Some thoughts on how to evaluate a Scout Troop as a visiting parent

First, I found these 10 points helpful.  They are from Clarke Green's Scoutmaster CG blog, which I've found to be an EXCELLENT source and he's one of my regular reads.  (This particular post seems no longer to be present, but I still use it)

• Ten points to gauge the health of a troop (from the Scoutmaster CG Blog)
• Ask a random scout the date of the next camping trip, where they are going, what they will do there and what it costs.  Where did he learn this information?
• Ask a random parent what rank their scout holds and what they need to do to advance to the next rank.  Ask their role in advancement.  Ask when the next parents’ meeting is scheduled.
• Ask the youngest scout how to go about earning a merit badge
• How long will current Scoutmaster, Committee Chair and Chartered Organization Rep commit to staying in those positions?  Who is the next Scoutmaster, Committee Chair and Chartered Organization Rep?  Is there a transition plan?
• Ask the patrol leaders’ council to list the last 5 times they were told they could not do something or that their decision was overturned, or they were told to do something they’d rather not.
• What is the next step in training your adult leaders?  What are they doing to increase their knowledge and skill over the next six months?  The next 12 months?
• What is the year-round active recruiting plan?
• Why did the last five scouts who dropped from the roster leave?  Did they age out, or leave for other reasons?  Were those reasons discussed and addressed by the Scouters in the unit?
•  Ask a patrol leader the name and rank of each member of his patrol, and what each member needs to do for his next rank
• What is the long-range calendar?  What happens over the next five years?  What are your high adventure, advancement and participation goals
• See scoutmastercg.com/10-point-troop-checkup

Questions to ask each troop:

•  How many members, in how many patrols?  (Want to hear at least two patrols and 10-15 members minimum.)  How many new Scouts do you expect this year?
•  How many WEBELOS joined a year ago, how many are left, and what is their rank?
•  How many adults are on the Troop Committee and serving as ASM?
•  How long has your Scoutmaster been in position, average tenure of Assistant Scoutmasters, Committee Chair and members?
•  Are new adults welcome on committee and as ASM?
•  How many adults have a trained strip?  Scouter’s Training Award?  How many have completed Wood Badge?  How many committee members have completed Troop Committee Challenge?
•  How often does the PLC meet?  How is the annual program planned?  (Expect monthly PLC and youth led annual planning conference)
•  Have youth leaders completed ILST?  NYLE?  Trainer’s EDGE?  (If no one has done ILST, that’s very bad.)
•  How long has the SPL been in office?  How is he trained?  Did the adult leadership stay out of the SPL’s way during the meeting?
•  How long has the Troop Guide been in office?  Been in Scouts?  What level of training has he had?  May we meet him?
•  Which adult leader advises the Troop Guide?  How long has he been working with New Scouts?  Has he had ILOS training?  Earned his Trained Strip?
•  Will our WEBELOS be in a New Scout Patrol, or with older boys?   If a New Scout Patrol, will they be mixed with Cubs from other Packs?
•  What are dues and fees?   Average annual cost?  How is fundraising handled?
•  How often does the troop camp, and where?   High adventure?  Summer camp? Can we have a copy of your calendar?
•  What is the level of troop participation in District and Council events (Camp-o-ree, Klondike Derby, First Aid Meet etc)?  How many troop members attended an OA event in the last year?
•  Is there equipment enough for the whole troop?  Is it in good repair?  Is there sufficient budget to maintain the current equipment, plus regularly update it?  Where is it stored, and how is it transported to camp outs?
•  Is the troop in uniform?  Can scouts wear jeans with their uniforms?  Athletic shorts?  White socks, or no socks at all?
•  Is there a written discipline policy?  How does it account for scouts with behavioral problems?
•  Does the troop follow Troop Program Features for meeting plans, or use its own plan?  Advancement work in meetings or not?
•  What is the average length of time to reach First Class Rank?
•  What was your JTE Score last year and the year before?  Can I have a copy of the score worksheet?