthy. The Scoutmaster must approve these Instructors. An Instructor may freely decline the offer to teach in Troop 373G. Teaching of Scout skills would be for a limited time, 5 to 20 minuets. . (If allowed Troop 373G must have a female parent or guardian present). Troop 373G PLC can vote to accept or reject the Instructors offered. Once T373G has Seniors Female Scouts the offer of instructors will not be needed. Once Troop 373G has Seniors Scouts to teach this offer can be removed. Goal would be one year after start in March of 2023.

New events added as needed or warranted. Policy set after checking BSA policy and then open for debate, if BSA policy allowed.

 

Approved by both Scoutmasters, both Committee Chairs and Troop373B Senior Patrol Leader in November of 2021.