December 18, 2006

Present: Phil Reece, Sandy Schwartz, Craig Louthain, Jessica Tufly, Lois Blondin, Ed Blondin, Terry Nichols, Alex Blondin, Paul McCaffrey, Belinda Cowdrey, Greg Poulisse, Eric Schmidt

Meeting started at 6:35 PM

Treasurer’s Report: Greg Poulisse gave the report.

Next Committee Meeting: The next committee meeting is January 23, 2007.

Past Events

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! (11/28) 13 of 30 sheets have been turned-in. $2274 collected. Payment is due in mid-December. We have not received it yet. It will be paid a week or two after we receive it. Tree Lot deposits need to be made periodically; not deposited all at the end. Had (7) 36” wreaths at lot. After selling those, we had a request for 5 more on 11/25. Possibly, we should order 10 to 15 more next year. 5 people still owe. (12/18) We took in $933 at the tree lot. $5,042 total taken -in so far. Invoice paid 2-weeks ago. $5832 will be total revenue; $2188 total profit. Exact numbers will be available at our next meeting. There were errors on selling prices of wreaths at tree lot. We need to mark them with tags for next year. By December 3rd wreaths were gone. Instead of 20” and 26” wreaths, only order (50) 26” for 2007’s tree lot. Also, we want to order: 2 - 60”, 5 - 48”, 10 - 36” wreaths, and 4 ropings.

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. (11/28) This was postponed! He’s looking at new dates in March. All collected funds will be refunded. We may possibly need to make it in February, because of the Council Merit Badge Event in March... (12/18) Phil needs someone else to take-over the event. Someone needs to sit down with the Discovery Center lady and go over the requirements. Terry volunteered.

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. (11/28) Fraser firs have done well. We sold 39 Fraser’s and have 39 still on the lot. Lon Tryggestad praised us for sending thank-you letters last year. We need to make sure we continue that practice. He brought us the construction trailer this year. Reitzel Construction is interested in donating it to our troop, but we need to leave his company sign on it. Do we agree to not paint over it and do we agree to accept it if it is offered? We need to refinish it before the Fire Department allows it to be parked on their property. The answer is “yes,” we would like to have it providing we can store it. Phil asked Eric to check to see if the farm (Murphy’s neighbor’s parents) where we store our troop trailers would be interested in storing this trailer also. Either Brian or Eric will check into it. It was suggested that we store all Christmas tree lot stuff in the new trailer, if acquired. That would surplus the existing trailer. (12/28) The lot is all cleaned-up. Trailer, port-a-potty and dumpster are still there. 10 trees unaccounted for; 4 were Fraser’s. Made about $7500 profit. Made about $6300 last year. Plans for next year we have 3 cartridges of netting and will order one box of (5) 18” for next year. We need more tags also. Sold-out 2 boxes (86 sold, 10 missing) of tree bags. Suggest 3-boxes of 48 for next year. They cost us 1.00; we sell for $2. We want to get more Fraser firs next year. No records from 11/29. We bought 80 and can account for 76. 6 were bought by Scout families. Only 4 Scotch pines sold to scout families. We sold-out of Frasers on December 3rd, midday. We had requests all the next week for more. Terry called our grower to see if we could get more and was told there were none available, but we need to increase our frasers next year. Harold thought that was doable. Terry suggested we buy 100 to 120 for next year, but we need to discuss the current economy next Fall. We make more profit on frasers than on scotch pines. We should consider buying 410 to 420 trees for 2007. We order 400 and Kingma gives us 15 free as a special deal that Terry made several years ago. In August we need to evaluate the economy. Two competitors (Ritchels and Pebble Creek) did not sell trees this year. The Register Star called Terry for an interview about lots who sold-out early this year. The article will be in tomorrow’s paper. Phil would like her name (Geri Nikolai), so we can advertise with them next year. Terry said the church advertised in a couple church bulletins also. We should also look at how many weekends there are for next year. Round of applause to Eric for snow-blowing the aisles. Craig and Matthew were the only ones who shook trees; during their shift. Thank-you letters were mailed last Friday to our 5 donors. Does any one know who took the heater? It went missing! Bring it up at meeting tomorrow night.

