COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Knights of Columbus Hall
January 19,2005


Welcome and Introduction:  Robbie called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.  Those present- Robbie, Denise, Mark, Bill, John, Dorothea, Randy, Henry, Karen, Gregg, and Teresa.
Previous Committee Minutes:  It was noted that the date for Lexington in the previous minutes was April but the trip is actually in March.  With this change made, Committee approved the minutes.
Treasury Report:  Denise reported that the Troop balance is $3939.71.  She stated that payment for Philmont is due in March.  Denise presented a document listing individual payments.  Bill felt the Committee should table talk concerning Philmont payment until after the time that payment is due and Randy seconded this.
Eagle Projects:  No projects presented.  Karen mentioned that a Scout had brought his board to one of the Troop meetings for presentation but she never saw the presentation and thinks the Scout did the project already.  Other Committee members stated they did not see the presentation.  Robbie said he had not signed an Eagle project in a couple of months but he knows that Mr. Waldner is strict in the procedure for Eagle projects.
Roundtable Report:  No report available.  Randy noted that Recharter packets were sent to the Church office at the beginning of January (he brought them with him to the meeting).  He stated that John Y'Barbo would do the Recharter.  Randy read the requirements on the packet:  60 days prior to due date (3/15/05)- Troop needs to have a list of adults and youths for Recharter and collect charter fees.  Charter fee for the Troop per Scout is $50.  Last year the Troop allowed the fee to be paid in two separate payments of $25.  Denise stated that 20 Scouts have not paid the second half from last year.  The Committee recommended asking for complete payment at time of registration this year.  Randy stated he or Psam would collect the money at the Troop meetings.  15 days prior to deadline- Troop needs to submit charter list to Council.  Randy read the list of adult members that the Council presently has registered- two known active adult leaders not on the list.  Randy noted that the merit badge counselors were not on the list either and that Council is requesting a list of those counselors.  Cub Scouts crossing over will register with the Pack ($25), pay a transfer fee of $1 to Troop when they cross over, and pay the other $25 to the Troop for registration with the Troop.  Robbie volunteered to pick up registration forms for youths and adults for the Troop and the Pack
Service Projects:  December- highway clean up and help with donuts.  Committee was reminded that the Scouts could help the Ladies Society at Mary Queen with donuts every third Sunday of the month.  It was recommended that this be included on the Troop calendar, if not on it already.
January- Pinewood Derby on January 22 at 8am.  Mark stated he has 10 Scouts signed up to help- he does not need help setting up the night before.  Anyone else wishing to participate that did not sign up is welcome to show the day of the event to help.  Teresa stated the Troop is collecting aluminum cans and old clothing for donation to the Tsunami Disaster Fund.
February- Blue and Gold Banquet on February 5 from 5-8pm.  Scouts helping need to be there at 4pm.  Mark said he would check on a time for help with decorations on the morning of the 5th.  Fish Fry on February 25th.
Crossover on February 27th.  A potential of 14 Webelos crossing over.  Karen stated she would purchase the books and red shoulder loops for the new Scouts.  Gregg recommended buying the Scout handbooks with the spiral binding because the other books fall apart.  Dorothea stated that Kathleen said she would continue to make the red folders for the new Scouts.  She will let Kathleen know how many are needed.  Committee suggested checking with Janelle to ensure shirts are available for Webelos crossing over.
Advancements:  Karen stated a Court of Honor is scheduled for February 14.  She has 69 merit badges (this includes Winter Camp) and 23 rank advancements at present to be awarded.  She said 3 Scouts have requested Board of Review before the Court of Honor.  If any other Scouts want a Board of Review, it was recommended that he e-mail Karen with the request after receiving his Scoutmaster Conference.
Training:  University of Scouting to be held February 12 at Hitchcock High School from 8am to 5pm.  John brought a copy of classes offered as well as applications for any adult who would like to participate.
FCE- Teresa stated Scouts at camp didn't know what had been signed off on their requirements for First Class.  It was explained that sometimes the Scouts signed a sheet for the requirements and that date was later written in their books as completed.  The information for each Scout is on a spreadsheet kept up to date by Jim.  Karen stated if Jim would give her the updated information, she would put it into Troopmaster.  Bill felt that if a Scout wanted a requirement signed off in his book and can recite or demonstrate what needed to be signed off, he should get that requirement signed off.  If he could not do this then the requirement shouldn't be signed off.  Teresa said some of the Scouts have learning disabilities and can't do that. The question arose if Jim would continue with the FCE training.  Mark volunteered to lead the FCE training for new Scouts.
