TROOP 433

TROOP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Nov. 5, 2007

Note: action items are underlined

Present:  Scott Betlach, Kelvin Vartti, Steve Wiberg, Steve Lindlof, John Yarusso, Paul Hoff, Fred Koerschner, Rich Logan, Wyeth Lewis

PLC Report:

n Ben reported:

o PLC came up with a list of mission statement topics. 

· Have more efficient scout meetings.

· Have fun meetings.

· Hands on experience.

· More boy lead meetings

· Better communication.

· Go outside.

o The mission statement will have additional work after the troop meetings.

o PLC also talked about a annual plan meeting.

o Nov. Theme.  Citizenship.

1. 11/12 Meeting - Service Project

· Ben / Andrew / Kyle will come up with a service project on the week of 11/12.

o Possible Food Shelf work.

• Steve W. mentioned that the PLC should come up with multiple service hours.
• The committee suggested that Ben should contact Steve F. for additional service project ideas.

2. 11/19 Meeting

a. Pre-opening game – slips of paper where other people will sign the paper.

b. Skills – merit badges.

i. Citizenship in the Community

3. 11/26 Meeting

a. Pre-opening – Debate

Merit Badges:

· Paul H. asked the PLC how merit badge consolers should plan to be part of the troop meeting without disrupting the planned meeting flow.  For example, Paul is coming to the meeting when the meeting is ½ way done so he doesn’t disrupt the meeting.  Ben indicated that we need a balance of merit badges and troop planning. 

· Steve W. suggested that some troop hand out a slip of paper to indicate what the plan is for the next meeting.  Included in this plan could be a schedule of the troop meeting to show the times that the merit badge instruction is available.  Our troop is lucky to have merit badge consolers that are willing to offer merit badges year round but it would be easier if merit badges were scheduled at set times throughout the year. 

· As part of the monthly plan, Merit badge consolers should be consulted ahead of time to see if they could attend a troop meeting once per month to work on a merit badge.  If this was planned out it would give the scouts a goal to complete a merit badge by a planned date.

· Ben suggested that we have a window of time for each meeting with a list of merit badges that will be available and these will be communicated in advance.

· A rank advancement board was also created by Bob L. and will be available for the next meeting.  In addition most troops have an attendance check-off for the troop meetings.  This could be used for rewards for the best patrol participation or for set goals for the whole troop.

Minutes:

· Approved with corrections to some misspelled names.

Roundtable:

· The aviation venture crew is starting this Thursday, 11/8 @ 7pm at Benson airport.  Open house for boys 14->21

Service Events / Opportunities:

The new PLC needs to contact Steve F. about current Service events.

Pack / Troop Interaction Opportunities:

• No update

Outdoor Activities:

• A couple of Webelos II will be attending the 11/9-12 campout.  The webelo’s should pay the same amount as the scouts.
• Steve L. suggested that usually $25 per weekend is a good amount to suggest for a weekend campout.
• OA fall fellowship this Friday.
• Okpik –
• Scott is organizing a dog sled trip to Okpik in Feb.
• Porkies
• The trip went well.  The scouts should present a slideshow of the pictures taken at the porkies.  Fred asked if communication merit badge could use this to meet a requirement.  Paul H. checked the merit badge book and an instructional talk could be used to meet one of the requirements of the communication merit badge.   A good time to show this would be a the December COH.
• Lee received a list of boys names that are interested in winter camping.

Training:

• All of the training events have occurred over the past month.  If anyone wants to do troop committee challenge let Wyeth know and he can schedule an training session.
• Steve L. asked if there was training on how to plan a campout.
• REI has a winter camping class.
• Wood badge training – April / May 08 and Winter 09.  Information is on the Web.
• Philmont – runs 6/1 -> 9/27, 12 weeks with different themes.  Philmont is taking invitations for this upcoming year.  Wyeth will show the Philmont DVD next month.

Treasures report:

$5164 in troop account.  $2159 in scout accounts.