Adult Leadership
While the boys run the show at Troop 455, the Scouters (parents & other adults) help make it happen. Parent support and involvement is essential. Unlike the full parent involvement in Cub Scouts, parents are asked to become much less involved with their own child and more within the structure of the troop as a committee member or assistant Scoutmaster. This allows your son the space to grow into a leader in the troop, in the community, and in life.
Each family is expected to volunteer for at least one role (Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Member, or Trip Leader) and serve as a Merit Badge Counselor for at least one badge. We all have personal strengths, training, and careers which make us great mentors. And it’s a wonderful way to get to know the Scouts, grow our community, and support our kids.
The Troop Committee has set expectations that once you choose a role that fits your interests & skills, you will make every effort to complete the ‘required training’ for that position within the next 12 months. Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required for all adults registering with the troop and must be updated every 2 years.
Key Three
The “Key Three” at Troop 455 are the Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chair, and Chartered Organization Representative. Together, these three form the top management team for the troop and help ensure our Scouts have a safe, fun, and educational program.
- Scoutmaster – Adult leader for Troop activities, planning, leadership development and contingencies.
- Troop Committee Chair – Runs Troop Committee meetings, sets agenda & keeps business on track.
- Chartered Organization Representative – Represents Haygood and ensures the troop is aligned with church goals.
| Role | Troop 455 Leader |
|---|---|
| Scoutmaster | Brady Lum |
| Troop Committee Chair | Chad Polk |
| Chartered Organization Representative | Jonathan Lathbury |
Scoutmaster Corp
Assistant Scoutmasters and other adult leaders (Unit Scouter Reserves) work directly with the Scoutmaster and the youth to train Scouts & run the troop.
- Assistant Scoutmasters – Adults who help Scoutmaster deliver Scouting programs. They may be assigned specific program duties, guide patrols & Scout leaders, & fill in for the Scoutmaster as needed. The also serve as Rank Advancement Coordinators, guiding Scouts through certain ranks.
- Unit Scouter Reserves – Helps Scouts plan trips by reserving campgrounds, paying for tickets, arranging carpools, etc. Attends Troop Committee to describe trip plans & then results of trip.
| Role | Troop 455 Leader |
|---|---|
| Scoutmaster | Brady Lum |
| Assistant Scoutmasters | David Cox David Mallet Ravenal McCrackin Nick Miller John Murlin Brian Pilger |
| Unit Scouter Reserves | Matt Anthony Shelly Hart Alan Strange |
In addition to YPT, all ASM are required to complete the following training courses:
- Boy Scout Leader Specific Training (BSLST, SALT): Online at my.scouting.org or in-person
- Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS / ITOLS): Offered as an outdoor camping experience
- Hazardous Weather: Only offered online at my.scouting.org
Troop Committee
Troop Committee members work behind the scenes to handle the business end of the Troop and provide oversight to the programming. The success of the troop depends on a lot of adult volunteers who work behind the scenes to make it all happen. The troop committee is like a steering committee—volunteers who actually handle the business end of running the troop.
- Treasurer – Maintains financials, pays bills, reimburses, & reports status to committee.
- Fundraising – plans and executes money making activities for Troop.
- Communications – Records meeting minutes & manages troop communications / website
- Outdoor Activities – Assists with the securing of necessary facilities, transportation, access to activity locations.
- Adult Training – Assists adults with attaining and staying up to date with mandatory trainings.
- Advancement – Guides Scouts through rank & merit badge attainment. Records achievements in ScoutBook.
- Equipment – Manages Troop’s equipment and physical resources with Scouts
- New Family Liaison – Welcomes new families to the troop, assists with startup / transition
- Court of Honor Coordinator – Arranges Courts of Honor catering, decorations, etc.
- Boards of Review Coordinator – Arranges parents to help with monthly Boards of Review
| Role | Troop 455 Leader |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Thomas Heene |
| Fundraising | Open |
| Communications | Emily Fink |
| Outdoor Activities | Open |
| Adult Training | Mickey Smith |
| Advancement | David Moore |
| New Family Coordinator | Open |
| Court of Honor | Open |
In addition to YPT, all Committee Members are required to complete the Troop Committee Position-Specific Training that is available at my.scouting.org.
Trip Leaders
Trip Leaders work with the PLC, Outdoor Activities Chair, the Scoutmaster & ASMs, to plan & coordinate each month’s outing. If you’re new to the troop, serving as a trip leader is a great way to get familiar with how the troop runs and to experience one of the great outings the PLC has planned!
- Report to Troop Committee meetings prior to & during the month of service.
- Attend all Troop meetings during the month of service, as facilitator & assistant.
- Guide Scouts in planning outings, lessons & training.
- Coordinate adult support to make outing successful.
The adult trip leader works together with the designated youth leader to fill out the outing plan, which helps ensure the outing is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
All trip leaders are must complete YPT and keep it current.
Merit Badge Counselors
Merit badge counselors are the key to success in the merit badge plan. They offer their time, experience, and knowledge to help guide Scouts in one or more of the merit badge subjects. The counselor’s responsibility is to:
- Assist the Scout as s/he plans the assigned projects and activities to meet the requirements.
- Coach Scouts through interviews and demonstrations on how to do the required skills.
- Certify the Scout after determining whether s/he is qualified for the merit badge.
