Wednesday, November 3, 2004

Announcements

2) Next week we will be planning for the Lost Maples camp-out.  Please come to the meeting knowing whether or not you will be coming.  Scouts, bring $10 to cover food costs.  Adults, adult patrol cooking yet to be determined.  Cost will be between $10 and $15.

2)  Merit Badge University.  Come on folks, get that registration done.  You do it by going to www.utmbu.org and clicking on registration.  You then need to click the not yet registered link to sign up for a user name and password.  Fill in the form and be sure to remember the user name and password you pick (and keep in mind that both are case sensitive).  Then go back to the registration page and sign in.  You can then add classes, drop classes, and do other stuff.  The site asks for the Class ID number for each class, so be sure to look at the schedule first and write down the class ID numbers you want.  Then you should be able to register for your choice of classes.  They were all open when I last checked but they won't be for long!  Let's get it done.

3) There are several upcoming events that we will not be participating in as a troop but that individual scouts may want to take part in.

a) This weekend,  November 13, there is a clean-up at University Camp in Wimberley from 9-5. This is a good opportunity for some service.

b) Also this weekend is the OA Pow Wow at Lost Pines.

c) Also this weekend, there is a clean-up at the San Marcos Cemetery.  Scouts are needed to work on the restoration of the grave of William Elmo Merrim, the first Eagle Scout west of the Mississippi... who, as fate would have it, is buried here in San Marcos.  Scouts will also tell visitors about Merrim.

4) We still really need an OA representative.  The qualifications are membership in the OA and a willingness to go to meetings in San Marcos the second Thursday evening of each month.  The position does qualify for leadership credit.  So far I've no takers on this.  It really would be a benefit to our troop and to the OA to have someone.

5)  Please check out our calendar of events for the year.  You'll find it below.

Two critical issues appear in this document that are related to many Troop 1954 policies.  One is the definition of a active scout or adult, the second is what happens at re-charter to individuals who are not active.  Please take a careful look at the way I've dealt with these issues and give me any feedback you might have.

Policy for Distribution of Money
Generated at Fund Raising Events

The treasurer shall determine the net profit generated by any fund raising event.  The treasurer shall then divide this money into two categories: general troop funds and "shares."  The money designated for general troop funds shall be held in the general treasury account for the troop.  The percentage of the total money so designated shall be determined by the treasurer according to the projected needs of the troop.  The money designated for "shares" will be distributed to personal accounts according to the following rules:

1)  Shares remain “troop funds” held in the troop treasury but they are are allocated to individual's personal accounts for their use subject to the conditions below.

2)  Shares may be earned by active scouts and adults only.  A scout is active if he has attended 35% of troop meetings over the 365 days prior to the first day of the fund raising event or since joining the troop, if this is less than 365 days.  An adult is active if they or their scout has attended 35% of meetings over the 365 days prior to the first day of the fund raising event or since joining the troop if this is less than 365 days.

3)  Shares are earned by working a designated shift at an official troop fund raising event. 

4)  Work schedules for fund raising events shall be divided into shifts.  Eligible individuals earn one share for each shift they work, provided the following conditions are met:

     a) They sign up for the shifts before the event.
     b) They sign in when they arrive at the event.
     c) They work for their entire shift.
     d) They sign out when they leave the event.

Please note that it is the responsibility of scouts and adults to follow these rules.  People who work shifts for which they have not signed up, or who fail to sign in and out, or who do not work during their assigned shift will not receive shares for those shifts.

5)  Shares accumulate throughout membership with Troop 1954. 

6)  Shares are to be used primarily for Troop 1954 activities, including they payment of annual dues. Scouts and adults can apply to the Troop Committee to be allowed to use their shares for District, Council, and National BSA activities.  Use of shares to buy personal equipment or participate in non-scouting activities is specifically excluded.

7)  Any Troop 1954 member may allow another Troop 1954 member to use any part of their allocation.

8)  Money in personal accounts may not be used to pay annual dues unless the member (or their scout) is active (has been present for at least 35% of Troop meetings over the previous year or since joining if this is less than a year).

9)  Each year before re-charter, the troop will publish a list of inactive member via its electronic mailing list.  If an inactive member wishes to remain on the troop roll, they must pay annual dues using non-troop funds. If they do not do-so, they will be removed from the Troop Roll.

10) When an individual is removed from the Troop Roll, any money in their share account will revert to the general fund of the troop.

11) The rules above apply to all current and former members of Troop 1954.  Individuals who joined Troop 1954 prior to August 1, 2004 are subject to the following rule as well: An individual who has been dropped from the Troop Roll and who rejoins the troop may apply, in writing, to the Troop Committee for the restoration of any personal account funds lost due to their having been dropped form the Troop Roll.  The Troop Committee may, at its discretion, restore none, any part, or all of the funds lost.

September 9-11 Pedernales Falls Camp Out