September 19, 2006

Present: Sandy Schwartz, Belinda Cowdrey, Eric Schmidt, Craig Louthian, Greg Poulisse, Lois Blondin, Bill LeFevre, Terry Nichols, Ken Hoxie, Jessica Tufly, Paul McCaffrey, Richard Lambert, Vicki Lambert

Meeting started at 8:17 PM

Treasurer’s Report: Craig gave the report.

Next Committee Meeting: October 24, 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. Last two are unknown. We 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. (9/19) It will start Oct. 14. Jessica went to Roundtable last Thursday to get the information.

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. It was suggested that we give vouchers for food for workers next time. (9/19) Bill LeFevre mentioned that the fire committee will pay for their portion.

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. We still do not have the check. Possibly give Steve a reminder to check on this. (9/19) Still waiting!

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. (9/19) Money should be coming in next month.

Bike Hike Campout (Sept. 1617, 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. (9/19) 26 people attended; 18 scouts and 8 adults. 2 -quarts of water were requested. Most boys did not have enough water; they brought two small bottles. Lois suggested doing some smaller hikes ahead of time for prepping for the big one. Eric suggested a prep hike ahead of time, but no one did it. Paul suggested requiring (3) 5 mile hikes to get them ready ahead of time. 5 trips around Baumann Lake is 5 miles. It was suggested that trips be offered during free time when the troop meets at the park. Should this be a requirement for all or just the new scouts? Bring up for further discussion at another meeting. Anyone who has never done a 30 -mile -hike should have this requirement. We did a lot of last minute work on bikes. It was suggested maybe doing 2 checks next time instead of 1. A vote is given 1 nay and the majority were yeah. Eric wanted these items added in after the meeting; more adults available for ferry service, make sure we have a re-supply of water; it did not make it into the relief vehicle.

Future Events

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. (9/19) It will happen this coming Saturday. Terry will be trained this week.

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 Belvidere and Rockford. (9/19) Scouts were given reminders to be there at 5:30 next week. Sandy says things are pretty well taken care of. 4 packs were invited. The fire station is already reserved. Most packs are just starting their den meetings, so we do not have a firm number yet. We are expecting about 30.

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 Scout Accounts will go back to $2 for up thru 20, and $4 for over 20. (9/19) Flyers will be handed out next week. Wreath sales start on the 26th.

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. (9/19) Sandy is still working on it. She’s looking for someone to buy groceries. Also, she needs more boys to help with it.

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. (9/19) Only 9 slots were left. We needed space for 21 to sign -up. We are going to do our own. It will be at Camp Rotary FP. Other troops ran into the same problem. We like to open it up to other troops. Troop 40 (Terry’s friends) is small and only had 4 kids to sign up, but has several adults who would be interested. Troop 14 (Phil’s friends) also has shown an interest. We need every available adult to help. Sandy has talked to the Marines still waiting for a response. Her brother is trying to get some MRE’s. Belinda suggested checking to see if maybe the fire department or EMT’s could possibly help. First Aid merit badge can be worked into this program, Bill is looking into this. Terry suggested going to www.meritbadge.com to get the information on current merit badge requirement printouts. He suggested that everyone become familiar with the requirements. 4 scouts already have Emergency Preparedness and about 20 already have First Aid MB. Richard asked if we will charge the other groups. It was suggested if we offer it to other groups it will feel more like a camp-o-ree. We want to have planning meetings outside of troop meetings that would be a requirement. We will be having Rotary FP has a building, but we will be sleeping in tents. If we have other troops, they should have assignments and send enough staff to cover their kids. The majority thought it was a good suggestion. Terry said that the district was charging a fee to cover all food and supplies, so we should be able to do it for the same price. Lois suggested the ROTC at Auburn. Sandy is waiting for the Marines before checking into anyone else. Our open offer is closed off, except these 2 troops only. Sandy will set up the planning meetings. Lois also suggested asking our Eagle Scouts to help out.

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.
(9/19) Just mentioned again.

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. (9/19) Kingma Tree farm quote is $5,675 ($1135.00 deposit due ASAP). We voted to give Terry permission to send it out tonight. Approved. Paperwork was given to Craig.

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. (9/19) Phil is going to put together an announcement. $20 per scout and adults are free. Phil made a deposit.

NAYLE (National NYLT) (Jun 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.

