Purpose

To provide a good example of proper flag handling, flag etiquette and flag presentation to members of the troop and others as well as provide a service to the Scouting program and the community.

Membership

Members are selected based on drill performance, appearance and rank.

There shall be three designations within the color guard:

Members - 6-8 regular members who make up the actual color guard and meet all membership criteria.

Buglers - Scouts who meet the regular criteria plus pass a test where they successfully play "to the colors," "Retreat" and "Taps". Whenever a bugler is needed, this is their first obligation; otherwise they may serve as a regular member of the color guard

Trainees - those Scouts aspiring to membership in the color guard. They drill and practice with the regular members.

� There may be an unlimited number of Bugler and Trainees.

� Members must be First Class. There is no rank requirement for Buglers or Trainees.

� Membership shall be voluntary, but upon accepting a position, each member must serve for one year. At the end of the year the member shall be given the option to sign up for another year or drop out.

Uniform

� Color guard uniforms shall be consistent with the BSA Uniform Insignia Control Guide.

� Color guard will be required to wear a Troop 101 neckerchief and slide and a merit badge sash.

� Medals are permitted and encouraged.

� No plastic patch holders.

� Exemplary patch placement is required.

� Future uniforming plans include a special neckerchief slide and red white and blue piping around the neckerchiefs.

� Dressier brown or black shoes should be worn. No tennis shoes.

� The shirt shall always be short sleeve. Both long and short pants with long socks shall be required with the captain specifying which is appropriate for each ceremony.

� The color guard quartermaster shall provide Red berets and white gloves for each ceremony.

� Members failing to score at least 95% for a performance will be subject to disciplinary action.

Captain - elected every six months by a majority vote of the membership. The advisor counts the ballots in the presence of another non-member witness. The advisor shall have the tie-breaking vote.

Assistant - appointed by the Captain, fills in whenever the Captain is unavailable.

Quartermaster - appointed by the Captain, is responsible for the care, cleaning and distribution of berets and gloves for all ceremonies and practices as required. Also responsible for the care and provision of flags, poles, stands and flag cinches, as required.

Scribe - appointed by the Captain, is responsible for attendance records, log book, calendar and disciplinary notifications.

Advisor - appointed by the Scoutmaster, is responsible to oversee all the actions of the color guard and ensure their compliance with color guard policy. He serves as a resource for all color guard needs.

Practices

The color guard is required to hold a practice at least once each month. They should review drill procedures, raising and lowering a flag from a pole, and presenting and retreating flags from a ceremony, such as a Court of Honor and the flag burning ceremony. Buglers should demonstrate all calls. Uniform inspections should be held at these practices, as necessary, to ensure that all members are in compliance with the uniform policies. Trainees attend practices, just like regular members. Troop 101 is a sponsoring member of the National Flag Foundation, which provides information on the proper care and display of all flags.

Service Hours & Leadership

One service hour per month will be given to each member who attends the practices and any scheduled performances during that month. The Captain shall receive Leadership credit as a Troop Instructor, subject to the performance of his duties.

Discipline/Probation

One point is awarded for every practice and one for every performance. The Scribe reports points at the first of every month. At any time in a six-month period a member's points drop below 50%, he is automatically on probation. A member that is on probation more than twice in a six-month period is dismissed from the color guard. Members subject to dismissal may appeal for special consideration at the monthly practice meetings.

Performances

Requests for performances shall be subject to a vote at the first troop meeting or activity or color guard practice or activity following the request. The decision to contact those members not present at the time of voting is left up to the captain.

The Captain shall be required to report the names of those participating in a particular performance to the advisor at least one week prior to the performance..