CM Decision-Help Needed

I am throwing myself upon the collective wisdom and experience of the
group. Help is needed here. I had the CM job "thrust" upon me last
month. I was asked to be an assistant CM and at the meeting where I said
yes to that job I was informed that the CM was quitting (immediately)
and that he would be over to my house and drop off the filing cabinet
and some boxes of stuff as soon as the meeting broke up. Sure enough, 20
minutes later I had a filing cabinet and 3 boxes sitting in the middle
of my living room. I know that this is not BSA policy.

I have been my older son's ADL ( Wolves) and DL (Bears). Boy # 2 is
starting Tigers this year. My husband (Mike) has been my assistant this
year and wants to take over as Webelos DL. He is also doing
Advancements. Boy #2 deserves the Tag-A-Long award for putting up the
hours and hours of meetings, discussions, den meetings, and family time
involved this year alone.

Mike and I are the only ones in the pack who have had any Scout
training. We have gone to CS Round tables this year and that, combined
with the training makes us look like we are really "into" Scouting.
Mike is already over committed (IMHO) with coaching AYSO soccer, helping
with Bible study at church, serving as an officer at the same, is a
member of the Gideons, plus DL & Advancements. He has taken vacation
leave to volunteer at both the week-long Webelos camping and the CS Day
Camp this summer. We are always the last house on the block to get the
grass cut, if you know what I mean.

We have had very little parental involvement with the den this past
year. Mostly because we have met after school ...at the school. The
sense that I have is that the parents think that is A-OK because they
don't have to do anything. We had only 3 pack meetings (one was really
a Christmas Party) and did a Pinewood, Scouting for Food, and
Bowl-a-Ree. All the aforementioned were mostly organized by myself, with
Mike's help.

There is no real presence in our pack from our chartered organization
or district comm. or exec. Because I respect the effort of volunteerism
I do see I will refrain from criticism of these folks.

I think this pack is dying in slow stages and I don't think I can do
what needs to be done. I have some physical issues and family issues
that I am dealing with. This is complicated. I am losing sleep over
this and fretting about it daily. My husband tells me that I always
rise to the occasion and that everything will be fine. His theme song,
no matter what is going on is "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

Thanks for you time, if you are still reading this. Any advice or
dialogue on the subject would be helpful. I will try to be patient for
now and not load that damned filing cabinet and boxes into the van and
dump them at the Council office. Wouldn't THAT be pretty :)

YIS,
Linda Bates
Pack 230, Sherrill NY
Land of the Oneidas Council

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