February 3, 2003

Present: Ed Blondin, Sandy Schwartz, MaryAnn Bushaw, Jon Paul, Eric Schmidt, Al Fredrickson, Phil Reece, Craig Louthain, Jamie Beck, Judi and Terry Nichols

Meeting started at 6:30 .

Treasurer’s Report: Presented by Jon Paul.  (See attached.)  Annual summary was included.

Past Events

CPR Training: Eric is just waiting for a new group of people to schedule a new training and a refresher course.  MaryAnn will have names by the end of the week.

 Flagpoles: No news about the new flagpoles from the VFW offer made at the Veterans Day Parade.

 Friends of Scouting: Council representative canceled AGAIN.  Next Family Night is April 15.

Klondike Derby : Two scouts and two adults worked a snowshoe stretcher event.

Popcorn Sales: Profit was approximately $598.

Future Events

Swim Nights: One is scheduled for tomorrow.  Troop does not have confirmation of a lifeguard, and attempts to confirm will be made.  John Vermie will be contacted.

Leader Basics: No one is scheduled to attend this training as of yet.

Re-registration: The troop lost 16 scouts from last year.  (3 of them “aged out”.)  Terry completed a report with the reasons for each scout leaving the troop.

Webelos camping: Scheduled for this weekend – Feb. 8-9.  Only six 1^st-year Webelos scouts are attending.  Others have already decided on other troops - for convenience reasons rather than anything negative about this troop.  Troop 181 scouts and adults will meet at Arby’s for lunch prior to going out to Camp McCormick .

Lake Ripley : Because one boy fell in the water, some precautions may be needed.  The rope should remain on the lake until the last person is off the ice.  Make the rope shorter.  Practice how to rescue a boy prior to going out on the lake.  Boys should always have buddies and take a rope. 

Great Lakes Naval Base: March 14-16

·        Need to supply detailed list of people going by February 19^th.  (This will exclude new scouts.)  All people need to clear through security prior to arriving; need names, address and phone numbers.  No late entries will be allowed.  Suggested 35 adults and scouts would attend.  We will be sleeping and eating on base. This is subject to change based on an impending conflict with Iraq .  Meals will be Saturday breakfast to Sunday breakfast.  No events on Sunday.  There are five events scheduled:

1. Base tour
2. Confidence course – obstacle course
3. On ship fire fighting training
4. Laser rifle range – M16 style rifles fitted to fire lasers
5. Water safety course – bring swim suits

·        Still need to get costs for sleeping and eating.

·        Captain Dave Frost is working with us. He is in charge of recruiting for the Navy for the Midwest .  He would like to have more of these for other troops.  If we show enthusiasm and respect for the officers and enlisted men, he will be able to invite other troops.  We must be on our best behavior!

·        The sleeping arrangements may change due to rising tension with Iraq .

·        Sandy Schwartz will file for a special tour permit.

April 26-27 Camp-out: Lincoln Pilgrimage – Leave early Saturday morning; return to Rockford on Sunday at 5:30 PM .  Terry is making the arrangements.

Climbing dates: Discussing on how to set dates for both the troop and the crew or for them together.  The committee decided to pick separate dates.  Climbing dates will be chosen for next Spring.  Must be prior to June 15^th, the beginning of summer camp at Lowden

Indianapolis Time Trials: May 18^th is Armed Forces Day and would be the best day for this.  This would be a one-day event.

May: There are various events available for participation this month, including the camporee.  These events are not confirmed.

June:  Need to explore 2 events:

Philmont 2003: All adults have paid $100 each, but the final amount has still not been decided.  Both Ed and Sandy may know of other scouts who may be interested in going.  They will talk with Bill about openings.

Summer Camp 2003 – Canyon Camp: July 20-26, 2003 .

Woodbadge Training, Aug. 22-24 & Sept. 26-28, 2003 : Registration is already taking place -- so anyone interested should submit an application soon.  One position is already paid for John Vermie.  MaryAnn and Terry have blank applications.  Cost is $195.  If you belong to a union affiliated with the AFL/CIO, they will help with costs.

Miscellaneous Business

Eddie Beck & Andrew Benoy:  They are working on a new board to honor Eagle Scouts.

Super Fund raiser: MaryAnn is still checking on the elephant ears trailer for Boone County Fair.

Troop Development: Sub-committee has met and made a list of new ideas.  Sandy is coordinating it.  The next step is to present ideas to the scouts at PLC.

Florida Sea Base:

We are on a waiting list for everything.  David and Sandy both got through on the phoning.

Annual Tour Permit: Dan Murphy is working on it.

Council Moving Questionnaire: Fill out the form in the January Courier.  Forms distributed.

 District Award of Merit:  Need to accumulate information to nominate candidates immediately! This includes Unit Spirit Award, and Outstanding Scouters, by positions.

Rockford Junior Chariots: We are looking at a March date.   MaryAnn is a counselor for Disabilities Awareness merit badge.

Record of Scouter Training/Service:  MaryAnn would like to have everyone’s records ASAP.

Treasurer: Craig will be our treasurer after tax season.

New Business

Prairie Du Chien: June 14 is proposed.

Wal-Mart’s Matching Grant:  Jamie Beck says we can do a fundraiser, such as a car wash, on a summer weekend.  Wal*Mart will match any money earned, up to $500.  We provide all needed supplies, except water is supplied by McDonalds.  Proposed dates are June 7-8 for then Venture Crew, and September 13-14 for the Troop.

Adjourned at 8:45 ! pm

Be Prepared . . .

             Eric                                        new CPR dates

Phil                                        Great Lakes Naval Base tour

                                                New fund-raising ideas

                                                Talk to Cheryl about “TroopMaster” training

 Peggy                                     OA conversions

                                                Coach Lucas        (recruit for Chapter/Lodge functions)

                                                                                (pay annual dues)

 Anyone/Everyone                District Award of Merit nominations – March 7 deadline

                                                Unit Spirit Award

                                                Outstanding Scouters, by position

Sandy                                      Present ideas to scouts

                                                Maintain development committee

 Ed                                           Help lead Webelos invitational campout

 MaryAnn                               Verify CPR Training for Philmont adults and others

 Dan                                        Annual Tour Permit auto insurance information

                                                Get albums from Andrew