Minutes, Troop/Crew 56 Committee Meeting, August 30, 2011
In attendance: Michelle H., Kate S., Michael P., Peter D., Richard K., David E., Ed R., Robin B., Britt R., Colin Z.
Update on 2 Eagle Projects
Ricky: (Ricky not present; Michelle provided project update.) Project is in support of the Cambridge Historical Society. Project date is Sat., Oct. 1; rain date is Sat. Oct. 8. Volunteers will photograph houses in the Cambridgeport neighborhood and other adult volunteers will be at the church to upload the photos onto computers. Ricky and Derrick will be teaching Photography merit badge on Tues., Sept. 20, and Tues., Sept. 27.
Eddie: Project is in support of the Cambridge city dog park at the corner of Tudor and Brookline. Volunteers will build benches and planter boxes. Date of project is Sat. & and Sun. Oct. 29 & 30. Eddie plans to ask the Cub Scouts from Pack 56 to help clean up the sight the weekend beforehand.
Comments: Michelle suggested to Eddie that since the two projects are so close together, that Eddie and Ricky coordinate any requests to local businesses for supplies or other donations (including food).
Brief Reports
Business Relations: Paula not in attendance; no report.
Activities/Schedule: Michelle notes that Richard has completed and distributed the calendar of activities for 2011-12. Round of cheers.
Recruitment: Peter notes that there was a recent query on the CPS parent’s listserv about Scout units in Cambridge. Peter has almost completed the recruitment materials and plans to deliver them to the schools for “backpack express.” He will ask the family liaison at each school to email the information to school-specific listservs.
Treasurer Report: Treasurers not in attendance.
Scoutmaster/Advisor Reports:
Eagle Project: David reports that there was an idea for Adam’s Eagle Project that involved fixing up planter boxes in Central Square, but contact for the project has not responded to inquiries. David will contact Habitat to ask if there are projects there appropriate for an Eagle Scout project.
Scout Rosters: Robin reports that Scouts seem to be using incomplete rosters. Scouts seem to have their own contact lists. Committee notes that the database managed by Chuck has the most up-to-date roster, but Scouts find it difficult to access and/or use. Peter will look into moving the database onto the t/c web site.
Order of the Arrow Ordeal
Michelle reports that Brian Z. and Beau are signed up to attend the ordeal. Kate reports that Adam does not understand what the OA is and is unsure about attending. Peter reports he is unsure if Chris will attend. Also eligible to attend: Eddie and Lucas. Michelle notes that it’s nice to have an adult OA member or candidate attend with the youth. Michelle has a friend who will be there and will ask him to look out for the Troop 56 candidates. David will stop in for a few hours.
Fundraising
July 4 Event: Peter reported that 3 Scouts set up a table on Memorial Drive the afternoon of July 4 and offered American flags for donation. Total earnings were $93, about $15/hour/Scout, so a reasonable success. Because Scout location was on the far side of Memorial Drive and in the late afternoon/early evening, there was not a lot of foot traffic – most pedestrians on the river side of the street.
Regatta: Scouts at PLC discussed fundraisers for the year and were interested in “the foodstand again and the riverfest” [relayed by text to Robin]. Kate suggested setting up a coffee/cider table before the Harvard nighttime home games. Michelle suggests setting up a table for each Harvard home game and having only 2-3 Scouts at each event so that expected $200 earnings will be a worthwhile amount. Will need Paula to work with Harvard Business Association for permission and to secure a location. Would like another parent to organize the Scouts – assigning to shifts, helping with logistics. Michelle will ask Dan and Xiaoshi if they could do this.
Trees and Wreaths: Colin will head this event. He plans to check that the vendor is still in business. He will not be in town on the distribution weekend Dec. 10-11, so he will need coverage. Committee voted to do the tree & wreath sale. Colin also notes that the vendor offers springtime-type fundraisers, eg tulips, hydrangeas.
Charter Organization Update
Brian, chair of the outreach committee, not in attendance.
Open Positions
Michelle notes that there are several open positions and that many volunteers are currently fulfilling more than one role. Open positions: equipment chair, grub master, public relations, parent liaison, nurse.
September T/C Committee Meeting
Michelle won’t be in town on Sept. 27, so a committee member needs to run the meeting. Kate will do it.
Philmont 2012
Parents are wondering what the requirements are to participate in the t/c 2012 Philmont Trek. Britt notes that the trek date at Philmont is July 6-18, not including travel and acclimation time. Scouts will be required to attend the spring shakedown (date tbd but will be either during April school vacation or Memorial Day weekend). Scouts will be required to complete at least two other Scout trips that are “Philmont Qualifiers,” and these include the Sept., Oct., and Snowshoe trips. Scouts must also complete Wilderness First Aid course (t/c March trip) and must fulfill a service requirement (t/c April NEED trip). Others in attendance suggested that those bound for Philmont consider doing additional training in the spring, such as day hikes in Blue Hills. Britt suggests that probably the Old Goats bound for Philmont are the ones who need additional spring training. He also notes that if the crew is co-ed, one adult on the trek must be a woman. Scouts who have expressed interest so far are: Maddie, Beau, Brian Z., Adam. Jacob and Slater are interested buy might consider Rayado. Other t/c Scouts who are eligible for Philmont in 2012: Ricky, Lucas, Hugo, Fraser. Britt has purchased a guide to planning a Philmont trek. He will have an informational meeting for interested Scouts and their parents. Robin notes that the next payment is due to Philmont on October 1. Committee notes that the cost of the trek (not including travel) is $740, so committee needs to think about how to help the Scouts who want to go and who will need help meeting the cost.
To Do List
Michelle: 1. Confirm that a friend will keep on eye on T/C 56 Scouts during OA ordeal. 2. Contact Dan and Xiaoshi about coordinating the Harvard football game fundraisers.
David: 1. Contact Habitat in search of Eagle Project for Adam. 2. Check in on T/C 56 Scouts during OA ordeal, Sept. 23-25.
Michael: Confirm that Ricky isn’t signed up to take SAT test on Oct. 1 – the date of his Eagle project.
Peter: 1. Distribute recruitment materials to schools. 2. Investigate moving T/C 56 roster to the web site.
Paula: Contact Harvard Business Association with request to set up a table for hot drinks by donation during Harvard home football games.
Colin: Check with vendor for tree & wreath sale.
Kate: Run the Sept. 27 t/c committee meeting.
Britt: Hold an informational meeting for those interested in the 2012 Philmont trek.
Robin: Post meeting minutes.
