Troop Committee Meeting
November 2002

Attendees: Bonnie Branch, Larry Herrin, Ed Nichols, Dave Knust, Rick
Montgomery, Dennis McCarthy, Dan Lassiter, John Benavides, Jeff Collins

Scouts: Jesse Benavides, Justin Collins
Chair: Mark Steger
Minutes: Mark Steger

1. Calendar
     Nov 15-16: Campout
     Nov 18: PLC
     Nov 19: Orientation meeting for Philmont attendees
     Nov 25: Troop meeting, Winter Camp signup ($20 down payment)
     Dec 2: Troop meeting, Webelos visit
     Dec 9: Troop meeting  
            Winter camp final payment is due ($80)
            Signed release form for Ft Sill is due
     Dec 16, 23, 30: No troop meetings
     Dec 18: Troop Committee meeting
     Dec 27-31: Winter Camp
     Complete calendar is at http://calendar.yahoo.com/bsa_troop81

2. Treasurer - Sharon Hood
     o October report
       - 3 months YTD income is $12,764. Expenses are $7,113.
     o Popcorn and Pie sales - Cindy McCarthy
       - Scouts sold 65 pies resulting in $260 going into Scout accounts

       - Scouts sold over $5000 of popcorn resulting in $1350 for Scouts
     o Damage claim from Family Camp
       - The committee approved, 8 to 1, reimbursement for replacement
	   of a cracked windshield suffered at Family Camp
       - The committee voted to budget a contingency fund for paying
	 such claims in next year's budget as well as look into the cost of
         liability insurance. 

3. PLC - Jesse Benavides
     o Mr Colbaugh thanked Troop 81 for our trail-clearing service
       project on the October campout. He named the trail "Eighty One
Trail."
     o Camping by patrols at last campout was not well organized.

4. Roundtable - Ed Nichols
     o Scouting for Food is coming up. Troop 81 will try to team up with
       a local Cub Scout Pack again.
     o BSA recommends new adults take Wood Badge training, not just
       experienced adults.
     o OA needs more participation.
   
5. Campouts - Craig Christensen
     o November 15-17 (Backpacking - Camp Cherokee)
     o Dec 27-31 - Winter Camp (Baloo Bear - Ed Nichols)
       - Camp Cherokee
       - Signup is November 25. Down payment of $20 is due then. 
         Final payment of $80 is due Dec 9.

     o Jan 24-26 - Military Base: Ft Sill, OK (Justin Collins, Badger)
       - Stay on a military base. Tour base: artillery, missiles, armor,
	   museum. Recreation: basketball, bowling, swimming pool
       - Cost: $45 (adults: $15)
       - A signed release from liability is due December 9

     o Rest of camping program
       Feb 14 - Family Camp: Ft Parker SP (Baloo Bear)
       Mar 22 - Marksmanship: Herrin's ranch (Pyro)
       Apr 5  - One day patrol competitions (Mitchell Hampton)
       Apr 11 - Camporee (Baloo Bear)
       May 3  - Climbing: location unknown? (Shark)

       We will look into swapping the high adventure campout (May 3,
       climbing) with the March campout if Scott Winn is available in
       March.

     o Philmont - Mark Steger
       - Troop orientation meeting for all attendees is Nov 19.
       - Final fee installment for 2003 treks is due in February
       - Reservations for 2005 can be made November, 2003.
     o Northern Tier
       - Troop has no crews planned.
     o Sea Base
       - Troop has no boats in 2003.
       - Reservations for 2004 can be made Feb 3, 2003.

     o Youth drivers
       - BSA policy permits Scouts to drive to Scouting events provided
         they have a valid license, no record of moving violations or
         accidents, and permission from their parents and the parents of
         any passengers. The troop committee discussed adopting a
	 stricter policy in Troop 81, perhaps forbidding underage drivers
	 altogether or at least limiting the number of passengers. No decision was
         reached.

     o Trailers
       - The committee discussed whether the practice of taking only one
         troop trailer on campouts was working. Opinions were mixed, with
         some comments that patrols lack adequate cooking equipment. No
         change in practice was decided.
     
6. Meetings - Dave Knust
     o Nothing to report

7. Leadership
     o Nothing to report
   
8. Advancement - Bonnie Branch
     o Kathleen Davis offers to hold an advanced CPR class for adults
       (Heartsavers Certification (minimum of 8)

9. Committee - Mark Steger
     o Recharter
       - All adult leaders need to be registered with BSA
       - All adult leaders need to consent to criminal background check
       - Completion of individual registrations needs to be complete by
         November 25, in time for our troop rechartering in early
December
     
     o Appointment of Leadership Subcommittee for 2003-2004
       - The Troop Committee approved the appointment of Ed Nichols, Dan
         Lassiter, Dave Knust, Bonnie Branch, Craig Christensen, Tom Schob,
         Mark Steger and Sharon Hood to the Leadership Subcommittee.
	 This group will solicit volunteers to be adult leaders for 2003-2004. A
         slate of volunteers will be presented to the Troop Committee for
         approval in February. Please be open to the possibility of serving
         in an adult leadership position.

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Mark Steger