Policy

LIEN DOAN HUONG VIET BYLAWS

I. PURPOSE

1. Providing guidance and coaching in ethical, moral, and physical development of Vietnamese-American youths in accordance with scouts' principles.
2. Preserving honorable Vietnamese culture and heritage.
3. Providing opportunities and encouragements for personal growth and citizenship development.

II. OPERATION AND POLICY

1. In accordance with American Scouts' and International Scouts' principles and in conjunction with Vietnamese cultural activities, Lien Doan Huong Viet operates within the accepted and stated guidelines. The organization's outdoor activities and educational oriented activities will better prepare our youths to meet the challenges of every day life.
2. Lien Doan Huong Viet (LDHV) is only affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of The United States, and is independent of any other organizations or individuals.
3. Lien Doan Huong Viet does not discriminate against any race or religion.

III. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

1. Written parental permission.
2. Be in 2nd grade or higher.
3. Completion of BSA or GSUSA registration process.
4. Acceptance of Lien Doan Huong Viet's Bylaws.

IV. ORGANIZATION

Lien Doan Huong Viet is a multi-unit scout organization, composed of six units: Au Doan Au Co (Brownies & Juniors GS), Au Doan Lac Long (Cub Scout), Thieu Doan Me Linh (Cadette GS), Thieu Doan Tay Son (Boy Scouts), Thanh Doan (Venture Crew, Senior GS), Trang Doan (Adult volunteers & Rover scouts).

• Au Doan: 2nd through 5th graders.
• Thieu Doan: 6th through 8th graders.
• Thanh Doan: 9th grades and up.
• Trang Doan: 21 years of age and up.

The Multi-unit Leader position can be nominated or self-nominated, and are determined by a majority vote among Lien Doan Huong Viet's Executive Leadership Council. The multi-unit Leader chooses his/her assistants. All positions are limited to a 2-year term with option of unlimited re-elections as determined by the majority vote of the Executive Leadership Council. Troop leaders are appointed by the Executive Leaders with the agreement of the Troop Leadership Council.

• LDHV's Executive Leadership Council includes the Multi-unit Leaders and Troop Leaders.
• LDHV's Leadership Council includes the Multi-unit Leaders, Troop Leaders, Senior Patrol Leaders, Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders.
• The Troop Leadership Council includes Troop Leaders, Senior Patrol Leaders, Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders.
• LDHV's Parent Committee supports all Troops' activities as per Troop Leader's requests.

Decision-Making Process: All operational issues will be discussed and decided by a majority vote.

V. REGULATIONS

1. All members of Lien Doan Huong Viet are prohibited from using the organization's name or its affiliates for individual gains or benefits.
2. All administrative, financial, and operational decisions are within the Executive Leadership Council's jurisdiction.

VI. EXAMPLES OF VIOLATIONS (not all inclusive)

1. Acting against Scouts' principles and purposes.
2. Misrepresentation of Scouts, LDHV, or Troops that can damage the Scouts, LDHV, Troop, or Troop's purposes and name.
3. Organizing or participating in Scouts' activities without parental and Troop leader's permission.
4. Failure to maintain proper Scout's dress code standards:
   • Wearing baggy, excessively tight, or skimpy clothing.
   • "Gang-style" hairdos, visible tattoos or body piercing (exception: ear rings on lower lobes of ears).
   • Smoking or drinking during Scout activity times.
   • Bringing weapons (fire arms, knives, explosives, etc.) to scout activities.
   • Profanity in speech/language or vulgar behaviors.
   • Lacking in respect to Troops, flags, leaders, or fellow scout members.
5. Engaging in personal intimacy or physical contact (ex: kissing, prolonged intimate hugging... etc) during Scout activity times.
6. Three (3) consecutive tardiness or absences without acceptable reasons within a 6-month interval (Jan-Jun or Jul-Dec).
7. Missing more than 35% of Troop's total activity dates within any 6-month interval (Jan-Jun or Jul-Dec). Missing more than 1 camp in a year.

VII. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS (enforced in the order given below)

1. Scout's self-awareness and self-discipline.
2. First warning: discussion with Troop leader.
3. Second warning: written notification sent to parents by Troop leader.
4. Third warning: parent conference and one month suspension of scout activities (exception: Section VI, Parts 6 and 7 above: parent conference with Troop leaders only).
5. Permanent expulsion from LDHV by the majority decision of the Executive Leadership Council.

VIII. PROPERTIES

1. All properties belonging to Den/Patrol/Troop/Crew/LDHV are managed and assigned by the LDHV Leadership Council.
2. All properties must be returned to LDHV Leadership Council when the Den/Patrol/Troop/Crew temporarily suspend activities or permanently disband.