hotdesk

In terms of earning the rank of Eagle, BSA does a great job of indentifing the role that parents and mentors play, by providing a father/mother pin and a mentor pin. Those that were involved in the process all get recognized during an ECOH! In our pack, we make sure the scouts, parents, and other kids all have fun. All are welcomed to participate in our pack meetings and activities. We have an adult Christmas Party and we also do an Adult Pinewood Derby the night before the actual derby. Our Annual Planning Conference is done at a restraunt. We go out as a group after Roundtable. There's plenty of ways for adults to have fun!

As a young adult leader (still in my 20's) I find this crazy and probably unacceptable. I would never put myself in a position like that to have allegations made that I did something inappropriate. This guy should be a lot more transparent with the parents. He's putting himself, the Venture Crew, and scouting in a lot of jeporady. Even though I'm not a parent, I think I would ask my son a few hard questions about what happend this weekend. I would probably ask my Chartered Organization what the heck was going on and if they were aware of the situtation.

We use SOAR as well. While it's more money than I'd like to spend it offers a few great things... 1) Weekly Email Blast 2) Calendar and Event Registration Capabilities 3) The ability for leaders to send out email blasts on their own If you're looking for the ability for a site to send out text messages, if you do a facebook organization page, people can sign up for text message updates.

As Committee Chairman of a Cub Scout Pack here's what I expect from my Cubmaster, and a coorlation between the expectations of that position and Scoutmaster. 1. Build a relationship of mutual respect with Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders. Support and guide them to ensure that the pack meets parents'/scouts' expectations (where the youth leaders would replace the Den Leaders.) 2. Build a good working relationship with the Committee Chairman and committee members. Trust them to help with Advancements, Fundraising, Activities, etc. Make sure that they understand your expectations and how best to help you. 3. Build a good relationship with the families in the unit. Make sure that you communicate effectively and their problems/concerns are addressed quickly. 4. Work with your assistants so they understand what you're looking for. Communicate with your lead assistant when you can't be there to make sure that there's a replacement. I would much rather go with the person who can communicate, build relationships, and has experience than someone who can be at all the outings/meetings, but lacks in communication and relationship building.

I ran an Adult Pinewood Derby this year. We followed the same rules for the cars as the kids. We had prizes for 1st ($30 Auto Zone GC), 2nd ($10 movie theater gc), and 3rd (more a gag gift). We also added a white elephant gift exchange and share some adult beverages as well. We encourage people to bring some small dish to pass. BE PREPARED HAVE FUN

I would continue to do a few things; 1) Find that organized, even mannered, Assistant Cubmaster. Quickly indentify that person and aggressively court them. 2) Make sure that you have an active Commmittee. Give your Cubmaster assistance by filling the positions of Activities, Fundraising, and Public Relations. This will give him someone to help plan and coordinate pack events, fundraisers, and service projects. It will create 2 people responsible for that carolling that went bad. 3) Make sure that the program staff and committee understand what you expect from the different positions. I know that the responsiblities can be found on the web, but prepare a list and talior that to your individual unit and expectations. 4) Meeting monthly, prior to your Pack Meeting, as a Leadership team. Have a written agenda. Have your Cubmaster share the plan for the meeting (who will be doing skit, flags, clean-up/set-up and what the purpose will be.)

Good slide show. A few things that I would say would help lead towards a great pack... 1) You are selling a product. Your customers are the scouts and parents. If they aren't happy, you won't be either. 2) Formally survey scouts, parents, and leaders at least once a year. Determine what they need to make the product better from their perspective. Ask them their thoughts on activities, fundraisers, den and pack meetings. Change things if you see a consistent theme or problem. 3) Have a working plan that explains how you will split dens. Make sure that you don't let them get too large. 4) Encourage attendance at Roundtables. This is a way of reaching those "experienced" leaders and to bring new things back to your back. 5) Make sure that leaders feel comfortable working with each other. Our pack has adult gatherings. We meet, at a restaurant, after roundtable. We have a winter gathering. We go ahead and do an adult pinewood derby the night before the pack pinewood. Do your best to create an environment where leaders work with each other and know the back round of the other leaders. 6) Build your committee. Make sure that there is plenty of help for the program staff. Have people there to support you with fundraising, activities, advancement, recruitment, training,etc. 7) HAVE FUN!!! Make sure that the key unit leaders look out for burnout amongst themselves and other pack leaders. Take a break when you need it. Don't be afraid to delegate tasks. Don't worry when someone makes a mistake, even if its yourself. Do what you can, when you can, and the best that you can.

