BSA TROOP 181

March 3, 2003

Present: Sandy Schwartz, Jon Paul, Eric Schmidt, Phil Reece, Craig Louthain, Judi and Terry Nichols, Cheryl McDowall, Dan Murphy, and Bill LeFevre

Meeting started at 6:30 .

 Treasurer’s Report: Presented by Jon Paul.  (See attached.)  Another $1700 will be deposited from payments for Philmont.

Past Events

CPR Training: Eric is just waiting for a new group of people to schedule a new training and a refresher course.  A sign-up sheet was circulated.

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

Future Events

Swim Nights: One is scheduled for tomorrow.  John Vermie will be there.  A Wolf den from Pack 429 is planning to join us, along with a Webelos den from the same pack.

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

Webelos Invitational Campout: The weekend of February 8-9, went very well.  The next one will be scheduled for October 2003.  We will expect more boys.  Sandy reports positive feedback from every survey.  One of the attendees will be a transfer from Troop 57; he is a First Class Scout.

RTC-Great Lakes Naval Base: March 14-16

·        Phil supplied a detailed list of people going by February 19th.  (This will exclude new scouts.)  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 through 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 Phil. 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 for the purpose of swimming.

·        No information regarding facilities for women.  Two are signed-up.

·        The total cost of food is expected to be around $10 per person.  Bring appropriate amount of cash.

 

April 26-27 Camp-out: Lincoln Pilgrimage – Leave early Saturday morning; return to Rockford on Sunday at 5:30 PM .  Terry emailed for information today.

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 15th, the beginning of summer camp at Lowden.  No new information as of today.

Indianapolis Time Trials: May 18th 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.  No events are confirmed.  Have PLC make a choice: Camporee, Triple P, or something else.  

June:  Need to explore 2 events: Prairie du Chien – fur-trading convention (a one-day, long-day trip.

Palisades ’s campout around Al’s hiking trip.

Philmont 2003:  Motion: Troop 181 adults will need to pay another $100, bringing their total to $250.  Motion passed.  We have openings for 2 adults and 5 scouts.  We would like to invite more; people we know.  Both Ed and Sandy know of other scouts who may be interested in going.  There will be an announcement made at Roundtable.  Two boys have dropped-out.  There was a discussion about how to handle refunds, if any, for scouts who back-out after (partial) fees are paid.

Summer Camp 2003 – Canyon Camp: July 20-26, 2003 .  There was a discussion about how much each scout will pay.  A $25 nonrefundable charge was moved and passed.  This is due March 25, since a $50 deposit is due at the scout office by the end of March.  Sandy will distribute a flyer as a reminder.

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; but ask about help from a ‘troop sponsorship.’  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.  No news.

Super Fundraiser:  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 sub-committee met with the PLC and shared a bunch of ideas.  The scouts voted on which ones they wanted to do and made some calendar changes.   Scouts seemed excited about everything.  Sandy is recommending a ‘marathon’ PLC meeting to plan an entire year.  This will be scheduled with the new PLC elected in March.

Florida Sea Base:

We are on a waiting list for something.

Annual Tour Permit: Dan Murphy has completed this.  It was sent to the scout office.

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

Show & Do:  People need to sign-up for this.

Rockford Junior Chariots: We are looking at a March date.   MaryAnn is a counselor for Disabilities Awareness merit badge.  She was not in attendance to provide additional information.

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

Treasurer: Craig will be our treasurer after tax season.  He is working with Jon Paul now.

 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.

New Business

We will need a future decision about buying additional water filters for wilderness camps at a cost of $80 each.  Do we need to buy any before we go to Philmont?

Grocery Shopping: Adults shopped for Russell Woods; they need to take boys along to teach techniques.

Merit Badge Counselor List:  Eric printed it from the CD provided by the District.  Terry has the CD now.  Eric critiqued the list and found omissions as well as improper additions.  Eric will check with Roger Schuchard to get it resolved.

Checking Account:  Jon Paul has forms to change names on the account.  We will add Craig, Sandy, and Ed to replace Jon and Steve.

Eagle Scout and Youth Recognition Dinner:  2002 Eagle Scouts are reminded to register.

 

Adjourned at 8:12

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

                                                Will check into “Youth Protection” video tapes

 MaryAnn                               Verify CPR Training for Philmont adults and others

Dan                                        Annual Tour Permit auto insurance information

                                                Get albums from Andrew