Minutes from Parent / Troop Committee Meeting

Wednesday June 3^rd, 2009

The following were in attendance:

Troop Committee Members: Brenda Campbell, Paul Casadonte, Sheri Colquitt, Brian Fulcher, Terry Parker, Katie Prock, Victoria Rose, Donna Rozansky, Robin Thomas

Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmasters: Chuck Behm, Bill Campbell, Robin Jewitt, Dave Pederson, Don Prock

Parents: Janice Jennings, Rajesh Vallabhaneni

Scoutmaster Report: Using a document that was originally created 1 year ago, as the output of a Troop Planning meeting, Chuck Behm went over the status of some of the actions agreed then and some of the key concepts that he would like to place greater emphasis on including:

• The ‘patrol model’

• Uniforms

• Leadership skills development and the ‘boy led’ approach

Immediate Actions:

• Scouts will sit in their Patrols during Troop Meetings. Done (room for improvement – see long term #2)

• Uniforms: We will make a greater effort to enforce the provisions in the Troop Handbook concerning uniforms. In addition, scoutmasters will try to serve as stronger role models by wearing their uniforms. Progress Made

• Leadership Development: Chuck Behm has agreed to focus on developing leadership skills among the Troop’s leaders (including: Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant SPL, Patrol Leaders and Assistants, and other ‘youth leaders’) Some progress to date.

• PLC’s. These will take place on a monthly basis. Excellent Progress

• Advancement: The meeting after the Scout passes the BOR for rank advancement, his new rank will be announced toward the end of the Troop meeting (round of applause) same applies to Merit Badges. Jean Stephano will instigate this by reminding the Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant SPL. Done. Working very well.

Longer Term Issues:

• As part of our effort to promote greater respect within the Troop, we need to enforce the Code of Conduct with appropriate consequences (up to and including expulsion from the Troop in the most extreme circumstances). Overall conduct better.

• Patrol Identify: Should each Patrol have a flag to promote their identity? Weak now, several things in planning stage to improve patrol identity /method: flags, competitions (short and long term), patrol camping, PL/APL training.

• National Youth Leadership Training: A suggestion was made to encourage our Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant SPL and the various Patrol Leaders to attend the session at Camp Durant from August 2-8 at the Troop’s expense. Pending Elections, budgeted for four.

• Many people feel we should consider moving to ‘full uniform’ rather than ‘waist up’. It was agreed that the 1^st step was to more effectively enforce the current waist up policy. In the future, this issue should be revisited to the potential to ‘raise the bar’. In the future, consideration may be given to

• a) Conducting an additional fund raising activity each year to pay for uniforms and/or b) directing part of the Troop supplement toward uniform purchases. Progress made on waist up, full uniform question tabled.

• Summer Camp Selection: the degree to which the boys are involved in this decision. Limited progress, PLC has decided not to return to Powhatan, will continue to research other possibilities.

Outings:

June – Summer Camp, July – TBD, Aug – Mt. Rogers

New Business

La Fiesta Del Pueble / Recruiting

Victoria Rose went over this and more info will be sent to the troop. (Link to the letter from Ms Rose). Also check out the website at www.elPueblo.org. Frank Castillo, for council, will be coordinating this event and the Troop would like to staff at different times. The event is Aug 29-30^th

Troop Family Cookout

Sheri Colquitt is going to coordinate this event and if anyone would like to help please contact Sheri. Because of vacations over the summer months this will be planned for in September.

Community Service Proposal

A proposal was made by the Troop Committee to the Scoutmaster for a more consistent and structured approach to giving back and being more involved in the community. This proposal is attached. At the upcoming troop planning meeting, Chuck will address this with the boys and hopes to determine community service projects for the remainder of the year. The Scoutmaster, all ASMs, the PLC and parents need to encourage community service.

Summer Camp

Bill Campbell says we are good to go. Parent meetings for June 8^th or June 15^th, only if your scout has never attended a summer camp. Some fees and forms are still outstanding and need to be in no later than June 15^th. All leaders please take advantage of training opportunities.

