March 21, 2006
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Present: Phil Reece, Judi Nichols, Bill LeFevre, Greg Poulisse, Ken Hoxie, Eric Schmidt, Greg Sparks, “Sugar Boy” Richard Lambert, Sandy Schwartz, Al Fredrickson, Bob Voll, Dannette Holifield, Terry Nichols, Paul McCaffrey, Gretchen Horan, Steve Horan, Craig Louthain |
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Meeting started at 8:11 PM |
Treasurer’s Report: Craig read the financial report.
Past Events
First Aid/CPR Certifications: Whoever needs it should get their name(s) to Eric Schmidt, or nothing will be arranged. Anyone who is going to summer camp should have their certification.
Webelos Overnighter: Sandy is having a problem making a reservation for next year at MacQueen FP. Justine does not return her calls. We will try to talk to Bill Prain at Russell Woods about the procedure – contact Terry Hannan, 895-7191. Sandy has not made contact with anyone yet. (3/21) It is scheduled for the first weekend of October 2006. We will have running water and warm air.
F.o.S. (Feb 21): Mark Rauschenberger talked about Friends of Scouting – the District is already at 10% of goal. $1935 is Troop 181’s goal for 2006. Terry mentioned that we have a Court of Honor in February and asked Mark if he would speak at it. (3/21) Craig Louthain did our FOS presentation. We pledged over $2400; badges of rank will be free next year as a result. Good job Craig!!! We surpassed our goal, but the District as a whole is below their goal.
Scouting for Food (Feb. 25 & Mar. 4, 2006): Craig is the District Coordinator. Only 7 units have committed. MaryAnn suggested that those here talk to their Packs to see if they would help. Sandy is checking to see if we could use a pantry that would be more convenient. She’s checking-in with Ken Rock. We suggested bringing food to Family Night. Terry Nichols brought up that it is suppose to be a community project. Go out on a Saturday and drop off bags and come back next week to pick them up. Mark suggested that you could put a troop info-card in there, talking about our troop. Knocking on doors produces more food than just drive-by picking-up. Scouts will be in uniform. Need a flyer made out to offer our troop information. Estimate 1-hour the first Saturday and 3-hours the next Saturday is approximate time frames. Good activity for a transition for incoming new WEBELOS to go with a seasoned scout. Staple or tape info-sheet to bag. Phil asked Terry to email pastor to see if he has a food pantry preference. He did not. More adults are needed to drive/pick-up food on March 4. (3/21) We got 12,000 items district wide. The troop and crew did over 1700, and some are still coming in. The Crew and Belvidere troop people dropped-off their donations to a church in Belvidere. The people in Cherry Valley took their donations to St. Patrick Church on the northwest side of Rockford.
Semi-Bi-Annual First Aid Meet (Mar. 11, 2006): This year’s Meet will be held at the center court of Machesney Park Mall. Registration starts at 9:00 AM and competition starts at 10:00 AM; should end about 2:00 PM. Cost is $3.00 per scout. Bring your own lunch, since there are no food vendors in the Mall anymore. Each patrol needs one adult; as a roving judge. Contact Chuck Jansen at canoe23@tds.net or 815-282-1255 with other questions. (3/21) The Venture Crews scored highest; with Crew 181 as champion. We had a crew of 4 scouts and (2) patrols of 6 scouts each, and 4 adults judging. Terry felt that it was unfair that crews compete with troops, as the crews are usually older boys and girls, who tend to dominate the competition. Terry sent an email to Chuck Jansen, who will consider separating the levels of competition.
District Nominations (due Mar. 13, 2006): Need to elect District Award of Merit, Unit Spirit Award, and Outstanding Scouter Awards. Mark talked about what the requirements were. The District Dinner will be at the Belvidere UAW on April 2nd for the awards ceremony. A secret ballot was done. Phil Reece was elected for Unit Spirit Award. Terry, MaryAnn and Phil will work on the nominations for the remaining awards. (3/21) We nominated three people for the District Award of Merit. According to Andy Murray, only eight people were nominated. We nominated one Outstanding Scouter for the leader category and one for committee category. We will not hear about approvals until late March. Our District is allowed 5 District Awards of Merit (one per 25 units, or fraction thereof; there are 101 units). All nominees are very deserving, so a decision will be difficult. Money for dinner reservations is due by March 24. Andy Murray will wave the late fee up to the Friday before the dinner, when food must be ordered.
