July 18, 2006

Present: Phil Reece, Terry Nichols, Craig Louthain, Bob Voll, MaryAnn Bushaw, Dannette Holifild, Lois Blondin, Ed Blondin, Greg Sparks, Eric Schmidt, and Alex Reece

Meeting started at 8:15PM

Treasurer’s Report: Craig did not have a report prepared. A full report will be done next month.

Next Committee Meeting: August 22, 2006.

Past Events

Popcorn (April 1, 2006): Steve Horan has the extra popcorn, if anyone is interested. (6/27) We need to collect $12.00 from one, and $88.00 from another, per Paul.

CVFPD Midwest Regional Extrication Competition (May 20 - 21, 2006): (6/27) Phil is still working on expense/net profit report; hopes to be done by next meeting. (7/18) Phil is still working on the final accounting. It should be ready by the next committee meeting.

BMX Food Tent (Jun. 1518, 2006): (7/18) Phil is still working on the final accounting. It should be ready by the next committee meeting.

Summer Camp (July 2-8, 2006): (7/18) Ransburg had good activities. Several rank advancements were done and 56 merit badges were completed, plus 33 partials were returned. Next year -- we need to assign each adult to several scouts to monitor their progress i.e. Patrol coaches. Ransburg had different training sessions for adults each day. People need to get their completed training dates to MaryAnn. Everyone would recommend going back to the Ransburg Scout Reservation.

Future Events

Severson Dells (July 25, 2006): (4/25) it’s a troop meeting. It’s off Montague Road, west of Rockford. Sandy is getting someone to talk. (5/23) Sandy suggested we do our own thing because it can be expensive to have someone give us a tour. Belinda suggested we get brochures ahead of time to give to adults to become familiar with it, so they can point-out things. Terry will check into it. (6/27) Terry has maps and some literature available for adults for their groups. Sandy suggested that each group look for something different. We will need to wing-it. We will be meeting out there near the Prairie Knoll shelter house. Phil needs an announcement for it; Terry will work on it. (7/18) The Announcement will be posted tonight. PLC suggested making it a game (i.e. scavenger hunt) search with a list. Their website is lacking information. Glenn Sparks may be able to go there in advance, and will let Alex Reece know.

Blackhawk Regatta (Saturday, July 29, 2006): (4/25) it is a council event for youth, 14 and older. MaryAnn will put information together for it. (5/23) Regatta is at Levings Lake. MaryAnn wants us to go. Beside Crew members, there are a few other youth in the troop who are that age. It could help introduce them to the crew. Coordinate it with Eric. (6/27) MaryAnn still wants a group to go. Terry suggests whoever wants to go should be able to. (7/18) At this time no one has confirmed interest.

Fiesta Italiana (Aug. 4 - 7 2006): (3/21) Steve Horan will be doing it no conflicts this year. (6/27) Sheet has been passed around. It is also online. (7/18) Five shifts are open on the schedule.

Troop 224 Spud Hut (August 813, 2006): (5/23) They are going to need people this year. We should see sign-up sheets by next month. An adult must work with a scout; and everyone pays to get into the Boone County Fair. (6/27) SteveDeVlieger came and talked about it tonight at the meeting -- contact Steve at 544-8310 (home) or 670-9833 (cell). (7/18) Some shifts are still open people need to contact Steve DeVlieger directly.

OA Fall Conclave (August 18-20, 2006): Youth and adult candidates (who were called-out at Ransburg) need to complete applications and pay to attend. All arrowmen are encouraged to go.

Americas River Campout (August 25 27): (5/23) Sandy is doing something with it. (6/27) We have the camping place reserved; which is Mississippi Palisades. Tours are available. (7/18) We’re considering the Mississippi Museum and Aquarium. An announcement is needed for the website.

Bike Hike Campout (Sept 16 17, 2006): (6/27) Eric will run it again. He has 2 trails picked-out. Homework needs to be done. (7/18) Our PLC wants to do the Heritage Trail. Elroy-Sparta is an option too. We still need to discuss an over night versus a day trip. We need two hours to get to the Heritage Trail in Iowa. Eric will check-out a city park that is near the trail.

Sporting Clays for Scouting (Sept 23, 2006): (6/27) Terry has a flyer. (7/18) See Terry for the flyer.

WEBELOS Open House (Sept 26, 2006): (6/27) Sandy will take care of it.

Wreath Sales (Sept 26, 2006): (6/27) Paul McCaffrey will take care of it.

Miscellaneous Business

Training:

Wood Badge: Craig is still working on his ticket. (6/27) Fast Start and Youth Protection are part of his Ticket. He requested that we do it at a scout meeting. Two nights are suggested, and that they be done 2 weeks in a row. Craig needs to coordinate it with Sandy to set-up.

Leader Specific (Oct 2006): (7/18) Lois needs the October overnight campout with Dannette to finish.

Fast Start: Do it online; or set a date. (5/23) Vicki Lambert did hers online but did not get her card. She was advised to take her printout to the council office (Beth Ann) and get her card. (7/18) Arrange with Craig

Youth Protection: (7/18) Talk to Craig Louthain, who is arranging dates and times.

First Aid/CPR Certifications: (3/21) 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.

Troopmaster (5/23) Will start-up discussion again after summer camp. (7/18) Dannette has a handle on it.

