NewCubDad

I'll ask the district for recommendations. It'll upset the happy pack leaders, but I don't care anymore.

I've ranted about the problems with my pack before, and buckled down to do what is best for the boys in my den. Patience and hard work will eventually make the hard wo

I've just returned from the monthly 'committee' meeting. Where I found out that the CO doesn't have an interest in the workings of the Pack and isn't interested (so the 'leadership' says) in helping out with popcorn sales, 75th anniversary activities, or pretty much anything else.

The 'leadership' is very comfortable in their rut. When I asked about interest in family camping (or even getting a gauge of interest in this from families) I was met with blank stares and the 'new guy' eye roll. I asked about 75th anniversary activities & the cubmaster didn't even know there was a national patch program for the 75th anniversary.

The cubmaster & CC are not fulfilling their leadership responsibilities (we're just volunteers) and the boys are missing out on much of the 'fun' things scouts could do because of this.

Basically, I've been in scouting 2 months and I don't see that staying with this pack makes much sense. The pack meetings are boring, there's no annual planning (so family camping, summer activities, winter camping, etc. are not even mentioned) and the parent involvement is zip.

So after looking over the forums I see that some might view my expectations as those of a 'Type A' personality that might not fit in well with scouting or any other organization.

I think I should shop around my area to see if there is a pack that has more interest in running a quality program.

Any thoughts?

Great suggestions, and I've actually used this approach a couple of times already.

The problem I'm having with it, though, is that there is such a "That's the way we do it" and "Those are just guidelines" mentality that it's not terribly effective.

I'm not trying to suggest that there is a blatant disregard for the firm rules of scouting - there are no Bobcat turnings, abandonment of Youth Protection rules, or drinking at meetings or anything like that.

It's mostly a culture of leaders who have been in Cub Scouts a while and are viewing the experience as an item on a resume. Either their's or their boys'. There's not much fire there and it's probably infected the parents to the point where they view scouting the same way.

Make It Fun doesn't seem to be as important as Keep It Simple. And you doubtless have seen postings from plenty of people who've seen what happens when the Fun goes out of scouting.

So I'll take the advice offered here - mount my assault on the fortress of boring (from the Den) and re-write the committee meeting agendas during the meetings. Hopefully there are others who'd like to see the Pack re-energized and will jump in, too. (think positive, right?)

thanks ScoutNut

The committee meeting isn't until 12/7, so I'll get a chance to address the CM's comment at that meeting. Hopefully in a diplomatic manner.

I'm not too concerned so much about undermining my position in the Pack. Being so new, I don't have much to lose. It's the attitude of the boys in the Pack, Den & family that I don't want to undermine. Ranting to them while trying to build enthusiasm seems pretty counter-productive.

Venting/ranting/complaining is done (for now). I'm focusing my energies on Den Meetings and plans for a guerrilla-style silliness attack on the Pack Meeting in December - with escalation to full-out silliness war in January....spread the news.

It's been brought to my attention that my last post may have been a bit out of line.

I apologize, my comments were a bit too direct and not cloaked in the flowery prose of an experienced correspondant.

I meant no offense or ill will towards any of you who took the time to respond to my questions and I'm certainly not offended or upset by anything that's been posted in response to my questions.

Again, thank you very much for your advice.

First of all, my rants are limited to this forum as I am in no mood to undermine my own efforts with my den, my Pack, and my son.

I've already started looking ahead & had considered asking to do my Den awards in the future. The advice received here is further confirmation that I'm heading in the right direction.

I also understand that we're not looking for military precision and things will not always (ever?) go as planned. But I think the "Make It Fun" part needs to at least be in the planning.

And yes, I did send an apology to the parents. I called each of them the night before and let them know that part of scouting 'Tradition' is to have the parents award the badges to their boys. I felt it was a bit of a letdown when they just stood there....And I made a promise that the same thing WILL NOT HAPPEN at the wolf ceremony.

Anyway, a new day has dawned!

I'm getting to know the other leaders & I'm bouncing program ideas, fieldtrip plans, and Pack meeting roles off them and getting helpful, if not enthused, involvement from most of them.

The CC actually found my application form and got it in the hands of the COR!!

