October 10, 2006

Present: Sandy Schwartz, Belinda Cowdrey, Greg Poulisse, Lois Blondin, Bill LeFevre, Terry Nichols, Ken Hoxie, Paul McCaffrey, Alexander Blondin, Vicki Lambert, Phil Reece

Meeting started at 8:15 PM

Treasurer’s Report: No report - Craig wasn’t here.

Next Committee Meeting: November 28, 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. (10/10) Results next Tuesday.

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. (10/10) Handed out sheets tonight.

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. (10/10) Should the fire committee pay or not pay? We do not think we should charge them this year. We should consider the voucher system for next year. A motion was carried we will not make them pay this year.

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! (10/10) Paul called Steve Horan on cell he will check again. We have not gotten a check yet.

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. (10/10) Still waiting on the check.

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. (10/10) Heard great comments. Not all of our scouts were at the planning meeting; they didn’t get jobs, nor did they ask for jobs. We need to work on that next year. There were 17 to 19 Webelos scouts visiting, split between first and second year dens. 429 will have 6 boys joining our troop. 121 has one signing-up. 600 will have about three coming over. We’ll get one from 400.

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. (10/10) Off and running!

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. (10/10) Successful - low numbers but great time. 6 Webelos II scouts and 6 adults participated. Surveys were very good. The parents thought we had great report with the younger scouts. All were Webelos-2 this year, and Sandy would like to keep it that way for the future. Question: we stayed overnight the night before; do we want to continue that practice? The lodge costs $55 per night; it’s not worth staying out the night before. Just get out their between 7:00 and 8:00 am to set up. We didn’t have much to do the night before. The Webelos scouts and adults sat at picnic tables without boy scouts and adults. All the guest went first to get food and sit at tables. Next year we should mix Webelos scouts and Boy scouts during the lines and possibly instruct our scouts to mix in.

Future Events

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. (10/10) We are at 25 boys from 181, 7 from 14, and 6 from Troop 40. 6 2 3 adults coming with their respective troops. We had another meeting last night. We still need someone to shop for groceries.

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 it again. (10/10) Just mentioned it again.

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. (10/10) We have 19 to 20 scouts signed-up tonight. They will brown-bag for their meal.

Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11): (9/19) Still scheduled; contact Nancy Belt. (10/10) She was called.

Den Chief Training (Nov. 11): (9/19) Who is going to be interested? It is at Pow Wow in Pecatonica. (10/10) MaryAnn is not here, but Nic and Dan Poulisse may be interested.

Tree Lot Campout (Nov. 18-19): (9/19) Who is going to organize it; Phil Objects! The committee vetoed his decision!

Jamie Boone Yard Rake (Nov 18.): (9/19) Are we doing it; and when? Bill will look into it. (10/10) Yes. It will be done November 18th after tree lot. They’ll be back by 2:00 to pick-up wreaths.

Christmas Tree Lot (Dec.): (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. (10/10) Craig sent deposit. Ed will have a sign-up sheet ready soon. Last minute sign-ups will be accepted at next Family Court of Honor. Greg needs to send away for the $50 agricultural permit; it will be done this week.

Lake Ripley camp-in (Jan. 12-14): (10/10) Yes; we are signed-up, but it is not confirmed. They do not confirm this far in advance.

Klondike Derby (Jan. 20): (9/19) Are we running events or are we participating in events? We are competing!

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. (10/10) $1200 deposit was paid by Sandy. She signed-up for (2) 12-person boats. She has not heard confirmation about the dates.

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 McCaffreys are already signed-up to go.

Miscellaneous Business

Training:

Wood Badge: (7/18) Now officially for August 2007. Is anyone planning on attending? (10/10) Ken, Greg and Phil are signing-up for the 2007 course. E-mail Ray Warren: WarrenRJ@aol.com to get more information; also 224/623-3965. Only room for 48, and he already has 29 potential participants.

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. (10/10) It’s going on now; Greg and Vicki are participating in it.

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. (10/10) It was done last week.

Youth Protection: (7/18) Talk to Craig Louthain, who is arranging dates and times. (10/10) Done last week.

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. (10/10) Has been purchased and trying to get into the website.

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 contact him. (10/10) Ed has not done anything with it.

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. (10/10) Marcus replied to Terry’s email agreeing to continue to be our lifeguard for the coming year.

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. (10/10) Paul passed-around a sample of a patrol medallion. Phil is working with him to get new pictures available.

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. (10/10) She still has quite a few new people who do not have a form on file. Lois is continuing to work on it.

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. (10/10) Four tents have been purchased from Gander Mountain for about $70 to 80 per tent.

Men’s club dinner: (9/19) Who showed? We did not hear of any complaints. We know they did show up; Rollie told Terry he saw some in uniform. (10/10) Bill only needs 2 scouts, three signed-up, only 1 came.

Garage: (9/19) 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. (10/10) A 24 x 36’ garage was approved at Township’s budget meeting last night. They will get the permit. We would like to start it next Spring. It will go on the fire department property off 42nd Street. Tim Nease works for R&D Thiel, his father works for Hines Lumber. We need to make it known that we want to build the garage and see if we get anyone showing interest in helping with materials and labor. Phil will send-out an email. We could mention it at Family Court of Honor too.

New Business Initiated 10/10

Leather Merit Badge (Jan): Ed is doing it during Scout meetings in January.

Rifle Merit Badge (Oct 14): Notice is needed immediately. Terry will work on it. We have 19 scouts signed-up.

Scuba and Snorkeling Badges: Belinda brought an information sheet on Loves Park Scuba, Crew 348. She brought a sheet on the Chicago Storm on January 6th too. Terry has a sheet on Scuba certifications.

Adjourned at 9:07 pm