COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Friendswood Library Activity Center
March 16, 2005


Welcome and Introduction:  Acting in place of John, Randy called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.  Those present:  Randy, Henry, Kathleen, Psam, Dorothea, Denise, Theresa, Mark, and Bill.
Previous Committee Minutes:  The minutes were approved as written.
Treasury Report:  Denise reported the Troop account balance at $9728.71.  She stated the Troop has a balance of $170.95 at Bay Area Scout Shop.  She would like to reduce this account to $20.95 and have the Scout Shop send a check to the Troop for the balance since the Troop does not purchase its items from that Scout Shop.  Keeping the account open will aid in processing Troop registration.  Committee approved her suggestion.
Theresa asked if the Scouts made money for their camp accounts by selling the first aid kits or by making and selling the kits.  Bill responded by explaining the policy.  Theresa asked if the Scout received credit for the parent participation.  Bill stated the Scout received a ½ credit for parent/sibling/friend participation.
Denise stated that the Troop account also carries money for the Venture Crew.  Its balance is $137.20.  She noted the Venture Crew paid Charter dues ($120) without depositing money into the account.
Bill asked if the Treasurer has authority to disburse funds.  Denise affirmed this.  In addition to the Treasurer, the Committee Chair and Scoutmaster can disburse funds.  At present, four names appear on the signature card:  Robbie, Alan, Psam, and Denise.  She felt four was too many.  Bill asked if a Troop policy was established for this.  Psam stated it was a Committee decision.  With the transition to a new Scoutmaster and Committee Chair, Committee requested Denise to have a new signature card created with the Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, and Treasurer on the signature card. The names removed from the signature card would be Robbie McAfoos, Alan Valicek and Psam Ordaner.  The names put onto the card would be John Monnat and Henry Valdez leaving Denise Burse as Treasurer.  Psam reminded Denise she would need a copy of those persons' driver's license.
Denise asked if Committee wanted her to continue to bring to amount of information she presented to the meetings.  Committee decided the Treasury Report would be reduced to a copy of the Summary for each Committee member and a copy of the complete Treasury Report to the Secretary for Committee records. 
Philmont:  Denise thanked those responsible for filling the empty slots for Philmont.  Henry stated one slot is still open.  Bill noted that Philmont was not listed on the debit sheet.  Denise stated Philmont was paid.  She explained if the Troop refunded the money to those who were no longer going ($350), the Troop account would be short $114.15.  If payment of a refund was done after the last slot was filled and funds collected, the Troop account would be positive $3.  Discussion ensued as to who should receive refund and whether the Troop reimbursed deposits.  Denise commented the Committee had previously decided if it is money out of the Troop's pocket a refund should be not be given.  Bill stated he did not remember that being decided.  Randy requested the minutes of previous meetings be reviewed to find out what had been decided.  Denise perused the minutes and found in the November minutes Robbie's statement that money should be refunded as long as it didn't impact the Troop fund.  Bill felt that was not definitive. Committee decided to table discussion of Philmont and refunds until after the last slot is filled and funds collected.
Bill stated he needed to purchase gloves for making first aid kits.  He said he would need $100-200.  Committee approved funds of up to but no more than $200 for his supplies.
Dorothea stated she had two items to discuss of monetary value.  The first concerned the Troop Historian.  She asked if the Troop reimbursed the Historian for disposable cameras and processing fees.  Discussion ensued as to whether the Historian should be reimbursed, if limitations should be in place for only the process of pictures of the Troop being reimbursed, how much disposable cameras cost and difference in price between regular and digital disposable cameras, how the pictures would get on the web site, and who would be responsible for distribution of cameras and development of pictures.  Bill felt that $10/month would cover camera and expenses.  Theresa suggested $75/6 months for cameras and development.  Committee approved $75/6 months to be used to purchase disposable cameras and process its film.  Dorothea agreed to be responsible for the disposable cameras, distribution of the camera, film development, and pictures to Mark for the web site. The second issue concerned the Troop library.  Dorothea asked if Committee felt the library should be maintained as is- currently the Troop library contains 61 merit badge books, two of each of the Eagle required books.  She stated that when her son was elected Troop librarian, they updated all the books presently in the library as well as made sure two books of the Eagle required were available in the library.  Committee asked if the library was used by the Troop.  Dorothea stated that 5 books were checked out of the library at the last Troop meeting.  It was her understanding that the library consisted of books donated to the library and not purchased by the Troop.  She stated BSA updates a few books every year. Just giving the Scout a copy of the new requirements would not be beneficial since the book also contains information for the Scout to meet the new requirements.  This year, several books presently in the library are in need of replacement with the updated version- three are Eagle required.  Kathleen felt the library should maintain two of each current Eagle required books.  Denise stated that other merit badge books could be purchased by the Troop at Committee's discretion if someone wished to teach that merit badge and needed the book.  Committee agreed to maintain in the library two current books each of the Eagle required merit badges, consider purchase of other merit badge books on basis of need, and continue to accept donations of current merit badge books to the Troop library.
