Weekly Troop Meetings

 

Responsibilities of the Opening, Demo & Closing Patrols

OPENING PATROL:

           PRIOR to the Troop meeting (BEFORE to 7pm):
                      1.  Sweep the stairs leading to the Scout Hall
                      2.  Put out the Troop Flag and American flag at the front of the Scout Hall.
                      3.  Obtain a candle and match for opening remarks
                      4.  Write/Prepare the opening remarks before meeting is called to attention.

           DURING the Troop meeting: 
                      5.  Perform Opening Ceremony:
                                 -Light the candle
                                 -Signal for the Scout Hall Lights to be dimmed by saying “Lights”
                                 -Read the prepared Opening Remarks, utilizing the lit candle
                                 -Signal for the Scout Hall Lights to be lit by saying “Lights”
                                 -Signal for the Troop to give the “Scout Sign”
                                 -Say “Scout Oath” then repeat the Scout Oath with the Troop
                                 -Say “Scout Law” then repeat the Scout Law with the Troop
                                 -Say “Scout Motto” then repeat the Scout Motto with the Troop
                                 -Say “Scout Slogan” then repeat the Scout Slogan with the Troop
                                 -Say “Two” to signal the Troop to lower their scout sign
                                 -Say “Scouts turn and pledge allegiance to the flag” then repeat the The Pledge of Allegiance.

DEMONSTRATION PATROL:

           1.  What is a Demonstration (Demo)?

                      Demonstrations (Demos) are just that: a demonstration of knowledge or skills, an activity, a
                      merit badge or some other educational/interesting display of information.  Over the years
                      Demos in Troop 109 have taken many formats and covered countless topics. Obviously they
                      are generally scout related, but sometimes a demo is put on just for fun or as a reward for
                      the scouts if they perform well at a scouting activity or display superior scout spirit.

           2.  How long should a Demo last?: 

                      Demos should last approximately 45—60 minutes per meeting.  BUT…
                      ...SOME demos may require multiple meetings to complete the task(s).  The size and scope
                      of the Demo subject will dictate how many meetings a Demo will require.  Consult with the
                      Senior Patrol Leader and Adult Leadership for more details.
                      Generally, a particular patrol is assigned the “Demo Patrol” Duty for a given month or more.

           3.  When and How should a Demo be planned?

                      ALL Demos should be proposed and planned prior to the actual meeting(s); ideally a month
                      or more in advance to prepare something that is INTERESTING and FUN.  An ideal time to
                      plan demos is at the monthly Greenbar meetings PRIOR to the demo.  Utilize this time to
                      consult with the Senior Patrol Leader and the Adult Leaders about your demo idea(s). 
                      Ideas from Parents and relatives are welcomes, BUT the idea must be planned, organized
                      and executed primarily by the scout(s) in the Demo Patrol.
          
                      Some Important Guidelines & Tips for planning and executing a Successful Demo:
          
                      A.  Consider the themes of upcoming camping trips & activities.
                      B.  Merit Badges that can be completed or nearly completed during demo time (typically
                      some work will need to be done outside of the meeting to complete all requirements for a
                      merit badge)
                      C.  Interesting guests with interesting achievements, backgrounds or stories.  Invite guests
                      such as merit badge counselors, knowledgeable people or dignitaries to speak or put on a
                      presentation.
                      You will need to introduce these people and make arrangements for them to appear at the
                      meeting; YOU MUST NOTIFY THE SCOUTMASTER AND CLEAR ALL GUESTS WELL IN
                      ADVANCE OF THE MEETING THEY ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND.  
                      If you need help.....ask!
                      D.  Involve the Bat Patrol, the SPL and his Assistants should be an integral part of the
                      process and be in the loop AT ALL TIMES. Let them know prior to the meeting that you will
                      need them so they may brush up on skills if need be.

           4.  More Questions?

                      If you need help with a demo at any stage of the process....use the chain of command: 
                      ASK your Senior Patrol Leader, and/or the Adult Leaders!

CLOSING PATROL:

           PRIOR the end of the meeting:
                      1.  Obtain a candle and match for closing remarks
                      2.  Have closing remarks prepared BEFORE lining up for the end of the meeting
           DURING the Troop meeting: 
                      3.  Perform Closing Ceremony:
                                 -Light the candle
                                 -Signal for the Scout Hall Lights to be dimmed by saying “Lights”
                                 -Read the prepared Closing Remarks, utilizing the lit candle
                                 -Signal for the Scout Hall Lights to be lit by saying “Lights”
                                 -Signal for “Troop Rest on Staves” and rest on your stave
                                 -Say “Scout Benediction” then repeat the Scout Benediction

           AFTER the meeting:
                      4.  Put the Troop & American flags away
                      5.  Sweep the entire floor, put the dirt and debris in the trash basket.
                      6.  Empty the trash into the dumpster.
                      7.  Make sure that all staves, chairs, coat hangers, materials from demo, notebooks, scout
                      books, etc. are picked up or put away in their proper places.*

                      *Staves, demo materials, etc. ARE the responsibility of the given patrol; however your
                      duty as closing patrol is to make sure that the Scout Hall is clean and orderly when we
                      leave and that any forgotten items are put in their proper places.

A little more about openings and closings:

           -Opening patrol should plan to arrive about 15 minutes prior to 7pm to ensure everything is in
           order for a prompt start to the meeting.
           -Likewise, the Closing patrol should plan to stay 15 minutes later than the end of the meeting to
           perform their duties.
           -Opening and Closing Remarks should be kept fairly short and can be about a wide variety of scout
           related material (look in your scout handbook). Whomever will be reading the opening or closing
           MUST preview it prior to getting up in front of everyone to ensure they can read, understand, and
           pronounce all words.
           -During a Parent's Night the patrol leader should read the opening or closing
-During Parents Night Opening: ask the parents to "Please rise" for the pledge of allegiance.