Our Scoutmaster is Mr.Robert Holzer. He is responsible for the image and program of Troop 129. He is responsible for training and working with boys and other troop leaders to provide a safe and quality scouting experience through the application of the Methods of Scouting. The Scoutmaster works closely with the Troop Committee to identify the needs of the troop to provide resources necessary to execute the Scouting program. He can be reached at robert.holzer@cox.net.
Troop 129 holds its meetings every Monday night from 6:30
to 8:00 pm (sometimes 7:00 to 8:30pm) at the St.Elizebeth
Ann Seton Church annex: (1811
Pueblo Vista Drive off Lake Mead, West of I-15, between Buffalo and Rampart: http://www.bsatroop129.org/Images/StElizAnnSeton1807PuebloVistaDr.jpg
). The troop sometimes meets at
In accordance with BSA policy, Merit Badges are not taught during meetings for the purpose of awarding the badge. The only exception to this is when training resources are limited and broad scout interest necessitates group training.
A schedule of Troop meetings and activities is provided by the troop scribe via Email and posted on the troop website. If in doubt, have your son call his Patrol Leader, the Senior Patrol Leader or the Scoutmaster.
The troop is officially chartered through the
Troop 129 is in the Bighorn District of LVAC. Bighorn District includes a large portion of Northwest Las Vegas, (Zip Codes 89027 and 89107/08/28,29,34,38,44,49) Each Scouting district within the LVAC has its own events, training and volunteer leaders. This organization includes our own scoutmasters and committee officers. Our District Representative is Mr.Brett Myers. He can be reached at bmeyers@bsamail.org
Mr. Joe Burgess is our executive manager and represents
our district at LVAC headquarters. He is a paid employee of the Boys Scouts of
America and can be reached at jburgess@bsamail.org.
The troop committee
consists of the parents of all boys registered with Troop 129 and the Boy Scouts of
America, a Committee Chairman and a board of volunteer Troop Officers. The
Troop Committee Officers act as the “Board of Directors” of the troop and is
headed by the “Committee Chairman”. The operation of the Troop is governed by
the majority decisions of the Committee’s Officers. The troop committee
provides the foundation, logistical and financial support so that the troop can
function in a smooth and safe manner. A
description of the responsibilities for each of the volunteer officer positions
can be found in the Troop By-Laws.
The Troop Committee has the following
responsibilities:
·
Providing
for adequate meeting facilities, equipment and resources
·
See to
it that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained. .
·
Encouraging
and supporting the leaders in carrying out the program.
·
Advising
the Scoutmaster on policies relating to Boy Scouting and the chartered
organization.
·
Insuring
the troop follows the regulations set forth by the Boy Scouts of America.
·
Providing
fundraising, accounting, management and disbursements of troop funds to finance
the Troops Yearly Plan.
·
Provides
adult resources to enable the program activities.
Mrs.Christine Strate is
the Troop 129 Committee Chairman. This is possibly the most important position
in the troop next to the Scoutmaster. The Chairman leads and organizes the
Troop Committee in executing its responsibilities and assigns or nominates
adult committee positions as required. The Chairperson is responsible for
approving potential adult
leaders and Scoutmasters. She works closely with the District and Area
unit commissioners in implementing programs as they relate to district and
council activities and is key in providing two-way
communications between the chartered organization and the troop, district, and
council. The Chairman is a volunteer position within the Boys Scouts. She can
be reached at rstrate@bigplanet.com.
Every parent of a scout in Troop 129 is
automatically a non-voting member of the committee and may attend any committee
meeting or receive any associated correspondence. The committee members at large vote to elect or confirm the registered
volunteer officers of the committee whose votes decide on questions put before
the committee. The Scoutmaster is a non-voting member of the committee. Any
parent is eligible to become a registered volunteer officer of the committee if
nominated or appointed by the Chairman and confirmed by the parent committee.
The committee meets regularly at the
Parents Involvement in the Troop
There is always
something happening in the troop. Our goal is to have at least one
outing or event per
month, sometimes more. There is always room for adults who wish to help by
volunteering or by actively performing as an Assistant Scoutmaster or Committee
Chair. There are several smaller
committees that you can volunteer for, especially during our fund raising
events. Transportation is always a critical need for scouting events. Our Transportation
Chairman tries to rotate the driving responsibilities so that the same people
are not driving all the time.
The most important area in which parents are encouraged to volunteer is to support the troop are by providing transportation on outings. Also everal times each year help is needed at Courts of Honor and other special events like fundraising. Often parents have contacts or access to resources that can help the troop. Contact the Troop Secretary , Chairman or Scoutmaster for an Adult Resource survey form that you can fill out if you would like to help.
Scouting is a Boy Led organization. The following are the troop junior leadership positions held by the scouts. The Senior Patrol Leader and individual Patrol Leaders are elected by vote of the scouts in the troop and patrols. Other positions are appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader and/or the Scoutmaster.
Senior Patrol Leader - The top junior leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.
Assistant
Senior Patrol Leader - fills
in for senior patrol leader in his absence. He is also responsible for seeing
that the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, and instructors are
informed of their duties and properly trained. Reports to the
SPL.
Patrol Leader - In charge of a patrol; elected by his patrol. The PL's give leadership to members of the patrol and represents them on the patrol leaders' council.
Scribe
- Administrative assistant
to the SPL. Records PLC
minutes and distributes the troop monthly plan and meeting notes. Keeps attendance at troop functions. Helps
the SPL keep the troop informed of events and activities. Reports to the SPL.
Troop Guide - Appointed by the Scoutmaster the Guide provides assistance and leadership to the New Scout patrol. He sets the example for younger scouts and mentors first time patrol leaders. Reports to SPL.
Quartermaster - Responsible for troop supplies and equipment. Keeps an inventory and status of troop equipment. Insures troop equipment is clean, serviceable, organized and properly stored. Reports shortages or equipment problems to the Scoutmaster. Reports to the ASPL.
Chaplain Aide - Assists in troop religious services and promotes religious emblems program. Provides for the invocation on troop outings and at troop events. Reports to the SPL..
Librarian - Keeps
troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor
lists available for use by troop members.
Reports to the ASPL.
Instructor – Specializes in teaching one or more specific scout skills to the troop
for advancement.
Historian - Keeps up the troop scrapbook. The book contains any photos or newspaper articles that pertain to the troop.
Bugler - Plays taps and reveille at camp outs and during any troop events.
Den Chief - This is a position that operates outside the troop but is still considered a leadership position for rank achievement purposes. Appointed by the Scoutmaster: Works with a Cub Scout den and as a liason between the troop and the pack.
Assistant Patrol Leader - Assists the patrol leader and steps in during his absence.; appointed by the Patrol Leader. ( NOTE: This is not a leadership position that counts toward advancement.)
Junior
Assistant Scoutmaster- a
senior Scout at the Life or Eagle rank, 16 or older, who
supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned.
Elections of troop Junior Leaders are held every six months, generally co-incident with the beginning of the troops scouting year plan in December and at end of the school. The boys nominate each other and then use written ballots for the election process. Adult leaders are responsible for counting the ballots. The Scoutmaster approves all appointed positions and selects the Troop Guide. Regular rotation of troop junior leaders is neccessary to provide opportunities for Scouts to be elected to a position of leadership. Tenure in a leadership position is required for advancement in all ranks above First Class.