High Adventure (Jun ’07): (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. (9/19) 6 boys and 6 adults are signed -up and have paid their deposit at this time. Sandy is going to go ahead and reserve a boat based on those numbers. Last week of June is our first choice, 3rd week is our second choice. Sandy received a video and it was suggested that we show it to the boys at the Webelos Open House.

Summer Camp @ Canyon Camp (July 8 14, 2007): (8/22) A suggestion was made for the second week in July. (9/19) We are reserved. Poulisses and Paul are already signed -up to go.

Miscellaneous Business

Training:

Wood Badge: (7/18) Now officially for August 2007. Is anyone planning on attending?

Leader Specific (Oct 2006): (7/18) Lois needs the October overnight campout with Dannette to finish.
(9/19) It starts next Wednesday. Vicki and Greg are planning on going. Terry had a flyer on it. Lois and Dannette need the outdoor session only. They must sign -up by Oct. 16th and pay their $15.00. Sign-up has to be done ahead of time. It is the weekend of Oct. 21st.-22.

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. MaryAnn needs your information along with dates. (9/19) October 3rd is when it starts Craig will be showing Youth Protection and Fast Start in the troop. Doing that and Youth Protection at the same time. Bring a bag of popcorn; it’s a movie for adults.

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

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. (9/19) Cannot schedule until it is closer.

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 inputting 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. (9/19) Not here to report on.

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. (9/19) Ed was looking for his contact. 970-6695 is a new cell number for Eric Schwitzer. Ed will try to get contact him.

Swimming: (8/22) We have a contract with Rockford College! Swimming is over with! YEEEAAAAHHH!!!!!! (9/19) Webelos Dens are invited. It is $2.00 a person for the Webelos. We are confused about the times. Check with Phil for the next meeting. 6:30 to 8:00 was found on the contract.

Religious Retreat: (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. (9/19) It just happened last weekend. Kevin was the only scout who went. Mary Ann was not here to report on 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. (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 onto a card. Paul’s wife will make samples when she has time. (9/19) We could not do the patrols that we have now. The boys will have to choose patrol names from what are available symbols. It will be at least a couple of weeks to get these ready.

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. (9/19) We’re low on physical fitness counselors. At leader specific troop Youth Protection and Fast Start training have some Troop Resource Survey forms available. Suggestion of what is required of counselors or possibly what training is needed to be a counselor.

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. (9/19) Lois has spoken to people of those she needs information for. Mostly, she needs forms from the new Squirrels.

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. (9/19) Chris completed it. Note: The above procedure followed a written document prepared by the District Advancement Chair, Connie Snyder.

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. (9/19) Lois (parent of our Quartermaster) said we did need 2 tents. Zachary (QM) suggested we buy those tents. Eric pieced some partials together to make a total of 7 tents. It was authorized earlier to get two. Motioned we get 4 tents. Seconded. Passed. Eric will buy them. Do we have a cost? Eric said, “Either buy good tents or buy inexpensive ones and replace more often.” Terry suggested we give Eric the authority to use his discretion for buying the 4 tents. This motion was passed.

New Business Initiated 9/19

Men’s club dinner: Who showed? We did not hear of any complaints. We know they did show up; Rollie told Terry he saw some in uniform.

Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11): Still scheduled; contact Nancy Belt.

Den Chief Training (Nov 11): Who is going to be interested? It is at Pow Wow in Pecatonica.

Tree Lot Campout (Nov. 18-19): Who is going to organize it; Phil Objects! The committee vetoed his decision!

Jamie Boone Yard Rake (Nov): Are we doing it; and when? Bill will look into it.

Lake Ripley camp-in (Jan. 12-14):

Klondike Derby (Jan. 20): Are we running events or are we participating in events? We are competing.

Pumpkins: Eric asked if we wanted to do pumpkins again this year. Too busy. No time.

RSVP Storm/Tornado awareness. It could be done in smaller groups. We would be willing to do it in small groups. Sandy wants the number of the lady and will pursue it.

Garage: Eric and Bill are the only ones on the sub-committee for a Scout garage. They want help with planning it. Terry volunteered because he would like to see it happen. We could have our own personal space. We could hang tents when we come back from campouts and not send them home with scouts.

The new Courier, mailed today, has flood pictures of the Service Center and a crew who helped with relief efforts. Our summer camp reservation for camp is also listed in it.

Adjourned at 9:20pm