Troop 217 Committee Meeting Minutes 17 November 2011

Present: Mike Nash, Elaine Bradshaw, Tom Burkett, Karen Dihrberg, Gail Grego, Mike Keller, Mike Maloan, Thomas Maloan (SPL), Francis McHale, Bob Seaton

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

Minutes: Gail G. moved to approve the minutes from the meeting on October 20, 2011; Mike M. seconded.  All approved.

Finance Report:  Mike N. reported for Jennifer.  The balance has increased because of popcorn revenue.  This increase is temporary.  Some money from non-active Scout accounts has been rolled into the general fund, and the committee discussed the possibility of rolling additional Scout account funds into the general troop fund.  The bank balance as of 11/14/11 was $13,405.52; the balance in the Scout accounts was $5,534; the balance (minus Scout accounts and the $1,000 safety net) was $8,872; the available balance (minus checks out) was $6,702.57. 

Mike N. reported that we came out ahead on the Black Mesa campout, in part because the ranger cut our fee in half. 

Mike N. asked everyone to look over the checks written for October.  Tom B. said he hadn’t gotten his check for November, but Mike N. got his. 

Advancement: Mike M. said he has a print-out from Troop Master showing which Scouts are eligible for O.A.  Elections will be held at the next troop meeting.  Thomas Maloan will prepare the ballot. Mike M. will have a couple of more experienced Scouts work with some of the less experienced ones (all the boys new to the troop and also the Flaming Meeses).  Mike N. said that he has two applications that need to go to Council.

Mike K. proposed making a “business card” for advancement procedure that the boys could tape to the inside cover of their book.  Tom suggested using Avery labels.  Mike K. offered to work on that.

Francis M. asked about the Merit Badge Counselor renewal e-mail sent out recently.  Mike N. said that all anyone who is currently a M.B. Counselor should have to do is to reply to the e-mail.  Francis volunteered to administer the Catholic religious badge. In response to a question from Mike N., Francis said that getting the Catholic religious badge is a lengthy process.  Bob S. said that there is probably someone at Troop 241 at McFarlin who does the Methodist badge.  Mike M. said that we’d need to talk about the timing of meetings for the religious badge.  Francis suggested doing it on Wednesday nights.  Francis is also our troop representative with the church.  He reported that the church would like to see more scout projects done to benefit St. Mark’s.  One suggested project was a brick paved patio for the Knights of Columbus to use as a grilling area.  Tom asked about funding for projects, and Mike M. and Bob S. thought that there was a good chance that the church could help fund some projects.  Mike N. felt that Father Boyer would also be open to suggestions, such as playground equipment or a gazebo.

The next topic of discussion was the fundraising meal to be held at St. Mark’s.  The earliest this could happen would be in February.  The one to be held at McFarlin could possibly be scheduled in January. 

Tom B. offered to work with any Scouts having some problems with advancement.  Mike N. talked about a class he took on Board of Reviews at University of Scouting.  He said that B.O.R.’s can also be used for Scouts who are not advancing in order to help them along.

Quartermaster:  Steve J. got in touch with Mike N. and said that he’s ready to turn over the position of Quartermaster to someone else.  Steve recommended Tom B., who accepted.  Mike N. added that Tom will need an assistant, and that we need to find out if Dr. Kenderdine is still interested. 

Mike N. asked about the kitchen training, and Mike M. replied that it was brief.  There should be no problem using the kitchen for the lock-in.  

Mike N. volunteered to transfer troop material from Bob. S.’s garage to the troop storage unit.  Mike M. gave him the key.  Tom wondered what we have in the storage unit, and what we could get rid of.  A discussion about purchasing additional tents followed.  Bob S. said that we could expect some money from the Knights of Columbus, and Mike M. said there was also money coming from OPUBCO, as well as popcorn and re-charter money later on.  

Senior Patrol Leader:  Thomas Maloan said that he had nothing new to report.

Programs:

Troop Outings:

November Wrap-Up: Black Mesa State Park, Kenton, OK:  Mike N. reported that the trip was a great success, and that John L. and Greg M. did a wonderful job.  The hike was a confidence builder for many of the boys.  He also noted that the facilities and weather were both outstanding.

December: Lock-In (Dec. 2-3):  The lock-in will start at 6:30.  We will need some adults to stay.  Francis M. suggested going to Rodney’s Pizza in Purcell to pick up the pizzas.  Mike N. plans to make up a Power Point presentation on the open troop committee positions to be shown at the parents’ breakfast.

Training:  Gail G. said that there was nothing new on training beyond what was already on the agenda (IOLS on Nov. 18-19 and Dec. 2-4, and Wilderness First Aid, Dec. 17-18).  Mike N. added that University of Scouting was well worth attending.  He said that he learned more about the Journey to Excellence program, which is replacing the Quality Unit designation.  This will need to be done in March along with re-charter.  Next year we will need to re-charter twice due to scheduling changes.  In order to get “gold” we need to rated gold in 11 out of 13 categories.

Recruiting: Mike M. said that our troop retention numbers are now figured based on scouts only.  He also reminded us that 100% of committee members will need training (Youth Protection, This is Scouting, and Fast Start). 

Mike M. said that 16 boys came to the Open House.  Gail sent out e-mails to the parents thanking them for attending.  Mike M. thinks we’ll probably get around 10 boys total crossing over to our troop.  Pack 221 had 8 of the 16 boys who came.  Pack 217 only has 4 Webelos 2’s and Mike M. is not sure how many of them will even be going forward.

Mike N. and Heather O. think we need to put together our own O.A. ceremony team.  Heather will contact the lodge about getting the script.  Mike N. thinks this could be a good recruiting tool.

Scoutmaster Report: John Blaylock has arranged for the troop to meet at Max Westheimer field on Dec. 5 at the O.H.P. hangar for a tour.  The P.L.C. will meet after Monday’s regular meeting to decide what the troop will do Dec. 12 for the “fun” meeting.  The L.F.C. will begin having discount cards for the boys to sell for $5 as a fundraiser.  They just have to pay for what they sell.  Re-charter costs will go up to $16.  Mike M. gave Mike N. a list of adults who need to have their name attached to their BSA ID# on their online profile. 

Action Item: A motion was made to forgive $25 in camping fees for a troop family that is having some difficulties.  The motion was seconded and all approved.

Mike M. mentioned that we still need to find someone to lead Trappers.  Don W. said he’d do it if no one else will.

As of October, we are the second largest troop in Sooner district (larger than 777).

Old Business:

High Adventure Planning: Mike Hensley is coordinating the planning.  Mike N. said we’ll have to make some sort of commitment in December.  He’s looking at dates in June.  Right now it looks like we’ll have three crews going.  Mike M. added that we must avoid having the troop lose deposit money if the trip falls through (what happened the last time the troop tried to arrange a trek to Philmont).

New Business:

Journey to Excellence/BOR’s: covered earlier in the meeting

Annual Merit Badge Counselor Renewal: covered earlier in the meeting

Meeting adjourned:  8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Bradshaw, Recording Secretary