Tree Lot Trailer: (12/18) It was borrowed this season, and Lon will ask the owner if he would be willing to donate it to us. There is no official offer at this time. If the offer is made, we may store it in the barn if the fire department will not let us store it there. It needs remodeling if it becomes ours; maybe siding, like the new garage; or a Santa house. Suggested we rig a motion detector light on the top of it for security purposes.

Future Events

Christmas Party (Dec. 19, 2006): $7.50 for gift exchange. Eric will do Pizza again. He needs a printout of last years purchase. Need to ask at troop meetings if boys and parents are coming for party; to get a reasonable count. Lois will do the drinks (pop) and paper products. (12/18) 97 people are expected. Four families are bringing desserts. Ed has coupons for Salamones Pizza, 106 N Cherry Street. Eric is ordering 14 pizzas. Terry wants a group digital picture to send to the Courier. Belinda will bring her camera.

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. (11/28) Terry will confirm reservation with Dave Walling some time in December. Terry will check to see if we could possibly change it to the following weekend. However, he likes having it early; otherwise it gets too close to the February campout at Russell Woods. A suggestion: We could leave from the camp-in and go to Klondike and then go back to the camp-in. (12/18) We have a confirmation from Dave Walling. We have the original weekend; the troop that will be using it the following weekend cannot trade with us. Suggested we recheck intended participation at tomorrow night’s meeting.
Klondike Derby (Jan. 13): (9/19) Are we running events or are we participating in events? We are competing!
(11/28) Event got changed to the 13th. (12/18) Alexander did a poll: 19 wanted just Ripley, 4 wanted to go to Klondike, and 2 wanted to do both Lake Ripley and Klondike. A group could possibly staff an event only, but Eric cannot do it, because he has a commitment with Venturers at Snow Storm.

Leather Merit Badge (Jan. 16 & 23): (10/10) Ed is doing it during Scout meetings in January. (11/28) It will be done in 2 sessions. (12/18) January 16th and 23rd are the dates. Ed wanted to know if we want the same project for everyone. The following week, we are making tie slides within the troop. Is this for everyone, or just those who need the merit badge? If not for everyone, others would work on advancement. Ed has all the leather and tools at home. There is not enough equipment for all to work on leather projects at once. At the January 9th PLC meeting, they’ll discuss alternative activities. Possible suggestion: bring the trailer and get it reorganized.

Russell Woods (Feb 9-11, 2007): (11/18) Terry will confirm the reservation. (12/18) Terry has not talked to Bill Prain yet.

F.O.S. (Feb. 13, 2007): (11/28) Need someone to work with district for the Friends of Scouting presentation. Terry sent an email for February 13th to Jim Behrensmeyer. Phil will talk with Terry about it later. Phil discussed arrangements with Mark in detail last year. (12/18) Terry put our name in for February 13th. Jim confirmed our request. Phil was told they have a DVD available now.

Scouting for Food (Feb. 24 and March 3, 2007): (11/28) We believe Craig will be heading this up again, he did not decline. (12/18) Craig still has not declined running it.

Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner (Mar. 25, 2007): (11/28) Terry mentioned Nathaniel IS an Eagle Scout. It has been confirmed. Anyone interested in the dinner needs to make reservations when it comes up. Nathaniel should submit pictures of his Eagle Project. (12/18) It is on our troop calendar.

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. We voted to keep original plan. (11/28) Bring up again in March ’07. (12/18) Scouts received a letter; fee is $305. Two are going and one alternate. $100 scholarships were being put up by council NYLT. Transportation is not part of the fee. Phil was told transportation could be about $200. NAYLE staff still needs to choose which week they want to attend. We need transportation cost by May. Budget transportation cost at least 2 months in advance. They are having a meeting in January.