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. (4/25) If no one is doing it as an Eagle project we need to jump on it for the troop to do. No Eagle candidate was interested. Ed Blondin will talk to Bill Ziemke about getting this organized. (5/23) We need to wait until after summer camp. Between day camps, summer camp, and fundraisers we will not have enough people to do it right. Besides, the church does not have the final specs yet. (7/18) Ed talked with Bill. He needs to talk with Eric Schwitzer, from the church committee. Phil will supply Ed with the phone number.

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 for 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! (4/25) RC’s water is warmer than Jefferson, not as hot in bleacher area. Everyone liked it overall. Parking was a bit of a problem. Parking Lot A across the street is available, but furthure away. Phil will make sure other door is unlocked. Comments will be taken after next swim and a decision will be made for next year quickly. Eric suggested that a thank-you card be sent to the Belvidere YMCA, preferably by a scout. Eric will bring a thank-you card for the scouts and scouters to sign at swimming. (5/23) Scheduling was a problem with the last swim, but it can be fixed. Boys liked the warmer water. Motions were yes’ to keep it at Rockford College. Keep it on Tuesday. Prefer 6:30, 1-½ time slot. Keep it on first Tuesday of the month. If not available, second Tuesday is acceptable. (6/27) Still waiting on the contract for the first Tuesday from 7 8:30. They wanted to know if we wanted 7:30 9:00, because of a potential conflict. Getting worried! If it doesn’t happen soon, need to go back to Jefferson. We will make a decision next meeting. Jefferson is changing principals, so we will need to recheck. (7/18) Phil is getting worried that a contract has not been submitted. If it doesn’t happen before the next committee meeting, we need to go back to Jefferson. We will make a decision at the next meeting. Jefferson is changing principals, so we will need to check dates. Phil will talk with Belinda about finding new ones.

Religious Retreats: (4/25) MaryAnn said we need to encourage members to go to the religious retreats.
(5/23) There is a conflict with our troop schedule in September. We will not be attending. (6/27) MaryAnn says plans are moving forward. Only one has shown an interest. (7/18) Frank may be going. Kevin is working it.

Numerals and Patrol Medallions: (3/21) 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. (4/25) Patches came in and Terry rejected them because they were not acceptable. (5/23) Greg Sparks dropped the blank patrol medallions off in India. He is getting pricing on 200. Terry is still working on numerals from Welsh Industries. Patch is larger and numbers are too skinny. (We have 250 bad patches.) He suggested changes by email and Welsh emailed a picture of a correction. That needs changing too. More suggestions have been submitted, but no final reply. (6/27) Terry said it is still in-process. Lois talked to Greg Sparks; the minimum order is 2000. Lois wanted to check with Necchi New Home center to see if they could get them. Phil said that there are people who would be willing to put the time in there if we give them the blanks. Paul suggested talking to his wife, which he will do (Midge has a fancy, new machine. Lois will talk to her also. (7/18) Lois will talk with Midge.

Merit Badges/Counselors: (3/21) 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. (4/25) “Merit Badge work every other month.” Do we want to do that, or is anyone interested in doing a one-day MB? Summer camp provides their own merit badge cards. Woodcarving possibility for late summer. (5/23) Greg Sparks and Eric Schmidt are working on getting the troop information updated at District; also, we need to update troop website. Encourage counselors to help guide and counsel the boys. We need to tell boys what is required for them to complete the merit badge. Suggested that we need to plan one every month. Suggested that we even work on some that are Eagle required ones that cannot be done in a day, but give scouts a jump start. Merit Badge Learn and Earn is scheduled for next Spring. Mark Rauschenberg is a Merit Badge counselor for about 12 badges, we need to get him here, at least for the computer one. (6/27) OK. (7/18) We need to verify registrations with Roger Schuchard. It’s alleged that we need to fill-out new MB forms each year. Eric will get a written statement from Roger on what needs to be done.

Health Forms: (6/27) Lois wants to be in charge of it. (7/18) Lois needs to work on it.

New Business

WEBELOS Overnight (October 6-8): Sandy is working on it.

Fall Camp-O-Ree (October 13-15): No details yet. It will be Emergency Preparedness oriented; possibly manned by outside people. The Wanchanagi District Fall Challenge. We should get details at next month’s Roundtable.

Fall Popcorn Sales begin (October 16): Paul did not decline being the new Kernel. Phil is also talking to Gina Yannone.

Troop Meeting (October 31) on Halloween: Terry suggested canceling it, due to anticipated poor attendance. Passed. Look at going to the Y-Camp or corn maze the week before; Lois will look for times and costs.

NAYLE (National NYLT) (June 2007): Alex and Matt have been elected to go to the national NYLT, with Nick as an alternate. Eight 2006 staff members from NYLT were elected to go; with four alternates. The event takes place at Philmont, the week after the local course. A letter will be sent by NYLT to the participants detailing the event. Alex Reece will inform this Committee in August.

Sparks: The Sparks are moving to McFarland, WI. Greg took a few minutes to thank the committee for all we’ve done for Glenn and his family. He said we “really got it together” as an organization. He’s proud to have been part of this group. He hopes Glenn’s new, similar troop will be equivalent.

Adjourned at 9:17 PM