Attendees: Dan Lassiter, Bonnie Branch, Craig Christensen, Tom Schob,
  Angie Pitts, Rick Montgomery, Dave Knust, John Benavides, Brian Moore,
  George Kerr, Dennis McCarthy, Pat Kelly
Scouts: None
Chair: Mark Steger
Minutes: Mark Steger

1. Calendar
     Jan 24: Junior Leader Training
     Jan 26: Troop meeting ($50 Philmont deposit due)
     Feb  2: Troop meeting (Webelos visit)
     Feb  7: Scouting for Food (bag distribution)
     Feb  9: Troop meeting (pre-campout)
     Feb 13-15: Campout - Colbaugh Ranch
     Feb 16: PLC
     Feb 18: Adult training - New Leader Essentials
     Feb 19: Troop Committee meeting
     Feb 23: Court of Honor
     Feb 28-29: Habitat for Humanity service project

2. Treasurer - Kathy Dumanski
     o January report
       - 5 months YTD income is $25,595. Expenses are $24,404.
       - Treasurer's report was approved.

3. PLC - Phillip Pool
     o No report

4. Roundtable - Ed Nichols
     o Scouting for Food: Feb 7, 14
       - This a two week effort. First week, bags are distributed in
         neighborhoods. Second week, bags with food are collected. Troop
         81's campout conflicts with second week. Ed will see if
         neighborhood Cub Scout Packs would like Troop 81's assistance
         on the first day.
     o Wood Badge: April 2-4, April 16-18 at Camp Wisdom
     o Cub Scout Olympics 
       - May 1 at Breckinridge Park. Service hours are available for Boy
         Scouts who volunteer to help staff. Contact Teri Jones at
         972-699-7714.
         
5. Campouts - Dennis McCarthy
     o Winter Camp
       - Troop 81 sent its largest contingent ever. Reports were positive. 
       - Many Scouts need to bring mess kits on campouts. The troop is
         trying to reduce waste by phasing out paper plates and canned
         sodas.
       - Dennis McCarthy plans to buy new rain tarps, then issue each
         patrol a bucket with tarp, ropes, and stakes.
     o USS Lexington
       - Reports were mixed. Various discipline problems (mostly of the
         "horseplay" variety) resulted in more of a military atmosphere
         than maybe some Scouts expected. In the end, the USS Lexington
         staff complimented Troop 81 and invited us back. Also, the
         service project of cleaning the beach was noticed and
         complimented by local residents.
     o Feb 13-15: Back to Basics (Pedro)
       - Location: Colbaugh Ranch, Oklahoma
       - Cost: $28 (tentative)
       - Theme: Back to Basics (no running water, build our own
         latrines, cook over wood fires, try new menus, service project,
         pack-in/pack-out, build one heck of a big campfire!)
       - Campsite will be shared with Venture Crew 44 (boys and girls)
     o Mar 20:    Pre-Camporee Day Camp (ASPLs)
     o Mar 26-28: Camporee
       - Location: Camp Wisdom
       - Cost: TBD
       - Theme: Cowboys and Indians
       - Registration is March 12
     o Apr 23-25: Canoeing/tubing, site unknown (Badger)
       - Date conflict with Worth Scout Ranch Canoe Race. John Benavides
         will see if we can rent canoes at reasonable cost from another
         supplier. If not, we will consider changing the date of the
         campout. If that doesn't work, we will look at other sites
         (Constantin?).
     o May 15   : Lock-in, Summit Climbing Gym (Badger)

     o Sea Base 2004 - Nancy Sanders
     o Philmont 2004
       - Troop 1001 has a few openings for 2004. Troop 81 Scouts would
         go as guests of Troop 1001.
     o Philmont 2005 - John Benavides
       - $50 deposit per person (Scouts and adults) is due January 24.
     o Northern Tier - Dennis McCarthy
       - Dennis is willing to arrange this adventure if there is another
         adult willing to attend (two deep leadership).

6. Meetings - Dave Knust
     o Order of the Arrow election - January 26
       - Be there!!!
     o Court of Honor
       - Only two meetings before Court of Honor. Get your requirements
         signed off, Scoutmaster conferences and Boards of Review held.

7. Leadership - Rick Montgomery
     o Junior Leader training - January 24 from 9-1, RBFC.
       - Class planned at RBFC. Seven Scouts signed up.
     o Oak Leaf training - March 20-21, Camp Wisdom
       - Reservations are due soon. Contact Rick Montgomery to sign up.

8. Advancement - Bonnie Branch
     o Eagles - Pat Kelly
       - Ben Nichols is ready for a Board of Review.
       - John Steger and CJ Davis have completed their projects and are
	 working on their Eagle paperwork.
       - Eight Scouts are working on their Eagle project plans.
       - Ten more Scouts are eligible but have not yet met with Pat.

9. Committee - Mark Steger
     o Adult training
       - If you are an adult leader and you don't have a trained patch
         on your uniform, please consider attending these convenient
         training classes this Spring:
       - New Leader Essentials - Feb 17 (one night)
       - Scoutmaster Fundamentals - Feb 24, Mar 2, 9 (three night class)
       - Outdoor Leader Skills - Mar 19-21 (weekend campout)
       - Registration costs will be reimbursed by the troop. 

     o Election of adult leaders
       - The Troop Committee unanimously elected this slate of
         candidates for adult leadership positions for 2004-2005. We
         thank them for volunteering. Troop 81's success begins with
         such dedication. Their terms in office begin after the May
         Court of Honor.

         Senior Scoutmaster: Craig Christensen
         Scoutmaster for Camping: Dennis McCarthy
         Scoutmaster for Meetings: Bob Centola
         Scoutmaster for Leadership: Rick Montgomery
         Scoutmaster for Advancement: Bonnie Branch
         Scoutmaster for New Scouts: Brian Moore
         Committee Chairman: John Benavides
         Treasurer: Kathy Dumanski

Troop 81 Web site: http://t81.freewebpage.org

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Mark Steger