Category: Committee Meeting Minutes

Committee Meeting: 01-03-10

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By Bharat, October 28, 2009 6:07 pm

Minutes from the January 3, 2010 Committee Meeting.

In attendance: Jeff Buffum, Paul Casco, David Bosselait, Matt Bosselait, Fred Bowe, Norman Thibault, Bob Czekanski, Ed Sterling, Peter Scott, David Foster

 
Meeting started at 7:37pm.
 
Minutes from the 11/29 meeting were not accepted: Fred objected to how the Secretary had worded comments regarding an issue surrounding an award earned by Michael Bowe. Those comments are rewritten here to correct the record:
 
Michael Bowe and family were present to voice objections over continued unfair treatment regarding the presentation of the World Conservation Award Michael had earned in June 2009. The award was not presented in a timely fashion (and has not been presented yet) despite repeated inquiries made by Michael to the Scoutmaster about the status of the award. This situation raised some issues regarding how special awards are tracked, but it was agreed that this particular situation should never have deteriorated to this extent.
 
Matt Bosselait, SPL of the Troop, reviewed the activity of the evening’s PLC meeting. Topics discussed with the PLC included: OA day, Safety merit badge, call tree, target 1st class review; meting program assignments for the month; Steve Beckwith to teach Astronomy merit badge (for attendees of the November campout only); first aid review (slings, stretchers); Klondike sled preparation and trip planning; demonstrations and expectations of respect among Scouts of all ranks, especially among younger Scouts; Klondike debriefing; fire safety. Ideas for community service projects and events discussed included a food drive and pancake breakfast for all (not just seniors).
 
During discussion of issues around respect, David B. noted that the adult leaders bear some responsibility for decay in decorum and must lead by example. In particular, any and all discussions should be held outside the meeting space; adults should respect quiet when the sign goes up. Suggested a policy of three strikes for Scouts who continually show disrespect or disrupt meetings. First contact should be made by the Scout’s PL, with Matt present for back-up if required. Norman asked what consequences should be, but no conclusions were reached.
 
Trips (David B.) – The Camp Hinds trip was a success, and the camp itself left a favorable impression and should be considered for future trips (perhaps in more clement weather). Bob C. reported that his son Ben commented that it would be a good site for next year’s Webelos trip. Klondike Derby scheduled for January 22-24; hosted by Fitchburg and Ashby troops; held at Treasure Valley in Paxton, MA. David stressed that all adults leading/attending trips be certified in This Is Scouting, Trek Safely, Youth Protection Training, Boy Scout Leader Fast Start, and Hazardous Weather. All of these courses are available at the Online Learning Center (http://olc.scouting.org/). Other courses that might/might not be trip-specific include: Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, and Climb On Safely. All Troop Committee members should have this training. First Aid and CPR are also required. A wilderness first aid course is being offered in March; Paul will see if his wife, a registered nurse, can offer a HeartSaver course to Committee members. Norman asked if non-Scouts and their parents could come on trips and camp-outs; there was the general belief that this was encouraged by Scouting, but Ed agreed to look into it.
 
Advancement (Fred) -Target Eagle and Target First Class handouts distributed. No changes, no Boards of Review planned. Looking into a Web-based version of Troopmaster.
 
Eagle (Ed) – No news of any consequence. Anders Anderson needs to contact Ed regarding his Eagle Project Plan and its preparation. Paul and Ed agreed to review the plan at the following Troop meeting. Michael Bowe is working on his Eagle project. Sam Buffum is waiting for his Scoutmaster Conference (planned for Tuesday’s Troop meeting); project is complete and approved by the Eagle Coordinator. Paul will participate in the Scoutmaster Conference, a fact of which Wes is aware.
 
Web (Bharat) – Not present.
 
Gear (Jeff) – King Cooker ($150), a three-burner stove, recommended for purchas, along with stainless steel pots ($50). Committee concurred and voted accordingly. Jeff will purchase.
 
Bottles and Cans  (Fred) – New schedule us out. Roughly 110 boxes and 28 bags sorted the previous weekend.
 
Secretary (David F.) – Incorporating David Bosselait’s comments on the Handbook and looking for discrepancies between Handbook and Bylaws. Agreed to distribute final (final) draft for review prior to the next Troop Committee meeting.
 
Respectfully submitted,
David Foster
Secretray

categories Committee Meeting Minutes

Committee Meeting: 10-25-09

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By Bharat, October 26, 2009 11:06 pm
Meeting minutes from 10-25-09 Troop Committee meeting
 
In attendance: Wes Durant, Dave Bosselait, Fred Bowe, Bob Czekanski, Peter Scott, Bharat Nair, Don Cole, David Foster, Ed Sterling, Norman Thibault, Paul Casco
 
Norman called the meeting to order at 7:37.
 
