ScoutNut

>>"FWIW, you don't have to be "tapped out" or "called out" (the preferred term) in order to be inducted. That's a common misconception."

Did the CC know the B&G auction guy had lost his job? Were the things he had to do for the auction related to his job? Was he expected to pay for things out of his own pocket? Better communication between the auction guy, the B&G Chair, and the CC, would have helped that situation. Discussions on what trophies to award are better done in person, at the Pack Leaders Meeting, than thru emails. It would have worked better if you (or better yet the CC who is in charge of running Pack Leader Meetings) had simply sent out an email telling everyone to bring ideas for trophies to the next Pack Leaders Meeting (committee meeting). The DL who was upset at the CC's opinion, that did not agree with his own, was obviously still ticked off at the CC over the B&G. When you ask for feedback you should not be surprised, or upset, when you get it. At the PWD, did any of you consider that the CC was only trying to help? You say that you had a plan, and it was being followed. Obviously the CC was not following it. Did the CC know the plan? Did you, as the PWD Chair, when you saw him giving contradictory instructions, step in and DIPLOMATICALLY give him a specific job? It is never "understandable" for a den leader to "blow up" in front of the Pack, or den, and as CM, you should NEVER give the impression that it is. Hopefully, since a CM is not in charge of what a CC does, when you "asked" the CC to delegate some of his tasks it was done in a friendly, this would help take some pressure off of you, type of suggestion. Why are you upset when the CC did exactly what you "asked" him to do? The committee, and committee positions, are the responsibility of the Committee Chair. One of his responsibilities with the committee is to assign duties to committee members. A CC, or any other unit leader, does not have to run all of his actions past the COR for "approval". Unless the CC was registering a brand new volunteer as a committee member, there was no need to "advise" the COR of what he did. A CC is also not required to get approval, or even input, from the rest of the committee when assigning committee members tasks. You say that you have all been thru some training. It sounds like every registered Pack adult needs to get themselves completely trained (or re-trained) for their position(s). It also sounds like ALL of the leaders need to stop with the urinating contests and learn to work together - for the boys.

Yep, dry cleaning should remove all of the Badge Magic "gunk", and make the shirt serviceable again. Make sure to remove all patches first or your dry cleaner might loose some. There should be no reason to have to use an advancement form for duplicates patches. Parents should have no problem going to their Scout Store themselves, and requesting the duplicates. The Scout Store staff can easily look up the Scouts records if needed. For new badges, check at your local hobby, or fabric, center for fray-stop products. Put around the edges of patches, it will help to keep them in shape.

I would not go to work when someone else's name was on my desk and paycheck. Bottom line - this is what happens when you (son, fiance, COR) play fast and loose with the rules. 18-20 year olds can NOT be REGISTERED in any BSA adult unit positions other than as an assistant leader. Is the example of folding and stapling the rules to suit yourself really the example you all want to set the youth? My suggestion would be to back off, and do the job YOU are REGISTERED in. You are also free to volunteer your time in any other way you want, but don't expect to get, or demand, any "benefits" when you are not "official".

Earning the rank award for a Cub level, and graduating to the next Cub level are two entirely separate events. Their rank award should be presented to the Scouts as soon as they have completed the requirements for it, and not held in reserve until a special time, or date. Often the rank award is completed sometime in February, or March, but, depending on the den program, and the boys, can be earlier or later. Graduation to the next Cub level only happens at the end of the school year. This is June 1st in BSA's computer system. Pack's will usually do their graduation ceremony at their last Pack meeting before summer (May-early June). Cub Scout levels are age/grade based only. Cubs move up to their next Cub level automatically, even if they did not complete a single patch all year. So, if you absolutely must present rank awards (and all electives) at the end of the school year, do NOT combine it with graduation. First, present all of the Cubs with any and all awards they have completed, but not yet received. If you have any rank awards (Bobcat/Tiger/Wolf/Bear/Webelos/AOL) you can do something a bit more special for those. After all awards have been presented, you then do your graduation ceremony, and move the Cubs up to their next level. If you have any Webelos crossing over to Boy Scouts at this time also, do a separate crossover/bridging ceremony for them after all of the Cub Scouts are done. BTW - if your new Wolf works hard at home he just might finish up his rank award requirements. At the very least, he will have earned Bobcat, and some Instant Recognition Beads!

