The Troop 1954 Wednesday Newsletter

Wednesday, December 7 2005

Hi Folks,

Wednesday...Friday...what's a few days between friends.  Sorry for the delay.  It's been a very busy week.

Thanks to everyone who worked at Sights and Sounds over last weekend.  As usual, we had a good year...but importantly, we did not have a great year.  We netted about $1200 less than we did last year, and a couple hundred less than the year before.  This happened for a couple of reasons: First, we ran out of gas on Saturday night. That probably cost us a couple hundred dollars.  Second, Sights and Sounds ran for fewer hours this year than the year before.  Again, a few hundred lost there.  Third, we believe that last year Sights and Sounds made substantial errors in calculating payments to vendors...in favor of vendors.  We might not really have earned all the money we made (but there was and is nothing we can do about that).  Anyhow, we're looking closely at how much it costs to run the troop each year so we can figure out how to divide the money between the troop and the scouts.

Thanks to everyone who helped at the meeting on Tuesday.  Thanks especially to Stephen Marlow and David Bandy for taking the lead on the Venture Crew.  We're looking for more Crew members, so if you know anyone age 14 through 20, male or female, who is looking for interesting and exciting stuff to do, let us know.

Will G. looked up the official word on Venture Crews and BSA advancement.  Here it is:  You may continue to pursue BSA advancement as a Venture Crew member, up to and including Eagle.  However, there are two conditions: First, you must be First Class when you join the Crew.  Second, you must maintain joint registration in the Troop and Crew.

Recharter is coming up.  Keep your eyes open for recharter information.  Keep in mind that to earn Eagle, you really should be active in the Troop.  Requirement number one is: "Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Life Scout." We're going to have a difficult time approving Eagle Projects for people we never see.

Next week is our PATROL (AND CREW) COOK-OFF.  I know that we're running competition with Band but that's the way it goes.  Anyhow, this will be our third yearly cook-off.  As usual, there is a $50 prize for the winning patrol...and possibly prizes for the runners up as well.  Look in the This Week in Scouting section for information on how patrols will be judged.

As always, the Troop 1954 events calendar, this and all back newsletters,  and all sorts of other useful information is available on our website at www.sanmarcos1954.org