How Troop 631 does Scouting (at least as seen by the Troop Chair who does not see everything and needs comments from those who see more ... so if-you-see-something-say-something) is documented so far in the Troop 631 Operating Manual and the links and resources from those pages.

• This includes how functions have been handled and how they might be handled better into the future with greater involvement by more parents.
  
• More resources can be added and connected for future use by those who will lead Troop 631.
• If you have updates or improvements to those pages or other resources here, please email the Webmaster at webmaster@atlanta631.mytroop.us or the Chair at chair@atlanta631.mytroop.us. 

As outlined in the Troop Operating Manual, Troop Parent And Leader (PAL) Meetings are open “all hands” meetings of Troop Parents And Leaders (Adult Leaders) and will be held from time to time as needed.  ...  Meetings are open to all parents – parents need to be involved and engaged.

Tonight's meeting -- Register Here -- is in Scoutmaster Bottie-Wheeler's backyard.  Please bring a camp chair! 

Tonight's Program as Announced by Scoutmaster Bottie-Wheeler: 

• We will gather around the dutch oven for coffee and peach cobbler.   
• Our main goal is to finish planning the calendar for the year. We will discuss campouts, outings and meetings.  The Troop Chair adds:
• To help prep for that, the summary of the recent Survey is attached.  As noted in that, "Idea Groups" have been established for Backpacking, Canoeing, Cycling, and "Ocean" Water (includes wild water like rafting) - registration is open.  Each page will add some ideas, and each has an automatic email list that will include everyone who registers interest in the idea and their parents.  These will be useful in "continuing the conversation" about High Adventure and Weekend Campouts.
• As noted in the Survey, there  is interest for those items above, but also Shooting Sports, Rock Climbing, Historic Trips (e.g. Montgomery), Fishing, Skiing, Trains, Caving, COPE, Wilderness Survival ... and more. 
• At the last Troop Meeting, interest also for Horseback Riding (already on the calendar April 27), Go Karting (who wants to organize?),  Baseball (there is a Scout Day at the Braves May 25 -- who wants to organize?), Trees Atlanta (already on the calendar May 24), and Love Beyond Walls.
• We will assign leadership roles for the year to help our scouts see their program through. 
• The Troop Chair adds that we have an Introduction to Adult Leader and Helper Roles (and how Troop functions operate) and a list of current job holders at our Help Wanted page.
• Scoutmaster Bottie-Wheeler adds that individual event Activity Captains for every event are absolutely needed to make reservations, organize adult cooking, confirm all Medical Forms are in place and otherwise ensure that those elements are in place for the event -- the Troop Chair adds that this role must no longer be her or Robb Wheeler because others can do this administrative organizing!  More at Activity Captains. ...

More on needed Troop Team slots in the Calendar Entry.

Erin Murphy has set up a GroupMe for Troop 631 Adults to chat in a text way.  To be added to it if you are not on the chat, adults need to text Erin at 404-808-8658. 

From Scoutmaster Bottie-Wheeler: "Scouts, be thinking about what role you would like to take on to serve your troop next year.  This is your chance to have a voice and shape the troop!  Every scout should look to contribute to the troop in a constructive way.  Get your speeches ready to run for the office of your choice!  Who will be our next SPL?  How can you serve your troop?  Everyone can serve, that is the spirt of scouting."

Troop Officer Elections will be held at the April 17 Troop Meeting. This will include Youth Officer Elections for: Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and other Youth Officers like Quartermaster, Scribe, Historian, Librarian, and Chaplain's Aide.

See this page of the Troop Operating Manual for details about Youth Leadership Roles and ways Adults can ("Adults can" is pronounced "Adults need to") help.  More below from that page:

Scout Leadership – A Troop is Scout-led and Scout-run.  This means that the Troop is actually run by youth leaders.  Adults train the Scouts to lead.  With the guidance and coaching of the Scoutmaster and other Adult Leaders coordinated by the Scoutmaster, Scouts plan the program, conduct Troop Meetings, organize activities at campouts and events, and provide leadership amongst peers.  Here is a Scouting America overview of Youth Leadership and Troop Organization.

See the Help Wanted Page, which will show you who is doing what and where we have nobody doing the tasks (or someone who is doing too many tasks so a Parent needs to step up), and that page will link you to details about how to do the job and succeed at the job, from the Troop Operating Manual. Wanna help?  Email bert.bender@alston.com.  Here is what is on the Help Wanted Page today: