Preamble:
We, the members of Venture Crew 4242, in order to create a quality program for scouts involved in this Venturing Crew by living the Scout Oath and the rules of the Boy Scouts of America, establish this constitution.
Article I: Name
The name of this organization is Venturing Crew 4242 of the Trapper Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Membership is open to all boys and girls who are between the ages of 14 and 20 years old. Membership is open to boys and girls aged 13, having completed the 8th grade.
Section 2: Prospective members shall not be disqualified due to race, color, creed, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Section 3: Members must follow the steps put forth by the Boy Scouts of America and the Trapper Trails Council.
Section 4: New members must be approved by the President and Advisor, or their representatives.
Section 5: Members will be considered Active if they have submitted the proper paperwork and dues set forth by this constitution, and have participated in a minimum of 50% of crew activities in the last 3 months.
Article III: Uniforms
Section 1: Class A uniforms are to be worn on super-activities while touring, when traveling,at officer meetings, at award ceremonies, and at the annual open house. Class A uniforms consist of the Boy Scouts of America Venturing uniform shirt and pants, any BSA logoed belt, and well maintained dress shoes. Official BSA merit badges should be worn on a BSA merit badge sash. All Crew Awards and awards that do not belong on the uniform shall be worn on the Crew Towel. BSA logoed hats and accessories are optional, but allowed. Class A uniforms will not be required until the completion of the first crew fundraiser after an individual joins the crew.
Section 2: Class B uniforms are to be worn at all other outings while in public, when traveling during a super activity, or when participating in an activity that would likely result in damage to the Class A uniform. Class B uniforms consist of any BSA logoed t-Shirt, Class A or denim pants or shorts, and otherwise weather and activity appropriate shoes, hats, and other accessories.
Section 3: Uniforms provided by Crew 4242 are property of Crew 4242. They can be traded in for a larger or smaller size as the crew member or leader grows or thins. If a crew member leaves or is ejected from the crew before reaching Summit, they will be expected to return or replace the crew’s uniform. If a leader leaves or is ejected from the crew before serving as a registered leader with the crew for at least three years, they will be expected to return or replace the crew’s uniform.
Section 4: When a crew member is awarded Summit, their uniform becomes their own personal property. If the uniform is well used and the crew can afford it, the crew will provide crew members with a new uniform when they reach Summit. Once a leader has been a registered leader with Crew 4242 for three years, their uniform becomes their own personal property. If the uniform is well used and the crew can afford it, the crew will provide the leader with a new uniform at that time.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1: The available positions are: Crew President, Administrative Vice President, Program Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2: A single term shall last no more than 12 months. An individual may not hold a position for consecutive terms.
Section 3: The duties of each officer are stated in the most recent edition of the Venturing Leader Manual.
Section 4: Any officer who misses 3 consecutive officer meetings, or fails to meet the requirements of an Active member in Article II, Section 5, forfeits their office. A re-election shall be held at the next Regular Crew Meeting.
Article V: Elections
Section 1: The current Crew President shall conduct the elections at a Regular Crew Meeting, with the assistance from the Crew Advisor.
Section 2: Any currently registered member of the crew can nominate a candidate for a position. Candidates being nominated must be currently registered, Active members of Crew 4242 having achieved a minimum rank of Venturer.
Section 3: At least one other member must second that nomination.
Section 4: Every registered member in attendance must vote in a secret ballot for each position.
Section 5: Votes will be decided upon by a simple majority. In the event that a candidate is running unopposed, members must either vote to approve or not to approve the candidate for office. If the candidate is not approved, a re-election may take place in attempt to reach majority.
Article VI: Crew Business
Issues that are brought upon the crew shall be decided on by a consensus. If, however, a compromise cannot be reached, a simple majority vote shall be held regarding the issue.
Article VII: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Crew Meetings shall be held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
Section 2: Officer Meetings shall be held on the 4th Wednesday day of every month.
Section 3: Committee Meetings shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Section 4: All Meetings are held from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
Section 5: Regular Crew Meetings and Officer Meetings shall be held at 404 S. 100 W. Hyrum, UT. Committee Meetings shall be held at 404 S. 100 W. Hyrum, UT.
Article VIII: Adult Leadership
Section 1: The Institution Head and Chartered Organization Representative will be assigned by the Chartering Organization.
Section 2: The available positions are Committee Chair, Sub-Committee Chair, Committee Member, Advisor, and Associate Advisor. Financial responsibilities normally held by the Treasurer shall be shared among voting members of the Leadership Committee, in an effort towards increased transparency.
Section 3: Applicants shall be accepted into a position on the Leadership Committee with the approval of the Committee Chair and the Institution Head or his representative.
Section 4: Parents, Consultants, and members of the Leadership Committee are encouraged to participate in Committee Meetings.
Section 5: The following positions have voting rights in leadership decisions; Institution Head, Chartered Organization Representative, Committee Chair, Sub-Committee Chair, Advisor, and Associate Advisor. In the case of ties, or heavily disputed matters, the Institutional Head or his representative have final authority.
Section 6: The Leadership Committee’s purpose is to provide mentoring, shadow leadership, and support to the youth of the Crew.
Section 7: The Leadership Committee should never willingly allow the youth to fail at their goals. As mentors, they should ensure the youth set into place a realistic plan to achieve their goals.
Section 8: Adult Leaders should NEVER discourage a youth from setting challenging goals, for fear they will fail. Circumstances may necessitate adjusting plans and goals over time. Youth deserve the opportunity to learn this for themselves and experience the character growth that is stimulated by such experiences.
Article IX: Dues
Section 1: The only dues required is that set by national to register with the Venturing program. Upon application to the crew, all youth and adult members must pay one full year of dues.
Section 2: There are no monthly dues.
Section 3: Annual rechartering dues are to be paid from Crew Funds. If Crew Funds are not available, annual rechartering dues are to be split between the youth and adult members wishing to recharter.
Article X: Crew Financing
Section 1: The crew shall conduct no more than two fundraisers per year, in addition to council sponsored fundraisers. All fundraisers shall be voted upon by the Officers and approved by the Leadership Committee.
Section 2: Annual crew fundraiser financial benefits shall be split evenly between the crew and the individual Crew Members, Officers, or Leadership Committee Members raising the funds.
Section 3: Crew Funds may be accessed only by the Institution Head, Chartered Organization Representative, or Crew Advisor, and only with the permission of two voting members of the Leadership Committee.
Section 4: Donations made to the crew, outside of annual fundraisers, shall be attributed directly to Crew Funds.
Article XI: Individual Funds
Section 1: Individual funds are held by the crew, not the individual.
Section 2: Individual funds are to be used ONLY for crew related expenses.
Section 3: Individual funds may be accessed only by the Institution Head, Chartered Organization Representative, or Crew Advisor, and only with the permission of two voting members of the Leadership Committee.
Section 4: Unless otherwise approved by the Leadership Committee, unspent Individual funds will be absorbed into crew funds at the end of each September, to be used for rechartering and other crew expenses.
Article XII: Amendments
Section 1: Proposed amendments must be submitted to the crew in writing at least one week prior to discussion of the amendment, at any scheduled crew meeting.
Section 2: Proposed amendments must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Officers in attendance at an officer meeting.
Section 3: Officers not in attendance may vote by proxy, if vote is submitted before the meeting begins.
Article XIII: Ratification
Section 1: The constitution shall be ratified when approved by a three-fourths vote of the Officers in attendance at an officer meeting, and approved by the voting members of the Leadership Committee.
Section 2: Individuals with voting rights may vote by proxy, if vote is submitted before the meeting begins.