Troop 107 Committee Meeting Minutes September 1, 2005 Present: Jennifer Brandyberry, Mark Brandyberry, Rebecca Dressler, Dan Finney, Tom Ford, Jeff Fryer, Mark Joseph, Sheila Krein, Lorraine Logue, Mary Manard, Jim Marshall, Mike McInerney, Ernie Spaulding, and John Taylor The meeting was called to order at 7:11 by Mark Brandyberry. The agenda was distributed. Mary asked that Popcorn Sales be added. The amended agenda was approved. Minutes from the May 26 meeting were distributed and approved. Committee Reports Treasurer – Rebecca Dressler Rebecca reported that she can’t find the troop checkbook. She has monitored the balance, and she hasn’t seen an issue. (She estimates the balance at around $3300.) She suggested that she close the account and open a new one, to general agreement. She also requested that parents notify her if a check to the Troop has not been cashed. Payments made after May 15 may not have been deposited. Rebecca also distributed Scout account statements left over from the May meeting. Rebecca asked if the troop was going to donate to Katrina relief efforts; Mary suggested we wait to see what the BSA was going to recommend, to general agreement. Outdoor Activities – Lorraine Logue DD has decided not to take over as Outdoor Activities chair; thus, we need another volunteer. The Illini Jamboree is September 9-11. After some discussion, it was determined that we have a plethora of drivers with towing capability. The October campout is in Wisconsin; Scott Sullivan is the point person. Aside: the next Court of Honor will be October 6. Jim Marshall will call Patti Hood to check church availability. Advancement – Mary Manard Eleven Scouts are due to receive 28 merit badges from Camp Drake. Three Scouts earned the SCUBA badge at the National Jamboree. Mary will send an email to affected parties beforehand. The LDS church is hosting a merit badge seminar at Camp Drake on September 24. Lorraine reminded us that the Scouts can earn the World Conservation Award simply by earning the following merit badges: 1. Environmental Science 2. Soil and Water Conservation - or - Fish and Wildlife Management 3. Citizenship in the World Fundraising – Elisabeth Jenicek Elisabeth was not here. We will be doing much fundraising in the next three months: popcorn, greenery, two hot dog sales, and the pancake breakfast. Sheila Krein offered to head up greenery sales. She will call Karen Miller to discuss getting started. Mark Joseph and Jim Marshall agreed to run the hot dog sales. Mark Joseph will contact Jerry’s to get the ball rolling. Mary Manard said that this year popcorn sales will feature “Show & Sell”: Scouts will have product to sell on the spot instead of taking orders. The sale will run from October 1 to November 2. Mary will distribute a flyer. Sheila suggested the Scouts sell popcorn and greenery together; the customer often likes having a choice. Mark Joseph suggested that we begin submitting fundraising applications to the Scout Office (one of the requirements for the Ready & Prepared award). Mark Brandyberry will talk to Elisabeth about that. Scoutmaster’s Report – Bill Dick The Scouts have decided to work on the Ready & Prepared award, which certifies the troop’s emergency preparedness. It will probably take six to nine months to complete. We will receive a ribbon for the troop flag and individual patches. The Scouts are also working on reconfiguring the Court of Honor. The idea is to add more spice to a ceremony that has remained the same for years. Brian Knox has agreed to work with the Scouts. Other parents interested in helping should contact Brian. We normally have 24-27 Scouts, which is close to the basement’s capacity. Next year, however, we will have more room, and Bill recommends we recruit up to ten more boys in the winter and spring. He would like to find creative ways to integrate Cub Scouts into our troop activities. Unfortunately, the changed date for the Salt Fork River clean-up thwarts our first opportunity. Quartermaster – Jeff Fryer The axe handle has been repaired. Jeff intends to repair the trailer lights and install shelves as authorized in the May meeting. Service Projects – John Taylor John reported that the 4th of July Parade set up and cleanup was a huge success. Scouts earned 20 service hours in total. The Salt Fork River clean-up date has been moved from October 1 to October 8, which conflicts with the Pancake Breakfast. No other service projects are scheduled. Mark Brandyberry suggested that people funnel ideas to John. Aside: Dan Finney suggested that Cub Scouts eat free at the Pancake Breakfast (with a paying parent) as a recruiting tactic. Mary Manard will send letters to this effect to packs in town. Adult Training – Bill Dick Bill had rejoined the Scouts by this time. Old Business Several bags of aluminum cans were brought for Jim Marshall to collect. Remember to bring them the night of every parent meeting. New Business As mentioned above, we need volunteers to help Brian Knox and the Scouts reconfigure the Court of Honor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15. The next meeting will be October 6 at 6:30 PM (before the Court of Honor). Respectfully submitted, Tom Ford, substitute Ann Reid Committee Secretary