Disciplinary Policies and Procedures for Troop 8880
(based on National BSA policies and procedures, and approved by the Troop 8880 Committee after five months of review and revision)
To
provide a safe haven for boys that is of a consistent standard. How Scouts are
disciplined, by whom, when, and where are important issues that must be clearly
established and communicated to all Scouts, parents, and leaders Scouts have a
right to know what consequences are if they break the rules. Scouts who follow the Scout Oath and
Law have a right to expect a Troop that disciplines Scouts who disrupt Troop
programs and activities or threatens the safety or well being of other
Troop members.
1. The following guidelines will be implemented for the resolution of discipline problems:
2. The following actions may be initiated at step number 3, 4, or 5, above. The exact discipline to be administered will be determined by the SPL, JASM, and SM, along with at least one ASM and the Committee Chair in a joint effort.Step No. 1: If a Scout does not comply with a request from a Registered Adult Scout Leader or Junior Leader (elected and appointed Junior Leaders filling leadership positions required for rank advancement in the Troop which include SPL, ASPL, JASM, PL, TG), he will again be politely asked to comply. If the Scout does not comply with the second, or repeated, requests, he will then be taken aside by the ASPL and/or SPL and be told that failure to comply will result in a ÒWrite-UpÓ and a meeting with the Senior Patrol Leader, JASM, and an ASM. The Write-Up will then be forwarded to the SM to be filed for future reference and consideration. A Write-Up can only be issued by an SPL/JASM/ASM/SM who has attended JLT or a training session specific to the Discipline Policy. This will result in what will be called, ÒStrike OneÓ of a ÒThree StrikeÓ Policy.
Step No. 2: If a second incident occurs within three months from the first Write-Up, then the Scout will be written-up again and have a meeting with the SPL, JASM, and ASM. He will then have a ScoutmasterÕs Conference. The Write-UP will again be forwarded to the SM to be filed for future reference and consideration. This will be strike two.
Step No. 3: A third incident within three months of the first Write-Up will result in a third Write-Up. The ScoutÕs parent(s) will also be notified.
Step No. 4: Subsequent incidents within three months from the first Strike will result in additional Write-Ups and Scoutmaster Conferences, depending on the severity of the violations. Additional Strikes will be assessed by the SM based on his judgment and consideration of the facts determined for each case. Each group of three minor incidents in a three month period will generally equate to an additional Strike.
Step No. 5: A Third Strike will lead to possible suspension or dismissal from the Troop. Parent(s) will again be notified and be required to attend a meeting with the Scout, designated ASMs, the SM, and Troop Committee or designated representative from the Committee. The facts related to each incident will be determined based on two or more Adult Leaders interviewing those adults and youths who were witnesses to the incident or events leading up to such events.
1. Fights where another is injured.
2. Any abuse allegations of a Scout by another Scout.
3. Stealing.
4. Drug use or possession (automatic suspension or dismissal, see below).
5. Deliberate destruction of Troop, Personal, Government, or Private Property.
6. Any other major incidents.
3. In addition to the system outlined above, the following consequences may also be used by both Adult and Youth Leaders for discipline in the Troop:
1. TIME OUT: This may take the form of being sent outside from a Troop meeting, taking a Time Out in a tent on a campout, standing on the sidelines during a game, or sitting away from the rest of the Troop Patrol while taking the Time Out. Time Outs should be given in five minute intervals with additional time added if the negative behavior continues. The SM or an ASM should be notified if a Time Out in excess of ten minutes is given. In order for time to be credited towards the Time Out, the Scout must do the Time Out quietly and where asked.
2. WRITE-UPS: Carry out in accordance with the above guidelines.
Write-Ups will be considered like Òdemerits.Ó3. ESSAYS: Leaders may require that an essay be written by the Scout about his own behavior; what he did, why it was wrong, and what he plans to do to correct it. The essay should be related to the Scout Oath and Law. The written essay must be reviewed by the ASPL/SPL/JASM and then given to the SM for filing and reviewing.
4. The following type of actions will result in disciplinary actions according to the procedures set forth earlier in this document.
1. Disruption of meeting time
2. Tardiness
3. Bullying
4. Hazing
5. Disrespect
6. Theft
If a scout demonstrates continual problems with these issues, a suspension may be necessary at the discretion of the Scoutmaster or Committee.
Suspension is the temporary loss of all membership privileges in the troop for a time period to be determined by the Troop Committee. A Scout is not eligible for any advancement during the suspension period. A suspended Scout may be readmitted at the conclusion of the suspension period only after he has submitted a letter to the troop committee, signed by himself and his parents, stating his pledge to meet all troop standards fully.
In some cases, more severe discipline (expulsion) is required when a ScoutÕs behavior within or apart from Troop activities can pose a particular risk to, and jeopardize the safety and well being of others.
The following serious behaviors are specifically contrary to the standards befitting f a scout and will result in immediate expulsion (being defined as permanent loss of all membership privileges in the troop) upon proof of such behavior as determined by the Troop Committee, Scoutmaster, and Charter Representative:
1. Illicit use of drugs, in or out of Scouting
2. Illicit use of alcohol, in or out of Scouting
3. Possession of ingestible substances for which the scout is not of legal age to possess in or out of Scouting
4. Drunkenness or a drunk driving-related incident in or out of Scouting
5. Arriving at a Scout function under the influence of alcohol or any other illegal narcotic
6. Failing a drug test in or out of Scouting
7. The possession or distribution of pornographic material of any form (magazines, videos, pictures, cell phone images, laptop computers, PDAs) in or out of Scouting
8. The use of any substance contrary to its intended purpose (glue, markers, prescription drugs) in an attempt to induce physiological euphoria in or out of Scouting
9. Illegal possession of firearms, explosives, or weapons
10. Making documented terroristic threats or death threats
11. Expulsion or disciplinary action taken at the ScoutÕs school for any of the above items
12. Conviction of criminal, civil, or juvenile crimes by a federal, state, or local authority
The above activities are in complete contradiction to the Scout Oath and Law, and Troop 8880 will not tolerate anything less than the behavior befitting of a Scout in or outside of scouting activities. Troop 8880 recognizes that Scouts are not just Scouts at sanctioned Scouting activities, but every day, and therefore their actions are expected to be in compliance with these policies
at all times. Scouts should understand that membership in Troop 8880 is a privilege not a right.
If a Scout is accused of being violation of any of these policies, the Scoutmasters reserve the right to conduct a search of the ScoutÕs possessions while on any Scouting function. Only Scoutmasters (never youth) have the right to do so, but may be prompted to act on the information provided by youth given the circumstance.
If a Scout is accused of engaging in activities in or out of Scouting that could result in his expulsion, sufficient evidence will need to be provided by the accuser that the charge is in fact accurate. Filing charges proven to be false against a fellow Scout will not be tolerated, and those doing so will be subject to disciplinary action.