Committee Member Reports

Treasurer: Review of budget vs. actual

Donna Rozansky reviewed the budget, and we are in good financial standing

Advancement

We had several rank advancements and are making good progress. Beginning in July, Scoutmaster Conferences will be completed at the 3^rd troop meeting of the month and BOR will be completed at the 4^th meeting. We are hoping to conduct BORs in the Parish Library in the future, in order to reduce the level of noise and distractions in Raphael Hall.

Training

Brenda Campbell stated we are making good progress with Adult training. There are many new training opportunities on the council website. We need to make sure all adults are at 100% youth protection and SET trained.

Outdoor Activities

Regis Dompka is going to take over this area from Bill Campbell. Bill and Terry will help with the transition. Some equipment needs to be updated in the patrol boxes.

Pack 314 Liaison

Brain Fulcher would like to plan a field day possibly in Oct where the Scouts can come and help the pack, more info to come. Nov 13-15 is the Webelos camping weekend.

Ways and Means

Terry Parker will be coordinating the tree sale this year, as we prepare for the retirement of our longstanding Grinch, Mike LeBlanc. Mike will be working on this transition with Terry.

Publicity

Sheri Colquitt will continue to see that new Eagle Scouts are announced in the News & Observer. In addition, she is looking into maybe having the News & Observer do a story on camp departure.

The next Troop Committee meeting will take place on Thursday August 6^th at 7:30 p.m. All Troop 314 families and adult leaders are encouraged to attend.

Proposed Community Service Guidelines

The following changes are proposed:

1. Service Hours should be for the good of the community. Hours where a scout or the Troop will receive monies (e.g. summer camp fund) will not count toward advancement. The annual tree sale and St Raphael’s Fair will not count as Community Service hours.

2. For Community Service Hours to be counted for advancement and noted on their scout profile, scouts must include a signed record of their Community Service work or have completed a ‘sign-in sheet’ at Troop-sponsored activities.

3. Community Service will be tracked by the Service Committee with the assistance of the Membership & Advancement Coordinator.

4. The Community Service Committee will periodically make recommendations to the Scoutmaster and/or PLC for Troop-sponsored activities.

5. The Troop will endeavor to sponsor a minimum of 4 major Community Service activities each year.

Community Service Guidelines

Community Service is an important component of the BSA. The goal is to teach responsible citizenship and help scout(s) look outward at the world. There will be opportunities to complete hours through Troop-sponsored activities. Scouts are also encouraged to identify and engage in Community Service activities outside of scouts. A record of service must be maintained for each scout. For Community Service activities other than those sponsored by the Troop, it is the scout’s responsibility to have the verification form filled out and turned in to the service committee.

Service is defined as work done for a non-profit agency or individual and one in which there is no compensation or reward. The activity should contribute to the well being of the community. Participating in a club, sport, or school-sponsored activity does not in itself constitute community service.

For Organizations to be considered:

• It should be a non-profit agency.

• It should rely, primarily, on volunteer support.

• An appropriate person from the agency should witness and/or verify your service.

For work for individuals to be considered:

• The individual should be unable to perform the activity or task.

• The individual may be financially disadvantaged and/or elderly or in need of assistance.

• The individual should not be a relative or close family friend.

• The service performed should be a necessary one.

Troop sponsored activities:

The Troop will endeavor to sponsor at last four (4) community service activities per year, roughly one each quarter. These activities will be for the benefit of:

• St Raphael’s Church and School

• Cub Scout Pack 314

• Other organizations approved by the Scoutmaster and/or PLC

The Service Committee will research and propose service projects and/or organizations to the Scoutmaster and/or PLC. These recommendations will seek a balance between ‘outdoor activities’ and ministering to those less fortunate. These may include organizations such as:

• The Mountain to Sea Trail

• City of Raleigh Parks

• City of Raleigh Greenways

• North Carolina State Parks

• Urban Ministries

• Habitat for Humanity