Committee Chairman Chat

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN�S CHAT

RECURRING ADULT SCOUTER MEETINGSCommittee Meeting - Third Tuesday of the Month in St Mary of Sorrows Parish Center on Sideburn Road at 7:45 PM. Please contact the Committee Chairman if you have questions. (Latest Committee Minutes)

As we finish the Troop's annual re-chartering process, I would like to discuss my goals for the upcoming year and solicit the help of all Scout parents to support the exciting activities that the Troop has planned. Your Scouts have mapped out a full calendar with numerous outings and civic support events and I ask for your help in assisting the Troop Committee and Scoutmasters as we work to ensure that each of these events is well planned and resourced.

My first goal is to expand our core of trained adults who will work along with existing Committee members and will lift much of the planning and coordinating requirement off of the Scoutmaster and his Assistants. The Committee works behind the scenes to ensure that each event is set to go well before the appointed day.

My second goal is to have a smooth re-chartering process. I want to thank Mr. John Wyatt for leading our Troop through this formal re-establishment of our identity within BSA. This year we registered 39 Scouts and 42 Adults

My third goal is to ensure that all of our youth leaders are formally trained for their position. I am working in with the Scoutmaster and Committee to ensure that all Assistant Scoutmasters and new Committee members are trained and that all Committee positions are filled. Leaders must complete fast track training and we will work with the District Training staff to achieve all our training goals. I ask that you consider taking one or two of the numerous training opportunities offered, whether at the Troop on meeting nights, or by the Patriot District or the National Capital Area Council when offered in our area.

This year when asked "What Good Turn have you done?" our Troop can hold its head high and list several community service projects accomplished during the first half of the year.

Continued "Scout helping Scout" support for the Packs and Troops in the mountains of eastern Kentucky including the purchase of an official Pack Flag for a Cub Scout Pack in rural Elizabethtown, KY. This flag will give them a clear identity and a rallying point for their activities.

Decorating and un-decorating the Knights of Columbus sponsored Marion House for Christmas.

Supporting the St Mary of Sorrow's annual Labor Day Picnic with action on many committees.

Participating in the "Scouting for Food" drive and contributing over 600 pounds of needed goods to the St Mary's Food Pantry.

The Troop Committee also wishes to thank the many parents who have stepped forward to lead our Scout outings and activities. Thank you Mrs. Kourtz, our Popcorn Kernel, for another successful popcorn campaign. As an incentive, the leading seller received a homemade pie. My thanks to all the Scouts who participated in the competition, especially Phillip and Ricky who both won pies for their popcorn selling efforts.

The Scout Lock-in will be again held in February. This is a great opportunity for the Scouts to work on two Eagle-required and at least one fun Merit badges. The day will include a visit to one of the local recreation centers for swimming and other sports activities. The day will close with movies and games in the evening. I ask for your support for this activity. Lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday will be provided by the Troop. This event is enjoyed by all the Scouts despite having to sleep on the hard floors in the Knights of Columbus Hall.

We had a wonderful Ski Trip last January over the MLK Holiday weekend and plan to repeat it this year. We will rent a lodge near Canaan Valley, WV and the Scouts will cook their own meals for this long weekend of skiing. I want to thank Steve Hahn for again leading the effort on this activity.

We have plenty of Committee and Troop activities stilled planned this year with open leadership opportunities. We are looking for adults who can help us with the New Scout recruiting drive starting in January as the Webelos crossover into Boy Scouting. We hope to have a bumper crop of those who want to join us to enjoy the next level of Scouting.

You are welcome to join us on any of our numerous scheduled campouts, the District's Spring Camporee or our annual pilgrimage to Camp Rodney on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for an excellent Summer Camp.

We have always had great parental support and our current group of parents continues the tradition. I continue to invite all parents to get involved in the remaining Scout activities either as a leader or as a driver. The Scouts have planned an exciting year and are executing great activities, but we need your help to carry out the plan. Please consider supporting one of the monthly events. A few hours of your time will ensure a very successful Troop program for your Scouts.

Many thanks to all our adults who work behind the scenes on a weekly basis to assist our Scouts in their activities. I particularly want to thank our Troop Scoutmaster, Steve Smith, who guides our boys as they learn and grow. Finally, I want to thank our chartering organization, the Knights of Columbus. Without their generous support we could not achieve our current level of success.

In closing, I again invite all parents to register with the Troop as a Committee Member, Merit Badge Counselor, or Assistant Scoutmaster. Please contact Steve Smith or me at anytime.
Bob Kazimer, Committee Chairperson

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