I think that having a little talk with the Pastor might not be a bad idea. If he/she is OK with it, then there is no problem. However, if the Pastor would like the parking space to remain available perhaps he would be willing to come and make that request at the next Pack meeting, or Pack Leaders meeting. You could ask the Pastor to keep your comments confidential.

What were you planning on doing for the Tigers at the campout? You should be able to simply adapt/shorten that ceremony. That way the Tigers will not feel so much like they missed out. Other than that, just about any ceremony you find on the 'net for awarding the rank award can be adapted to a graduation ceremony. Any of the "magic" ceremonies (glowing, changing water color, fizzing bones, etc) would be fun. A Painted Face ceremony is nice. An Indian ceremony outside, or inside around a fake campfire. Here are some ceremony sites - http://insanescouter.org/c/44/Ceremonies.html http://scouting.argentive.com/docs/ceremony_magic_formulas.pdf http://scoutingbear.com/Ceremony/cerecub.htm http://usscouts.org/ceremony.asp

A BIG Scouting HELLO to BSA Cheeseheads !! Welcome! From a BSA FIB! Happy Scouting! And YES! Some of my best friends are Cheeseheads!

BSA National Supply Group is the part of BSA National organization that sells products. The scoutstuff.org site is the online National Scout Store. Every local council has a Scout Shop as part of their offices. Some of these Scout Shops are owned by the individual local councils. Others are owned by the national organization. These are called National stores. Local stores have all of their inventory owned by the local council. All expenses connected to the store (rent, payroll, etc) are paid for by the local council. As a rule, since local councils do not want to pay for, and keep on hand, a large inventory, they usually are smaller stores. All profit from these stores go to the local council. All expenses for National stores are paid for by the BSA National organization. If the store is in a local council's building, they will usually pay the local council some sort of rent. Inventory is usually larger. Only a percentage of the store's profit goes to the local council. My council went from a council owned store, to a National owned store. They felt that what they lost in profits, they made up from not paying for any product, payroll, overhead, etc. They also felt that it gave their members a larger, in-store, selection. So, you can first give your local BSA Council Scout Store a call and see if they can help you. If that does not work, you can contact the BSA National Supply Group in Charlotte, NC. http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/contactus.aspx

Tess, here are some resources that might prove useful to you - http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/ThePack/pcomm.aspx http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/510-240.pdf The following copy of the Cub Scout Leader Book is the 2007 printing, but most of the information is still good. About the only differences would be the changes to the Cub Scout program delivery in 2010, and possibly some Tiger info. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/hispanic/english/33221_WEB.pdf I would talk to your DE about including your Unit Commissioner, or District Commissioner, in your meeting with your COR. Good Luck !

From the picture it looks like the tent is suspended from the fly with the short pole holding the fly door flap over the door. Could the door flap be rolled on the short pole? Is there a sleeve in the door flap for the pole? If you can not figure out how it is put together, I suggest contacting National Supply.

A brand new Pack, whose Committee Chair(CC) has no knowledge of who owns the Pack (your Charter Organization-CO), or who the Charter Organization Representative(COR) is, is in deep trouble. Add to that, the fact that the Pack has only 6 registered boys, yet the Cubmaster(CM) has decided to try and lose the Pack 1-3 boys by trashing the Bear den leader, and your fledgling Pack is about to self-destruct. You need to get a copy of your Charter - TODAY. Call your council service center. They can get you the copy. They can also give you contact info for your District Commissioner. Call him for help with your situation as soon as possible.

>>"Absolutely - Ive taken the training, taken SM specifics and understand the troop is not a Webelos Den (though I am in no way an expert). They need to take ownership, they need to plan for their activities, it's their Den. As of now, the SM plans don't fit that, but I'm willing to see it out for a bit. It may all play out differently. On the other hand, the boys who are already asking me when they will get their duty assignments, or asking if they can be SPL, might decide scouting isn't for them if these things don't happen soon.">"we only have 8 boys at the moment - they are all the same age except -one- of his sons who is 2 years older. This son, by his plan, will be made the Senior Patrol Leader for the first 6 months."

