Thanks to everyone who has posted thus far!!!
I too have been a den leader for several years and in the past two years I have seen my pack begin to dwindle and weaken. I see leaders leaving mid-way through the year and the leaders who are left being burdened with a den of 12-14 to take over a den for a leader who gave up. That's not good for the leaders or for the scouts.
I would really like to find ways to help support the leaders - especially the young ones (first year'ers). I think if leaders were given a dedicated person they could go to for help of all kinds (from resource to planning suggestions to maybe even filling in for a meeting from time to time) they wouldn't be so inclined to quit when they get overwhelmed and can't find their way in the dark. Someone who is a dedicated member of the pack who JUST manages Leader Relations.
I remember being a first year leader and having all kinds of "resources" thrown at me with no explanation of what they were used for or why. All I got was "look at this or look at that or go to this website". Well, that's great, but when you have no idea how to structure a successful meeting, what good does it do to drown in "resources"?
I really want to make scouting a positive experience for my scouts AND the volunteers who lead our children. It takes strong leaders to make a strong pack go.
Thanks to everyone for you input and please keep it coming. I appreciate your sincere thoughts and feelings more than you could possibly imagine.
Y.I.S
