TROOP & CREW COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 15, 2004

Opening: Robbie McAfoos called the meeting to order at 7:03pm. Those present: Robbie, Alan, Psam, Randy, Jim, Karen, Denise, Bill, John, Dorothea, Teresa, Carla, Henry and Mark.

Minutes: The previous minutes were discussed. Changes noted by Alan Valicek were that the fundraiser at the air show has been cancelled and that he did not request that the assistant Scoutmasters attend the troop meeting 10 minutes early, he asked if they could arrive early. Karen Frank also had changes to the minutes, which she addressed in an e-mail. The Committee approved these changes. Mr. Valicek expressed his thanks to everyone who helped with the planning concerning the troop.

Treasury Report: Treasury report given by Psam. Total of $6975 in the account. Owe $5400 for the Philmont trip. At the Monday troop meeting it was requested that anyone attending Philmont have the money in by the following Monday or they would be dropped from the list and be on their own. Mr. Kibikas wanted to know what was the policy for refunds. Psam stated that if the Troop received a refund then the individual would receive a refund. She said as far as Philmont is concerned- if you are not going, you need to find someone to take your place, have that person pay you the amount that you have already paid, and they continue with the payments to the Troop. Denise stated that at the last Troop meeting $50 was mentioned as needing to be paid for membership. Psam stated that the new Scouts needed to pay $25 for Scout membership. Scout membership is $50 a year and only half of that had been paid. New Scout parents said they did not know this. Psam stated that it is written in the red folder that the new Scouts received. Denise asked for an e-mail to be sent out notifying those parents who need to pay. Psam stated that she did not have a list of those Scouts. It was suggested to check Troop Master for this information. Denise also suggested giving a handout at the next meeting to those Scouts that need to pay.

Eagle Projects: Mr. McAfoos stated that he had signed several applications for Eagle projects. Mr. Valicek said that the last two projects did not have the proper signatures- D. Bennet signature missing. Mr. McAfoos discussed the Scout’s Eagle project on the home owned by Mary Queen and said the Scout had done a “good job”.

Roundtable Report: Mr. Valicek reported on items discussed at Roundtable- popcorn information and upcoming events. He stated that Council is urging every troop to participate in popcorn sales because it earns money for the Council. Mr. Kibikas didn’t think the troop should sell popcorn. Mr. Manusov stated the Pack was selling popcorn. Mrs. Forsten said the prize changes had decreased the incentive. The Committee decided not to participate in popcorn sales. Mr. Valicek suggested having a representative from the Troop go to the Roundtable to handle event information. Mr. McAfoos read the information brought back from Roundtable- merit badge training on Sept. 18 at LDS, training day on September 25, New Leader Essentials at Lake Jackson, Wood Badge March 11-13 and April 9-11. Those interested could take a flyer with them. Mr. McAfoos recommended the Troop pay for those going to Wood Badge as they had last year. Mr. Valicek (who attended last year) said it was a good program. It helped focus you on how to get the troop going. Mr. Valicek stated we also needed to plan for Scouts to go to Junior Patrol Leader Training, which had not yet been posted by Council. Mrs. Frank said that we also needed to do local (within the troop) junior leader training. Mr. Valicek has the information to do this training. He had talked to Ron Harris about it this summer. Just need to find time to do the training. Mr. Kibikas volunteered his house as a site for the training and offered his assistance.

Fundraising: Mr. Kibikas stated he has 90 of the “old style” first aid kits left. He recommended not making more until these were sold. It was noted that a date for sale of first aid kits was on the calendar (November 6). The meeting time scheduled for building kits on October 25 was cancelled. He stated that if we received an order from a parent, would have to work that into the troop schedule. Mr.Kibikas said he would need three weeks notice of the order to obtain the supplies needed to build the kits. Mr. Mc Laughlin asked how much a kit would cost if a company purchased them. Mr. Kibikas said the kit would cost $10 each and the logo or design the company wanted could be put on the label of the kit. Mr. Kibikas also stated that Mr. Manusov had sold 19 kits and he needed to determine which camp account he wanted the money credited.

Calendar: Double Lakes- Mr. Manusov stated that the park permit had expired and needed $100 for renewal. Also need someone to pull the trailer. Mr. McAfoos offered to loan his truck for someone to drive to pull the trailer. Medical forms given to Mr. Monnat as acting Scoutmaster for the campout. Court of Honor- It was brought up that the SPL did not plan on having the COH on Sept. 20. Randy stated that Special Friends on Sept.27 would use the main hall. Mr. Valicek stated he would call the SPL to verify that COH would be held on Sept. 20. Mrs. Tibbitts asked for an explanation of nominations and elections in the Troop. Mr. Valicek explained the leadership positions and that every 6 months the troop has elections. In the last two elections he had just enough boys to fill the positions. In the past, the SPL was elected, but now the assistant SPL moves up into the SPL position every 6 months. Leadership positions are needed for advanced ranks (Star, Life, Eagle). Older Scouts tend to have busy schedules which leads them to hold one position to fulfill the rank requirement and that’s it. Mrs. Forsten questioned whether her son-who was not at the last meeting- could still apply for a leadership position. Mr. Valicek said yes. He is considering changing patrols to 5 active patrols and 1 inactive patrol. Mr. McAfoos thinks the patrols should change now. Mr. Valicek stated it was O.K. with him and that Mrs. Frank had devised a list as to how the Scouts should be divided into troops. It was recommended that the Scouts be told of the new patrols at the next troop meeting. CPR- Is it still happening on September 25? Mr. Crouch not present to answer. Mrs. Forsten stated that this class was for those Scouts going to Philmont. Catholic Retreat- Mrs. Steele stated that 4 Scouts were going and only one adult. She had contacted Troop 442 to join them and they had consented. KC campout/cleanup- Mr. Monnat stated he would check on it. Mini Philmont- Mr. Valdez stated that only a few Scouts were interested in going.

