Jump to content

infoscouter

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    694

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Posts posted by infoscouter

    New UC to a troop down to 4 members

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted

    Annie - have you seen this month's Navigator? Unfortunately, they don't have the new one up on the web site yet. But there's a feature in there about there about "mentor" troops. Basically the idea is that an established troop helps a new or struggling one. Don't know a thing about how this works or how you go about setting one up.

     

    I do know that we're doing something similar for the reconstituted troop I'm serving. A couple local troops are lending us troop guides, and providing advice to our leaders.

     

    This might be a strategy you want to suggest.

    Committee and Parent postions?

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    Sorry for the bum link. I'm usually better at that stuff, but I didn't drill down all the way to the actual publication. I should know better.

     

    I agree about asking Den Leaders. Hopefully, they've gotten to know the parents in their dens. They should have had a couple den adults meetings by know, and learned who follows through, who has absorbed enough to actually sign the boy's books, etc. Through conversations, etc. they should know people's professions, interests and maybe some skills.

     

    Combine that info in a brainstorming session with the Parent and Family Talent Survey Sheets at a Pack Leaders meeting. Make of list of your "mission critical" open jobs and then throw out names of people who might be appropriate for that position.

     

    Time is coming up for your annual Pack Planning Conference. This is an ideal time to schedule a longer meeting and work on some leadership issues.

     

    If you have a Pack Trainer, this would give that individual the summer to do Fast Start with the newly recruited leaders.

     

    As a training chair, I always wonder if we should do more training in the summer. I don't know how many leaders would attend, but it strikes me that they would have more time when the press of pack programming isn't as intense.

     

    Oh, and rjscout, I'm a her. I know my screen name isn't helpful and you can't tell, and that's one question I don't think the profile helps with.

    Committee and Parent postions?

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    Last one. sorry. Can you tell this is a passion of mine?

     

    I can't emphasize enough how you have to do a sales job for this. Parents have changed. People don't automatically volunteer. It is harder and harder to do this (believe me, 18 years of experience informs my post).

     

    If you (or another leader) stands up and moans and talks about how hard it is to do this with so few people, and how the pack is going to die if we don't get enough volunteers, you're just going to drive them to another pack.

     

    Demonstrate how much fun you have. Talk about the skills you've learned that translate to your job. Talk about the fantastic opportunity you've had to spend time with your son. You have to emphasize the WIIFM (What's in it for me) factor. Talk about how they are missing out on valuable experiences by avoiding helping.

     

    Choose some one to be your spokesperson who is enthusiastic about Scouting, loves the kids and the program, and can really communicate what the pack needs.

     

    Good luck - and come back and tell us how things go.

    Committee and Parent postions?

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    O.K. - part 2

     

    Have you heard of the National Parent Initiative?

     

    This is an effort to educate and involve parents in Scouting.

    They have a web site: www.scoutparents.org

     

    You will find resources there that you can use to educate parents about why being involved in Scouting is important.

     

    They have brochures, etc. that you can download. You can also order some of this material.

     

    You might also want to see if you DE can get you some copies of

    "Cub Scouting . . . Time Well Spent" BIN # 02-342.

    http://marketing.scouting.org/research/outcomes/02-342.pdf

     

    You asked about jobs parents can do to contribute. In your Cub Scout Leader Book there is a chapter on Family Involvement (ch 5). You will find info on how to involve parents in the pack, and a list of "Ways parents can help Cub Scout Packs"

     

    Many of these are small jobs. Small jobs are the best way to start parents volunteering. Many people who started out coordinating a field trip or bring snacks end up as committee chairs or den leaders.

     

    Finally, we tell all our recruits up front that their application could be rejected. This is from our Pack Handbook:

     

    Volunteer Standards

     

    Pack 512 appreciates all of those who want to volunteer. Unfortunately we cannot accept everyone who applies. All volunteers must complete the Boy Scouts of America Volunteer Application prior to serving as a volunteer.

