Are You suprised ?

Present : Jim Buechele, Jim Brown, John Kummer, Roger Morris, Henry Cruz, Gary D. Clark, Andre Marte, Melvin Hart, Zetta Hart, Bill Barnes, James Smith, Joe and Mary Jones, Phil Rynn, Bruce Davis, Ed Herrera, George Rockers, Robert Pelley, Bill O'Reilley, Msgr. Bill Young, Robert Van Vickle, Faith Strickland.

Chairman's Report (John Sherman): John was absent due to illness. No report was available. Ed Herrera asked for a vote on the nominations for the officers' positions for a temporary 1-year term. This 1-year period is intended to provide a smooth transition to the next committee. The nominations of Charlie Raimond (Vice Chair), John Sherman (Chair), Melvin Hart (Treasurer), Faith Strickland (Secretary), were unanimously approved. Other position approved were Mary Jones (Communications), Roger Morris (Membership) Phil Rynn (Emblems).

St. George Trek: One of youth nominated for the 2002 St George Trek, Mr. Robert Pelley was present to thank the DCCS for their nomination and support. He plans to serve Catholic youth by assisting in an AAD group in his Parish.

Religious Emblems (Phil Rynn): The Lock-IN BOR and Emblems presentation at Holy Family in Missouri City were very successful. Although some of the pictures from the awards ceremony were distributed, John Sherman still has some of the pictures. Contact John if you have not received the pictures of the youth that received their emblems this year. Phil gave a brief explanation of the Catholic Emblems program to the committee for the benefit of several of the new members in attendance. Bill Barnes also explained Scouter Development. Fr. Bill announced that Charley Raimond's son just received his Eagle rank. Congratulations to the Raimonds were given.

Scouter Development (Bill Barns): Scouter Development was held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, and Baytown. The February session was cancelled. Scouter Development will be held in May St. Michael's Catholic Church in Lake Jackson (May 6) and Galveston (date to be provided). See the DCCS website for details. Emblems training will be April 27 at St. Rose of Lima. One youth who had done the Pius program was so impressed that he came back to take the training to be a counselor for AAD. Bill Barnes said that Jay Gause has put together an excellent program for AAD.

Membership (Roger Morris): Roger is putting together a map or regional list of counselors to better determine area coverage and identify regions where the committee needs to focus its recruitment efforts.

Communications (Mary Jones): The Puff-Up and retreat dates will appear in the May Scouter. Mary has submitted the names of Cubs who have received their Catholic Emblems for publication in the Scouter.

Retreat (Bill O'Reilley): The Retreat will be at Camp Strake Oct 4-6, 2002. The first meeting of the retreat committee will be in June. The format will be similar to last year's retreat.

Open Forum: Charley Raimond introduced the new attendees from Pack 152 and Troop 99. Henry Cruz visited the committee and presented his ideas on how to advertise scouting to the Hispanic community. He wants to raise funds to send Hispanic youth to scout summer camp. Fr. Bill stated that the Catholic Church uses scouting as part of their youth ministry and that we must carefully consider any activity in light of this mission. Fr. Bill asked that the next day of prayer (June 1 9AM-12:30PM at St. Thomas More) establish a common spiritual theme for this year that can be used by all the scout (Girl Scout, Cub, Boy Scout & Venturers) religious programs as a unifying theme. Faith Strickland presented a written report of NCCS activities, news, training CDs, and other handouts. Examples of the new Pius XII books were also provided. Fr. Bill said that he would place an order for the new books.

Fr. Bill Young closed the meeting with a prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30PM. The next meeting of the DCCS will be June 19, 2002 at St. Rose of Lima. Suggestions for other meeting locations will be discussed at the June meeting.