This meeting was rescheduled from March
26 due to spring break.
1.
Welcome
The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
2.
Report
from PLC
Paul J. discussed with the Committee the PLC’s plans for Basic Skills. Adam C.
has agreed to run a session on patrol boxes prior to the campout, rather than
at the campout itself. They will be conducting menu planning the meeting before
the campout.
The PLC also decided on whitewater rafting as a primary activity for May, with
Stearns Scout Camp as an alternative. For June, the PLC decided on going to the
Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail in southern Wisconsin, as none of the current Scouts in
our troop have done this activity previously.
Erik B. discussed that the PLC did not plan for a second August campout, as
almost all of the Scouts in the troop would be eligible for Isle Royale, if
they so wanted to attend. It may be a
good opportunity for an advancement-style campout for the new first-year
Scouts, however. Roger reported that Mr.
Genz is still interested in hosting us again in August.
3.
Scoutmaster
Report
Jim Letourneau noted that he will be turning in the names for adults who were
nominated for Order of the Arrow. We nominated Tim and Michele Willard, Sheila
Thom, and Pat Mahoney.
We will also be turning in a Grey Wolf application for Erik B.
Jim also reported that the PLC is still reviewing what they want to do for the
May and June campouts this year. They will also be planning activities to work
on for the April Basic Skills campout.
Jim also presented copies of a two-year
troop planning calendar that was developed at Planning Weekend.
4.
Camping
Committee
Mary Sue Abel reported that we have one Scout who has been signed up for the T2
high adventure program at Tomahawk this year.
The Tomahawk Parent’s Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 4. Roger will send out an email regarding medical
officers. The swim test will be June 25.
Dan Feidt agreed to rent us his bus on the way up to and back from Tomahawk
this year. The PLC thought that this may be a fun option to try for
transportation. The plan would be to leave the bus at camp during the week. It
can hold up to 44 Scouts and adults, including gear. We would still need to
have a few personal vehicles on hand for transporting either Scouts or gear to
camp and back.
The June bike trip will be June 21-23.
Mary Sue also noted that all four crews have been reserved for Isle Royale for this
August.
Reservations have also been submitted for four crews for Sea Base in August,
2014 (3 sailing and 1 out-island).
5.
Advancement
Committee
Joe Mikkelson reported that we had another successful Road to First Class
campout. Most of the Scouts in attendance were able to complete a large number
of requirements, and we had a good turnout from our troop guides as well. Marc
Johannsen added that there are four Scouts who are interested in being troop
guides this year, and the ASM’s involved in Road to First Class will be
interviewing each Scout to review the troop guide position requirements and
confirm interest.
Joe also noted that the new first-year Scouts have started to work on Scout
badge requirements.
Marc reported that there are 14 Scouts who will be attending the Many Waters
District Merit Badge Weekend at Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp.
Marc also noted that those leaders who are merit badge counselors need to fill
out updated paperwork to submit to the district in order to remain as a
counselor. It is national BSA policy for everyone to fill out a new adult
leader application every three years, which helps to ensure that leaders are
current in their Youth Protection training and that information at the district
is up to date.
Pat Mahoney will be starting the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge at the
April 2 troop meeting.
6.
Fundraising
Committee
Bridget Newman updated the Committee on the Manitou 15K race on June 1. We are
still looking for sponsors. There is another race that will be running
concurrently with the 15K, similar to what we faced last year. It was suggested
that we place some kind of tape marking or barrier to split the sidewalk from
the road to allow both races to use each half of the road without crossing
paths.
Michele Willard noted that orders are being submitted from our flower
fundraiser. Tomorrow night is orders turn in night, but so far our new online
submission form seems to be working well. She will be submitting our orders to Gerten’s this week. Michele will also be looking for volunteers for sorting
flowers on pickup day, which will be on May 11.
Roger reported that 27 Scouts sold $4,077 worth of flowers over the
webstore.
Ryan Solberg noted that there seems to
be issues with the Cub Foods grocery bagging fundraiser and Cub will be scaling
back the available dates they will be allowing people to bag groceries. Pam Blank checked on bagging at Kowalski’s
instead. The terms are different, but
this is an option for us. They will pay
us $250 and allow us to take tips but not put out a tip jar. She reserved July 3 for us.
Ryan will check on spring compost site
fundraising.
7.
Community
Service Committee
No report. Heritage Park Clean Up is April 23. Scouting
for Food is May 4.
8.
Treasurer’s
Report
This past Friday Ken Rowe received the check from the White Bear Rotary that is
really from the Vadnais Heights Community Fund and which is for our Capital
Campaign.
Ken also found out that we can possibly purchase our own insurance for the
troop trailers, and he is currently exploring this option.
9.
Other
Business
Tim Willard reported that there may be a way that the troop could be making
some extra income by using Google AdSense, but Jim responded that website
advertising is prohibited by BSA guidelines.
Tim also proposed using generic email addresses with our new Google
site. He will communicate how we can use
this new capability.
10.
Old
Business
Roger Scherping reported that our Capital Campaign is up to $5,695 or 63% of
our $9,000 goal. Roger, Ken, and Scott
Wisgerhof are planning to meet in April to discuss phase 2.
Marc reported that we are approximately
$2,000 short of reaching our base goal for Friends of Scouting (we have
approximately $3,800 in donations currently). He will be making phone calls to
those who have not turned in a pledge card.
Marc also talked about the metal Scout rank display. It might be a fun way to visually
express where each Scout is at, and this could also introduce some friendly
competition to see who can get to a rank faster. Marc will explore this idea
further.
Roger reported that all of the extra firewood that we bagged during our bagging
fundraiser several years ago should be used on campouts, and we will come up
with a plan to utilize it. We will need to figure out if there any restrictions
on transporting it from place to place.
Jim noted that there have been excessive amounts of noise being added from side
conversations during regular troop meetings. This in turn makes information
harder to hear because of the way the main meeting room at the church is built.
He asked the Committee to move these side conversations either to the kitchen
area or to the back hallway so that the Scouts are better able to hear
announcements and other information.
11.
New
Business
Roger proposed that we move forward with
purchasing our new troop trailer.
·
The
Committee approved the purchase of a new trailer with the agreed-upon
specifications using funds from the Capital Campaign. The goal is to have the
trailer available for the Basic Skills campout. Mike Cerney and John Clarke
will be the designated Committee members who will purchase the trailer. They
are authorized to spend up to $4,000. We
have agreed to sell the old trailer to Mike’s contact for $500.
·
A
group of Committee members led by Jeff Abel, Dan Feidt and Bill Johnson will
take care of designing and building shelving units for the new trailer. They
will work with our Quartermasters to come up with the best design for the
shelving units to accommodate our current and future storage needs. They are authorized to spend up to
$1,000. The goal will be to have the
shelving installed in time for the May campout.
·
A
group of Committee members led by Jeff and Roger will work with the Scouts to
determine how the outside of the trailer should be decorated. The top four donors to the Capital Campaign (Vadnais
Heights Community Fund, White Bear Rotary, Vadnais Heights Lions, and White
Bear Lions) agreed to be recognized on the outside of the trailer. The goal
will be to have the design in place for the June campout.
Sam Hunter said he would forward to John
Mercier an opportunity to do community service with the Science and Nature Area
(SNA) near Hastings.