First of all, don't hold Pack Leader Meetings (Committee Meetings) on the same evenings as Pack Meetings. It makes the night way to long. They should ideally be held on a different evening, between one month's Pack meeting, and the next month's. This lets you discuss what went right, and wrong, at the last Pack meeting, and gives you time to plan ahead for the next one. There is no BSA rule against a person registering in more than one Pack. Does the CM have sons in both Packs? While it is not against any BSA rules for the wife of the CM to also be the Pack Treasurer, it is generally not a good idea as it skirts the checks and balances you would have when the Treasurer is not related in any way to the CM, CC, or COR. Did the CM say why he wanted the Bear leader removed? What did the Bear leader do? What did his den parents do/say? Who is your Charter Organization(CO)? What does the head of the CO, and/or your Charter Organization Representative(COR), have to say about this? Bottom line is that a "vote" is not needed to either fill positions, or let a volunteer go. However, a CM can NOT "hire", or "fire", a Pack leader. Only the Committee Chairman, the COR, or the Head of the CO, can do that. You said that you have 8 people who are willing to register, and help with the Pack. What skills do they have? What positions do you feel each would be the best to fill? Would one of the 8 make a good Treasurer? How about a good Secretary? With the CM's wife also taking on the role of CM for a different Pack, I would think that having the position of ACM in your Pack would be plenty enough extra work for her. Do you have an Advancement Chair? How about a BALOO trained Camping Chair? Summer Event Chairs? Fundraising Chair? Make up a list of the 8 volunteers you have, and 8 positions that you feel they would do a good job at. Get together with your COR. Find out first if the COR had any knowledge of what the CM was planning with the Bear den leader. Find out if the COR, and the CO will back you in bringing back the Bear leader (if he has not already pulled his son, and himself, out of the Pack). Then talk to the COR about positions for the eight volunteers (keep in mind that you might need a new Bear leader). Get the COR's approval, and the approval of the CO, on ALL position changes (Treasurer/Secretary), and new positions. Get together with the CM and talk to him about why he wanted the Bear leader gone. Let him know that both you, and the COR want the Bear leader to continue. Talk to him about how you feel his wife is taking on more than she can handle, and how you want to spread her added responsibilities around to others. Then call all of your registered Pack volunteers and invite them to a Pack Leaders Meeting. At this meeting, make it plain to EVERYONE that YOU are in charge of, and leading the meeting. Discuss the personnel changes you have in mind. Once again, there is no need to vote. Just about everything can be settled, and a consensus reached, by a good, level-headed, discussion. But keep in mind, barring any BIG problems brought up, your signature, and that of the COR, are the ones required on the BSA Adult Application. It sounds like the CM has been running the whole show on his own, and is loath to give up any of what he perceives as his "power". You and the CM need to learn to get along, and work TOGETHER, not pull "rank", or push each other around, for the good of the youth in your Pack. You might consider calling your council and getting contact information on your District Commissioner. Your District Commissioner should be able to assign your Pack a Unit Commissioner to help you (or to help you himself).

HI! Welcome! Glad to see you are involved at the Cub level. Packs need a bit more of that as their turnover is usually rather high, and some experienced leadership is always needed. Just don't do to much. You don't want to burn yourself out! Tigers are G-R-R-R-R-E-A-T !! Does your daughter's Crew have a specific focus? Is your son looking forward to joining the Crew when he gets old enough? Happy Scouting to you, and your Scouts!

Ann, talk to other SM's in your area. You are not restricted to using only Scouts from your Charter Organization's Troop.

Keep in mind that Den Chief is an "official" Position of Responsibility for Boy Scout Advancement. There should be contact with the Den Chief's Scoutmaster also.

Not all places will let you have an open flame inside. Especially when there are young children running around, knocking into stuff. A clear glass/plastic, bean/bead, jar works just as well.

>>"EVERY Pack meeting I have to separate him (but that often means separating his grandmother WITH him, which means the other Webs are leaderless)."

Yep, a Cub Scout Committee meeting is really a Pack Leaders Meeting. To charter you need to register a MINIMUM of 1 Committee Chair, and 2 Committee Members. Your registered Charter Org Rep can also dual register as your Committee Chair (CC). With a registered Committee Member as Treasurer, a registered Committee Member as Advancement Chair, a registered Cubmaster (CM), and one registered den leader, you have met the minimum number of adult volunteers to be able to charter. You need to ask parents to step up to do things. They don't have to be big things (Committee Chair), or be registered. You said that over the summer you have planned a Pack outing for every other week (pretty ambitious for a small Pack with little help!). Ask a parent, face-to-face, to take on planning, coordinating, running, each one of those summer outings. It is only a one time event, so it should not be to complicated, or difficult, but it will get them involved, and take it off of YOUR plate. With so many single moms you most likely do not have any who pick up their kids after school. Most of your Scouts probably attend after school care of some kind. Would it be easier to reach the boys there for a recruitment talk? Invites do not have to come from you. They actually work better if they come from the boys themselves. We have had good success with the Scouts talking up Scouting to their buddies, and adults talking it up to their parents. I had one Tiger, and his single mom, recruit 2 more boys for their den from the Tiger's Park District Swim Team. You should know the other 5 families in your Wolf den fairly well by now. Are there any that seem to be really interested in the program? Any that work well with the boys, and enjoy doing it? Pick the one that you feel would make the best den leader, and talk to them face to face. Explain that you can not continue to do everything. Clearly explain the challenges. Tell them about all of the training, and resources, BSA, and the Pack, has to help them. Be able to counter any qualms they might have. If, that does not pan out, go to the next best one, and do the same thing. Folks are must more likely to say yes to a one-on-one request. Especially if you can offer them lots of help and backup. I noticed you said you had Scout accounts. How does that work with such a small Pack? Why are there monthly changes to the accounts?

