Chairman
Troop 101 Feedback Questionnaire:     Chairman’s Message:

Each year we begin our planning process for our next year’s program by obtaining feedback via our Annual troop Survey

Unless your last name is Koshko or Waible we require all other troop members to participate in the Troop Annual Survey. We cannot continue the great stuff and make improvements in the weaker areas if we don't have your insight as to where we need to place our efforts.

This is extremely important and should only take 20-30 minutes of your time. We recommend you sitting down with your Scouts and filling out the survey together. However, the older Scouts may want to fill one out separately from the parents and that is just fine. The more feedback we get the better we can make the program for the Scouts. Additionally, we have also included a link on the main survey page that takes you to a description of the "Aims and Methods of Scouting" on which the survey is based.

Remember your feedback is confidential but after completing the survey you will be asked to submit your name so we know you took the survey. The two are not linked. There is an optional field on the survey itself if you care to provide it.

http://www.bsatroop101ma.org/feedback/

Any questions feel free to contact me. Thank you for your support.

The Scoutmaster and I look forward to your feedback and appreciate your ratings and comments. Thank you in advance for taking the time to take the survey.

Yours in Scouting,

Ron Koshko


New (all can attend) Parents Mandantory Meeting    "New Parent and Current Parent Orientation"

Over the next 2 weeks, the troop will be conducting its annual Parent Orientation meetings to educate parents on Troop 101 and its delivery of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) PROGRAM to your boys. We REQUIRE, however that the parents of our recent Webelos crossovers attend one of these sessions. These meetings are open to all interested parents. We have scheduled the meetings so that ALL parents can attend one of the three sessions. Either Thursday night or Saturday morning. We have done it this way so that BOTH parents can attend either both parents at the same time or in separate sessions. The meetings are scheduled for the following dates/times:

Thursday, March 4th 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Saturday, March 13th 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM

Thursday, March 18th 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

At these meetings, Troop 101's Adult Leaders will cover the basics of the Aims and Methods of Scouting, Troop Meetings, Troop Organization and Structure, Monthly Campouts, Service Projects, the Uniform, Equipment, Advancement, etc.

We conduct these meetings as our experience shows that Scouts do better in the program, when their parents understand and show interest in their son's scouting activities.

Refreshments will be served.

Please send an email to ggiannotti@charter.net with the specific meeting above, that you plan on attending. Please include the number attending.

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Upcoming Events
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DINNER:     SAVE THE DATE FRIDAY NIGHT APRIL 9TH.

We want to invite all the parents as well as all the leaders to join us in a special recognition dinner for our volunteers.

For the leaders here is an evening out, no scout duties, and a chance to have some fun and receive the thank you that's deserved.

For parents, here is a chance for you to have an evening out, have some fun and a chance to thank the volunteers and leaders that have worked so hard to deliver a great program for the Scouts.

The cost will not be between $15-$20 per person (still being determined) and there will be music, raffle for prizes, a cash bar available and some additional surprises. We will also be presenting to some of our very early Eagle Scouts their Eagle Neckerchief's embroidered with their number. Please RSVP when you receive your invitation in the mail. Look forward to seeing you there.



HELP Ron Koshko is looking for assistance in planning this event, Please contact him as soon as possible.


Eagle Scout Ceremonies    Matthew S Eagle Court of Honor will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 1:30 PM at St. Rose of Lima Church.

Daniel R Eagle Court of Honor will take place on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM at Trinity Church.


Trinity Church Clean up - Scheduled for Saturday, April 27.    This is our opportunity to support Trinity Church, they are our Chartering Organization, and support us all year!

All Scout should plan to help out, many hands make light work.

We will have sign up sheets at the meeting this week!

Thanks to Mr. Nicol who has agreed to head up this very worthwhile cause!



Activities
West Point! Were In    We have been invited to the 48th Annual West Point Invitational Camporee which will be held April 30 - May 2, 2010 at West Point, New York.

As you know, we went last year after a 7 year hiatus and it was a great time. Check out some pictures here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Troop101Leader/WestPoint2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCML0oZabiLLFwwE&feat=directlink#

Since we are going as "Lightfighters," we are also eligible for the Bull Hill pin and LightFighter patch.

More info to follow - we need to be registered by April 3rd.

Great opportunity for the troop!


Hemenway 2010!!   

This trip had the largest attendance for any trip so far during this scouting year! 42 in all! Special thanks to; Mr Loretta, he went up early to repair the wood stoves at the cabin. Mr. Magoun, he also went up early, and cooked all of the meals, kept the cabin warm, and shared great stories. Mr Cauflin, he organized the trip, and sourced Wildcat Mountain for a great day of skiing! Skiing, sledding and Snowshoeing! and No one got hurt!

Advancement
General Court of Honor    Scouts get those merit badges completed and turned in! Next General Court of Honor will take place during the May 13th troop meeting.

The last date to turn in completed merit badge blue cards is April 30th. Get them to Mr Giannotti!



Quartermaster (Equipment)
    Here is a list of Troop 101 Clothing!

Troop Fleeces $35.00

Class B Troop Tee Shirts $8.00 (recommended 3-T-shirts) Adult Leader Polo Shirts $12.00

Troop Hats $10.00

Know is the time to turn in those troop uniforms that don't fit. That goes for leaders too! Know is the time to go through the uniforms we have in stock if you need one.

If new scout parents have any clothing or equipment questions or needs please email Bill Nicol at nicol122@verizon.net or call 508-393-8853



Webelos Liaison
Weblo's Update    Webelo Cross-over information:

Need Scout/Leader volunteers for crossovers ceremonies at Cub Scout Pack

Blue & Gold Banquets. All Troop Guides are expected to attend.

Pack 28/25 - Friday 3/12, 6:00pm @ Melican Middle School

We have our Crossovers starting this Thursday 2/11 who will need guidance from all Troop Guides, Instructors, and other Scouts interested in assisting our new boys make the rank of Scout Volunteer signups to assist will continue this week.



Training
Troop Merit Badge College    Hold the dates, more information to come.

8:00 am - 12:00 noon

Day 1, March 20 and Day 2 April 10.



National Jamboree 2010
Sign up now to attend the National Jamboree    Troop 101 will be traveling to the National Jamboree next year. This is the 100th year of scouting and the Jamboree should be an event to remember. We will be camping outside of the Jamboree and attending the Jamboree during the day as visitors. We plan on attending from July 30th to Aug 3rd (5 days) which includes the 2 weekend days. Cost for the event will be $300 per person and includes food. We want all scouts to be at the rank of 1st Class by the time of the trip and there is plenty of time to achieve that (1 year).


Payment schedule    We will be asking for payments be made towards this event on the following dates:

$75 ~ October 1, 2009
$75 ~ December 1, 2009
$75 ~ February 1, 2010
$75 ~ April 1, 2010