Advancements:  No report available.
Eagle Projects:  No projects presented.
Roundtable Report:  No report available.  Committee noted someone still needed to attend the Roundtable held the second Thursday of every month at the LDS on Desiree.  Kathleen felt the Committee members could alternate going to this meeting.  Some Committee members stated they were unavailable to attend a Thursday meeting.  Denise thought the Training Chair could attend the meetings.  Discussion ensued concerning why it was important to attend Roundtable, who was responsible to attend, and suggestions of who would attend.  Committee decided to wait until the Training Chair position was filled and ask the person if he/she was available to attend Roundtable.  It was noted that the Chapter meeting for OA was held the same night as Roundtable.
Service Projects:  Mark stated a K of C cleanup is on the calendar for March 19 and John would like it moved to a later date.  Committee approved April 30 as the date for the K of C cleanup.
Psam stated the Troop has a commitment to the community for a quarterly highway cleanup.  Kathleen believed this obligation had been changed.  Theresa said she would check with Lee concerning this and the set-up of the next highway cleanup.
Theresa stated she had a service project for the Troop to consider.  An elderly woman contacted her wanting to have some landscaping done- the project is too big for her sons to accomplish alone.  She thought with the Troop's participation it could be done and that the woman would potentially donate money to the Troop for the work.  Committee requested details of the project keeping in mind the limitations of the Scouts.  Theresa stated she would find out what was required and inform the Committee.  Kathleen felt it would even be a good project for those Scouts participating in the Ad Altare Dei program.
Training:  Dorothea stated she would like for the Committee to approve the establishment of an annual Religious Emblem presentation to the Troop and parents.  Statistically, only 1% of Scouts earn the religious emblem.  She felt it could be done in February, the week of Scout Sunday. P.R.A.Y. has a nondenominational video ($6) and presentation on religious emblems. Kathleen stated the presentation could be done at the same time as the annual Youth Protection Training for the Scouts and parents. Committee approved the purchase of the video and doing the presentation annually. 
Dorothea stated VIRTUS training is available in June at St. Bernadette for those who need it.  Kathleen commented someone needed to make sure new Scout parents registering as adult leaders and other positions receive training.  Randy said he is aware of those who need the training and those who already have it.  Kathleen stated this information could be put on Troopmaster.
Equipment:  Theresa asked the Committee to reimburse John B. for the purchase of new poles for a Troop tent- the pole broke and John purchased new ones.  She also stated that a fly had been caught in a zipper and now had holes in it so it would need replaced.  Kathleen felt the tents should still be under warranty.  Dorothea said she didn't remember any warranty papers but she would check with Gregg.  Denise stated she had the receipt.  Theresa stated she would use the receipt and call the tent company.  She wanted to know if Committee felt the need for the purchase of additional Dutch ovens.  Committee felt the Dutch ovens were mainly used at cook offs, so the present number was sufficient.  Theresa stated the propane tanks needed to be secured.  Dorothea stated Gregg had built the unit holding the tanks so that when the door was closed the tanks were secured.  A chain across the tanks prevents them from falling out of the unit.  Bill felt the tanks security met with required safety standards.  Randy asked Theresa if she had an inventory of the trailer.  She said she did not.  Bill stated he would give her a copy of the inventory.  Dorothea said she would give her a diagram of the trailer and its contents.
Denise asked if the combination on the locks to the trailer had been changed.  Theresa stated they had not.  Kathleen did not think the combination should be changed.  Discussion ensued on the pros and cons of changing the lock.  Committee voted to not change the lock with two dissenting votes.
Camping:  Kathleen stated she needed someone to pull the Troop trailer for Camporee (April15-17)- Theresa volunteered. 
Calendar:  March: Kathleen felt time needed to be scheduled for Camporee practice (knot tying, lashing, fire building).  Randy stated the Scouts going needed to learn to act and work as a patrol.  Mark commented that the Scouts going must all wear the same uniform (i.e. if one Scout wears a neckerchief, all Scouts in the patrol must wear a neckerchief).  March 21- Troop elections, Camporee practice. 
April: 4- Troop meeting, Camporee practice. 11- Parent/Scout softball game.  The Troop needs a place to have the game.  Theresa said she would find a place. 18- Troop meeting, need activity scheduled.  25- canoe training, need video from canoe outfitters-Kathleen said she would call to obtain one.  Theresa volunteered to demonstrate proper technique to the Troop.
May: 13-15-canoe trip, Court of Honor.  Discussion arose as to whether to have the Court of Honor at the canoe trip.  Committee felt the Scouts should decide.
Fundraising:  Mark explained how Troop 442 sells flag subscriptions.  He felt the Troop needed to do this to raise money because the cost of traveling to Philmont had increased.  The flags cost $14-15/flag and the subscriptions sell for $35/five holidays.  The Scouts are responsible for setting up and taking down the flag on those holidays.  Denise stated Committee had already agreed to this fundraiser.  Committee set May 7 at 10am for selling flag subscriptions.
Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 8:47pm.