TROOP 494 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012
1. Welcome Roger Scherping 7:00
Meeting began, minutes approved.
2. Youth Protection Training Marc Johannsen 7:05
Committee members watched the video
and completed the requirements.
3. Report from PLC Quintin A. 7:30
The PLC met and discussed ideas for
the Lock In. They will make more
specific plans at the next troop meeting.
They also proposed ideas for the January fun night, including bowling
and SkyZone Trampoline Park. They will
get a consensus from the rest of the troop at the next meeting. They also proposed playing the dice game at
the Christmas party.
4. Scoutmaster Report Jim Letourneau 7:40
Jim was absent tonight. Roger reviewed upcoming Cub Scout Pack 437 activities
that we generally assist in for recruitment, including the Lock-In 12/8, Polar
Camp 1/5, Pinewood Derby 2/7, and 3/10 Blue and Gold banquet.
5. Camping Committee MarySue Abel 7:50
- December (Lock In): She will get final
numbers next week for food. January
(Eagle Cave): She sent in the final payment for the 37 scouts who are
registered. There is still room for 3
more Scouts available. If the spots are
not taken we will have to pay $15 each as they are reserved. Currently we are tight on seats getting
there. February (snow day activity): She
will continue to do some research.
- Quartermaster Report - Rick Rausch Nothing to report
- Camping store - Jeff Abel –Nothing to report
6. Advancement Committee Christy Bartlett 8:00
- Road to First Class update: Jeff
Abel/Joe Mikkelson/Marc Johannsen/Ken Rowe
Joe reported that attendance has
been a little sparse lately. Joe is
working with the two new leaders and is considering developing a newsletter for
better communication for the first year Scouts and asked for feedback with this.
Committee members gave caution as it is a lot of work, with little attention actually
given to it from past experiences with this type of communication.
- Advancement status: Shelly reported currently: 9 working on tenderfoot, 18 on
First Class, 5 on Second Class, 12 on Star, 6 on Life, and 9 on Eagle. Merit Badge Weekend went well. MarySue will be finishing up Railroad merit
badge this weekend. A common concern
from the Scouts ranked First Class and higher is that they are not sure where
to look for leadership positions as many are currently full. The troop guide positions were
recommended.
- Next Court of Honor will be on Jan. 22.
- Purchasing additional Eagle Scout axes: Sam Hunter/Ryan Solberg
Ryan gave an update in regards to
ordering of the axes. He is still
waiting and admits it has been a struggle.
Christy reports she is also having trouble finding axe sheaths. It was decided to try to get a BSA stamp for
the sheath. Committee members decided
to continue to gather information in attempt to recreate traditional 494 Eagle
axes.
7. Fundraising Committee Ryan Solberg 8:10
-Yard waste site fundraiser was a
success. Committee will target to do
this again in March or April. Members
agreed that this could be a yearly basis and funds raised split for different
fundraising activities. Ryan will keep
in touch and see if we can secure a date for the spring.
- Popcorn Pat Stoterau – now complete
- Wreaths Jim Golding- now complete, 15% of sales were from the internet for
both wreaths and popcorn.
8. Community Service Committee John Mercier 8:20
- Adopt-a-Family shopping Dec. 11 Ann Cerney –This will happen during the troop
meeting.
9. Treasurer's Report Ken Rowe 8:30
-
Insurance on troop trailers –Ken is still working on this needing to talk to a
Rotary member to get more information.
- ScoutBucks – He reports there is nothing new but plans to get statements out
in the next few weeks.
10. Other 8:40
- Website
update Tim Willard
Roger reported that the new website has the ability to have different emails
for the different troop positions. Members
discussed the pro and cons of this, deciding to keep it the way it currently is
with the option to revisit the process it if the burden gets too big for Roger
to filter email.
- Adult Leader Training update Dave DiSera
Dave discussed frustrations with the current online Adult Leader training
tracking system. Jeff reported that the
BSA is coming up with a new system in the next few years, so they are now not
fixing any bugs. Dave reports not all
adults have not done the Youth Protection and will send out another email to
remind members.
- Fun Night update Mike Pendergast – No report.
11. Old Business 8:45
- Troop capital campaign update Scott Wisgerhof: It was reported that we got
our first donation from the White Bear Lake Lions Club.
-
Rechartering- Scott Wisgerhof: The rechartering process continues and will
finish soon.
12. New Business 8:55
- FOS: Marc will be heading the Friends of Scouting campaign in March. He reports that the BSA raised our goal by $1
more than last year for a total goal of $5,801 for 2013.
- Fundraising process improvements discussed as there have been many frustrations
with the current system of handing in orders and the different process for each
fundraiser. Roger discussed the need to consolidate processes and perhaps use
the website and Google docs to streamline the order process. For fundraisers it was decided to close the
website on the Sunday before orders are due and then have from Sunday to
Tuesday for in-person orders where the Scouts could enter in the orders on a
computer so everything would be online. Cash will not be accepted for
payment. Only checks or online credit
will be accepted for payment. This new process
will start with the flower fundraiser in the spring. Roger will discuss with Tim Willard.
- Jan 8th
will be the next troop meeting as there will be other troop activities and
holidays occurring. There will also not be a Committee meeting in December.