TROOP
494 COMMITTEE MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013
1.
Welcome
Meeting called to order at 7:05. Minutes from the last meeting were approved.
2.
Scoutmaster
Report
Jim Letourneau reported on how our patrols are structured, and he suggested
looking into reorganizing them. This reorganization may take place over the
next several weeks. He also discussed
how we got our new troop scribes up to speed, and the issue of age of one of
two of our new Scouts.
3.
Camping
Committee
Mary Sue Abel talked about the Sparta-Elroy Bike Trip, which is coming up June
21-23. There were some questions raised about the campground at the starting
point on the trip, as the sites within the campground in Sparta are
non-reservable. We did not run into any issues the last time the troop was
there in 2006. We will also need to figure out where we can obtain a trailer to
be able to tow bikes to Sparta, WI.
The parents’ meeting for Tomahawk is coming up next Tuesday (June 4). We will
start a signup sheet for those who want to attend the Wednesday night dinner
during the week at camp. Dan Feidt and John Mercier have volunteered to counsel
the Cooking merit badge. The swim test has been scheduled for June 25 at
Maplewood Community Center. The test will run concurrently with the June
Committee meeting. Tomahawk planning is
proceeding for merit badges, meals, in-camp merit badges, physicals and
t-shirts. Roger will send an email
reminder for all things relating to Tomahawk.
Plans are coming together for Isle Royale. The Scouts and adults in attendance
are being encouraged to continue their own training hikes. There are some group
hikes that will be held in the near future.
SeaBase 2014 is
also proceeding well.
Rick Rausch noted that he is working on cleaning out the gear in the trailers.
There was an infestation of mice in the large trailer. He will prepare for the transition to the new
trailer.
4.
Advancement
Committee
Joe Mikkelson reported that the first-year Scouts have recently completed the Scout
badge and are working on Tenderfoot requirements. They will be working on
physical fitness testing throughout the month of June. Second-year and higher Scouts
recently completed ways of transporting Scouts who are injured; they worked on
this requirement over the last several weeks.
Marc Johannsen added that his goal is to see all of the older Scouts within
Road to First Class make First Class by the time we go to Tomahawk.
Shelley Jokinen reported that we will be handing out nine rank badges and 16
merit badges at the next court of honor, coming up on June 11.
5.
Report
from PLC
Paul J. discussed the Sparta-Elroy Bike Trip. We will plan to bike the entire
length of the trail, from Sparta to Elroy, for a total of 64 miles. Depending
on how far the Scouts would like to go, some may elect to bike less. The PLC
will plan to hold a bike inspection on June 18.
The t-shirts for Tomahawk this year will have a gold background with black
lettering.
The PLC has organized equipment that will be needed for the Manitou 15K race,
coming up on June 1.
The PLC also discussed fun nights for 2013. They have planned August 20 to be a
barbeque and troop get-together event, similar to what we did a couple years
ago. There is a disc golf event scheduled for September 3; this would be just
prior to the Namekagon canoe trip. November 19 has been planned for a fun night
at Base Camp. In 2014, the PLC planned a fun night at Sky Zone on January 7.
Roger will follow up with Mike Pendergast to see about reserving these events.
Finally, the PLC
needs to deliberate some more to determine their recommendation for the use of
cell phones at Tomahawk. They PLC would
like to see the same rules apply to adults, and the Committee agreed.
6.
Fundraising
Committee
Pam Blank reported that we have a grocery bagging session at Kowalski’s coming
up on July 3. The session will run from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. There will be two
shifts, and the signup will be limited to a combined total of seven Scouts and
adults per shift (5 Scouts and two adults).
Bridget Newman reported on the Manitou 15K. The shirt design has been chosen,
and shirts will be ordered for the race soon. Several Committee members have
volunteered to bring equipment, as well as volunteer for doing different tasks
during the race. We will plan to have some caution-tape to keep runners from
another race from interfering with those running the 15K.
7.
Community
Service Committee
John Mercier reported that he gave Roger a letter from the White Bear Lake Food
Shelf on how much food we were able to collect from Scouting for Food. We
collected 1,545 pounds of food this year.
Roger sent out an email regarding two additional service opportunities, one of
which was to volunteer with a flash mob being put on at Marketfest by the White
Bear Lake Fire Department and the other helping with traffic direction and
parking at the MS 150 bike ride. There was little response received from both
of these events.
John is currently working on plans for volunteering at Relay for Life later
this summer.
8.
Treasurer’s
Report
No report.
9.
Other
Items
No website or training update.
10. Old Business
Roger reported on the troop capital campaign. We are looking to reach out to
our Eagle alumni, as well as a few community-based foundations for donations.
Jeff Abel gave
the Committee a report on the new troop trailer’s shelving. He noted that Bill
Johnson, Dan Feidt, and he are working out a time and date to get together to
share proposals. Once there is a design, they will share their ideas with the Scouts
to see what they think. They will look to have shelving installed in the
trailer in time for the June bike trip.
Roger will get a group together to work on stickers for the trailer once
the shelves are in.
Roger will follow up with Deb Clarke about sending out an email regarding
ordering the fleece sweaters. The color of the sweaters will be navy blue with silver
lettering.
11. New Business
None
12. Comments/Closing
The meeting adjourned at 8:55.