The purpose of the linked-troop operating model is to define how the existing boys’ troop and the new girls’ troop will relate to one another during launch, early development, and eventual maturity.
The model should provide the new girls’ troop with the mentorship, administrative support, leadership development, equipment access, and institutional stability needed for a successful launch. At the same time, it should establish a deliberate path toward increasing independence as the girls’ troop develops sufficient youth membership, adult leadership, program experience, and administrative capacity.
The goal is neither permanent dependence nor premature separation. The linked-troop structure should provide support appropriate to each stage of development while preserving the identity and youth-led character of each troop.
All elements of this operating model remain subject to current Scouting America policies, council requirements, and approval by the Chartered Organization and Troop Committee.
Troop 56G will begin with a shared leadership and committee structure, under one Chartered Organization and one Troop Committee.
During the startup phase, the girls’ troop will operate in a deliberate mentorship mode. The established boys’ troop, its adult leaders, and the shared Troop Committee will provide experience, administrative infrastructure, training support, equipment access, and program mentorship.
As the girls’ troop reaches maturity, the organization should begin discerning whether and when it is appropriate to establish more independent structures. This may eventually include the formation of a separate troop committee while both troops remain under the same Chartered Organization.
The movement toward greater independence should occur gradually and intentionally. It should be based upon demonstrated organizational capacity rather than an arbitrary date.
The units will be described as linked troops.
The terms “family troop,” “brother troop,” and “sister troop” will not be used as the formal organizational nomenclature. Informal references should likewise avoid language that obscures the fact that the boys’ troop and girls’ troop are distinct Scouts BSA units.
Subject to council approval, both units will use the number Troop 56, with appropriate administrative distinctions (B and G) used when necessary.
Public communications should describe the organization in terms such as: