2. The Troop has an Advancement Chairman who keeps all advancement records and advises the leadership on Scouts' progress.
3. Candidate Scouts for the Troop's Leadership offices (Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), ASPL-Venture) shall be at least Star in rank and at least 14 years old before they can run for office. A Scout's leadership history and prior conduct are also important for nomination. Achieving Star is not a guarantee of eligibility to run for office. Voting is open to the entire Troop membership.
4. The Troop's Patrol Leaders shall be at least First Class in rank where possible. Patrol Leaders shall be elected to a 4-month term by their Patrol members. In some cases (for example, disciplinary problems or inappropriate actions by the Patrol Leader), the Scoutmaster may call for new elections.
5. The Troop's Assistant Patrol Leaders shall be elected for a 4-month term by members of their Patrol.
6. All Patrol Leaders and the Senior Patrol Leader serve on the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). The PLC is charged with developing meeting and activity plans, discussing Scouting matters among themselves, and handling those discipline cases referred by leaders.
7. The Troop Guide, Librarian, Scribe, Historian, Bugler, Quartermaster (and other posts which may be created) may either be elected by the Troop or appointed by leaders' discretion. Leaders shall set criteria for these posts if open for election.
8. Should a Scout enter the Troop at an advanced age (ages 13 to 15) or possess unusual ability (before rank ability would ordinarily allow him to take a certain position), then the adult leadership reserves the right to appoint such a Scout to certain positions.
9. Scouts should read their Scout Handbook concerning advancement requirements for each rank, including the different types of merit badges required for the upper ranks.
10. A "Scout of the Month" may be selected by the adult leadership based on meritorious Scout action in living up to the Scout oath and law. If, in the opinion of the adult leadership, no Scout shows this particular achievement, then no award will be given that month.
11. Scouts are allowed to trade only certain types of patches with scouts from other troops. Badges/patches showing rank (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle) cannot be traded. Only patches showing items such as camporees or summer camp can be traded.
12. If a Scout is attending a merit badge or other advancement course which is taught by his parent, the parent must insure that at least 2 other Scouts are also attending the parent's advancement record, where possible.
Troop 503 will pay as shown below for Scout leadership training courses:
The Troop Committee reserves the right to modify the Troop's percentage of funding from time to time.
14. Eagle courts of honor are prestigious events recognizing scouts' earning of the BSA's highest rank. The Troop's goal is to have two Eagle courts of honor per year scheduled at the discretion of the Scoutmaster, Chairman and the Committee, aimed to facilitate family participation and school schedules. Accordingly, the Committee cannot guarantee that an individual Scout will be the only person recognized in a particular Eagle ceremony. However, the intent is that there will be no more than three Scouts per event.