Cubbing 101: The Pack Committee - Committee Chair

This is Part 2 of the series of blog posts I am running on the Pack Committee to help new parents understand everyone's job responsibility within the unit. 

For our pack, our Committee Chair is also my wife which works out very well.  I suppose this works out because just like at home, she's the real boss.  She organizes the parents, leaders, and is the liason with the charter organization.  Here is a summary of qualifications taken from the BSA Website

Qualifications: Is at least 21 years old, subscribes to the Declaration of Religious Principle, and agrees to abide by the Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law. Possesses the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary to afford positive leadership to youth. Is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. Is a person of good character, familiar with organization procedures, with a deep concern for the pack's success. Preferably is a member of the chartered organization, respected in the community, who shows the willingness and ability to be the Cubmaster's chief adviser.
Responsibilities: The pack committee chair's job is to

• Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative, keeping this key person informed of the needs of the pack that must be brought to the attention of the organization or the district.
• Report to the chartered organization to cultivate harmonious relations.
• Confer with the Cubmaster on policy matters relating to Cub Scouting and the chartered organization.
• Supervise pack committee operation by
  1. Calling and presiding at pack leaders' meetings.
  2. Assigning duties to committee members.
  3. Planning for pack charter review, roundup, and reregistration.
  4. Approving bills before payment by the pack treasurer.
• Conduct the annual pack program planning conference and pack leaders' meetings.
• Complete pack committee Fast Start Training and Basic Leader Training for the position.
• Ask the committee to assist with recommendations for Cubmaster, assistant Cubmasters, Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders, and Webelos den leaders, as needed.
• Recognize the need for more dens, and see that new dens are formed as needed.
• Work with the chartered organization representative to provide adequate and safe facilities for pack meetings.
• Cooperate with the Cubmaster on council-approved money-earning projects so the pack can earn money for materials and equipment.
• Manage finances through adequate financial records.
• Maintain adequate pack records and take care of pack property.
• If the Cubmaster is unable to serve, assume active direction of the pack until a successor is recruited and registered.
• Appoint a committee member or other registered adult to be responsible for Youth Protection training.
• Provide a training program for adult family members.
• Develop and maintain strong pack-troop relationships, sharing with the troop committee the need for graduations into the troop.
• Work closely with the unit commissioner and other pack and troop leaders in bringing about a smooth transition of Webelos Scouts into the troop.
• Help bring families together at joint activities for Webelos dens (or packs) and Boy Scout troops.
• Support the policies of the BSA.

Cubbing 101: The Pack Committee - Cubmaster

We have several new members to our pack and one of the moms was asking me about who does what.  Sometimes I think we as scouters forget what it was like as a new parent.  I've been in the program since I was a boy so I know how things are supposed to look, even if I don't always know right away how to implement them. 

So for your benefit as well as mine I will start with my position, and gradually post all of them.  Who knows, maybe I will learn something too. 

A Cubmaster is a man or woman at least 21 years old, subscribes to the Declaration of Religious Principle, and agrees to abide by the Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law. Possesses the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary to afford positive leadership to youth. Does not need to be an expert in all Cub Scout activities but should be a leader who is able to communicate well with adults as well as boys. Should be able to delegate responsibilities and set a good example through behavior, attitude, and uniform. Should believe in the values and purposes of Cub Scouting. Preferably a member of the chartered organization. Selected and appointed by the pack committee with the approval of the chartered organization, and registered as an adult leader of the BSA.

The Pack program is planned by the Pack Committee, but the Cubmaster conducts the program. A typical list of responsibilities includes:

• Deliver a quality, fun, year-round program to the Cub Pack
• Conduct the program according to BSA policies
• Receive the appropriate training, including Cubmaster specific training
• Attend monthly Cub Scout Roundtables, to receive information about district and council policies and programs
• Carry out the Pack program with the support of the Pack Committee, including leading monthly pack meetings
• Carry out the goals of the chartering organization within the Pack program
• Work with the Pack Committee to recruit adult leadership
• Work with the Pack Committee to develop the Pack budget
• Guide, support, motivate, and inspire the other adult leaders. Make sure they receive training for their positions.
• Encourage the Pack Den Leaders to work toward Cub Scout Leader awards
• Encourage Webelos to cross over to a Boy Scout Troop
• Communicate with parents about the Pack program and help to educate them about the Cub Scout program
• Encourage family participation in the Cub Scout program
• Encourage the Pack to participate in service projects
• Work with the Assistant Cubmasters, delegating as necessary
• Attend and participate in Pack Committee planning meetings
• Recruit Den Chiefs to assist the Pack Den Leaders
• Incorporate traditional Scouting elements, such as flag ceremonies, skits, and songs, into the Pack program
• Encourage advancement and recognize Cub Scouts when they advance
• Coordinating the total Cub Scout program for the pack.

Sources for this article include

BSA Official Website

ScouterMom.com

Cubmaster.org

A fun activity for all ages - Edible Campfires

As I've mentioned before, we are a relatively new pack.  We haven't even been through our first recharter yet.  We have about a dozen active boys, so when we meet it is more like an uber-den, rather than several different dens.  While that set is rather cozy and we've all become close over the last few months, it can make planning group activities difficult.

We tried this activity at our last den meeting and it worked well at all the levels.  A special thanks goes out to Scouter Mom for the idea.  I'm not sure if she came up with it, but she was the last one to post it!

Edible Campfires

Ingredients

• Pretzel rods
• Pretzel sticks
• Chow mein noodles
• Shredded wheat, shredded (the full size type works better than the spoon size)
• Candy corn
• Red hots
• Yellow, orange, and red fruit rollups, cut into small strips
• Paper plates

Directions

1. Using the pretzel rods as logs, pretzel sticks and chow mein noodles as sticks, and shredded wheat as tinder, arrange the ingredients like you are building a fire on the paper plate.
2. “Light” the fire by adding candy corn, red hots, and bits of fruit rollups
3. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE for a printable version