     

    Den Leaders and other volunteers who work directly with the scouts must complete both the BSA application and Pack 512s Application and Background Check. Pack 512s application authorizes the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to provide extended criminal background information.

     

    The Boys Scouts of America and Pack 512 have high standards that determine who is eligible for leadership. The goal of these standards is ensure the safety of the Scouts. As parents, we want you to be confident that adults who are working with your sons are providing a safe and well-run program. To make sure this is the case, all registered leaders attend Cub Scout Leader Training and Youth Protection Training.

     

    Once Pack 512 has received the application, Pack 512s Chartered Organization Representative will perform background and reference checks. Based on this information, the application is approved or denied.

     

    Applicants may be turned down or removed from a volunteer position based on any of the following reasons:

     

    1.Information contained in their Criminal Background report.

    a.Any Crime Listed as a Felony or Gross Misdemeanor.

    b.Any Crime prohibiting the applicant to work in childcare, health care or volunteer position within the Anoka Hennepin School District.

    2.Failure to meet the qualification standards of the Boy Scouts of America, the Northern Star Council, or Cub Scout Pack 512.

    3.Bad chemistry of the applicant with the pack. (One who cannot get along with others.)

    4.Being a poor team player. (One who prevents others from being effective.)

    5.Inability to serve in their position effectively.

    6.Failure to complete leader training within one year of registration.

     

    Those who cannot serve as a leader or work directly with the Scouts, may still qualify for other positions within the pack. All applications will be handled in the strictest of confidence.

     

    This way we avoid sticky situations such as the one wingnut described.

    Committee and Parent postions?

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    Explaining that you need help is great. What you really need to do is *sell* these people on the incredible opportunity they have to be involved in their son's life for what will be only a short time. These are precious years that are going to fly away from them with a blink of an eye.

     

    This has worked for us in the past:

     

    Adding machine tape Time Line demonstration for Join Scouting Night

     

    You need an 8-10 foot long piece of adding machine or calculator tape.

     

    Mark off the tape in ten year increments with 0 at the left end and 100 at the right. Use large numbers so parents can see from the audience. Roll the tape back up, so that the 100 is in the center.

     

    For the presentation you will need two helpers to hold the tape in front of you so you can point at various points on the tape.

     

    Start out saying:

     

    With the current advances in medical technology its very likely that your son will live about 100 years. (Have your helpers unroll the tape in front of you, so the whole time line is visible.) "Here's a time line of his life."

     

    If you're 35 now, statistically, you'll likely live until you're 75 or so, when your son will be about 50." (Rip the tape off at the 1/2 way point and hand the end to your helper. Let the other half fall to the floor -- very important dramatic effect). "This represents the years you and your son will

    have together in his lifetime."

     

    "And he's probably about 6 or 7 now." (Rip of the tape slightly below 10 and let that piece fall to the floor. Hand the end to your helper). So here's the time you have left together.

     

    How old do you suppose your son will be when he goes away to college (or you decide its time for him to be out on his own)? 18 - 20? (Rip off the tape someplace in this vicinity. Let that chunk fall to the floor. Hand the end to your helper). This is the amount of time you have left with him at home.

     

    When he's about 13 - middle school age - his friends start to become a much bigger, maybe the major, influence in his life." (If you can - assuming you have teenager - make a comment about how you know this from experience.) (Rip off the tape someplace in this vicinity. Let that chunk fall to the floor. Hand the end to your helper).

     

    (Take the very short piece of tape from your helpers and hold in it front of you, and thank your helpers.) "This is the time you have left to be the major shaping force in your son's life. You can show him how important he is to you by becoming involved in Scouting with him. Cub Scouts is a remarkable opportunity for you and your son to share a great variety of fun, exciting

    and positive experiences. Experiences that give you that opportunity to help him grow into an adult that you'll be proud to point to and say: 'That's my son - he's a good person.'"

     

    At this point I'd go on and say that you have a long list of jobs that need to be filled, but that you don't want anyone to volunteer for a particular job tonight. Explain that you want to fit the jobs to the best people, so you and the other leaders will be talking to parents over the next two weeks to fill the open jobs.

