gbDistComm

Being new to the Troop, you may feel like things are quite akward in the way they are done. When a Troop Comittee has been working together for a long time they get use to each other, and to doing things a certain way. I would say to you to not try too hard to change them right away, that is not until you have been to a "Troop Committee Training". With this training you will have not only the answers you are looking for, but you will have experienced Scouters to ask specific questions about the Committee and other needs you may have. Also, remember these "Committee Members" in the troop are all volunteers just like you. Look for a patch under their position patch that says "TRAINED". This will signify that this committee member has completed training for the office they hold. It may be that no one on the committee has been trained. The key person in the committee is the Committee Chairman. This is the individual responsible for the agenda. Contact your Council Office for a list of training schedules in your area. Please don't give up. Volunteers like you are so hard to find. The Troop needs you, the boys need you and Scouting needs you. I know if you didn't care you would not be trying so hard to find the answers.

Ah communication. As a Districr Commissioner I get this one often. ?Leave and go to another Pack?? Well I would cencerely hope that would not be the answer in this case. From the Council to the Den Leader there should be a seemless flow of information that goes both directions. (BOTH DIRECTIONS)!! The flow chart for communication is a simple one. Let's say you need information about a District event. As a Den Leader you go up the flow chart to the Committee Chair, or Pack Secretary to see if they have the information you need. If not you don't stop with them and expect them to get the information for you, you go to the Cubmaster. If the Cubmaster has no info then you call the Unit Commissioner (if your Pack has one). (The Unit Commissioner should have the information and should always be willing and ready to assist you in any problems you are having with the Pack.) Don't stop here. Continue on, District Commisioner, District Executive, Council Office. Somewhere along the line someone should see there is a communication gap and see what can be done to correct it. My first thought is to check the Unit's Leadership Roster to see how many Leaders (Committee personell included) for training status. If certain Key positions are not lead by trained scouters, then this could be the problem. Please don't give up. Please see what help you can get from others (and give to others) before you abandon ship. Food for thought - (it has been said that you could place your finger (you) in a glass of water (the Pack), remove the finger and watch the results. The finger would be gone, and a few ripples would occur, but the water will still be there.) Are you sure the Leader that will take your place will care about the boys as you much as you do. There is no reason why you should not have as much fun being the leader as your boys are being boys. Please remember, from the Den Leader to the District Chairman, all are volunteers. Volunteers are what makes scouting the success it is. You are a volunteer. Volunteers deserve the respect of the District and the Council. Please please please be kind in your efforts, try not to lay the blame on an individual, try to come up with solutions instead of problems, and above all stay COOL.