Welcome and Introductions:  Robbie called the meeting to order at 7:27pm.  Those present- Robbie, Bill, Randy, Psam, Dorothea, Denise, Teresa, Henry, Alan, and Karen.
Treasury Report:  Robbie was concerned about the Philmont payout.  Denise said she would discuss that but she would like to cover other items first.  She distributed handouts to Committee members.  The first handout showed deposits and withdrawals of the Troop fund.  Denise asked for the Committee's opinion on which statement they preferred.  Committee suggested Denise use whatever format was convenient for her.  Closing balance is $3837.17.  She stated she wrote checks to all persons having monies in camp accounts not accrued by fundraisers.  Total of checks written is $875.50.  Denise pointed out that the Troop has money in an account at the Galveston Scout Shop ($170.95).  Bill asked why we had money or even an account at the Galveston Scout Shop if the Troop's supplies are obtained through the Clear Lake Scout Shop now.  It was explained that the Troop needs an account with the Galveston Scout Shop for membership and recharter processing.  The Troop also has an account at the Clear Lake Scout Shop but the amount is presently unknown.  Denise said she would find out how much money is in that account.  The Committee was unable to determine what would be an adequate balance to keep in the accounts at this time.  Denise will also check into this.  The second handout concerned Philmont.  The Troop is responsible for payment of 24 slots for Philmont.  According to payment records, the Troop has 19 persons currently going.  A balance of $5340 is due in March.  At present, the Troop fund is $1100 short of that payment.  Robbie stated 5 more persons needed to go.  Denise stated that she had received a payment in November that is not included in the amount on the handout.  Henry stated currently 2 adult and 2 Scout slots are open.  Alan mentioned that 26 persons are signed up for 24 slots according to the handout.  Psam noted that one of the persons signed up is not a registered member of a Troop.  Denise stated that the debits and credits for Philmont do not balance and she would like time to evaluate the numbers to produce an accurate report.  Psam suggested she check the disc of Troop deposits to see who paid what.  Henry stated that those needing refunds for Philmont had been identified.  Bill recommended collecting the full price from everyone going to Philmont ($495), paying the balance of what is owed to Philmont, then reimbursing those identified with any monies remaining from the Philmont collection.  Karen stated that the Troop is obligated to pay for the 24 slots whether or not 24 persons go to Philmont.  Committee agreed to allow Denise time to evaluate the debits and credits for Philmont to produce a more accurate report.  Discussion arose concerning the Troop policy of adult leaders and camp fees.  Robbie stated that if an adult leader had Scoutmaster training along with YPT and VIRTUS the Troop would pay their camp fees.  Denise stated the minutes only agree to pay summer camp fees.  Alan noted that the camps offer free adult spots depending on the number of Scouts attending.  This varies with the camp. Bill felt those positions were for the [acting] Scoutmaster and adult leaders who had responsibilities on the campout.  Robbie felt that if an adult took the time to do the training, the Troop should pay their fees if the Troop could afford to do so.  He said it was a form of compensation for the adult's volunteer hours to the Troop. Alan stated last year someone asked why we do fundraisers.  He felt this was a reason- to pay for leaders' fees.  Karen noted that at one time all adults paid their fees and were not reimbursed for free positions given by the camps. Committee amended the policy to include paying adult leaders who met the criteria fees for fall, winter and summer camps.  The proposal passed with one dissenting vote.  Denise asked if she owed money to those adults who attended fall and winter camp.  Henry stated she did not owe any money to the adult leaders for those camps.  Denise also presented a copy of an e-mail concerning state park permit.  Did the Committee wish to purchase a permit?  Alan said that the permit pays for itself with number of Troop Scouts who go camping at the state parks.  Karen stated the Troop has always purchased a permit. The cost of the permit is $100 per year.  The Committee approved the purchase of the park permit.
Rank Advancements:  Karen stated she is trying to update the Troopmaster database.  She would like anyone who has any information on merit badges, camping, rank advancements, etc. to give the information to her.  Psam stated that the FCE is not updated because other adult leaders have signed off requirements in the Scouts' books besides the FCE adult leaders.  Randy stated that they have made one person responsible for the FCE update.
Equipment:  Equipment chair reported the axe was broken.  He suggested purchasing a Gerber axe as a replacement.  At fall camp, the question came up as to whether the Troop needed bigger tents.  The cots the Scouts are using for campouts touch the sides of the tents.  The tents leak during rain.  A 10x10 tent was suggested but the Equipment chair felt this was too big of a footprint.  Alan didn't think the Troop should purchase tents to accommodate the cots, but restrict the size of the cots the Scout used.  Bill stated that it is more than just size but the condition of the tents as well.  Discussion ensued concerning size, type, and price of tents.  Alan felt that if the Troop needed new tents that the new tents should be a foot larger than the present size.  Robbie stated that once the Troop knew the cost of the tents, then a fundraiser could be set up to pay for them.  The Committee decided that the Equipment chair would research tents and present his findings at the next Committee meeting.
Fundraiser:  Bill stated he had a good turn out of Scouts for the building of first aid kits.  They were only able to build 84 because of a supply shortage.  Those supplies would be in this week.  Need to schedule another day to finish building the first aid kits.  Committee set January 17, 2005 for the building of first aid kits.  To be held at Bill's house at 7pm.  The 84 kits were enough to fill the order for 75 kits and that money was given to the Treasurer for the Troop fund.  Bill stated that the kit's contents had been modified from previous kits but they were still $10 apiece.
Camping:  Henry stated that the Scouts going to winter camp would be going as a maverick group with the camp providing two-deep leadership.
The Lexington trip is $60 per person.  Henry submitted April 12 as the Troop's first date and April 5 as second date for going.  Karen said she would like to know which date the Troop is given so she can schedule around the trip.  Henry said the Troop would leave Saturday morning.  He would have a list of carpool and drivers so everyone would know who was with whom. 
Calendar:  Highway cleanup scheduled for December 11.  Scouts are to meet at the McDonald's on 528 and 518 at 8am.  Cleanup usually lasts from 8-10am. White Elephant gift exchange on December 13.  Alan wanted to know what was a "white elephant exchange".  Several Committee members explained this to him. Campout for January 14-16 is to be at Stephen F. Austin State Park.  Building of first aid kits added to January 17.
Other:  Alan asked when would be a good time during the meetings to have Scoutmaster conferences and Board of Reviews (BORs).  He stated he has Scouts who follow him around seeking conferences.  He does not wish to disappoint any Scout.  Alan stayed until 9pm after a Troop meeting to complete conferences.  He wanted to know if Committee had any suggestions as to how to enable Scouts to receive their Conferences and BORs without disrupting Troop activities.  Alan also noted that assistant Scoutmasters are able to have conferences with the Scouts.  Several suggestions were made by Committee members: 1) have a sign up sheet for Scouts wanting a Scoutmaster Conference so the Scoutmaster and assistant
Scoutmasters would know who needed a conference- Teresa volunteered to be in charge of this listing; 2) schedule time for Scoutmaster Conferences and BORs into one Troop meeting a month; 3) continue doing Scoutmaster conferences and BORs the same way they are being done now.  Bill didn't see any reason to change how the BORs were done.  He felt they could be done at any time during a Troop meeting.  Teresa thought it was unfair to the other Scouts to schedule time from the Troop meeting for a few Scouts who needed conferences or BORs.  The Committee made no decision at this time.  Discussion would continue at the next Committee meeting.
Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm.