COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Friendswood Library
May 17, 2006


Welcome and Introduction:  Denise presided over the meeting in Carla's absence.  Those present:  Mark, SPL, Gregg, Dorothea, Randy, Kathleen, Henry, Denise, Karen, and John.  Denise called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Previous Committee Minutes:  Gregg motioned the minutes be approved as written, John seconded.  Minutes approved by Committee.
Treasury Report:  Denise stated actual money in the account is $8178.19.  She noted around $1300 still needed collected for Buffalo Trails.  Kathleen believed all camp fees were paid.  Final payment check for Buffalo Trails given to Kathleen to send to camp- this check also includes 10 tent rentals and SCUBA fee.  Kathleen stated Buffalo Trails requesting a Troop roster from Council.  Recharter is completed but TroopMaster not updated yet.  Karen stated John Y. is doing it.
Denise noted the Troop has had several successful fundraisers for the Scouts' camp accounts:  1) brisket sales contributed $520 to accounts; 2) flag subscription sales are doing well.
Denise stated the Troop received an $800 donation from the Knights of Columbus for the Troop's help with the fish fry.
Eagle Projects:  none
Roundtable:  no report available
SPL Report:  SPL felt the meetings were effective.  The Troop is making Patrol flags.  The next meeting will be a party.  SPL will make a call down to ensure supplies assigned to the Patrols are brought to the party.  Randy told the SPL comments of disorganization and uniform issues were made in the last Board of Reviews.  It was mentioned that Committee had adjusted the dress code previously.  Discussion ensued concerning proper dress code for Scouts, cost of Scout shorts, and policy changes.  Committee will evaluate the present dress code policy.  It was suggested that the Troop use its funds to purchase each Scout a pair of Scout shorts and as the Scout outgrew the shorts they would be donated back into the Troop for other Scout's use.
Service Projects:  Henry stated the last service project was the monkey bridge at the Mary Queen Festival.  Only a few Scouts participated.  Randy talked with Father Skip concerning service projects for the Church.  Father gave Randy a list of potential items:  1) work days at the house; 2) remodeling the storage garage; and 3) helping with the prayer garden- could be an Eagle project.  The display case was discussed.  Randy noted it would have to go through Parish Council.  Mark is still working on updating the plaques for Eagle.  Karen stated she has old records of Scout advancements.  Mark will call Alan to see if he has records.  Denise will email Ron Harris concerning Troop Eagle records.  Dorothea suggested also contacting Mr. Bennet on Council since he schedules all Eagle Board of Reviews.
July 9- Scouts can help the Friends of the Library by cooking hot dogs for the pool party.  The hours are 5 pm- 7 pm.
Operation School Supply- Denise will check on the dates for this service project.
New Business:  Carla asked Denise to present a proposal for her.  The proposal is "to establish a communication coordinator responsible for gathering information on upcoming events and deadlines from other leaders and issuing a single email communication every other week (?) containing this information and requirements."  Denise stated Carla was willing to do this position if Committee thought it was needed.  Committee did not think this was a good idea.  They felt that instead someone should be responsible for making a paper to be handed to the Scouts at meetings with a list of the upcoming activities, cost, and deadlines.  Discussion ensued concerning deadlines, fee collection, and paperwork.  Henry felt the deadline for any trip should be 7-10 days prior to the event.  Mark made a motion to set the deadline for any trip/activity to ten (10) days prior to going on the trip/activity to ensure proper food provisions, tour permit, funding, and transportation with the exception of long term camping.  Henry seconded the motion.  Committee approved the motion with one dissenting vote.  It was suggested that this be included in the Red Handbook.  It was also suggested that each Scout receive the changes that have been made in the Red Handbook.  Committee felt giving each Scout a new Red Handbook would be better.  Kathleen will send a copy of the Red Handbook to the Committee members to review and make any changes.  Gregg asked what would happen if one Scout paid for a trip then cancelled and another Scout wanted to take his place but it was past the deadline date- would that Scout not get to go on the trip?  Committee thought they would deal with that situation as it arose.
Advancements:  TroopMaster not updated; Karen will contact John Y. for this.  Dorothea asked when the next Court of Honor would be since the Troop usually has one in May on the canoe trip.  The next Court of Honor is scheduled for August.  Those Scouts who have earned rank advancements will receive them at the next Troop meeting.
Camping:  Kathleen stated final payment was being sent to Buffalo Trails.  She suggested that blank checks be sent with adult leaders at base camp for unforeseen charges.  Henry stated it wasn't necessary since they would have extra cash with them this trip.  Henry stated he needed the OA list from T. Harris to take to Summer Camp for the tap out.
Dorothea asked about Summer Camp at Camp K.  Kathleen stated no one has asked her about it but if a Scout wanted to go he could sign up on his own and go as a maverick group.
Committee asked about trips/activities scheduled for July, August, and September.  Henry stated the PLC would plan the activities for the rest of the year at a July meeting.
Equipment:  Gregg stated all 14 tents in the trailer have poles, flys, and ground cover.  He said the trailer still has 8 of the old tents.  Henry stated the high adventure group would need the old tents.  Henry asked when Gregg would get together with the Quartermasters to go over the trailer.  Gregg stated he normally does that before Summer Camp but since the trailer is not going with the Troop to Summer Camp, he's not sure when they will get together.
Calendar:  May 29- flag set up & take down (Memorial Day)
June 14- flag set up & take down (Flag Day)
June 19- Troop meeting:  shakedown for Summer Camp
July 9- hot dog cooking (service hours)
July 10- flag retirement ceremony
July 24- Troop meeting
August 14- Troop meeting
Randy will turn the dates into the Church for room availability.  He felt it would be nice if a Scoutmaster and Committee member went with him to the meeting.  The display case could be brought up at the same time.
Adjournment:  Committee decided the next meeting would be August 16th tentatively scheduled at the Friendswood Library.  The meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm.