Anybody had an attempted coup of the pack committee?

[David CO]

Thanks for the advice.  Just for some clarification, the committee has been voting in all the positions in the pack.  The committee voted in the new CC & secretary, the COR was not there.  From what we hear, the committee is also the one who voted in the new Cubmaster, though we did not witness this personally.  This is also the first year that we have been with this chartering organization, no idea why the change from the previous one.  

 

Generally we would have no problem just letting the committee do its thing, but it is starting to affect the den.  And if the new CC does get all the power she wants, we are worried about retaliation against both us and our den. We are very hopeful that the new Cubmaster will turn things around.  But also want to know if their is anyway to protect both our boys and ourselves (other than just leaving) if this goes south.    

 

Oh, your unit just changed CO's.  That explains a lot.  It is not at all unusual for a new CO to make changes in unit leadership.

[perdidochas]

Been doing the Den leader things since October.  The Wolf den leader and at the time pack secretary was pretty unpleasant since the beginning, trying to cut us out of stuff, not including us on emails, not putting our stuff in the newsletter, and generally trying to make sure we are clueless.  But we got our den on track despite starting late and an absentee cubmaster.  Weblos II now leaving and opens up CC and outdoor chair.  

 

Now, this group has been doing things in an unusual manner, mostly due to absentee cubmaster--planning pack meetings by committee, den leaders attend and vote on pack business, etc.  Anyway, wolf den leader gets herself appointed CC and another wolf parent outdoor chair.  The wolf den now holds 5 of 6 positions on the committee, and 3 of those are the same family (CC got 2 of her adult daughters put on committee last year, including 1 as treasurer).  We were concerned by this, but having den leaders "on" the committee helps balance it out.

 

Now absentee cubmaster is leaving due to a job move, and CC up and decides (is claiming that council is forcing it, though) that we are going to follow a more traditional model where nobody but the committee members get a say.  The committee (or should I say, the wolf den) elects a new cubmaster without even telling the other den leaders this is happening, and at the meeting the new CC supposedly tells everyone a version of that she is the boss and everyone is going to do what she says.

 

We had an assistant cubmaster that was not a wolf and was elected cubmaster, probably b/c CC thought he was going to roll over and take it like the previous cubmaster (a wolf parent was put in as the new assistant cubmaster).  Thankfully, it looks like he is not going to do that and is going to fight her.  Wants to expand the committee so every den has a represenative.  CC of course says new members are not necessary, despite the fact that literally her family has 50% of every committee vote right now.  I am almost 100% sure it is aimed at keeping us from joining the committee since we have demonstrated we will question her tactics.  As an Eagle Scout, an (inactive) arrowman, and having somewhat of a leadership position in the community, the CC has been hesitant to openly oppose our involvement.  Her modus operandi is instead to just keep us out from the beginning.  No idea where COR is in all this, have never even been able to get a name of who it is.  

 

Anyway, have no idea how this is going to shake out.  Would be lying if I said bolting had not crossed our mind.  But our den is AWESOME.  They are a great bunch of boys, the parents have been involved and supportive, and we have fun when the pack does not get in the way.  But we are worried if CC does get control.  An ineffective pack is different than one driven by pettiness and selfishness.  Add to that we are the only pack in town, and would have to travel to the next town over to find a new one.  Plus we hate the thought of abandoning the boys that couldn't move packs.  The Bear den lost its leader early in the year, did not get the support it needed, and went from 15 to 5 scouts.  Would hate for that to happen to the boys in our den.  

 

Any advice on this would be appreciated.  

 

Scouting isn't a democracy in terms of how leaders are determined.  The CC and the COR determine who the Cubmaster is.  The question is, what is bothering you about them? Are they planning events you don't like? Ask the Council who the COR is.  What den are you the DL of? 

[fred johnson]

Lots of good and bad advice here.  

• "Focus on your den"  ... Great advice.  Make it the best it can be.  If you don't like how the CC or others are running things, then don't volunteer to help at the pack level.  They can't force you to help at the larger level.  Den leader is already a big enough job.  Focus on making sure your den has a great experience and gets chances to camp, explore and have fun.  In a way, it might free you and your scouts up.
  • My only added piece to this is be extra gracious, polite and show caring.  A little grace and a smile can solve lots of problems. 
• "Scouting isn't a democracy in terms of how leaders are determined." ... Accurate per the rules and structure, but once it happens that way things are off the rails.  Committee voting on things is also not necessary.  IMHO, the best solution is working by consensus with the CC helping build consensus, soliciting ideas and opinions and healing wounds and growing relationships.  

• "Finances should not be in the power or one person or one family" ... Fully agree with this.  It is best if finances and responsibilities cross families.  A good way to counter act this is with visibility.  Who else is on the check book?  Who else can see bank statements?  Are monthly statements and transactions published?  

There are lots of quirky people and people with agendas.  

 

My advice is #1 focus on your den and #2 build friendships with everyone.  Unit committees always always always work better when everyone likes seeing each other.