The troop still finds itself in a fairly healthy financial position. However, the committee is currently looking at ways to bring more money into the troop. We have discussed several financial strategies, such as adjusting the profit sharing ratios on our current fundraisers, adding additional "service" based fundraising projects, or possibly having each boy pay an activity fee if the funds are not raised through other means. These are some of the ideas we are considering, but no final decision has been made.

Do you have any ideas for different fundraising projects to help supplement the flower and fruit sales? We will be continuing to study the financial position of the troop and we will present more information in the near future. I would encourage everyone to attend the troop committee meetings and bring your ideas. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday February 26 at approximately 7:15 PM. Hope to see you there.

The honor patrol for the month of December was the Cougars.

In January, the honor patrol was awarded to the Beaver patrol.

In the last newsletter, we began reprinting one of the 18 lessons of being a successful leader. This month we bring lesson two.

Lesson 2:.

"The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of a relationship". If this were a litmus test, the majority of CEOs would fail.

One, they build so many barriers to upward communication that the very idea of someone lower in the hierarchy looking up to the leader for help is

ludicrous. Two, the corporate culture they foster often defines asking for

help as weakness or failure, so people cover up their gaps, and the

organization suffers accordingly.

Real leaders make themselves accessible and available. They show concern for the efforts and challenges faced by underlings . Even as they demand high standards. Accordingly, they are more likely to create an environment where problem analysis replaces blame.

The results of this years fruit sale are now in. The total sales of the fruit sale were $4,358 with total profits of $1,930.20 with $1,235.61 going to the scouts and $694.59 going to the troop.

Congratulations to the top overall sellers. This year top seller for the new scouts was Nick Wahoff. The top seller for the experienced scouts was Chris Wahoff.

The weekly selling leaders for the new scouts were: Mark Wohlever (week 1), Nick Wahoff (week 2 & 3).

The weekly selling leaders for the experienced scouts were: Chip L'Ecuyer (week 1), Chris Wahoff (week 2), Matt Wohlever (week 3).

Thanks to all who participated in the planning, selling, delivery and support of this event. Special thanks to Tom Harvey for his efforts in coordinating the activities again this year.

The Troop 268 Winter Court of Honor was held on Monday, December 11, 2000 in the basement of St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Master of Ceremony for the evening was Evan Barker. The evening began with our traditional pasta dinner hosted by the Venture Crew.

Special thanks to "Chef" Wahoff and his crew of kitchen mates as well as Keith "50/50 Raffle" Davis. Also thanks to the Meijer store (on Powell Road and Rt. 23) for donating the beautiful Poinsettia plants for each table. The dinner was followed a Friends of Scouting presentation, the Order of the Arrow elections, and the Court of Honor.

There was a tremendous turnout from the boys and their families and we had several honored guests. These guests included Mrs. Joanne Katonak, Mr. and Mrs. Andy Garnes, Mr. John Held the Buckeye District Professional Scouter, our Scoutmasters Emeritus, Frank McKim and Rich Birnie and members of the infamous Dragon Patrol (Phil Birnie, Trent Perin, Brett Davis, Adam Rice and Don Davis). Also Mrs. Marilyn Midgley (Todd’s grandmother) was visiting all the way from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Many of the boys were recognized for their rank advancements and merit badges earned since our last Court of Honor in August. Also members of the Venture Crew who attended Florida Sea Base were awarded their S.C.E.N.E. patches, and the Wahoff brothers, Chris and Nick, were awarded their prizes for being the top sellers in the Fruit Sale. Congratulations to all award recipients.

The evening concluded with our 50/50 raffle. The winners were first awarded the Poinsettia plants followed by 50% of the money collected. The grand prize winner of $68 was Josh Thomas. At last sighting, Josh was still smiling ear to ear!

On January 19-21 the Winter Bushwhack campout was held. Ben L’Ecuyer, Chris Wahoff, Craig Protopopow, Matt Wohlever, and myself were there along with Mr. Fletcher, Mr. L’Ecuyer and Mr. Davis. We camped in a cabin at Camp Oyo in Portsmouth, Ohio and hiked 13 miles along the trails of the Shawnee State Forest.