I took some Univ. of Scouting brochures to the Pack meeting and someone actually took one!

So it's not all about the rant, but cripes, you gotta blow off steam sometime.

The continuing story.....

Last night was the Pack meeting. In the first 5 minutes the CM confirmed what I'd learned this week, no one in the Pack (other than the CM) knew the name of the Charter Organization. He then went on to tell the Pack and rant about the ACLU and their attacks on scouting - pretty inappropriate for a Pack meeting, I think.

After a while we got to the awards. What happened to making awards a special event for the kids? The CM called the Dens up, read the names off the cards, handed the awards to the boys, and sent them back to their seats.

We finally got to the Bobcat Badge awards and I'd arranged for him to call up the parents as well as the children for the ceremony and (I thought) explained that the awards were to go to the parents to pin them to the boys shirts. You know, to promote that family involvement aspect of scouting.

--Aggghhh - the guy muffed his lines and then proceeded to hand the awards directly to the boys without even slowing down for pictures to be taken.

I'm a little frustrated because I've got 5 boys new to scouting and I'm trying to generate some excitement with them & their parents. I feel like I need to apologize now...

I think I answered my earlier question - Yes, my expectations are too high for this group.

Thanks guys,

It sounds like I might have a bit of "Newbie" frustration combined with an apathetic leadership.

As far as implementing the program, I have taken steps to make sure we have an adequate meeting place, utilizing Progam Helps, the Leader Handbook, Monthly Roundtables, Baloo's Bugle, etc. for things for the kids to do. The parents are starting to sign off in the Handbooks, the kids are leafing through the handbooks by themselves and we're on our way.

I've also requested (a couple of times) a list of those who expressed interest in joining, but didn't join, for whatever reason. I'm also working to co-ordinate with other dens on fieldtrips and offering to have the boys perform songs, skits, etc. at the pack meetings that the other dens are 'hosting.'

So (I hope) I'm setting things up for a better experience - not just for our Den - but for others in the Pack.

One other thing I've noticed in reviewing the topics posted here is that our Pack doesn't appear to have the leadership structure that is needed. It seems that the only 'committee' around is the 'Parent Committee' that includes the CC, CM, the Treasurer and some DLs. Should I inquire at the council offices whether they are aware of this? or should I just keep plugging away at my Den and hope that things work themselves out?

It's tough to sit back when the number of scouts in our area is declining. Poor administration and a lack of planning & excitement at the leadership level doesn't help to attract and keep scouts (in my humble opinion).

Thanks again for your input

OK, here goes.

Last spring my son brought home a flyer for cub scouts. We filled in our information and returned the form to the Pack. No response.

Roundup came by and we attended the meeting at night. Apparently there was an expectation that the applications would be filled out completely and dues paid on the spot. Two days later, I received information about where to send the application.

Then we find out that there are 'too many' wolves in an existing den and a new den will need to be formed with the boys who signed up at the roundup. None of the new families has been in scouting and we were expected to select a Den Leader, Assistant Den Leader, and someone to track awards. With the threat of dissolving the Den, one family agreed to take on the Assistant Den Leader role as well as the tracking duties. After a couple of informal meetings (the leader was given the Program Helps & proceeded to use the Tiger program), I agreed to take on the Den Leader role and get trained so the program would take on some direction.

Since that time, I have had my adult volunteer application lost, been the sole Pack representative at the council roundtable, been to a "Parent Committee Meeting" where no parents showed and several Den Leaders didn't show, noticed that the Pack dues are a) higher than most Packs ($60) and b) not collected from existing members regularly.

I've also noticed that the Pack meetings aren't programmed so that each Den has a role, the whole thing is centered around a single Den each month. Since we were formed after the calendar was created, our Den has no roles in any of the Pack meetings this year. (Seems odd to me, looking at the Pack meeting guides & suggestions)

Basically, I don't know if this is typical of other Packs.

After doing my own research and taking the Leader Training, I feel like the outline for success as a Den/Pack is laid out pretty clearly and it appears that my Pack isn't really on board with the program. I kind of expected the Pack leadership to be more 'On the Ball' and involved with new leader training as well as parent involvement and theme planning. It feels like each Den is operating independently.

In short, are my expectations too high?