Minutes for the previous meeting accepted without comment.
 
Scoutmaster’s report (Wes Durant) – PLC working on troop meeting plans through November. Nantucket trip benefited from new equipment (grill) and procedures (including separate cleaning stations for troop and personal gear; and one patrol assigned to one meal’s cooking with the other patrol responsible for clean-up; roles reversed at next meal; and bringing only one patrol box with all necessary gear (requires up-front planning). Worked especially well with a large (47) group. Too much food was planned/purchased, as most opted to purchase lunch in town instead of packing. Chris did a good job as SPL for this trip. Food inventory in shed needs to be taken. Tent inventory (stakes, poles, flys for a given tent) incomplete, as was discovered during set-up.
 
Advancement (Fred Bowe) – Three boards of review coming up (but not scheduled?) — all for First Class candidates Ryan Bonner, Corey Crowley, and Henry Foster. Patrol leaders need to keep better records of what scouts in their patrols accomplish at campouts and meetings and get this information to Wes. Next planned Court of Honor planned for November 24 and will be announced at Tuesday’s troop meeting.
 
Treasurer (Don Cole) -  Distributed a budget for the coming year, which was approved by the Committee. Cash balance (absent Northern Tier expenses) of ~$3000.
 
Eagle (Ed Sterling) – Sam Buffum is progressing; Jimmy Porteus has left the troop; Anders has not submitted a project yet, but is aware of what steps he needs to take. Anders has 13 months before his eligibility expires. Chris Cole has discussed his Eagle project with Wes (raised gardens and flower beds at the senior center) and has received approval to submit a formal proposal. Troop Committee needs to appoint an Eagle Advisor. Issues at the District and Regional level that have the potential to affect upcoming Eagle projects (in terms of gaining approval for projects, for example). Ed will monitor the situation. Ed will sit with the eight Life Scouts about thinking about their Eagle projects.
 
Some discussion about Eagle deadlines — BSA policy is age 18; Wes would prefer age 16 over concerns that, upon attaining Life, the Scouts slack off for a year or so. Committee seemed to be in agreement that the BSA policy should rule provided that the Scout remains an active participant in Troop activities. Bob C. pointed out that some 16 year olds might not have acquired the maturity and poise needed to, say, solicit financial contributions for a project.
 
We agreed to table to another meeting the issue of how to convey to parents what the expectations are related a Scout’s invovlement in the Troop in the face of other obligations and activities (sports, church, academics, etc.). General agreement that occasional absences are acceptable given competing demands, and that sometimes it’s better to miss a meeting that to attend for the sake of attendance.
 
Web (Bharat Nair) – Mail and distribution lists appear to be running without issue. Presented the (stellar) web site — one web site with public and private pages. After some revisions to remove, for example, last names, and to tweak the sign-up page, the web site will be pushed live and announced to the trip at Tuesday’s meeting and to the Troop 1 community at large by email. Committee voted/approved.
Outdoors (Dave B.) – Checks needed for the November Wa-tut-cah trip by Tuesday’s meeting. At this point, Dave and Matt are the sole attendees. Reminder that we’re going to hold the line on the two-week sign-up deadline. Planning for December trip (Camp Hinds, in Raymond, ME; led by Bob Czekanski) under way. Specific program for that trip TBD (hikes and trips to narrow-gauge rail museum among the possibilities). No information from Council on the January Freezeout. Cardigan planned for 2/20, 21. Need to stress to those interested that this is a demanding trip that might not be suitable (or available) to all.
 
Jeff Buffum – unable to attend, but emailed status/agenda items. As the hour was getting late, we opted not to discuss his email without him there.
 
Bottles and Cans (Fred) – Ongoing issue of older Scouts not showing up, setting a bad example for younger Scouts and screwing (the secretary’s choice of word) the upcoming crew. Ongoing issue of crews not completing the job. Haulers need a schedule. At the next meeting, the importance of doing bottles and cans (and consequences for not doing bottles and cans) will be presented to the Troop and parents. It was agreed that non-compliance should be a factor during boards of review, and that the expectation should be set that if you can’t complete the job before Wednesday, then you should plan on helping the following week’s crew.
 
Bylaws (Peter Scott) – Will redistribute a final revision of the bylaws draft.
 
Handbook (David Foster) – Presented open questions affecting final draft. In summary: committee members don’t need a formal role/tite (like Secretary) to vote; need to investigate whether an adult needs a Climb On Safely certificate if the Troop is attending an accredited climbing school or facility; agreed to remove the following from the Handbook (transfer to the web site): Advancement – A Guide for Parents; Description of Troop Leadersip positions (some material to be moved into existing sections); Troop 1 Summer Camp; Philmont Scout Ranch – A Good Faith Contract. Expected completion of final draft is Tuesday October 27.
 
