Attendees: Dan Lassiter, George Kerr, Rick Montgomery, Dave Knust, Brian
  Moore, Ed Nichols, Cindy McCarthy, Kathy Dumanski, John Benavides
Scouts: Bryce Kerr
Chair: Mark Steger
Minutes: Mark Steger

1. Calendar
     Nov 24: Troop meeting 
             (Winter Camp deposit; pie pickup 8:30PM in parking lot)
     Dec 01: Troop meeting 
             (USS Lexington deposit; patrol leadership elections)
     Dec 08: Troop meeting (Webelos visit)
     Dec 11: Troop Committee meeting
     Dec 15: TFC meeting
     Dec 27-31: Winter Camp

2. Treasurer - Kathy Dumanski
     o October report
       - 3 months YTD income is $11,098. Expenses are $6,713.
       - Troop Committee approved the financial report.
     o Fundraising
       - Pie pickup is November 24 at 8:30 PM in RBFC parking lot.
       - We have an opportunity for an ongoing fundraising opportunity
         selling gift certificates to local merchants. Comments should be
         directed to Cindy McCarthy.

3. PLC - Bryce Kerr
     o Review of November campout: 
       - Patrols need to camp together.
       - Only one name sign stake was visible.
       - Stealing of food needs to stop.
       - Skits need more preparation.
       - Fires and cooking on Sunday morning takes too long.
       - First aid kit needs attention.
       - Mobilization exercises need to be taken seriously.
     o An unscheduled PLC meeting needs to be held to review the January
       campout before it's presented at the Dec 11 Troop Committee meeting.

4. Roundtable - Ed Nichols
     o Circle 10 presented information on its camp improvement program
       (new latrines, pavilions, equipment, etc).
     o The National Scouting Museum recently had a book-signing
       ceremony for Medal of Honor winners. A coffee-table book titled
       "Medal of Honor" is for sale for $40. A share of the proceeds
       benefits Scouting. Call 214-343-9727 for information.

5. Campouts
     o Dec 27-31: Winter Camp, Camp Cherokee
       - $20 deposit is due Nov 24. $80 remainder is due December 15.
       - Ed Nichols will be campmaster. (Thanks, Ed.) Other adults planning
         to attend should sign up November 24.
       - A cold weather camping class will be held at the Dec 8 troop meeting.

     o Jan 16-19: Military, USS Lexington (Moose)
       - Cost is $150 per Scout and $100 per adult.
       - Deposit of $75 is due Dec 1. Remainder due Jan 5.
       - Fees cover transportation, two nights' stay, including meals,
         on the USS Lexington, and admission fee to the Museum of
         Science and Industry. Scouts are responsible for breakfast and
         lunch on Saturday and snacks on the bus.

     o Feb 13-15: Lashings and Bonfire, Colbaugh Ranch (Pedro)
     o Mar 20:    Pre-Camporee Day Camp (Troop Guides)
     o Mar 26-28: Camporee
     o Apr 23-25: Canoeing, Worth Ranch (Badger)
       - Canoeing is restricted to First Class Scouts and above. All of
         our new Scouts are challenged to earn this rank before this
         campout. They can do it!
     o May 14 overnight: Lock-in, Summit Climbing Gym (Badger)

     o Philmont 2005 - John Benavides
     o Sea Base 2004 - Nancy Sanders
     o Northern Tier 2004

6. Meetings - Dave Knust
     o Calendar: See above for upcoming meeting highlights. See the
       calendar on the Troop 81 Web site for full details.
     o Troop Committee meeting: The January meeting is rescheduled to
       January 22 (from Jan 15). Mark your calendars.
     o Uniform bank: 
       - Lay out your son's outgrown Scout uniforms to contribute to the
         Troop's Uniform Bank. Then, check out what's available in your
         son's size. We'll have the Uniform Bank available at the
         December 8 troop meeting.
       - Dads and Lads is going out of business. A sale starts Thursday.

7. Leadership - Rick Montgomery
     o Patrol Leader elections are scheduled for December 1.
     o Junior Leader training will be scheduled for a Saturday morning
       in January at RBFC. New Scouts should not miss this opportunity
       for leadership training. (Date: TBD)
     o Oak Leaf Skills training (offered by North Trail District) is
       April 3-4 at Camp Cherokee. Signup will be in January. First
       Class Scouts (12 years or older) should not miss this opportunity
       for leadership training.

8. Advancement
     o No report

9. Committee - Mark Steger
     o Adult training: 
       - A survey is being done. All adults should tell Dan Lassiter
         (danll@airmail.net) what training they have taken. A trained
         leader is a good leader!
       - All adults are required to take Youth Protection training. This
         can be taken online. Click on the Training link at 
         http://www.circle10.org.  

Troop 81 Web site: http://t81.freewebpage.org

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Mark Steger