Tropp Committee Meeting
March 19, 2003

Attendees: Dennis McCarthy, Bonnie Branch, Kathleen Fuentes, Dave
  Knust, Rick Montgomery, Craig Christensen, Charlie Hood, Ed Nichols
Scouts: Jesse Benavides
Chair: Mark Steger
Minutes: Mark Steger

1. Calendar
     Mar 21-23: Campout (marksmanship)
     Mar 24: PLC
     Mar 24: Camporee signup for Webelos due
     Mar 29: Trip to National Scouting Museum
     Mar 29: Philmont conditioning hike
     Mar 31: Troop meeting
     Apr 5: One day patrol competitions
     Apr 7: Troop meeting
     Apr 11-13: Camporee
     Apr 14: PLC, new Boy Scout joining meeting
     Apr 16: Troop Committee meeting

2. Treasurer - Sharon Hood
     o February report
       - 7 months YTD income is $28,941. Expenses are $21,828.

3. PLC - Jesse Benavides
     o Nothing to report

4. Roundtable - Ed Nichols
     o Scout Show - May 10, 2003
       - Tickets are available for sale. Jay Herrin is coordinating the
         ticket sales for Troop 81. This is an excellent opportunity for
         Scouts to earn money for their Scout account and help pay their
         own Scouting expenses.
       - Scouts should contact Ed Nichols to volunteer to staff the
         Troop 81 booth.

5. Campouts - Craig Christensen
     o Mar 21 (Pyro)
       - Campout preparations are complete.
     o Apr 5 (Pedro)
       - What: One day patrol competitions in preparation for Camporee
       - Where: One Eleven Ranch Park, Garland
       - When: Saturday, Apr 5 from 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM
       - Cost: $2 plus a sack lunch
     o Apr 11 - Camporee (Baloo Bear)
       - Signup was at the March 17 troop meeting. Any Scouts or adults
         planning to attend who did not sign up March 17 should let Mark
         Steger know by March 24, when our reservations are due.
       - We still do not have reservations from Webelos Scouts and
         parents. Deadline for signup is March 24. Contact Mark Steger
         if you have knowledge of any Webelos scouts attending.
     o May 3  - Climbing (Shark)
       - The troop was unable to have everything come together (camping
         site, trained climbing/rapelling staff, gear) to have a
         climbing campout. Instead, the Shark Patrol is arranging for a
         Friday night lock-in at a climbing center in Dallas. This would
         be one-night "campout" instead of the normal two nights.
     o Jul 13 - Summer Camp
       - Troop will reserve Echo Valley campsite for 45 Scouts.  Signup
         and fees will be due May 5.

     o Northern Tier
       - Troop has no plans at present.
     o Sea Base - Nancy Sanders
       - Troop has three boats leaving June 8, 2004. Each boat has two
         adults and six Scouts. There is a wait list.
     o Philmont - Tom Schob, Pat Kelly
       - Troop has two treks leaving Richardson June 20, 2003. There is
         one opening. In case any Scout is interested in filling this
         opening, let Mark Steger know immediately.

6. Meetings - Dave Knust
     o Trip to National Scouting Museum 
       - Troop is planning to attend this museum in Irving on March 29.
         Anyone wanting to go who is not already signed up should
         contact Mark Steger or Bob Centola.
      
     o Snow makeup day
       - Because of ice, the Feb 24 Troop meeting was cancelled.  The
         troop plans to have a "snow makeup day" on April 14. This is
         the Monday after Camporee, normally a PLC meeting, not a
         regular troop meeting. We will not have a regular troop
         meeting, but Merit Badge classes will meet to complete
         requirements. Scouts taking Merit Badge classes should plan to
         attend. Class B uniform is OK.

7. Leadership - Tom Schob
     o Troop Guides
       - Older Scouts (Star and Life) should consider signing up for
         being Troop Guides beginning in April when new Webelos Scouts
         join the troop. Eligible Scouts should have received a letter
         in the mail describing this position. If your son is
         interested, have him contact Tom Schob.

8. Advancement - Bonnie Branch
     o Eagles - Pat Kelly
       - CJ Carter passed his Eagle Board of Review.
       - Jeff Collins completed his Eagle project.
       
9. Committee - Mark Steger
     o Adult Leadership
       - Adult leaders for next year (2003-2004) are needed. If you are
         willing to be a Patrol Counselor, Merit Badge Counselor, Scout
         mentor, etc., contact Mark Steger.

Troop 81 Web site: http://www.bsa.net/tx/t81

---
Mark Steger