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Troop Meetings

Troop meetings assemble all the patrols together and should be boy-run. The SPL is the overall leader of the meeting. He is assisted by the ASPL, Patrol Leaders, and Instructors.

Troop meetings are generally at the same time each week, unless the PLC cancels it due to another activity, such as a campout on the previous or upcoming weekend. The meetings will typically follow this format:

Preopening

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This time may be used for meeting setup or it may include a game or activity for scouts to take part in as they arrive.
Opening
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Scouts line up by patrol for the opening flag ceremony. The Pledge of Allegiance and Scout Oath and Law are recited. Announcements, an opening prayer, or a uniform inspection may follow.
Skills Instructions
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Troop Instructors or other scouts demonstrate one or more skills. The instruction may be related to an upcoming activity. It should be hands-on and actively involve all the scouts.
Patrol Time
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Patrol Leaders meet with their patrols to discuss and plan upcoming activities. This may be the official patrol meeting.
Interpatrol Activity
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A game or skills competition lets the scouts burn off some energy. The competition is often tied to the skill that was demonstrated earlier.
Closing
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The scouts circle up and the Scoutmaster shares his thoughts about the meeting (the Scoutmaster's Minute). The SPL makes any final announcements. Scouts who have recently advanced in rank or earned a merit badge are recognized. Most troops follow with some type of closing ceremony.
Post-meeting
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Meeting cleanup. The Scoutmaster and PLC may meet briefly to discuss how the meeting went and plan for upcoming activities and the next meeting.
Commonly, the instruction, patrol, and activity time may be around 12 to 18 minutes each with the entire meeting from around one hour to 1.5 hours maximum. While there is a common format, troop meetings do not always need to be highly structured or rigid. The meetings should be begin on time, have a fast pace, and end on time. The meetings should have a specific purpose (such as preparing for a big event of the month), involve active participation, and provide variety.

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