Miscellaneous Business
Training:
Wood Badge: Craig completed the academics and is working on his Ticket. Scouting for Food is his major one. Adult training, fast start training and youth protection are others. Ed is still working on his ticket too -- Finding a Chaplain's Aide has been a problem. (3/21) Sandy has finished her Ticket – Congratulations!
Leader Specific (April 26, May 3, 10, 17, plus overnight): Ken’s done. Steve Horan is still working on his. (3/21) Greg Sparks has finished his Leader Specific. New course starting April 26th -- Greg Poulisse needs it. He will take that one. Dannette still needs the campout. When it gets announced, she will try to make it. We need to encourage our new adults to attend; also, some of our experienced scouters. This is part of our Quality Unit recognition.
Fast Start: Do it on-line; or set a date.
Troopmaster – We can spend the $130 to get new Troopmaster and dot com. Need to get FTP site before purchase. Will use the 90-day trial. The new version coming-up may allow multiple level passwords. We will not be able to start on it until August. We’re leaving this item for Phil to discuss. He is talking with John Vermie to let us test the web capabilities. Phil will try it out. Phil is still working on it. Still working on it (2/28). Terry is helping evaluate it - (3/21) not yet.
Announcements Needed: Troop Planning, Lincoln Pilgrimage, BMX Food tent & Clean-up.
Service Project for the Church: They have two projects that could be used for Eagle projects. One is to make a sign for the church. The second is to dig out the playground so it can be made deeper and enlarged. If the playground is not picked up as an Eagle project the troop will look at doing it as a service project in the spring.
One Scout asked about it, but changed his mind. Playground in rear of church needs improvement to meet new DCFS guidelines. Bill Ziemke furnished a sheet with the proposal for the project.
Swimming:Jefferson is not available; Belvidere High School is using it and there are problems with the custodial pool staff. Marcus Tryggestad is checking Rockford College and Rockford YMCA. Mr. Schmidt will still check with Guilford. We’re waiting for an answer from RESA. Millennium Center is $45 per hour 7:30 to 9:00 on Tuesday. Belvidere YMCA - $2.00 per person on Wednesday, is available as an open swim night. Dolphin Swim Club is Friday only. Marcus and Eric will let Phil know what the results are, so a decision can be made by the end of November and our swim nights chosen. Two choices remain: Millennium Center or Belvidere YMCA. Millennium Center (former YWCA) is Tuesday night, there’s no guest seating and a small locker room. Lois suggested rotating scouts through locker room by patrol. Eric will see if it is still available. The Belvidere YMCA is $2.00 per person on Wednesday but it’s an open swim. Paul says it tends to have problems with maintenance and closes unpredictably. Phil will check with Jim Fry regarding Flinn’s pool. A sub-committee will make a decision next week. Also, Eric is working on Rockford College next year. Maybe we will do one swim night at Rockford College for this year as a trial. One, maybe two, swim nights there. Terry & Phil are going to go Friday to Rockford College to check it out. Possibly go back to Tuesdays. Flat fee of $20.00. BJ says it is slightly smaller than an Olympic pool. It does have two diving boards. We have to furnish our own lifeguard. They have bleachers. Belinda provided a contract from Jefferson for next year. Eric is working on Rockford College for next year also. Need to check and see if our lifeguard will be available. We will make a decision at next meeting. Had some problems with the swim team getting out of the Belvidere Y pool on time on January 11. Rockford College is still interested in us going there. We will be talking with BJ Robertson (394-3727) to set up a tour. Belinda has a contract form for Jefferson for 2007. As of tonight, we’re still working on Rockford College. They have not returned calls. Belvidere Y is still looking for updated liability insurance from Council; Eric will follow-up. Marcus has confirmed he will be there. According to “Aquatic Safety,” two capable swimmers can be used instead of a lifeguard.