     

    By this point, you should have done your brainstorming and created 'target lists' of people who you think would be good for individual positions. Assign particular leaders to talk to particular people. Make sure they have adult applications, and have the recruits fill them during the recruiting conversation, if possible.

     

    O.k. I'm going to stop now, 'cause this is long, but I'll be back with another message with more info.

     

    recharter question

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    Leave the Scouts in the grade they are currently in (unless one or more of them is listed in the wrong grade). Leave their parents on the roster as Tiger Cub adults. This is from my council's Internet Rechartering Tips:'Rechartering Tips:

    1. Your on-line rechartering access code changes every year. Use the one on your

    packet.

    2. Use the tutorial and information guides provided on the council website to answer

    questions about the on-line recharter process.

    3. Rechartering Tips:

    1. Your on-line rechartering access code changes every year. Use the one on your

    packet.

    2. Use the tutorial and information guides provided on the council website to answer

    questions about the on-line recharter process.

    3. Leave the grades as shown. If a Scout is currently listed in the wrong grade, change

    only that Scout. The National system automatically changes all grades on June 1.

    4. Disable your Popup Blocker to allow all processes.

    5. Submit one check for fees due or indicate your funds on deposit in the council account

    should be used to pay the recharter fees.

    6. Keep all Tiger Cub Adult Partners. Exception: If you delete a Tiger Cub, delete his

    adult partner.

    7. Do not change a Tiger Cub Adult Partner to a Den Leader or other pack leadership

    position. You must enter the person as a New Leader with all their information,

    including the Social Security number from their adult leader application.

    4. Disable your Popup Blocker to allow all processes.

    5. Submit one check for fees due or indicate your funds on deposit in the council account

    should be used to pay the recharter fees.

    6. Keep all Tiger Cub Adult Partners. Exception: If you delete a Tiger Cub, delete his

    adult partner.

    7. Do not change a Tiger Cub Adult Partner to a Den Leader or other pack leadership

    position. You must enter the person as a New Leader with all their information,

    including the Social Security number from their adult leader application.

    Does your unit have by-laws

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    "By-laws" is a misleading term for what you're seeking. By-laws govern the leadership, ownership and governance of a municipality or corporation. Since the BSA's corporate bylaws cover all of that for us, writing your own "by-lawss" is redundant.

     

    However, unit policiies regarding operational issues are suggested by the Cub Scout leader book. You can see an example of our (dated) parent handbook by visiting

    http://www.pack512.org/handbook/2006-2007/PackParentHandbook2006-2007.doc

     

    Scroll to the last two pages for our policies.

    Most recent issue of rank books?

    in Cub Scouts

    Posted

    Once a year, (in June?) the Supply Division publishes something called "Library of Literature". It is a listing of all print and AV items available *at that time* from National Supply (so it doesn't include most BIN items).

     

    It used to be difficult to get your hands on, now they post it in the Customer Service Area of the www.scoutstuff.org web site.

     

    http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/images/pdfs/70-080E_WEB_Alpha.pdf (warning - moderate size file - if you're on Dial up, prepare to wait)

     

    Since it comes out in June - this is still last year's edition. There is a separate file that is in order by item # and another of AV items. Click on Customer Service, and then on 'Documents, Forms and Instructions'. Scroll down to Library of Literature.

    BSA Uniform Shirt "Made in China"?

    in Uniforms

    Posted

    It is a recent change - perhaps the last couple years. For many years people have complained about the cost of BSA merchandise. So, BSA bows to pressure, tries to find lower cost suppliers and we get pocket totems with lead paint, and people complaining about overseas manufacture! Guess "you can't please 'em all" is true in many ways.

