August 22, 2006

Present: Phil Reece, Belinda Cowdrey, Craig Louthain, Eric Schmidt, Sandy Schwartz, Dannette Holifield, Brian Murphy, Lois Blondin, Terry Nichols, MaryAnn Bushaw, Greg Poulisse, Richard Lambert, Paul McCaffrey, Vicki Lambert

Meeting started at 8:15 PM

Treasurer’s Report: Craig gave the report. Our funds are above the normal level for this time of the year. We will discuss at the next meeting what to do with the money.

Next Committee Meeting: September 19, 2006, it was changed because the WEBLOS night is on the 26th.

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. Last two are unknown. Have not seen Ken. (7/18) One was Ben’s and one is Tyler’s.

Fall Popcorn Sales begin (October 16): (7/18) Paul did not decline being the new Kernel. Phil is also talking to Gina Yannone. (8/22) Jessica Tufly agreed to become the Popcorn Kernel.

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. (8/22) Judges ate $123 worth of food, our cost. Double of last year’s. We offered food more freely and they knew about it this year. Profit $601. And that includes the extra food (chicken, etc.) the firefighters gave us from their cookout. The food cost went up & attendance was down this year. Per item we made less. Last year we made $1300. Three crews did not show up to compete this year. The lower amount made is confusing. Three to four hundred is accountable, the rest is not. There is a cash register computer program we can use next year to help keep track of what is sold.

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. (8/22) We made a profit of $812. This was down also this year. We did not buy as much; Did not have as much waste. No coffee available on Sunday because we were advised to not make any; we could have sold 20-30 cups. We made coffee Saturday, but sold only one cup. We had problems with pizzas being delivered on time, and the way they were cut this year was a problem also. Confusion as to who was ordering pizza on Saturday. Next year Phil would like to see changes as to how things are run; He wants to mirror what the Spud Hut does; we should use a computer to keep better records. Volunteers seem to be fine for both 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. (8/22) It seemed to go well. We did a scavenger hunt and an identification list. Richard thought it Severson Dells was a good things, and something that should be done again sometime. MaryAnn suggested having more experienced people with the younger scouts. Put out a list in advance. It was set up that everyone took a different path. The groups did not get the full tour because of looking for things. Possibly have adults setup at checkpoints throughout the grounds. Have boys check in with them and point out things they should see in that area. The only drawback to meeting out there was the cost of gas for everyone to drive there.

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. (8/22) No one went.

Festa Italiana (Aug. 47, 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. (8/22) A later shift was suggested for the last shift, because people worked too late this year with respect to the times they started. The last shifts ended up going as late as 2:00am. Possibly have an hour earlier setup time. Phil disagreed because the morning shifts were very slim. It was suggested that the people who work the previous night shift be exempt from the next morning shift. Have people sign-up for the morning shifts to get commitments. Only 46% of scouts worked. We need to have a mix of younger scouts with older scouts. We need more complete participation from the scouts. Trying to get more shifts available. We usually get paid after a month, but we do have to ask for it. Steve is staying in contact with the Chairman.

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) Steve DeVlieger 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. (8/22) A check will be received in about a month, after all their other expenses are paid. We filled 9 shifts. Troop 224 will need more help next year because their membership is down.

OA Fall Conclave (August 18-20, 2006): (7/18) Youth and adult candidates (who were called-out at Ransburg) need to complete applications and pay to attend. All arrowmen are encouraged to go. (8/22) Had a good time and Ordeals were successful.

Future Events

Americas River Campout (August 2527): (5/23) Sandy is doing something with it. (6/27) We have the camping place reserved; which is Mississippi Palisades. Tours are available at the museum. (7/18) We’re going to the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. An announcement is needed for the website. (8/22) We have 11 going; need 15 for the museum discount. We have no one to pull the trailer at this time. It will cost $3 each more if we do not get our numbers. Phone calls will be made to help increase attendance.

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 overnight 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. (8/22) Ed cannot go. It is north of Dyersville, IA. We still do not know if it is an overnighter. At Family Night, 20 raised there hands that they wanted to attend. Eric has a trailer that holds 20 bikes. The boys will be required to come to the bike check. Eric needs to put announcements together for it.

Sporting Clays for Scouting (Sept 23, 2006): (6/27) Terry has a flyer. (7/18) See Terry for the flyer. (8/22) They do not need youth anymore. It’s automated.

WEBELOS Open House (Sept 26, 2006): (6/27) Sandy will take care of it. She is still waiting to hear if the fire station is available. (8/22) Have a conflict for the next committee meeting. The committee meeting is being changed to September 19th. Sandy would like help planning this. She is inviting several packs from Belvedere and Rockford.

Wreath Sales (Sept 26, 2006): (6/27) Paul McCaffrey will take care of it. (8/22) Paul had handouts. We need to discuss prices for this coming year. We raised rates 1 to 4 dollars per wreath to compensate for the increase in costs. Funds for Scouts Accounts will go back to $2 for up thru 20, and $4 for over 20.

Miscellaneous Business

Training:

Wood Badge: (7/18) Now officially for August 2007.

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.
Need to get this going. She needs your information along with dates.

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. (8/22) Terry noticed his expires in January 2007 and requests Eric to set-up a refresher class for all of those who need to get theirs updated. There were several people sitting at this table who need it too. Eric says he cannot schedule it too far in advance; the fire station will schedule about a month ahead only.

Troopmaster (5/23) Will start-up discussion again after summer camp. (7/18) Dannette has a handle on it.
Phil will start working on the online version and it will be installed in MaryAnn’s computer and taught to her. (8/22) Dannette is handling imputing all the information. They are collecting books. Lois suggested that we get spreadsheets for the troop advisers and they can enter the stuff for it. Derek Dwyer was just volunteered to help Dannette get the boys’ books and get the information for inputting. Phil will work on getting onto the ftp server.

