The opening ceremony for a Troop meeting is important to the proper conduct of the entire meeting. The tone of the opening ceremony carries over to the rest of the meeting. If SPL and Patrol Leaders set a good standard of discipline and respect at the beginning of the meeting, the Scouts will be more likely to contribute to the success of the entire meeting.

Preopening.    During the preopening, the SPL and ASPL should spend their time directing Patrol Leaders and Scouts in various tasks to get ready for the meeting. One patrol or senior Scout should be assigned to organize the color guard and make sure that flag stands or flag ropes are in place and ready. Others may be used to prepare for various meeting activities. The SPL should also be sure that those Scouts who are going to be called on for outing reports and announcements are ready to present.

Opening Ceremony.

SPL	Patrol Leaders and Scouts
SPL moves to his position at the front of where the formation will be and issues the command: "TROOP FORMATION"	Patrol Leaders assemble their patrols into formation.
When Scouts are assembled, or almost assembled, SPL stands at attention and puts up the Scout Sign. SPL remains at attention with the sign up until all Scouts are quiet and have the sign up.	Patrol Leaders put up the Scout sign and remind patrol members to do the same.
When all Scouts are in formation, the SPL drops the Scout sign and issues the command: "TROOP, ATTENTION"	Patrol Leaders and Scouts drop the Scout sign and come to attention.
SPL looks at the Color Guard and issues the command: "COLOR GUARD, PRESENT THE COLORS."	Patrol Leaders and Scouts remain at attention. Color guard marches to the flag pole or flag rope and attaches the flag to the rope. When the flag is attached the color guard begins to raise the flag.
As soon as the flag begins to move up, the SPL issues the command: SCOUT SALUTE	Patrol Leaders and Scouts salute. Color Guard raises the flag to the top of the pole or rope, ties off the rope, and then steps back from the rope and salutes.
When the color guard has saluted the flag, the SPL begins the Pledge of Allegiance: "I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE, TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...."	Patrol Leaders and Scouts join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
At the end of the pledge, the SPL issues the command: "TO" and drops his salute.	Patrol Leaders and Scouts drop their salutes.
SPL issues the command: "SCOUT SIGN" and puts up the Scout sign.	Patrol Leaders and Scouts put up the Scout sign.
The SPL begins the Scout Oath: "ON MY HONOR, I WILL DO MY BEST TO DO MY DUTY...."	Patrol Leaders and Scouts join in the Scout Oath.
At the end of the Scout Oath, the SPL issues the command: "TO" and drops his Scout sign.	Patrol Leaders and Scouts drop their Scout signs.
SPL looks at the Color Guard and issues the command: "COLOR GUARD, DISMISSED."	Members of the Color Guard march to the rear of the formation and then rejoin their patrols.

This concludes the formal part of the opening. At this point, the SPL will have the attention of the Scouts and can move on to the following parts of the meeting including the inspection, outing reports and announcements. If, at any point in the meeting the SPL does not feel that he has the undivided attention of the Scouts, he should stop talking, put up the Scout sign and wait until the entire Troop has put up the sign and restored order before proceeding.

See Troop Meeting Plan for the standard agenda for the entire meeting.