Den Chief responsibilities - http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/ThePack/csdcf.aspx I would recommend that the Den Chief, and his den leader, attend your council's Den Chief training together. At the very least they should both take the online Den Chief training - http://scouting.org/Training/Youth/DenChefTraining.aspx

Information on the Pack Committee's responsibilities - http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/ThePack/pcomm.aspx http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/510-240.pdf Information on the Cubmaster's responsibilities - http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/ThePack/cmast.aspx http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/510-237.pdf Information on how to select Pack leadership - http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/510-500.pdf

You said that you have 1 Wolf, and 2 Bear Cub Scouts. How many Tigers, 4th grade Webelos, and 5th grade Webelos, do you have? It almost sounds like you have barely over the number of youth needed to recharter (5). Going to the members of your Charter Organization for leadership is a good idea - if they are interested. It sounds like they want the nice publicity of being able to say they charter a Cub Scout Pack, but do not want to do anything to make that a reality. Probably why their charter lapsed for 5 years! You need to get the head of your Charter Organization to at least find a new Charter Organization Representative for your Pack. Maybe one who will also consent to register as, and do the work of, the Committee Chair. Currently, with the registered adults you have, you will not be able to recharter. Of course your Charter Org might just register more "ghost" people to push the charter thru. However, that does not help your Pack at all. What you need to do to become a viable Pack is to recruit your heads off. That is the only way you will increase your volunteer pool, and your number of youth members. How large is the church? Does it have any young families on its roles, or are the members mostly older, with no young children any more? How many of your Pack families are members of this church? If the church has youth members, you can start your recruiting efforts there. Be visible in the church. Do service projects for them. Hold your Scout Sunday service there. Ask for their help in getting your Scouts earning their Religious Emblems. Ask if you can put up fliers advertising your Pack. Put Pack notices in the church newsletter. School recruiting can be touchy. It depends on what the School District, and the school's principal, allow. Many public schools do not allow any recruiting of any kind in school. Getting an in-school boy talk, and recruiting is what your District Executive is currently trying to put together. Keep your fingers crossed this will work. In the mean time - Can your son (and the other Cubs) pass out invites to classmates? Do you, and the other Pack parents, ever talk to any of the other parents at school, or Park District, functions? Have everyone talk up your Pack to other parents at every opportunity. Have all parents, and Scouts, personally invite 1 or 2 (at least) boys, and their parents, to a fun Pack activity. Use your local newspaper. Put in recruitment notices in the Community Events section. Get a reporter out to take pictures, and do a small interest blurb of a Pack event. Put up fliers in your local library. Ask the library if you can put up a display on your Pack, and it's activities. You asked who our Packs use for Committee Members. In my Pack, most of the jobs on the Committee are usually done by den leaders. We also have some former Pack parents who have stayed active with the Pack when their sons moved on to Boy Scouts. Even though the den leaders are on the Committee, we are not really hurting for volunteers. All dens have at least 2 registered leaders, and some have 3-4. We also have great parents who help out in lots of different ways.

Just as the old Wood Badge was more program focused, with separate courses for Cub, and Boy Scout, leaders, so was the old Junior Leader training (Junior Leader Training Conference) more focused on the Boy Scout program specifically. NYLT is, like the current Wood Badge, focused more on leadership skills that can be used by any youth (Boy Scout or Venturer) in a leadership position. Has anyone sent any of their youth members to NAYLE training at Philmont?

>>"It is my understanding (and I believe it is stated up front in the G2SS document) that the language in bold face type is policy that must be followed."