High Adventure (June 2007): (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. (11/28) We got the week we wanted, June 24 -30. That is just the camp, not transportation days. We will need to take 2 days to get there and 2 days to get back. Policy allows kids in the car for 10 hours. Need to know how much to charge the adults. It’s going to be approximately $350 per person. [Troop 57 did this last year. They stopped in at a Boy Scout camp near Missouri and stayed for free which included food. MaryAnn is going to check with Troop 57.] Next payment is due February 13th on Family Night. We need to figure out how the points convert to dollars so boys will know how much more they need to pay. Bring up cost again in December. Check what the Whitewater Rafting cost were for High Adventure in the past. (12/18) Ed is working on transportation and accommodations. There’s nothing else new to report. We still need to figure out cost for Adults. Leaving date is still unsure. Information will be ready for the January committee meeting. Notices need to be put out 2-weeks before family night. Ed received travel information from Troop 57 (they went there last year) stayed at a Joplin, MO scout camp. It was 573 miles to the camp and 426 miles more to Dallas. The camp charged $1.00 a night per person. They have showers and flush toilets. They also opened up the pool for them. They were furnished platform tents. The next day they drove the rest of the way to the camp. Troop 57 was given comparable accommodations on their return trip.

Summer Camp @ Canyon Camp (July 15-21, 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. (11/28) Need to know which adults are going. Greg and Tammy Poulisse, MaryAnn, possibly Dannette and then Sandy have plans to attend. We just need to know how much points are worth. Next payment is February 13th at Family Night. [Post-meeting note: The Courier has us posted as July 15-21.] (12/18) Terry changed it to have this and High Adventure payments due at the same time, February 13, Family Night. Cost is $185. The camp is July 15 21, not July 8th 14th. (Sandy’s Day camp is July 30th, 31st, August 2nd and 3rd.)

Philmont 2008: (11/28) Eric talked about Philmont. Bill has a string of dates requested. Eric has 2 dates in for the Crew. If we’re offered, we must pay $50 or we lose our reservation. Our Council has 4 crews reserved to arrive June 16th. Someone needs to get down to the Scout office to sign up tomorrow. It has already been announced in the Courier. We need to get a contingency plan. Sign-up ended Nov. 26; will not hear whether or not we got it until the middle of December. Terry will check tomorrow. [Post-meeting note: Phil McCrery is taking request for those four crews until January 12, then, he’ll decide.] (12/18) We have a reservation for 2008, with a June 16th arrival date. 24 people can go (16 boys & 8 adults). Phil asked Terry to announce it at the pizza party tomorrow night that T-181 is going. We’ll discuss it at Family Night in February.

Miscellaneous Business

Training:

Wood Badge: Aug. 24-26 and Sept. 21-23, 2007: (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. (11/28) Those interested need to get their applications in with their $50 deposit submitted. Course will cost $195. In the past the troop has picked up the cost. Are we going to do that? When you earn your beads you get your $50 back. It was discussed that the troop pays it all. Paul motioned, Sandy seconded it. It was discussed that they got the training and should not have to wait to get their money. Craig will be getting his beads at Roundtable. MaryAnn suggested we should be there in uniform to support him. Craig will let us know the date it will be arranged. (12/18) Greg is still interested and trying to work it out with his boss, but doesn’t know for sure yet. (His vacation is approved for Summer Camp.) He is hoping to signup and pay a deposit in January. Phil’s application is filled-out but not turned-in. Ken is a possibility also. If someone cancels-out they should be responsible for the $50 deposit. Ed said that he thought they should have to earn their beads to get their reimbursement since the boys have to. Terry agreed. Phil went around the table and asked people’s opinions. We voted that candidates pay the $50 deposit, and they will get a refund when they earn their beads. The motion was carried (with 2 descending votes) to change it back to this.

Leader Specific: April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 19-20.

Fast Start: Do it online and let MaryAnn know that you did it.

Youth Protection: Do it online and let MaryAnn know that you did it.

First Aid/CPR Certifications: (11/28) Several need to be done before Summer Camp. 6 to 7 need refresher classes in January 2007. Eric will check into doing it in the middle of January. He said class size should be limited to eight. (12/18) Eric will put it together first week in January.