     

    Another thing to keep in mind - much American textile manufacturing has shut down, and been shifted overseas. It may be difficult for BSA to find a U.S. supplier who can meet the necessary contract requirements, either in terms of cost or quantity or timely delivery. The plants that are left may not have the capacity to manufacture enough to meet our demand at a price National Supply is willing to pay. They may have had no option, but to use an overseas supplier.

    council policy on buying rank patches? or national?

    in Advancement Resources

    Posted

    This is the case in our council as well. The purchase of rank awards must be accompanied by an advancement report listing the youth which have earned those particular awards.

     

    The reasons are as the others have stated - the council needs accurate records, and this is the only way to ensure that advancement reports are filed. And unfortunately, some parents *would* just run out and buy a badge because they think their son has earned it.

    University of Scouting

    in Wood Badge and adult leader training

    Posted

    The spring semester of our University of scouting is coming up in April

    http://training.nsbsa.org/info/UniversityOfScouting.aspx

     

    Yes - we hold this twice a year, but we have over 24,000 adult leaders registered, so the training committee feels the need to offer many opportunities.

     

    My quibble? they offer basic training at this event. I don't think this is the right venue.

     

    What I'm proud of? You'll notice we're offering courses entirely in Spanish. This is the second semester doing this.

     

    I'm doing my best to be well prepared for the courses I'm teaching (one in the College of Commissioner Science and one in the Cub Scout PowWow). I hope to fit in attending at least one course as well.

    staffing the district

    in Council Relations

    Posted

    While "cold calling" business people probably would be unsuccessful and frustrating, networking with them would be the way to go. Who on your district committee is a member of Rotary, or the Chamber of Commerce or Lions or Elks, or . . . you get the idea. Your DE probably belongs to at least one of these groups. (I've found they are encouraged to join).

     

    Brainstorm with them about members of those groups who were Scouts, or have pro-Scouting attitudes. See if your DE can scan the community Friends of Scouting donor list for prospects. School principals/teachers? Church staff members? (not necessarily pastors, but assistants, youth ministers, etc.) Create prospect lists. Contact those listed and say "so and so recommended I contact you because you care about young people and the future of our community." If they bow out, ask them to keep you in mind, and suggest others who they know as potential members.

     

    The fact that our District chair was successful doing this has a lot to do with the fact that his family has been prominent in the area for years, he has lots of contacts by being active in local politics and government, and is a good networker. Like all skills, its not one all of us has. (For sure not I). If you have someone on the district committee who's good at this, use their skills to benefit the whole committee.

    Doing stuff with BSA units

    in Girl Scouting

    Posted

    On a macro level, our council has had success in doing joint Scouting for food. A couple years ago we had a mega Scout day at our local amusement park, both GSUSA units and BSA units participated.

     

    On a local level, we've never tried. There is a perception (I don't know the truth) that one of the local GSUSA councils wasn't BSA friendly. Since the reorganization (they are doing mega mergers) I don't know if there has been much contact - new executive at the GS council I believe.

    Feel like I need a cheat sheet to do District Committee Staffing training!

    in Wood Badge and adult leader training

    Posted

    Our new(ish) District Chair took the "recruit people from the community" idea to heart. He actually got people in these jobs. Now our challenge is to a) teach them about Scouting b) get them to really do their jobs. The PR chair is getting us ink.

     

    http://abcnewspapers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1991&Itemid=26

    http://abcnewspapers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1951&Itemid=26

     

    I have yet to see anything from the membership chair, but to be fair, there hasn't been much chance. The Finance chair did a good job with community FOS, and the family campaign was already well in hand. The rest of the jobs are filled with "double hatters" like me - unit leaders who are also doing district jobs.

     

    It took me two sessions and about three hours to finish the District committee staffing course. I didn't notice the "month" counter, so don't know how long that took.

    Centennial Quality Unit Patch

    in Uniforms

    Posted

    I know DEs who have their uniforms professionally laundered. This service is usually provided by a dry-cleaner, but uses commerical washers/dryers, not dry cleaning fluid. The dry cleaners have professional ironing equipment that makes the shirts come out looking beautiful.

     

    Personally, I wash mine. When I want to look great, I starch my shirt when I iron it. Spray starch does a great job.

×
×
  • Create New...