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. (8/22) The number for Eric Schwitzer was wrong, need to call the church and find out the new one.

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. (8/22) We have a contract with Rockford College! Swimming is overwith! YEEEAAAAHHH!!!!!!

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. (8/22) MaryAnn knows that her son is going.

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. (8/22) Paul’s wife is meeting with a sewing rep tomorrow to see if they can do it. We are not sure yet whether or not she will need to purchase another card. The patrols may need to be renamed in order for these cards to work. Phil suggested that they should check to see if we can download the information on to a card.

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. (8/22) Do not need to fill-out another form per Roger, just the confirmation card. MaryAnn says she’s sure a new adult form needs to be filled out every year.

Health Forms: (6/27) Lois wants to be in charge of it. (7/18) Lois needs to work on it. (8/22) Lois has gone through them all. We have some that do not have health forms filled out at all. There are also some whose information has expired. Lois will be calling people to get those and to get updates. Terry suggested a summary onto a spreadsheet. She has also made up a list of non-active adults. Duplicate books made up for small group outings. There are about 15 to 20 that we need forms fixed for. Lois wants to return the outdated forms back to the respective families.

WEBELOS Overnight (October 6-8): (7/18) Sandy is working on it. (8/22) She is still looking for people to help with planning. Ed, Sandy, Brian, Terry and possibly Paul. Concentrate on getting newer schools involved also.

Fall Camp-O-Ree (October 13-15): (7/18) 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. (8/22) Troop deadline is August 29. It’s possible we can add more later, but not guaranteed. We now have details; it’s limited to 130 scouts and will be staffed by the US Army. October 3rd meeting here leads into the Camp-O-Ree. We have a guest coming to that meeting, DSA Lee Ownly.

Troop Meeting on Halloween (October 31): (7/18) 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): (7/18) 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. (8/22) It’s is a one week course that over a 6 week period. ’06 NAYLE was one week after NYLT. What is the transportation? Most drove, one took a train. They do not care how the scouts get there, just that they can get there. 3 boys may go; 2 elected ones and 1 alternate. It will benefit our troop if those boys will use their training for the troop’s benefit. They have to write a “commitment.” No one from this troop has gone before. The course fee is $290. Our council will pay $100. Terry suggested it will cost them about $190 plus cost of transportation. He suggested that the scout pays $50; and the troop pays $140. Refund $50 after they fulfill their commitment. Paul suggested that we come up with various options for transportation costs and offer to pay the equivalent to the cheapest one. The scout would pay the difference if they want to use a more expensive way. We voted to accept Terry’s suggestion; will vote on the transportation costs later.

New Business

Christmas Tree Lot 2006: (8/22) Ed will run the tree lot, as its manager. Trees need to be ordered very soon. Terry has talked to Harold Kingma, who told us the trees will be .50 cents more this year. This is in addition to the transportation surcharge (an additional .50 cents) which was paid last year. This is an additional $200 increase over last year. Want to order 80 Fraser Firs, an increase of 10. Have Scout families pre-order Fraser Firs, which could possibly raise that count. Last year we paid $33 for some Fraser firs and sold all Fraser firs to scout families for $25; we lost money on each sale. We want to individually tag the prices on the Fraser firs this year in relationship to their costs ($33.50, $25.50, and $20.50). We’ll reduce the quantity of scotch pines by 10. We’ll still order 400 trees. We basically have 4 weekends available to sell trees this year. We voted, and this order amount was approved. We will discuss cost at our September meeting.

Astronomy merit badge (November 4): (8/22) The MB will be offered on November 4th at the Discovery Center. It will cost $20 per Scout. The museum is open until 5:00. This course would run 4-8:00pm. Phil suggests we bring in pizza. Two suggestions include: charging the scouts for the merit badge or having the scouts pay for the food. This is a more expensive merit badge. Another suggestion is Scouts pay for merit badge and bring a brown bag. There is a minimum of 10 kids. Suggested to see how many are interested. Terry should bring it up at the next scout meeting. We will discuss this again at next committee meeting.

Swimming Alternative: (8/22) We discussed what can be done in place of the swimming requirement for a boy who cannot complete it to advance through First Class. An alternative is something that needs to be a challenge. Hiking or Special Olympics were suggestions. A 10-mile hike was voted as the replacement for the 100 yard swim in order to get his First Class. If that cannot be done, another challenge will be assigned.

New Equipment: (8/22) It was suggested that we buy more tents, since our treasury can afford it. Our PLC previously voted that we buy 2 dome tents a year and a half ago, per Eric. He suggested we replace 2 stoves. The stoves were voted down. Terry suggested that we approve buying the 2 tents. After we get an inventory from the Quartermaster, we can discuss what else we possibly need. More will be discussed at the next meeting. Tents may go on sale at this time of the year.

High Adventure: (8/22) The Chisholm Trail in the Longhorn Council near Dallas, Texas was desired. First choice is week of June 25 (Sunday through Saturday). Deposit is $50 per person. We must reserve our group size because they have various size boats. The scouts must be 13 years of age and have their first class by the date of the camp. Part of the reservation is reserving the boat. The largest boat will carry 15 people. Suggested to ask scouts next week to see who wants to go. The deposit will be non-refundable, including adults. Sandy will call people. The experience cost is $285 per person, but does not include traveling expenses. The information was just put out, so we need to make a decision soon.

Summer Camp @ Canyon Camp: (8/22) A suggestion was made for the second week in July.

Adjourned at 10:07