Hi -- here are my notes from the Colonial District Round Table meeting December 8:

• Scouting for Food:  Colonial District collected an estimated 53,000 pounds of food; National Capital Area Council collected 842,000 pounds.  All who participated--pat on back.
• MB Jamboree is Saturday February 19.  All Scouts should have been signed up by December 8.
• Tom Libby again asked for troop rosters (Troop 680 was among those listed as already submitted)
• Also requested was updated info about adult leader training--theoretically that info is coordinated by the Unit Commissioner, Dick Bowman, who in turn will forward it to Tom Libby.  To be honest, it is unclear to me whether NCAC or District wants this info (maybe both); apparently all registered adults in NCAC are listed as not-trained because someone (or some "process" or lack thereof?) lost that information. It was stated that a full-time person is working to collect, fix and keep this info for the future. The best place for your adult leader training info is the Troop database--send the info to Chris McCormack, mailto:c.mccormack@ieee.org, and he can enter it then print out a report for you.
• Bob Keegan, Cubmaster for Pack 680, needs Den Chiefs-if interested, talk with Scoutmaster Wade Harvey for approval, then contact Bob.  This is an excellent position of responsibility for First Class and Star (and Life) Scouts. It has several advantages including helping the Pack, providing a role model for the Cub Scouts, helping make a smooth transition to Boy Scouts, and leadership for the individual Boy Scout, of course. Remember Pack 680 bridges on Friday March 18 at 7:00 p.m. at McClunn Hall and Troop 680 Jump Start is the next day on Saturday March 19, 2005.
• Want to work on amateur radio--and get your Technicial Class License from FCC?  Sign up for 4 Saturdays (Jan 15, 22, 29 and Feb 5). Cost $20.  Contact by January 4, 2005 by email mailto:vcrew80@yahoo.com, phone 703-960-9301 from 7-9pm.  Cash collected at registration at first session on January 15.  Send your questions via email mailto:vcrew80@yahoo.com or call any of the following:
• Demi Pulas, K4BSA, 703-820-2534
• Bill Stewart, W2BSA, 703-642-8942
• Dick Harman, WA4USB, 703-971-5477
• Bill Schmitt, KD4CNS, 703-960-9301
• Just fyi, some Colonial District contacts:
• Chair is Mike Crane, mailto:mcrane1@cox.net, mailto:michael.crane@pentagon.af.mil, 703-765-2280
• Commissioner is Tom Libby, mailto:thomas.libby@ngc.com, 703-780-4810
• Eagle Board Chair is John Leckner, mailto:Adviser@bsatroop993.org, 703-360-1768 (home).
• OA Chapter Advisor is Sue Crane, mailto:acc77@cox.net, 703-765-2280. Note to James Robertson -- pls contact her to find out about Spring OA Election process and dates.
• Boy Scout specific session was about Boards of Review led by Scott Hammell.
• What are appropriate questions for members of Boards of Review to ask Scouts?
• See the web for many suggestions
• Scott had a list of 12 questions that we reviewed in small groups -- Scott, could you email those to me and I will get them posted to our Troop 680 web site and give a copy to Advancement Chair, etc.
• Can/should have Boards of Review for those Scouts who are NOT advancing also--some units at the meeting do that.
• Questions are usually about current and next rank (plans for).
• Board of Review is not a testing process, but a review for the Scout and of troop activity, etc.
• Important that there is a clear process to get advancement info from Board directly, accurately and expeditiously to the advancement database. Board of Review also signs the Scout's handbook so he has a record.  But don't rely on that as the only record--back it up with the troop database (ours is Troopmaster) and with a periodically updated printed advancement summary copy for each Scout, and another copy kept in a notebook.
• When do you have Boards?  Some troops have them whenever asked. Others monthly, or 2-3 times per year. Most say none can occur in the 2 weeks before a Court of Honor, thus giving one week for SM Conferences and one week to submit troop advancement report and get the advancement cards, patches, pins, etc.
• One Scout, perhaps in addition to the Troop Scribe, could be appointed as "Service Coordinator." This Scout could track all service project records (who spent how many hours) and insure this information goes to the troop database (again via Chris McCormack, mailto:c.mccormack@ieee.org). This same Scout could help with advancement records in general, e.g., Scout book is signed, Troopmaster database coordinator gets info, printed info via database coordinator to Scouts periodically, copy of same updated to troop notebook which would be kept in troop locker, help to advancement committee (Rita Trimarchi and Pam Johnson, currently) to maintain troop cards (merit badges) possibly best organized in baseball plastic sheets.
• All Scouts should appear in Class A uniform for every Board of Review.
• Some troops ask the SPL to introduce the Scout to the Board of Review--good idea.
• There is a Transatlantic Council Contingent to the National Jamboree and they need equipment for two patrols; they cannot afford to bring the equipment nor can they afford to buy it. I have a one-page list of quartermaster needs that I will give to Wade Harvey.  If interested in loaning equipment or helping in any way, contact Dominic Caridi or Mike Crane.
• There was a "Calling All Scouts" handout from Ski Liberty Mountain. Scout weekend dates were listed with costs ranging from $38 (Sunday lift only) to $71 (Saturday "all mountain" lift ticket, rental equipment and free lesson).  I will give the handout to Carol Shaffer or Mary Martin.  Troop 680 had the Ski Liberty staff person presentation at our December 7 meeting.

Thanks.
John Millikin