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. (11/28) Phil is having problems getting it onto the FTP site. (12/18) It should be up and running by next committee meeting. He will get volunteers to help put information in. Jessica has already volunteered.

Numerals: (11/28) Terry said he got the numerals from Welsh and they were not acceptable. He cannot get a response from Mike Welsh. ITL quoted them for 90 cents. They are going to give him a stitch-out. We need to buy a minimum of 300. ITL was recommended by Andy Murray. (12/18) The stitch-out looked good. Terry ordered/received 300. Eric is getting them put on neckerchiefs - ready for new members. Marion is working on those. Welsh Industries is out of the picture. These were bought from ITL Patch Company, Inc., 9068 Windsor Court, Savage, MN, 55378-2160, phone: 952/403-1126, fax: 952/403-1164, Gerrie Tousley, email: itlpatchco@aol.com. From time to time we find lost neckerchiefs; possibly get a tag put on them so the boys could put there names on their own.

Patrol Medallions: (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. (11/28) We will get samples of patrol medallions in a couple of weeks.

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. (11/28) Lois still needs some. New practice: Class 1 and 2 medical forms must be filled-out as soon as someone joins our troop. (12/18) Still need medical forms and/or doctors’ forms from some new boys. Lois has talked to them, but they are not bringing them in.

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. (11/28) Eric and Bill are working on it. (12/18) Eric has all the specs; he will type them up and send them to Bill.

Uniform Inspections: (11/28) We need to have inspections more often at Troop meetings. Alexander needs to discuss this with the PLC.

Patrol Coaches: (11/28) Eric suggested meeting with them weekly. Ed and Sandy will reorganize them. (12/18) Ed and Sandy will be having a meeting with the patrol coaches.

Adult OA Elections: (11/28) We need to consider who is eligible for 2007. We can only elect one. It must be someone who is willing to be truly committed. (12/18) Terry needs to establish who is eligible. Sandy, MaryAnn, Lois, Ed, Paul, Dannette, and Steve are eligible. Sandy, Lois, Ed, and Paul are not interested. Greg is an inactive member but will pay his dues soon. Ken was elected in 2006. (See official requirements.)

Order of the Arrow: (11/28) Dues are due now, December 1. They are $13.00 annually. If you do not pay, you should take your pocket patch off.

Service Project (Dec. 16, 2006): (11/28) Mobile Market through Belinda’s church would like to have some Scouts come and work. It is December 16th from 12:30 to 4:00. Need a flyer for next week. Belinda will email one to Terry. Need to know who will be coming by December 10th. (12/18) Had a total of 17 show up; 6 from the Milky Way Patrol, Belinda, David Z and 9 from Venture Crew 181. The North Park Church of Christ, 7620 Elm Ave, MP was overwhelmed with the workers and appreciated the help.

New Business 12/18

Tie Slide night (Jan. 30): Sandy needs help.

Food & Clothing Drive: Sandy and Belinda will be helping to make sure a chosen family has clothing and a Christmas. They will be shopping and getting the gifts to this grandmother, who just acquired 3 kids, without clothing. It was suggested that a collection be taken at the meeting tomorrow. John Schwartz will also be sponsoring it through his work. The money can go through the Troop (for tax purposes). Receipts will need to be submitted. Lois says that her school offers support also.

Blue and Gold Banquets: February 11th from Pack 400, 1-4:00pm. Greg needs a representative to accept boys into Troop 181. Pack 429 is February 24th. Pack 121 is on February 18th. Pack 600 has boys coming into Troop 181, date unknown. Paul will check into the date.

DVD player: Would we like to donate a DVD player to this church? Yes. (Troop 181 can use it for movie nights and Youth Protection videos.) Greg will buy one after the holidays and turn-in the receipt.

Merit Badge Learn and Earn, (March 3 and 24): Terry distributed information sheets.

Nathaniel’s Eagle Court of Honor (January 7th): Cherry Valley Fire Station #2 at 2:00pm.

Adjourned at 8:25 pm