Becoming a Merit Badge Counselor
There are four steps for a new MBC to register with BSA and begin merit badge counseling:
- Complete Online Youth Protection Training (YPT): To become a merit badge counselor, a volunteer must complete Youth Protection Training (YPT) which can be found on My.Scouting.org. Once complete, you will be offered the opportunity to print a completion certificate. Please print it as you must submit this proof of completion with your application to be a merit badge counselor. It is also a good idea to save a copy to your desktop.
- Complete the BSA Adult Leader Application. Having completed Youth Protection Training, you need to complete a new adult application. This form is required in addition to your current registration with your unit or District. Please pay special attention to filling in the “Scouting position title” as “Merit Badge Counselor – Your District Name,” and the “Position Code” as “42”. The signature block for the chartered organization representative does not have to be signed. That approval is for a unit. Do not forget to answer the screening questions 1-6 on the right side of the application. Without answers to these questions, your application cannot be processed. The adult application must be submitted with the Merit Badge Counselor Information Sheet. NOTE: The entire application form must be filled in and signed, including the Disclosure/Authorization page located near the end of the form. All applicants and currently Registered Scouters go through a background check – as noted and authorized on the Disclosure/Authorization page of the Adult Application form.
- Complete the Merit Badge Counselor Information Form. This form is used by the District to know which merit badges you want to teach, to show why you are qualified to teach the listed merit badges, and to approve your request. Before filling it out, read both sides of the form. If you have any questions or need assistance, please talk with your unit MB coordinator, the District MB Dean, or the District Advancement Chair.
- Turn in all the paperwork. Turn in the completed forms to our Merit Badge Coordinator who will provide them to the District Merit Badge Dean for review and approval of the requested merit badges. The district advancement team will then provide the approved paperwork to our registrars for processing. Please DO NOT take a completed merit badge counselor application package directly to the council office, or give it to your District Executive. Since the council has delegated the responsibility of maintaining the list of counselors to the districts, the district advancement committee keeps track of what merit badges approved counselors are authorized to counsel. Once the district advancement committee has approved you as a counselor, you may work with Scouts on the designated merit badges as long as your Youth Protection Training certificate remains current.
- Get Trained. The troop suggests you take the MB Counselor Training Online Course (30-45 min) you complete this training within 12 months. There are also other training courses you can take at my.scouting.com.
Merit Badge Counselor Registration Considerations
- There is no fee for registering as a merit badge counselor.
- You must be current with Youth Protection Training (YPT) to work with scouts and this training must be completed every two (2) years. Scoutbook tracks your YPT currency. If you become delinquent, you will not show in a search until it is renewed. If your YPT is delinquent at the annual renewal period, January 31 st , you will be dropped from the Council counselor list. Once dropped, you will need to repeat the registration process.
- Several merit badges involve activities for which BSA has implemented strategies to improve safety, improve the Scouts’ experience, and manage risk. These activities often require supervision with specialized qualifications and certifications. Merit Badge counselors who do not meet the specific requirements may use the services of others who do. See the Guide to Advancement paragraph 7.0.1.1 for these merit badges and their requirements.
Useful Links for Merit Badge Counselors
- General BSA Merit Badge Counselor Information
- The Essentials of Merit Badge Counseling
- BSA Merit Badge Information
- MeritBadge.org Wiki Site
- BSA Scouting Forms
Additional Adult Training Opportunities
Adult training opportunities are available throughout the year & Online for required and specialty needs.
CPR Certification: CPR Certification is required for many adult training & some Scout advancement requirements.
COPE/Climbing Instructor Training: Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) and Climbing Instructors deliver programs involving climbing, rappelling & other high ropes elements.
Lifeguard: BSA Certified Lifeguards are necessary for all aquatics activities in the BSA including boating and swimming. The BSA Lifeguard certification is a separate certification from the common Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. These trainings are taught in-person at local Scout Camps and other training facilities.
Merit Badge Counselor Training 30-45 min online course which prepares adults to assist, coach, & certify scout’s completion of badge requirements. Troop requests MBCs complete training within 12 months.
Safe Swim Defense: is the required training for Adult Leaders participating in or supervising all swimming activities. Adult leaders supervising activities afloat must have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous two years. Available online my.scouting.org.
Safety Afloat: Required training for Adult Leaders participating in or supervising all boating activities. Adult leaders supervising activities afloat must have completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two years. Available online at my.scouting.org.
Shooting Sports Training: Specialty trainings available for volunteer range masters who supervise shooting sports events including Archery, BB Guns, Rifles, Shotguns and Pistols. These trainings are offered in-person at local Scout Camps and other training facilities.
Train the Trainer: Train the Trainer Series is a three-part course designed to help leaders conduct training sessions for other leaders. The three Train the Trainer series courses are taught in-person at Volunteer Service Center.
Trek Safely: BSA’s recommended procedure for organizing and carrying out outdoor treks that involve Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers. Trek Safely applies to all types of outdoor experiences that involve trekking, including hiking, backpacking, canoeing, etc. Available online at my.scouting.org
University of Scouting: Annual event where instructors from across the Atlanta Area Council gather to teach over 50 courses ranging from Basic to Supplemental Trainings. The largest training opportunity of the year, Univ of Scouting also includes new & experimental courses that aren’t offered during other times of the year.
Wilderness First Aid: Series of courses designed to train Leaders in how to respond to emergencies on back country and high adventure outings. These courses are taught in-person at local Scout Camps.