Long Term Planning
The troop leaders (youth and adult) get together every 6 months or so to review the troop plans for the next 12 months and then extend the calendar for another 6 months. This lets us reserve popular sites when they become available since it's difficult to arrange enough space for groups. The actual plan itself will be done on a spreadsheet shared among the current troop leaders. This page will list resources and ideas for the Troop.
Goals and Objectives
The overall structure of meetings, PLC meetings, service projects, long/short term camping events, training and other items are driven by the standards from BSA Journey to Excellence and the SVMBC Council requirements for the Commissioners Challenge.
BSA Journey to Excellence Website
SVMBC Commissioners Challenge (Commissioners Challenge is part of the rechartering packet)
Annual 50 milers (or equivalent)
Order of Planning
First thing to review and add are the monthly events - they are the key items that define the troop culture and retains/attracts Scouts. After reviewing/adding events for 18 months, work on down the list:
Monthly events
Monthly themes
Troop service projects
Court of Honors, Boards of Review and Advancement Days
Elections
Semi-Annual PLC training and planning
Monthly Event Planning
Review the existing, planned events that are already reviewed/approved for the next 12 months. New youth leaders can change existing plans - but need to check with adult leaders first in case reservations/commitments were already made.
Monthly Themes
BSA has moved their large 3 volume Troop program book all online - this makes it easy for all of us to review and share information. All 48 themes are available here:
This site includes details such as meeting plans and linked event ideas. Must have for long term planning and the monthly PLC meetings for youth leaders.
Troop Service Projects
Ideally, we should plan on 6 Troop service projects every year - this is a key component of Scouting - providing service to others. The San Jose Rotary Club is our chartering organization and we should support them in at least two of their annual events (Rotary Fishing, Creek Cleanup)
Courts of Honor, Boards of Review and Advancement Days
We hold 3 Courts of Honor (Eagle Court of Honor are separate from the Troop CoH) every year. In mid-August, mid-January and in late May. Once the Court of Honor date is set, then the BOR date is set to 2 weeks prior and the Advancement Day is set to the weekend before the BOR date. The August CoH is normally on a weekend while the other two CoHs are during the regular meeting night (Thursday). The time between BOR and COH is needed to enter all the achievements into the BSA system, purchase patches, create the program and assemble the advancement materials.
Elections
Elections are held in March and September - starting with the SPLs election and selecting the ASPL(s). Patrol leader elections are next - and then other leadership positions are filled.
New PLC training and planning
Soon after the elections/selections for the new youth leadership is completed, they will need to meet for training and to extend the long-range troop plan (this process). Select a weekend date/time that works for the youth and key adult leaders.