Here are the meeting minutes from our last ASM meeting. Many thanks to Dave Zyer for producing them!
TROOP 66 ASM MEETING
May 9, 2009
(1) ASM Organization and Training
- Prior approach had certain ASMs supporting certain boys
- Now will organize into program groups
- Charlie will work with SPL re running the troop meeting
- Curt’s role has been to rotate among boys while doing instruction. Also takes attendance for troop records
- Bob Conrardy will back up Charlie
- Quartermaster oversight job is a big role that will change due to patrol accountability. (e.g., with change to patrol flys and individual picnic tables, rather than a central eating area at camp)
Tom Riordan will be new ASM – Quartermaster.
Mark will be quartermaster emeritus and work with Eric and Tom to get ready by September.
We are planning Quartermaster workdays on a Saturday and Sunday. We will build or refurbish propane boxes that hold stoves, etc.
(2) New Older Scout Patrol Organization
- “Blue” Patrol = Falcons, Roadrunners, Dragons, Cobras
- “Red” Patrol = Eagles, Red Moon Raccoons, Jaguars, Silver Wolves
Open issue how to apply this change to cooking when camping in cabins
(3) PLC Issues
Various issues were discussed. One systematic problem is that the older boys no longer need to hold senior troop positions for advancement purposes.
Changes:
Hold PLC meeting right before and after each troop meeting
Meet with parents to talk about this and older boys’ commitment and schedules
Appeal to the older boys to continue to step up for the younger scouts.
Troop Planning Day – a half day meeting toward end of summer, where all the boys are invited to give input into next year’s plans. Will also try to get back to using themes for each month.
Troop Leader Training – a session run by Curt with help from Mike that will describe what it means to perform various roles and give boys some initial training in how to be successful.
(4) Troopmaster Advancement Reporting – ASMs
- Troop 66 is seen as behind in the % of ASMs that are officially trained.
- ASM Training is an expectation.
- ASM training includes New Leader module, Outdoor Training, etc.
- Some ASMs may be able to train as Committee Members, which requires 3 one-hour courses.
Troop 66 will hold an in-house training day on Saturday June 6th.
Mike also noted that qualified ASMs should give serious consideration to going through Wood Badge training. This training is structured within the context of the troop lifecycle from Weblos to crossover, to Patrol and PLC. It also includes leadership training similar to what is done in the Corporate World. Mike is a Wood badge trainer
(5) Calendar Review
May 29th – Troop Meeting
June 5th – Last Troop Meeting before Court of Honor
June 9th – Pre camp meeting
June 12-14 Campout at White Pines, including Snipe Hunt
Beginning next year, Troop 66 will only accept cross-overs prior to April 15th. This change is being instituted to better allow Troop 66 to group new scout units and get them working on early requirements on a pace that gets them where they need to be before summer camp.
(6) Troop 66 75th Anniversary
Save the weekend of July 31 – August. Planning is ongoing, but this is decided so far:
Friday, July 31 will be a campout at Yogi for all Eagle Scouts, former scouts, former leaders, current leaders and current Life Scouts. No dinner at camp that evening, but breakfast will be served on Saturday morning before breaking camp.
Saturday, August 1 will feature an evening banquet celebration at Grace Lutheran.
Sunday, August 2 will be focused on attending both services in uniform, participating in the services and thanking the congregation for their 75 years of support. Mike C will deliver a message on scouting at the mission moment portion of the service. Scouts will run a complimentary brunch in the atrium between services. Scouts will set up displays on troop history, etc. in atrium.
A list of volunteer opportunities to support this weekend will be distributed before in early June.