JPL training- scheduled for October 23 at Mr. Kibikas’ home. Family Life- need counselor to teach merit badge. Mr. McAfoos said he would do it if there were no one else. Fall camp-Mr. Valdez stated that 6 Scouts and 3 adults had paid to go. He had other Scouts and adults that had not yet paid. Winter camp dates were noted to be Dec. 26-31. Space Center Houston Lock-in- It was noted that this is something that needs to be initiated as far as payment. Mrs. Frank stated she needed to know the number who would be attending. Mr. McAfoos requested Mr. Valdez to put out a sign-up sheet for the Scouts. Lexington- Mr. Manusov wanted to open going on the Lexington to the Scouts crossing over. Mr. McAfoos suggested the Pack and the Troop go together. It was decided that the trip would be offered to only those Webelos that would be crossing over in March.

Advancements: Mrs. Frank stated she had processed 91 merit badges and 15 rank advancements. She had no discernable information on the first aid merit badge. Stated she had e-mailed Mr. Crouch but as yet had not received a response. She also needs information on what was covered on first aid in the Troop meetings. Mrs. Frank stated she has several items for a Scout who is not registered in the system. Psam stated she had turned in that Scout’s registration this week. Mrs. Frank also stated she needed a list of the current leadership positions and she would enter them into the system. Mr. Valicek gave her this list. She stated that she had been reconciling our records with Council. New Scouts info kicked out. She can enter Scout info but needs date of Arrow of Light. Randy stated that it was presented at the Blue & Gold on February 21. Board of Review/Scoutmaster Conference- Mrs. Frank stated we need a consistent policy for multiple rank advancements. The rules state that Scout must earn ranks sequentially. Mr. Valicek felt that if the Scout had all the requirements for the ranks then Scoutmaster Conference should cover them all. Committee approved that it was all right for Scoutmaster to sign off several ranks at one conference and also to have one BOR for several ranks. Denise felt the Scouts need to know what to expect in a BOR and learn to speak out during the BOR. It was suggested that this be included in First Class Emphasis.

Training: Mr. Monnat stated that advancements needed to be e-mailed to Betty Phelps. Wood Badge- Mr. Monnat and Mr. McLaughlin wish to attend.

Equipment: Mr. Manusov stated that the trailer has electric brakes (he verified this with the trailer manufacturer). It needs a charged battery for them to function. These brakes serve a dual purpose: 1) engage brakes with vehicle towing trailer, 2) engage brakes if trailer becomes disconnected from vehicle. He suggested purchasing a brake controller ($80-100) to mount on the trailer. If we did this someone would need to be responsible for ensuring that the battery stay charged. Mrs. Forsten said you did not want it mounted on the trailer but in the actual towing vehicle since the gain had to be adjusted. A motion by Mr. Kibikas was made to authorize $150 for a trailer battery and brake controller. It was seconded by Mr. Manusov and approved by Committee.

Other: Mr. Monnat announced that Mary Queen would like some of the Scouts to run several game booths at the Halloween Carnival. This Sunday the Ladies Society needs help with serving donuts. Scouts need to be there at 7:30am. Pack dinner is Sept. 24 at 6pm. Scouts helping need to be there around 5:00pm- 5:30pm. Psam suggested we send a letter to Father Skip letting him know what the Troop has been doing and the Scout participation in these events. It was suggested that the secretary, COR or Troop scribe handle this. Mr. McAfoos thanked Mr. Monnat for running the Committee meeting in his absence last month.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:44pm.

The following corrections were submitted and approved from the August 2004 committee mtg.

I would like to submit the following corrections to the minutes:

Under ADVANCEMENTS, "Karen reported she has noticed Troop Master is not up
to date with the scouts rank advancements, camping hours, service hours,
etc." should read "Karen reported she has noticed Troop Master is not up to
date with the scouts leadership positions, camping hours, service hours,
etc."

Under SCOUTMASTER, "He mentioned each troop has a Asst Scout Master, and he
would like each Scout Master to arrive 15 minutes prior to each troop
meeting for agenda items and planning." should read "He mentioned each
patrol has a Asst Scout Master, and he would like each Scout Master to
arrive 15 minutes prior to each troop meeting for agenda items and
planning."

Under CALENDAR, The cost of the Climbing Merit Badge instruction was $40
total, not $10 per scout. As stated, the cost was covered by the troop.