Re: Pack Organization & Bylaws
Bobbie Beatson (bbeatson@CAPE.NET)
Mon, 17 Aug 1998 22:15:24 +0000
Steven,
Started this message (actually almost finished it) once and my browser
locked up on me. Let's try again....
I was/am in the same boat. At our Pack graduation in May, the old (read
that burned-out) Cubmaster handed over the reins to moi. At that
meeting I also lost the Committee Chairperson, Treasurer, Awards
Chairperson, Summertime Chairperson, Tiger Cub Coach, etc.
I found a wonderful list of Leadership positions fully outlined at Pack
215's Cub Leaders Virtual Handbook.
http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/home.html I downloaded the Leadership
roles and responsibilities, printed them out and put them in a report
binder.
>From there I made two lists. One included all the Leadership positions
(Committee Chairperson, Treasurer, Awards Chairperson, Cubmaster, Asst
Cubmaster, etc). The other contained all the one-time Committee Chairs
and positions (Blue & Gold, Popcorn, Family Fest, Outings, etc.). I put
the Leadership Committee list in the binder with the Leadership roles
and since I didn't have "Roles and Responsibilities" for the other
Committee list, just put it in another report cover.
A week before our Pack Planning Meeting (held earlier this month) I
called all the leaders, and asked them to call all their parents and
invite whoever wanted to come to show up. We had about 8 people show up
(out of 45 active Scouts). I pulled out the lists while everyone was
gathering and asked for volunteers. Everybody signed up for something.
A week later we had our "Back to the Pack" party. I welcomed everyone,
talked a little about our summertime activities, then mentioned that we
were a Parent-run Pack and that the leaders work hard but it always
seems to be the same ones volunteering. I told them we couldn't do it
all and so that the current leaders don't get burned out I had these two
lists of volunteer positions. I also told them that each family was
expected to sign up for at least one position. I put the lists on a
table in the corner of the cafeteria and didn't pay any more attention
to them till the end of the party.
To my surprise, almost all of the positions were filled. Although I
didn't get a Committee Chairperson I did get a wonderful Asst.
Cubmaster. I'll take the lists to the first Pack meeting next month and
if I don't get the rest of my positions filled then, I'll start calling
parents and asking what they'd like to sign up for.
I figure the worst they could do is pull their son out of the Pack, but
don't think that will happen. The best thing that can happen is that
I'll have a full committee. I think I'll take the chance.
> 1. How does the committe work? Who gets a vote?
>
Most Pack business is conducted at Leaders meetings. At past Leaders
meetings, whoever showed up had a vote. I expect it'll work the same
way this year.
> 2. Does a written set of bylaws help? and who writes them
> and/or changes them?
>
There's a wonderful handbook at one of the Scout sites, but can't
remember which one! I downloaded it and made the necessary changes to
account for our Pack info. I passed it around at the Pack Planning
Meeting and everyone seemed to like it. I don't really think we need
bylaws at the Pack level, but the handbook lets everybody know where we
stand and what we expect. Great for new members of the pack. If you'd
like to see it I can send it to you as an attachment. Let me know.
> 3. How to best help new committee members fulfill responsibilities.
>
I think that past committee members (if there are any) are the best
answer for this one. Otherwise I'm sure there is someone in your pack
that can guide or help new committee members in their responsibilities.
Sorry to be so long-winded. Hope I've been of some help.
Bobbie Beatson
CM & Webelos Leader
Pack 732 - Palm Bay, FL
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
