Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Ed Hook. Others present were: Becky George, Pops Griffin, Larry Groseclose, Nadine Hook, Jon Hoover, JB Jones, Rick Micolucci, Ray Ramberger and Tammy Ramberger. Joanne Bagley reported via email.

SCOUTMASTER - Pops reported:

Troop would be participating in the Oxford Halloween Parade. Ray will be pulling the troop trailer and the scouts are to dress in costume and meet at 6pm in front of the park. Becky George will be providing the candy for scouts to pass out along the parade route (boxed candy with contact information printed on stickers attached to each).

There are currently six Tenderfoot Scouts awaiting Board of Review by Advancement Chairperson.

Communication within the troop needs improvement. There seems to be a breakdown between the Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leaders to their respective members of their patrols regarding meeting agenda, activities, location, etc. Pops would be addressing this matter directly with appropriate individuals. Also, "younger" scouts need to be mentored by/paired up with "older" scouts in the troop. Basic skills need to be reviewed and practiced. He will be implementing 15 minutes of skill fundamentals at every meeting. Adult leadership is lacking in the Troop. As "seasoned" adults step down from responsibilities, "new" adults are not stepping in to fill their roles. Meetings are lacking adult supervision, at this time.

OUTDOORS — Ray reported:

All tour permits are filled out and have been filed for upcoming activities.

Revised agenda is as follows:

November 10-12 — 50-mile backpacking weekend trip in Pequea Park is a REQUIRED trip for all scouts and adults registered for Philmont 2007. Joanne reported (as per email) "I have made arrangements with Pequea campground for 3 sites along the creek for Friday night.  We can let them know then how many sites we will need for Saturday night. I did not have to make a deposit as it is the last weekend of their season and they only have one other group booked and they are in the group site.  They are not charging us the $10 per extra tent since we are scouts.  THERE WILL BE NO WATER.  WE WILL HAVE TO BRING OUR OWN WITH US.  Tammy has done the tour permit.  I suggest that the younger boys do not do the backpacking with Ray.  They need to stay in camp with JB and I and any other adult who is not hiking. This way we can complete some of their requirements for 1st and 2nd class.  Such as their 5 mile hike, camp gadget, service project, cooking and a few others. This will be a great opportunity to do this as there will be no rush to be anywhere.  They will be able to go into the cave as that is part of the 5 mile hike.  These boys also need to learn how to do duty rosters and menus." JB reported that permission slips for trip will be distributed at the next troop meeting. Adults available for trip include: JB Jones, Joanne Bagley, Larry Groseclose, Ray Ramberger, Vernon Ramberger (Ray’s father), Jim George, Rick Micolucci and John Bagley.

December 9 — Cabela’s and rockclimbing at Cliffhangers (daytrip - no trip/tour permit needed).

January 20 — Klondike Derby (daytrip). Scouts are currently working on sleds for competition.

February 9-11 — Ski trip possibly with Girl Scouts to either Camelback or Jack Frost. Discussion around available Boy Scout camping sites located around Jack Frost as opposed to staying in a motel. Tammy will be looking into any campsites in the Pocono region.

Philmont 2007 — scholarship money is available for eligible scouts.

Larry Groseclose reported: Mersa outbreak at Camp Horseshoe has been reported to Chester County Health Department, Bob Brown and Ray Heydon. Scouts have contracted infection at both summer camp and O.A. weekend trips.

ADVANCEMENT - Joanne reported (via email):

"The younger boys with the exception of one should all be eligible for tenderfoot boards.  I am not sure which boys completed their physical fitness part but will update books if someone can send me a list of those who have completed it. The awards that I owe the boys I will be able to get from council on Friday Nov. 3rd and then hand out at the following weeks meeting. Meeting Attendance:  I have not received any attendance records for this year.  Is any one taking attendance?  Two Scouts have not been at the meetings due to band practice so obviously I have not received any records from them.  We still need to figure out what we consider as "active".  I know this is a sore subject.  But we need to make sure we are not "singling" out any particular scout.  Meeting attendance and activity participation are both very important and definitely need to be balanced out.  I don't think we have to have anything in writing but some type of guideline for the boys to follow would be good to have so we do not have any questions later."

EQUIPMENT - Larry reported:

Newly purchased Eureka tent poles have broken/split. Called company - agreed to pay s/h for replacement of damaged poles. Also, needs access to sewing machine for tent repairs. Nadine hook volunteered to make repairs, as necessary.

JB Jones, Mark Vining and Larry Groseclose worked on Troup Trailer to redistribute weight away from the tongue by removing items which are no longer used. Tongue needs to be reinforced. Larry agreed to look into contacting Jack’s Body Shop in Oxford to make the repairs. Mark Groseclose started working on re-lettering; removing "old" names and adding "new" names. He added all current Eagle Scouts. Jon Hoover donated vinyl letters in his garage for project.

He asked secretary to send a thank you note to Chuck Freeze of Frecom in West Grove.

Troop trips have not been as well attended as in the past. Trip fees need to be calculated based on fewer scouts attending, with reimbursement to scout accounts for overpayment to avoid shortages, as what occurred with the Bike Trip in August.

PUBLIC RELATIONS - Jon reported:

Continues to post numerous new photos from past scouting events on the website.

SECRETARY - Becky reported:

Thank you notes were sent to both Frank Spor (OARA) and Jim Prettyman (port-a-potty).

Scout Day at Naval Academy on November 16th — Pops and family, Hoover family and George Family will be attending both the tour of the Academy and the football game.

OLD BUSINESS - Spring banquet to be held on March 3, 2007 at 6pm at the Russellville Grange. All agreed to have Vi handle the food preparation. She would be reimbursed for all food expenses, and paid a small fee for her services, with the remaining "profit" to go to the Troop. Menu was discussed — roast beef, mushroom gravy, potatoes, green beans, rolls and dessert.

Next meeting will be held on December 5^th at 7:00.