The weather was the most challenging part of the hike. It snowed all day, about 8 inches in all. The forest was very beautiful but it also made the going very tough because we were slipping and sliding.

All in all it was a very fun campout, and we earned the nice Bushwhack patch.

The Klondike derby this year is surely one to remember. The Soaring Eagles, and the Cobras joined forces to make the patrol that ended up winning first place overall, with a sled built by Evan Barker.

For the first year Beavers, it was one camp out to remember. They did all right after they found out where they were going. They finished all the stations, and picked up a good amount of "gold nuggets."

It was a cold weekend, yet only for the people who slept in tents. Most of the scouts slept in a cabin, that had a refrigerator, stove, and a heater. The only thing bad about that was going outside into the darkness, and pain of the treacherous cold. In all it was a good camp out, and a good adventure.

We are very lucky in Troop 268 to be blessed with many dedicated adult volunteers who spend many hours a week to make the troop run. From Jay Fletcher our Scoutmaster and his assistants, to the members of the troop committee, to the Buzzards who help on the campouts, and to the parents who faithfully drive their boys to the weekly meetings and participate in all our programs. Everyone’s help in whatever capacity is crucial in the success of the troop. Thank you for all your help.

Recently at the Buckeye District Volunteer Recognition Dinner, several of our Scouters were formally recognized for outstanding service to scouting. Mrs. Cathy Wahoff was the recipient of the Bridge Builder Certificate, Mr. Mark L’Ecuyer and Mr. Bill Wahoff received Meritorious Service Certificates, and Mr. Keith Davis was awarded the Dave Katonak Distinguished Service Plaque. Alex Protopopow received the Buckeye District Award of Merit.

These awards were very well deserved. Congratulations to all!!

Feb. 26 - Basketball (ASPL Indoor)

Mar. 5 - Campout Prep - Mr. Kelly

Mar. 12 - Campout Prep - Mr. Kelly

Mar. 19 - PLC

Mar. 26 - Bowling/Swimming (Beavers)

Apr. 2 - Movies and Munchies

Apr. 9 - No meeting

Apr. 16 - Mock Trial Prep

The caving campout is coming up the weekend of March 16^th to the 18^th. Once again, we will be led by head spelunker, Pat Kelly.

Since we will be exploring "wild" caves, it is essential that we follow the appropriate rules of conduct and have the proper equipment.

Pat Kelly will be making presentations at the March 5^th and March 12^th meetings to prepare us for the expedition. If you are planning on going on the campout, you should plan on attending these meetings.

We will be staying at the KOA in Renfro Valley, Ky.

At the time of this newsletter, final information was not available on the upcoming flower sale.

Although final times have not been worked out, keep the following dates in mind.

We will start taking orders in late March or early April with deliveries to take place around Mother's Day weekend.

More information will be made available in March. Tom Harvey will chair this event again.

what sportsmanship is, because it's the first requirement. I'd like to relate to you a little story which sums up sportsmanship very well. Here's the story.

"In 1940, an underdog Dartmouth football team played powerful Cornell, which needed only one more victory for a perfect season and a number-one ranking in the country. Trailing 3-0 Cornell scored a controversial touchdown that the Dartmouth players insisted was made on an extra "fifth down". However the referee counted the touchdown, and Cornell

won 7-3.

But after the game, Cornell officials watched the game on film and saw that, indeed their team had been allowed an extra play. They immediately sent a telegram to Dartmouth stating that they could not accept the victory. It went into the record book as a 3-0 victory for Dartmouth. "

That little story tells us what sportsmanship really is. It is the desire to play hard and to win - but to win fairly - and if you lose, to accept defeat with good grace. Let's remember that during throughout our lives.

Also remember, that to be a good sport you have to lose to prove it.

We are always looking for writers to assist with the newsletter development. If you are interested, contact Mr. Wohlever or email us at the following address: scoutmaster@bsatroop268.org