(3/21) Courtney Oertell, Events Coordinator, Rockford College, 815-226-4039, coertell@rockford.edu , 7:00 - 8:30 April 4 and May 2. ($12.50 per two lanes per hour -- $56.25 for full pool for 1.5 hours.) Put on to liability insurance and copy to them. We have been offered two Tuesday nights at Rockford College pool. April 4th and May 2nd. Cost will be about $56.25 for each night. After the May event, we will discuss going there in 2007. The troop will go to McDonalds by the Sweden House on State Street after swimming. Terry provided a new flier. Thanks to Phil for all of his negotiations!
CVUM Men's Club Dinner: Three boys showed up in February. Several have been volunteering; they like the free food. Bill needs to keep Ed and Terry informed of who volunteers and works. (3/21) At the last dinner there was adequate help from the troop; one scout was called-off. They want to limit it to two Scouts.
Future Events
Popcorn (April 1, 2006): Ken is not available until after Christmas. He is Santa Claus at Cherry Vale Mall. Paul has volunteered to collect the order forms and will contact Ken regarding it. Ken should bring leftover popcorn to the Pizza Party on Dec. 20. One sheet was lost, need to work out how to deliver and pay for the popcorn. Ken says still missing about $200.00. All money has been collected now. Spring sales begin April 1. Scouts can make $7-9 per hour on consignment sales. Ken will decide next month if we’ll do consignment, ‘because it is extra work for Ken. (3/21) An announcement will be made next week. Consignment sales will not be done this year. There is a 3-week turn-around on the sales. All orders due on the 21st.
USS Cobia (April 1-2, 2006): Troop is picking up $30 for adults and $20 for scouts, including food. All attendees must fill-out the supplied forms. There are 58 people attending, 12 of whom are crew members. We will have the ship to ourselves. Each person gets two pieces of pizza when we get there. Information is on the Website. The troop will bring money for breakfast.
District Dinner (April 2, 2006): Looks like 5 people are planning to attend.
Lincoln Pilgrimage (April 29 - 30, 2006): Terry will look at campsites; will try for Illinek, Panther Creek will be back-up site. Go Saturday morning, come back Sunday late. All camps are first come, first serve basis. We are short of tents; people need to bring their own. (3/21) Terry will make an announcement for the website. The troop is reserved at BSA Camp Illinek on Lake Springfield, south of the city. We may be short on tents and need to bring a few personal tents in addition to troop tents. McCaffrey's will go Friday night.
OA Election (by May 1, 2006): Youth elections for our troop will be March 21st. Adult election will need to be done at next committee meeting. We discussed the requirements. Ken, Sandy and MaryAnn are eligible. Ed, Lois, Dannette may also be eligible, also Paul. Mark said the Lodge needs adults who are willing to commit, if not, please do not elect them. MaryAnn Bushaw and Ken Hoxie agreed to be active, if elected. A secret ballot elected Ken. Congratulations! (3/21) Three scouts were elected by their peers tonight.
Laid-Back Campout (May 12 - 14, 2006): Still looking for site. Sandy suggested White Pines and Terry suggested Anderson Woods as an alternative. Sandy will make reservations. (3/21) A reservation is made at White Pines.
CVFPD Midwest Regional Extrication Competition (May 20 - 21, 2006): We have been invited to hold the food fund raiser again this year. We made about $1400 last year. We need to keep the refreshments open later this year to accommodate the awards ceremony. (3/21) Phil Reece will put together a sub-committee. Greg, Paul and Ken are willing to help Phil with this.
Wanchanagi District Camp-O-Ree (May 19-21, 2006): No news yet. We may be able to do this and the extrication. The PLC had decided not to go to camp-o-ree, but they will review the decision. It will be at Canyon Camp. The committee needs to know the PLC’s decision by the April committee meeting.
