scottsmom121

Just a little tip. When they go to take the patch off the totem do it very carefully. We had several this past year literallly come apart when they tried to remove them. Some of the stitching just let go and they unraveled. Roxanne

CubsRgr8 I have to agree there. Had our District meeting this week and same thing all Trails End with a little bit of upcoming events at the very end. Tippecanoe District here.

CubsRgr8 I have to agree there. Had our District meeting this week and same thing all Trails End with a little bit of upcoming events at the very end. Tippecanoe District here.

This past year I had a Tiger den. I had the parent/coach sitting right there at every meeting. I made sure I handed out typed sheets with all the information that they needed meetings, events etc. Today I was talking to one of the other parents and it seems one of the boys mothers (she attended the meetings) felt that I slighted her son last year. He did not get as many elective beads and sports and academics awards as 3 other boys in particular. That I was favoring these other 3 boys. I explained at every meeeting about them going through the book and signing the things that alot of people do regularly to give the boys the electives they needed. It was tough getting this mother to even do the things that were required for her son to achieve his rank. The 3 boys that she is referring to worked hard with their parents to earn what they did and perhaps another factor in this is that the 3 boys fathers are all ex scouts themselves. The same opportunities were given to all. As with any den some of the kids/parents did more than others. I agree with the statemet short of going to their house what more can you do. I sent things with them in writing, gave them verbal support and coaching at the meetings and also did alot of reminder calls... One of the leaders even came up with a little saying we put on things. You as a Parent + Me as a Leader = A Successful, Proud Cub Scout Let's Work Together Let's hope for a better listening year. (This message has been edited by scottsmom121)

I would like to see the uniforms perhaps become a cotton blend of some kind. Something that moves with you and doesn't look wrinkled and sloppy after a few hours of wear. And I agree they need to be longer bend over a few times and you have tails hanging out everywhere. I think a blend would definitely make the uniform more comfortable and look alot neater. There aren't too many people that actually iron a shirt so many have a wrinkled look to them all the time.

We have openly discussed my disability many times. They asked in the beginning what was wrong and I explained it all to them. I was born with a displaced kneecap causing one shorter leg. As I get older the limp becomes more prominent. I honestly think it has given some of them an understanding that it doesn't really make me any differet than them in most ways. It is almost as if now they don't even realize it anymore. Even when their leader slipped in a snowpile last winter...their reaction was no different than it was for anyone else that it happened to.

Thank you all so very much for your answers. It is hard to approach anyone above our CM as both the outgoing and incoming CM's are both members of the Board with our Home and School (Our charter org.) After reading your answers I contacted my asst. leader and we talked alot!!! We are digging in and not letting things go the way they did. We will fight for the boys and for all our leader positions if we have to. He is new to being a leader this year but has read the leader handbook and now understands what I have been saying and is in total agreement with what I have done and said. They basically feel the boys should get their ranks and arrow points and that's about it. When my son received the conservation award this yr. I was approaced and told that they didn't like it when leader's boys got awards others didn't because it looks like they cheat......My boys all did know about the award and were all able to earn it by their own choice. All they had to do was the pack project the rest was done with their rank. For some reason these CM's have gotten the idea that after a certain point in scouting ie Bears that a leader that is not 100% is not capable of handling the responsbilities. As I said the only things I can't do an asst. does. I can not do things such as sports or long hikes...in his eyes I guess that makes me a bad leader. I also have some wonderful parents who are always at everything so it's not like there isn't enough help to go around. Regardless of the fact every den of mine has had every boy go on and I have a wall full of thank you things from the boys and their parents. The one den that went on without me half way through the year lost 4 out of 10 boys. Not tooting my own horn but I feel I do a pretty good job with the boys. Try to keep things exciting so they are never really sure what is coiming. It was also kind of stated at the end of this past year that once a leader goes through once with a den they should not be able to go through the ranks with another group of boys. In other words, after 4 yrs. they figure you should quit. They do push everyone to go to the basic training sessions. However, the other leader that he gave a committe position to and myself are the only ones that attended roundtable and pow wows. CM's do not usually attend these meetings. I really don't want to transfer to another pack because I would feel like I was abandoning some of the boys that really have worked so hard to get where they are and I'm sure as most of you know they become special in your life too. I have had 2 other packs approach me and ask me to join them but I have so far refused. I better quit before I write a novel again!!! Thank you all so very much for your input I guess I just needed reassurance that I was right. And those of us that are firm in this will do what is right for the boys. Believe me I will keep on reading here for a long time. (This message has been edited by scottsmom121)(This message has been edited by scottsmom121)

I'm not sure where exactly to start but here it goes. Our Cubmaster(has now stepped down) made his rules we all felt as he went along. I was the Tiger Leader last year and when I asked him questions about things he said he knew nothing about the Tigers and didn't feel that he needed to. So I found another tiger leader that could answer my questions with another pack. Also, I am a believer (have scouting experiece previously both cub and girl scouts) that the kids should get any and all awards/pins etc. that they can to show them they are achieving something and their work is being noticed. This CM never felt these things were necessary and never gave them out. Only what was absolutely necessary such as rank. Needless to say, he was not happy when I pushed for the Tigers and my son's den (Wolf) to get what they deserved. He also lacked any sense of class with people skills. He took it upon himself infront of all the parents and leaders to inform one leader that she would no longer be serving as a leader(she suffers from asthma) and he was giving her a lateral transfer to a committe member position(we have more committe people doing nothing than anyone could imagine). Question here is does a CM have the right when a leader has done nothing wrong and works very hard to tell them they are no longer needed as a leader? I have been told basically the same and it was also announced at the same meeting that I would be finished as a leader after this coming year. I do have a disability of walking with a limp but always have an asst. leader or a parent present for things I know I absolutely could not do with the boys, these times are few actually. Our incoming CM was the Asst. Cubmaster and said he will abide by the same rules and decisions. This ACM did nothing but arrange camping before his taking over. He actually knows nothing as far as the basics of scouting. He was given the CM position from the outgoing CM asking him none of the leaders or anyone else had any input. A few of us have called our Counsel and asked questions but never given a real answer. Those of us that really care about the boys are really afraid our pack is going to fall apart there is no recruiting done at all outside of the school/church that sponsors us. Any new scouts are just kind of recruited by us leaders in conversation with other parents. I guess this is about as clear as mud but if there is any input anyone can give us it would be great. We are basically some leaders that don't want to be turned out to pasture after a few years of working with the boys and want to stay involved in being leaders. There are no parents stepping up interested in taking over these positions and when someone does say they would do it it doesn't matter if they are really qualified to work with the kids or have the skills for communicate with the boys they are in cause they are a body to fill a spot. Sorry this ended up so long.(This message has been edited by scottsmom121)