Minutes from Parent / Troop Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 27th. 2009
The following were in attendance:
Troop Committee Members: Bill Campbell, Brian Fulcher, Terry Parker, Pon Phongsavath, Jean Stephano, Lorna Hodge, Victoria Rose and Robin Thomas.
Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmasters: Chris Poole and Dave Pederson.
Parents/Others: Katie Prock
Occoneechee Council 2009 Friends of Scouting Campaign: Representatives of FOS provided the 2009 campaign information and accepted pledges and donations at the troop committee meeting. Capital Campaign which helped build the Grand Lodge at Camp Durant as well as many other projects is also highlighted. Opportunities for units and families to make a pledge to adopt a campsite or honor unit leaders or recognize eagle scouts with a commemorative brick or paver. Terry has the campaign brochure and pledge forms for interested parents who would like to participate.
New Medical Form: Dave Pederson informed the committee of the new medical form requirement. The new form is a format of the old Class 1, 2, and 3 forms combined. It includes areas where inputs for parental consent, Health Insurance card, medications list, release, etc. The new medical form is needed for any boy scout activity whether camping out or not. All activity participants (including leaders and parents) are required to complete the medical form. The new BSA website under Health/Safety Resource -has the latest information on this new requirement. The Troop will start implementing this form requirement for new scouts and for summer camp this year.
New Training and Fees: Adult leaders are required to complete Wilderness Safety course. The 16 hour course is offered twice a year by the Red Cross for about $125 per course. There are agencies that offer the course for about $210 -$250. Camp Durant is charging a fee for structure usage. Camping is free. However usage of buildings such as a cabin is $10 per person. Beginning on January 1st, 2010, troops will have to pay for their advancement patches and eagle box. These fees are normally covered by the BSA council. Our troop can have these fees waved by earning gold card status which requires us to:
Re-charter on time (by March 1st )
Have at least 2 registered adults, including unit leader, be fully trained for their position.
Have at least 3 registered adults, including unit leader, hold current Youth Protection training certification. Troop 314 has more YPT certified leaders.
Complete 2 of the following during the year of application: 1) Have Friends of Scouting presentation by a council representative 2) Take part in the council popcorn sales 3) Earn Quality Unit Status. The Committee is looking to fulfill item 1 and 3.
Recharter: Jean Stephano has the information on fees and due dates ready to disburse to everyone. She will be sending them out via email.
Committee Vote: The Committee took a vote on 4 proposals. Votes were done in person and by proxies. The 4 proposals were voted in favor and are as follow:
Proposal #1: The fees to register with Troop 314 and BSA in 2009 shall be a) $11 for returning scouts that worked at the Troop 314 Christmas Tree Sale in 2008, or were unable to do so for medical reasons b) $45 for all other scouts, including new scouts c) No cost for adult leaders (absorbed by Troop) d) All amounts above to increase by $12 if the scout/adult wishes to receive Boys Life Magazine.
Proposal #2: For the budget year extending from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, an allocation of $750 will be made toward scholarships. This amount shall be utilized in conformity with the Troop’s Scholarship Policy.
Proposal #3: In order to ensure the best possible leadership for our scouts at all times, the position of Scoutmaster will be reviewed prior to recharter each year. The Troop Committee will actively seek volunteers for the role.
Proposal #4: To implement the annual review of the Scoutmaster position, the Troop Committee Chairman will appoint a committee, comprised of volunteers from the Troop Community (adult leaders, parents, etc.) to recruit and evaluate candidates for scoutmaster. This committee will make a recommendation to the Troop Committee who shall appoint the Scoutmaster by majority vote – provided the candidate meets the standards of our Chartered Organization and the BSA. In evaluating candidates, the committee will consider the following characteristics:
a. Commitment to the ideals of scouting
b. High moral standards
c. Ability to relate to boys
d. Ability to keep a cool head under pressure
e. Good organizational skills
f. Ability to relate to and interact with adults
g. Flexibility and the ability to compromise
h. Good planning ability
i. High energy level
j. Good attention to detail
k. Communication skills
l. Willingness to work in collaboration with others
Proposal #3 and #4 will become part of troop policies.
Scholarship: The Committee agreed to allocate $750 for scholarship in the coming year budget. Scholarship eligibility includes any scouting expenses such as uniform, Boys life magazines, and fees for camping trips.
Capital Campaign Sponsorship: Terry proposed a troop contribution of $1500 to the Capital Campaign which will earn the troop a commemorative brick and a paver. We will solicit suggestion as to what these items should say and/or commemorate. A suggestion was made to honor a fallen Troop 314 Eagle Scout, Bill McClure.
The next Troop Committee meeting will take place in February.