Lisabob

Scoutnut, I understand that different units have different approaches, so what worked for me might differ than what works for you. I do know that in the units I'm familiar with though, the committee does expect to be aware of any special programs various leaders are organizing, preferably before the fact, and this includes the popcorn kernal. Committees want to be sure the programs run by chairs of this-n-that are in line w/ the pack's overall program and BSA principles - that's the committee's most important job. So yes, the committee could tell a program chair "no" if they wanted to do s

MBscoutmom, it sounds like what you have here is someone who would be happy to be your committee's round-up chair, or membership chair. There's some flexibility in terms of positions on the pack committee, beyond certain basics (CC, COR, and treasurer are "must haves"), so get creative if you need to but give her a specific title and a specific job while she's still excited about volunteering. After several months, if she ends up doing a good job and wants more, start talking about her becoming CC next year in the fall, while you're still around to offer advice (if needed). Eamon and

Thanks to everyone for your input. Lisa'bob A good old bobwhite too!

I have to agree with Torveaux. We joined a pack that did 3-5 fundraisers a year, each of which raised a couple hundred dollars. Given the time & effort, and bad feelings generated (why doesn't so-and-so participate, this person is doing all the work, etc..) it wasn't worth it. It was tough to wean them from some of these (they'd become the personal fiefdoms of certain parents) but we finally got down to just one - made more money, caused less stress, a winning situation all-around. We also found that if parents knew where the money was going they were more willing to support our f

Jaime, Congrats on becoming your pack's CC. This can be a really fun job. I did it for a while and loved it. Personally, I would have a problem with any parent, leader or not, organizing a show&sell event at a store without the pack's permission. In our area at least, there are many packs and troops who sell popcorn, and a limited number of stores to do events at. Consequently, to avoid major "turf wars" between units, several of the packs work together to schedule their show&sell events at different times/days/locations around town. Plus, we've all found that

Thanks everyone for your input. From the sound of it, the style of CoH's vary quite a bit from one troop to another. I especially appreciate the input regarding the kind of reception skits might receive from some of the boys. My kid is a total ham so that hadn't occurred to me. Anarchist, yes, I am talking about boy scouts, not cubs, and I do understand the desire to have a dignified award ceremony. However, what I've noticed at all 3 of these that I have been to so far is that the BOYS (and especially the younger boys, but not only them) seem bored too. They sit in chairs facing

I can definitely sympathize with all those parents who complain about the quality (or lack of same) of school lunches. My son started middle school this fall and when we went to the parent orientation night, the staff urged us to sign him up for the "standard lunches" option rather than the much more expensive a la carte option. Turns out "standard" means a choice of nachos & cheese, hot pretzle & cheese, or pizza. Who'd have guessed?! So he takes his lunch most days but still...the school hardly did anybody a favor here. Anyway I think scouting actually does a reasonable job

Welcome Robin! Webelos was my favorite part of the cub program. There are so many opportunities to do fun things and the boys are old enough that they can handle more challenging activities too. I'm sure you'll have a blast. Three things to add to what's already been said (and it is great advices!): 1) As you progress through the Webelos I and II years, start handing the boys more responsibility for various den decisions and even program management. You can start small but when they join Boy Scouts, if the troop really is "boy led" then they'll be making a lot of decisions

Hi everyone, I just joined the forum this week. I've been a cub scout leader with different hats for several years, mostly on the committee but I was a webelos den leader too. Last winter my son crossed over into boy scouts and I've stepped back a bit to just watch and learn, although I have agreed to sit on boards of review as a committee member (haven't had one yet though). One thing I'm learning is that Boy Scouts is really different from Cub Scouts. I miss the cub program - I think I had as much fun as the boys did! - but it is amazing how much I'm getting done in my own life wit

Welcome! Glad to see I'm not the only one from MI on here! Joining a pack during "restructuring" can be frustrating but it also means you'll have more say in building a program that you are really excited about, rather than inheriting a lot of "we are going to do it THIS WAY because that's how we ALWAYS did it" types of attitudes. So hang in there! About the Expense: Uniforms can be found fairly simply for less money online at ebay, etc, as well as local good will or salvation army stores. Or see if the graduating webelos scouts have old uniforms that they'd be willing to donat

I've been to three so far and - sorry - they're BORING. Having recently crossed over from the Cub program, I can't help making comparisons to pack meetings and I can't imagine holding a pack meeting that was all talk and no action. Is there room in a CoH for skits, songs, etc..? Or is this just the "cub parent" in me? Lisa'bob A good old bobwhite too!

If you are already a W2 den leader and planning to stay active as a leader when your son crosses over into Boy Scouts, have you considered taking Outdoor Leader Skills (OLS) for boy scout leaders? I know this isn't the usual route. But really, if you'll only be in the cub program a few more months, it might make more sense. In our council at least, people are encouraged to take OWL (or whatever the heck we're calling it today) at the beginning of the W1 program, or even as bear leaders, for just this reason. Besides, if you're going to do woodbadge, you may find having OLS is helpf

"Just be careful though, to walk a fine line between maintaining standards and becoming the "award police" if you get involved in a position like this. " Or what I should've said: "be careful to walk a fine line between delivering the program as defined by BSA..." I certainly didn't want to suggest anyone's own "high standards" should be substituted for the actual requirements. Lisa'bob A good old bobwhite too!

Does your pack have an advancement chair on the committee? This is usually the person who handles the record keeping for achievements and buys all the awards for the pack. If you've already had conversations with the den leader and nothing is changing, this is a good place for the advancements chair to step in. If your pack doesn't have someone in this position, maybe this is a place for you to offer help. I served as our pack's adv. chair so I saw this happen occasionally. My stance was to explain, very politely, what the requirements for an award were, and what the boy in question

Egads, drinking and Cubs. I served on a pack committee for several years where we had to address this issue a couple of times. Generally it was a matter of new parents not realizing what the rules were, and once they were (politely) informed, it wasn't a problem again. To try to avoid this, our pack came up with a 1-page handout we distributed to all new leaders and parents, outlining the basic do's and don'ts for pack outings (esp. campouts). Most of it was directed toward the boys and things like "please leave electronic games at home so they don't get lost or broken" but one or two thin

Now that my son isn't in cubs anymore he and I at a loss regarding what to do with all his "temporary" patches. No more red vest to put them on! I know he can wear one at a time on his right pocket but what do you do with the rest of them? Other parents/leaders in the troop have suggested storing them in a box but that's not much fun. I saw a post elsewhere suggesting they can go on the back of the MB sash but I'd think he would run out of room fairly quickly. Suggestions? Lisa'bob A good old bobwhite too!

I've had a couple of conversations with district staff recently about possibly serving as a Unit Commissioner. Before deciding, I'd appreciate some input from those of you who are or have been UCs. Specifically, what is the "real world" expectation in terms of the number of units typically assigned (yes I know the 1:3 guideline but I'm talking about reality), what units want their UCs to do (or not do) and time commitment. By the way my understanding is that I'd be working only with Cub packs, not troops or crews. Lisa'bob A good ole bobwhite too!