Summer Camp (July 2-8, 2006): Cost is $180 per Scout (early-bird price) and $17 per day for adults, which the troop will pay. The deposit will be $30 for the each scout, with a $25 fee for additional scouts in the same family; due by March 3rd; the balance is due May 5th. There is a $10 late fee if someone signs up after March 3rd. New scouts joining from Webelos dens can sign-up later. We will sign-up two less scouts, to make sure we do not lose the whole deposit for any cancellations. Sandy would like to use the January 17th troop meeting to inform parents about this camp experience. Sandy sent out emails checking to see who would like to go to Ransburg summer camp. 9 Scouts and 4 adults replied that they would like to go. 25 youth signed up, still working on others. Six adults have confirmed; two more are thinking about it. New scouts and parents have not been talked-to. (3/21) There are 30 youth signed-up now, including new scouts. No new news – next payment is April 14th.
Fiesta Italiana (Aug. 2006): Steve Horan will be doing it – no conflicts this year.
Philmont '07: Bill wants to know how many people would be interested. Ed did an informal survey, 6 scouts and 5 adults are interested at this time. The registration will be a lottery that is entered from the computer. Bill will put in dates to see what we can get. He will look at two treks. (Terry suggested not having the older scouts all on one trek and the younger scouts on the other. A crew of predominately smaller, inexperienced backpackers caused some equipment problems last time.) We are on the waiting list (#628). So is Crew 181(#714). Next sign-up is for 2008. We may be able to set-up a council contingent, per Eric. Ed will talk with Phil McCrery. Ed will look at Double-H and others for high adventure, which is for 14 and older only. (3/21) Council contingents are full.
New Business
Insurance: Our regular insurance is due to renew July 6th.
Tax letters: We send out letters to the people who store our trailers, etc. Phil will check with Dan Murphy on these.
Tour Permit: Our Annual Tour Permit (within 100-miles) expires April 13th. Phil will ask Dan Murphy to do it again, as he has the spreadsheet of adults, their vehicles and insurance coverages.
Numerals and Patrol Medallions: Terry sent for a quote. From DeKalb: $2.25 ea. for 100; $1.55 for 250, and $1.47 for 300+. He had a quote for the extra “35 years” strip. The troop decided not to go with the extra strip. The committee decided to order 250 patches. Patrol patches: there are no stock patches that match our patrols. Welsh Industries in DeKalb would charge $5 a piece or blank patches for $1 each. Greg Sparks will look into it during his next trip to India or Shanghai.
Merit Badge counselor enrollment: All who are enrolled should have received a card to re-enroll on-line. There is some difficulty getting on-line.
Alpine Slide Campout (June 9-11, 2006 ): There is a Mississippi cruise there for 1/5 hours. It costs $20, but she is hoping for a group rate. Sandy is exploring places to camp near there. If we did the cruise, we may do it in two groups. Question – can the kids do the Alpine Slide more than once? Committee decided to make the reservation.
NYLT (Jun 11-17, 2006): Possibly, Ryan and Glenn are going. April 25 is deadline with a $50 deposit. Nick said he had 4-5 scouts interested.
BMX Food Tent (Jun. 15–18, 2006): Same people from the extrication event volunteered to help.
BMX Clean-up (Jun. 18, 2006): We need an announcement for this.
Independence Day Parade (July 4, 2006): The troop is at summer camp, so we cannot do it this year. Bill will let the Village know.
Camping Fees: Our fundraiser proceeds will be spread over more boys. Discussion particularly focused on 2-night campouts versus 1-night. Terry mentioned that there are typically two campouts a year that are only one night. A motion was made to raise standard campout fees to $8. Motion approved.
Merit Badge Counselors: The troop needs more physical fitness merit badge counselors. A couple of volunteers spoke up, including Greg Sparks. We can bring up the need for more counselors at Family Night. Another idea is to pick a badge and do it on a weekend every other month. Richard suggested a merit badge campout.
Tuesday Meeting (March 28): The meeting for next Tuesday will be at the Legion Hall, upstairs. Bill will get the key for it. (There is a Village-wide meeting at the church on teenage drinking.)
Youth Protection: Adults should re-do their Youth Protection training. There will be one at the next Roundtable on April 6th at 6:45 p.m. All adults encouraged to attend.
Lifeguard Training: Terry announced various activities including Lifeguard training through the Salvation Army & Red Cross. It starts 4/4/06; $140. Greg Poulisse showed interest.
Adjourned 9:22 PM