Reminder!

Going to summer camp?  Your final payment of $115 is due at the troop meeting on Wednesday, May 21st.  Cash or check payable to Troop 125.  Not going to the meeting?  Mail ASAP to Judy Rogers, 2462 Sleepy Hollow Dr., Glendale, 91206.
 

Help wanted!

Troop newsletter editor needed for 2003-04 school year.  Must be able to attend monthly troop committee meetings (usually the second Monday of the month, from 7-9 p.m.) take notes at those meetings; and prepare and mail a monthly newsletter to members of the troop.  Interested?  Contact Peter Thompson at 818-502-0171
 

The May Troop Committee Meeting was held at the home of Greg and Elizabeth Manasserian on May 12, 2003.  Those attending were: Brant Reed, Scoutmaster; Debbie Izumi, Treasurer; Brad Nelson, Assistant Scoutmaster; John Saunders, Membership Chair; Judy Rogers, Outings Coordinator; Fred Stifter, Assistant Scoutmaster; Peter Thompson, Committee Chair; Jo Van Amburg, Secretary; Steve Webber, Assistant Scoutmaster; and Greg and Elizabeth Manasserian.

Mr. Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 

Senior Patrol Leader's Report -  Mr. Thompson presented Jeff Thompson's monthly report.  Jeff said the annual troop planning meeting has been held and participants fleshed out a year of activities and events that he hopes most Scouts will find very enjoyable.  He reported that Yuki Matsushima is organizing the May 21 and 28 troop meetings, which will revolve around a golf theme.  The May 28 meeting will be held at the Scholl Canyon driving range.  Scouts should report there at 7 p.m. and should wear troop activity shirts with their uniform pants.  Yuki will demonstrate basic golf skills at the May 21 meeting so that Scouts not familiar with the sport will have some basic knowledge before the Scholl Canyon activity.

Committee Chair's Report -  Mr. Thompson thanked Mr. Reed, Mr. Dennis, Mr. Kunitake, Mr. Brad Nelson and Mr. Carl Nelson for all their help with the Pioneering event at Camporee. 

Board of Review Chair's Report -  Mr. Saunders reported for Mrs. Saunders that the next Board of Review is set for Wednesday, May 21, beginning at 7 p.m.  At least one candidate was expected to present himself for review.  Scouts who are seeking advancement to Star or Life ranks and have had a successful Scoutmaster Conference should call Mrs. Saunders at 244-1376 to schedule their Board of Review.  The final Board of Review for the current Scouting year is Wednesday, June 4, beginning at 7 p.m.

Advancement Report -  Mr. Reed, reporting on behalf of Armando Sanchez, stated that two merit badges and two rank advancements have been earned since the last Court of Honor.  Congratulations to all who have earned steps toward advancement since the last review!

The San Gabriel Valley Council is offering Trail to Eagle merit badge camps at its Camp Trask facility the weeks of June 23-27; July 7-11; July 21-25; and Aug. 18-22.  Participating Scouts can take up to three classes per week at a cost of $30.00 per class.  Class choices include:  Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, First Aid, Lifesaving, Personal Fitness and Swimming.  For more information or to register, contact the San Gabriel Valley Council at 626-351-8815, ext. 237.  

Scoutmaster's Report -  Mr. Reed reported that informational flyers/permission slips for the June beach campout will be going home soon.  The final payment for summer camp is due on May 21st.  So far, 27 Scouts and four adults are planning to go. 

Next year's summer camp will be at Emerald Bay, Catalina Island

The last troop meeting of May will be held at the Scholl Canyon driving range.  Parents should drive Scouts directly to the driving range and should plan to pick them up there by 8:30 p.m.

Applications for Jamboree 2005 can be accessed from the troop Web site, troop125.com  Interested Scouts should complete their application and send to the Verdugo Hills Council office with a deposit for $125 ASAP.  This will be the last Jamboree until 2010.

Mr. Reed presented the draft calendar for the 2003-04 school year and thanked Mr. Thompson and all participating patrol and troop leaders for all their help with the troop planning meeting.  He said there will be more focus on merit badges in the coming year.  The troop committee approved the calendar, which has been posted on the troop Web site for all to see.

Treasurer's Report -  Mrs. Izumi reported that the troop's current checking account balance is $3,875.92

Social Activities Committee Report -  Mr. Thompson reported for Mrs. Kunitake that approximately 60-70 people are confirmed for the Mother/Son Banquet on May 14th.  He said that assistant Scoutmasters attending the dinner will be needed to help serve the meal, which is being catered by Marie Callendar's.  Mr. Thompson thanked Mrs. Kunitake, Mrs. Manasserian, Mrs. Dennis and Mrs. Stifter for assisting with the various aspects of this festive event.

Membership Chair's Report -  Mr. Saunders reported that no new sixth graders are expected at this point for next year.  Mr. Thompson suggested that the troop prepare a recruitment flyer for use in the fall in Thursday Folders at Glenoaks Elementary.

Training Coordinator's Report -  An Outdoor Leader Skills training for adults will be held on May 30-June l.  New Leader Essentials training for adults will be offered June 3 and June 10.  For more information on these and other adult leader training sessions, check the troop Web site at troop125.com or contact the Council office at 818-243-6282 or the Council Website.

Venture Scout Report -  Mr. Webber reported that the bike ride in Big Sycamore Canyon is on for Saturday, May 17.  The group still is looking into attending the Malibu Grand Prix event later this month.  A raft trip on the lower Kern River is still in the offing for July or August. 

Old Business -  Mr. Stifter reported that the search continues for a permanent display location for the troop's Eagle plaques.  To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the troop, Mr. Reed said that a special patch consisting of the troop number w/ a service years bar attached can be ordered for everyone in the troop.  The committee approved the expenditure of no more than $200 for the purchase of commemorative troop number and service years bar patches for everyone in the troop.  The patches will be passed out in the fall. 

New Business -  The committee authorized the expenditure of no more than $100 from the troop checking account to pay the ball fee for the Scholl Canyon troop meeting.  It was also suggested that the troop deposit additional money in the troop account at the Council office to facilitate the purchase of advancement related items for the troop.  Mr. Webber offered to take the check to the Council office w/i the coming week.

The next troop committee meeting will be held on Monday, June 9, beginning at 7 p.m., at the home of Fritz and Gay Varga, in Glendale. 

Mr. Thompson adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m., with many thanks to Greg and Elizabeth Manasserian for hosting the group.

Dates to remember - See the Troop Calendar!