Fundraising (Norman) – carried over from previous meeting. Asked Committee to think of fundraising alternatives/supplementary activities and distribute ideas via email for discussion at next meeting. Bharat had such a list (eerily prescient!) that included fundraising ideas. He also raised the idea of doing other work in the community to emphasize the notion of service to others (Scouting for Food, for example).
 
Other discussion – Scouts would like to have some involvement/presence at library opening, planned for January. Girl Scouts already have the color guard. Norman will head up this year’s Seniors’ breakfast, and there was discussion of working with the Bolton Lions on some community-oriented projects.
 
Meeting closed at 9:15.
 
Respectfully submitted by David Foster, Troop Committee Secretary 10/25/09
 
 
 

 

 
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categories Committee Meeting Minutes

Committee Meeting: 09-27-09

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By Bharat, October 14, 2009 5:27 am

In attendance -

Ed Sterling, David Bosselait, Norman Thibault, Don Cole, Bharat Nair, Paul Casco, Wes Durant, Jeff Buffum, Fred Bowe, Bob Czekanski, Joe Crowley, David Foster

Meeting rumbled to a start at approximately 7:20; it wasn’t clear to the Secretary where the PLC meeting ended and where the Troop Committee meeting started. It is suggested that we formally start future meetings.

Becket Trip -

Dave B. summed up trip as a good time had by all; opted out of the Big MOE owing to the rain Sunday and forecast for worsening weather throughout the day. 

Bob C. brought up the issue of the time-consuming nature of meal preparation and clean-up. This kicked off a wide-ranging discussion that included: adherence to patrol schedules; menus; adult participation; current processes; kitchen gear (pots, pans, utensils, stoves); cooking by patrol vs. troop.

Action items from this discussion:

  • Jeff Buffum to look into camp stoves
  • David Bosselait to look at kitchen inventory
  • David Foster to look at patrol size (current and future)

Minutes -

No minutes available for discussion.

Wes – Scoutmaster

Nantucket trip: We settled on a reduced fee for Scouts ($60 from $90 with the troop picking up the difference) and full fee ($103) for adults. While discussing the trip, the Committee came to agreement that earlier committment was required for people wishing to go on trips to allow for adequate planning.

Annual troop dues will be increased to $45 from $40 to compensate for National’s $5 increase this year.

Ed – Eagle

Reminded us of August’s Committee discussion of an “Eagle Guidance Committee” — a group designed to help Life Scouts progress to Eagle by periodically meeting with the Scout (three times a year) to check status, progress, and remind the Scout of dates/milestones. What the Scout does with that information is up to them. The purpose of the Eagle Guidance Committee is not to drag the Life Scout across the Eagle finish line. Committee members are: Ed Sterling (chair), Bob Czekanski, David Foster.

Sam Buffum is on target. James Porteus’ project has been approved.

All work party notifications need to be distributed to the troop as far in advance as possible to ensure as much Scout participation as possible.

Fred – Advancement 

Current Life Scout candidatesL Ben Czekanski, Nick Casco, Kevin Connelly, Dan Enders. Court of honor planned for later this fall.

Don – Finance

Fiscal year end wrapped up. Working on a budget for next year. Distributed financials. Upcoming cash outlays anticipated for Nantucket, kitchen equipment, and (regrettably) tents. Brief discussion of consideration of fund raisers tabled until next Committee meeting (bring ideas).

Bharat – Web

Presented new group mailing lists (committee at troop1bolton.org and parents at troop1bolton.org). Settled on WordPress as the engine for the website project he is undertaking. Asked for volunteers to assist with ideas for general website design and content.

David B. – Trips

Wautucket – (OK, that’s what I wrote down, but the google machine can’t find it….) Trip to Christa McAuliffe Planetarium. $16 per person based on 20 participants, but could go up with fewer folks. The usual $10 fee for a trip still applies.

Klondike – No adult leader coverage for January 22-24 Klondike (location TBD, but it’s local). Joe Crowley volunteered.

Chocorua – Jeff Buffum agreed to lead this off-season trip if the Committee agreed, which they did. Tentatively planned for sometime in July.

Fred – Bottles and Cans

Moving along pretty well recently. Discussion about requiring adult participation and the ongoing need for sorters to provide boxes. (David B. recommends 25 per person.)

David F. – Secretary

Work on Handbook revisions is winding down. Planned review copy to be distributed by Tuesday’s troop meeting.

Miscellany -

  • Peter Scott emailed updated copy of Troop Bylaws. Get comments to him.
  • Ed reminded us of the benefit of holding the “Big Parents’ Meeting”

Meeting sort of dissolved by consensus around 9:30pm. The Secretary suggests we formally end meetings.

Submitted by David Foster Wednesday September 30, 2009

categories Committee Meeting Minutes

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