Engineer, I don't know how you can be so jaded. Just as I can't say that all older adults are safe to be around, you can't possibly to say that all those are 30 are dangerous to be around. Packs, around the country, have plenty of leaders under 30 who are doing a great job as a parent and role model. To draw the picture, that you have drawn, shows a great lack of the understanding of individuality and the morals and values that I would install in the kids I work with. I will admit, that there are others my age I wouldn't sign an application for. However, I also know that there are adults over 60 that shouldn't be volunteering. As a BSA Committee Chairman and Executive Vice President, for a local little league, I know that it comes down to each board/committee to do its due diligence and check the references and background of all volunteers. It then has a responsibility to ensure that each of those volunteers are trained on their policies and also have a sense for doing what is right.

I'm 24 years old. Since turning 18, I've served as a scout leader for all but 12 months. I have served as a Membership Coordinator (2006-2008), New Scout Assistant Scoutmaster (2006-2008), Spaghetti Dinner Coordinator (2008), Chartered Organization Rep (2008-2010), Den Leader (2008-2010 and 2011), and Cub Scout Committee Chairman (2011). I have served for three different units, which have been at the leisure of those units and at my desire. I have done this for many similar reasons to Eagle1992. I enjoy giving back, enjoying help kids become strong, and the relationships I have built with adult leaders.

I'm 24 years old. Since turning 18, I've served as a scout leader for all but 12 months. I have served as a Membership Coordinator (2006-2008), New Scout Assistant Scoutmaster (2006-2008), Spaghetti Dinner Coordinator (2008), Chartered Organization Rep (2008-2010), Den Leader (2008-2010 and 2011), and Cub Scout Committee Chairman (2011). I have served for three different units, which have been at the leisure of those units and at my desire. I have done this for many similar reasons to Eagle1992. I enjoy giving back, enjoying help kids become strong, and the relationships I have built with adult leaders.

The same thing happened to us last year with our new scout applications. Needless to say, we took the same approach this year that you did. We will not and cannot front money for scouts that 1. won't pay/won't approach us about not being able to pay and 2. may never be seen again. However, we haven't had the same problems that you seem to have had with your DE. In terms of FOS, we had a big discussion at our last committee meeting about the importance of doing one. I told the committee that we would continue and that those families wanting to make a donation could, while those that didn't weren't obligated to do so. It's seems that maybe national has changed its approach on where it wants presentations done as our district is also looking for a Blue and Gold.

Kinda confused as to why your Committee Chair would develop a plan for your campfire. As a fellow CC, there's absolutely no way I would get involved in planning a camp fire program, pack meeting, etc without the direct request of the Cubmaster.

@ SeattlePioneer As Committee Chairman it is my job to recruit leaders. Generally, we indentify where we need help and recruit the best adult for that position.

During my last tenure as SPL (2006) we met for 90 minutes. The meeting was broke down like this... 10 minutes---Open Ceremonies and Overview of Meeting 20 minutes---Patrol Time to Focus on Upcoming Camp Out, Skits for COH, Etc 20 minutes---Advancement, Merit Badge, Skills Instruction 20 minutes---Patrol Competition 5 minutes---SM Minute 5 minutes---Announcements and Closing

Just curious...what positions do you have in your unit? Also interested in seeing where people "double up" Our committee includes; Committee Chairman Vice Committee Chairman---used to be CM/Interim CC so there for previous experience Treasurer Secretary Advancement Coordinator Events Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Pack Trainer Membership Coordinator Recycling Coordinator---coordinates our recycling fundraisers (pop tabs and cartridges) Our "Program Staff" includes 2 Leaders for Tiger Program 2 Leaders for Wolf Program 2 Leaders for Bear Program 4 Leaders for Webelos Program Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster In our unit, the Vice Chairman is also an Assistant Webelos Leader, the Advancement Coordinator is also the Wolf Den Leader, the Treasurer is one of two Webelos Leaders, and the Committee Chairman is the Bear Den leader. So out of the 20 positions, 12 of the positions are filled with leaders where that is there only focus.