Equipment:  Gregg stated the Troop needs a new axe since the previous one is broken.  He recommended one with a fiberglass handle that wraps around the axe head- less likely to break.  It was noted that 10(10x8) tents were donated to the Troop.  Gregg stated the Troop would need to purchase 5 larger bags to carry the tents since some of the old tents were in smaller bags.  He stated that he had researched the purchase of new tents keeping in mind the request for a larger tent and a four-season tent.  He stated that the tents being used at the Jamboree are four-season; they have a stronger bottom, and retail for $300 but can be purchased for $135.  He noted that these tents are the same size as the ones (9x7) we used.  All four-season tents he found were $200+.  The tents donated are in the Boy Scout catalog.  These are not four-season tents but are of a size to hold two cots and footlockers.  Committee members who attended the last campout stated the tents were roomy but the smaller Scouts had difficulty getting the fly over the top of the tent.  Mark recommended the Scouts be taught how to correctly fold the tents at one of the Troop meetings.  Henry suggested putting a tarp inside the tent to prevent the legs of the cots from puncturing the floor of the tent.  Robbie recommended setting criteria for the type of cot a Scout could use.  Gregg stated he had evaluated the holes in the floors of the tent to determine what was causing them and concluded that no set pattern was discernable to prove it was the cots causing the holes- could also be caused by backpacks and footlockers.  Discussion ensued concerning type of tarp to use, how Scouts would tell the difference between ground tarp and inside tarp or if use of scrap carpet under cot legs would suffice.  Committee requested Gregg to purchase 5 tents like the ones donated.  John stated that Doug requested a longer chain for the trailer hook-up.  Committee agreed with proposed purchases and approved funds of $500 for the purchase of equipment.  Committee recommended donating old tents to Council.
Fundraising:  Bill stated he has 25 first aid kits with Troop label and 210 kits without a label.  Gregg stated STARCON would purchase 180 kits now and possibly 200-300 later.  Bill said he could make 300 kits in the next batch but would need $1500 to cover the cost. The average cost for making a kit is $5.50-$6.00.  The Committee approved the monies for purchase of supplies for first aid kits.
Camping:  Campout at Mary Queen scheduled for February 12-13.  A Philmont preparation hike is included in campout.  Scouts participating will meet at Mary Queen and hike to the high school, trek the bleachers, and hike back to Mary Queen.  This campout will also include Scout Sunday with the Scouts participating with the Mass.  Committee recommended that the Scouts help with Saturday evening Mass so that they would be present at the campsite when Sunday masses ended (maybe even serve their donuts).  Randy said he would talk to Father Skip about this.  Dorothea requested he also ask Father Skip if he could present the religious knots to those Scouts that had completed Ad Altare Dei.  If he agreed, she would contact Mrs. Cox of Troop 442 so those Scouts could be present to receive their knot for AAD as well.   
Calendar:  January 22- Pinewood Derby.  January 24- bowling at Alvin Bowling Center. A map of how to get there is in the files on the Troop calendar website.  February 5- Blue and Gold.  February 12-13- campout at Mary Queen, Scout Sunday.  February 14- Court of Honor.  February 20- serve donuts.  February 21- OA elections.  Mark said that OA was planning on visiting each Troop for the elections.  Dorothea wanted to know if OA was planning an ordeal before July for Scouts that were tapped out at the Camporee in April.    She stated that those Scouts going to Jamboree that were OA members  (completed ordeal, OA fees paid) would receive an OA Jamboree patch.  Mark said he didn't know but he would find out.  February 26- build first aid kits.  February 27- Crossover.  February 28-need activity scheduled, new Scouts will be in attendance. March 12-13- Lexington trip.  Leave Church at 6am, bring money for any additional outings.
Other:  Mark mentioned that the Friendswood Journal has a column dedicated to Scouting news.  Teresa stated that Clara sent in information on Winter Camp. Robbie announced that he and Alan would end their terms in about 5 months and are looking for replacements.  He felt the position should only be a one-year term.  John was designated as Committee Chair. Committee needs a volunteer for Training Chair.  Henry was recommended for new Scoutmaster but he stated he did not know how busy he would be at work to commit to being Scoutmaster.  Mark said several parents would be coming with the new Scouts- maybe find volunteers there.  Gregg asked for a replacement for Equipment Chair.  Teresa volunteered for this position.
Teresa recommended sensitivity training for the Scouts.  She noted at the last campout that several incidents occurred with bullying of other Scouts and inappropriate subject matter.  Denise cited an incident brought up by a parent at a previous Troop meeting.  Mark agreed that several incidents did occur on the last campout, he was not sure why since this had not previously been a problem. Discussion occurred as to what was different on this campout compared to others that may have led to this behavior.  Robbie stated he would discuss the incident(s) with the parent and the Scout if given specific names.  Committee decided it would also be beneficial to have a group talk with the Troop at the Troop meeting.
Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm.