COMMISSIONER'S OUTLOOK

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 127, 15 June 1937, Page 9

COMMISSIONER'S OUTLOOK

"LITTLE

JOHN."

I expeet if I- asked all troops if they had a Court of Honour they would amswer " Yes," but 1 wonder how many troops really make this a real live force in their troop. Until it is, you wjll not bo very succeasful. It is eomposed of your patrol ieaders and' somet'imes, if desired, seconds. It should meet regularly and the Scouter should be present, but not butt in, unless you are not conducting it properly on businesslike lines, or he thinks you are doing unwise things that may harm the troop. It should be run strictly on. the lineo of any other good committee. You should elect a secretary cr "scribe, " who takes down thj proposals made by members an a Court of Honour book provided for the purposs; also the names of all present, and read the minutes of last meeting. A chairman should be elected from the Ieaders, and it is his job to keep order and to see that the business is carried out in a serious manner^ He has a very respousible position and should be addressed as ' ' Mr. Chairinan. ' » That may seem a.bit of a joke, but you will find that carrying things out in proper form will help you to do the right thing when you grow up and find yourself on a committee. Matters for discussion by the court include: Troop programmes; apptovai of boys wishing to join the troop; appointment of new P.L'.'s and seconds; disposal of "Scout's penee" paid an at each meeting, and while on this very important subject, let me stress the necessity of keeping proper accounts. Probably these could be collected from each patrol by the Jf.L. He should in turn hand it in to S.M. or assistant fS.M. and eee he gets his book signed as a receipt. The Scouter should pay this money anto the group committee for banldng purposes only, and get a receipt from them, or, if the amount is large enough, a savings bank should be opened in the name of the troop and operated by the Scoutmaster and one of the committee. There must be two signatures tio withdrawal slips.' No money can be spent without the approval of the Court oi Honour. A balance-sheet must be made out every three months and read to the troop, and a copy sent in to the committee. They are responsible for all the money, although they have no power to spend the Coiirt of Honour nioney. If the court decides to make a donation to rent or lighting expenses, they may do so, but not under any compulsion. They may spend it in any way they think fit as long as tho Scoutmaster approves. This is all very important and often very much abused. But, remember, you must keep proper books and keep receipts. You are also a Court of Justice and Appeal. Matters of miebehaviour and breaches of Scout law come before you. I hope not often. But these matters must be dealt with seriously and fairly, and. not treated as a joke. If this is done an a dignified way Ieaders will find that they are regarded with respect by their patrols and have their confidence. No matter discussed in Court of Honour shouid be published unless it. is the wieh of the court. The findings of the court can be read at next meeting to the troop or posted on the notice board. Think things over, Ieaders, and ask yourselves: "Is our Court of Honour a real oue!" . If.the answer is "no," then cet husv nud mnko if ica