ScouterAdam

They can be a JASM, Troop Guides or ask them what they want to do.

Here is the org chart for a Cubscout Pack on what's what.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/ThePack.aspx

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It's the BSA Training Teams Facebook Page. Apparently some of it was announced at the Annual Meeting. Info is trickling out... Atlest it's getting out. Now you know.

Once I found the Training Page, I watch it to see what they say. Plus, it's a great avenue to ask questions directly to the BSA and get a response.

We held a COR Training this winter. Four or Five COR's showed up. Last I have ever seen them. I saw a COR with the patch at Woodbadge. I congratulated him for being there. I was a Troop Guide at the time. He's a Beaver as am I.

I wish that more COR's would be involved. Yes, the can be at the District and Council Committee Meetings. It more thank likely shock the hell out of the regulars.

Why would you count Summer Camp? That is a Den based activity. The Summertime PACK Activity is generally a one day based event. Water bottle rockets, bike ride, hike, Disc Golf....etc

The Scouts should go to Camp and have it count for that. It cover the Cubscout Outdoor Activity Award, which you can include the Summertime Pack Events. Which, if you did it the way you are wanting to count is kind of double-dipping.

If you have 2-3 events a month, don't count camp.

All great responses. Yes, as Cubmaster for the Pack, it's the same.

All the Den Leaders press the parents via their emails and at Den Meetings.

I send out a Pack Wide email too.

I announce it at Pack Meetings.

We post it on our Google Calendar (which can be imported to their Smartphone that they all seem to be on).

It's also listed on a countdown feature on the website.

We have printed newsletters & emailed those too.

There is not much else you can do. They are a horse, the water is before them, it's their choice to drink or not.

Nice part is when they complain that they didn't hear about it, you can forward them the email communication saying...yes, we did!

I actually saw a Den Leader Knot on a Bear Cubscout last Summer at Camp. I asked him how he got it. He replied that he was the top Popcorn seller in his Pack & Den. So the CM (his mom) got it for him! I congratulated him for a job well done. Then went away shaking my head.

I will never tell a boy that he cannot wear that award. He took it as a reward for doing a good job. It's the Adult (his mom the CM) who was completely wrong in giving it to him.

I watched the Mom over the week we were at Camp and realized she was after knots/awards for herself. Very glad that I am not in that Pack.

I would say that if the Cubscout Leader/Committee person has gone to a Jamboree they are entitled to wear it.

Beltloops and Pins are great. They can be used within the Webelos program to get their Webelos Activity Pin. Our Council just had a STEM event for the Science Beltloop/Pin. It was put on at Intel by the Mad Scientist Company. It rocked!

I tell the boys (I'm the Cubmaster) that working on these are just like working on the Merit Badges as Boy Scouts.

I would so look into promoting this as much as you can.

I recently started up/announced a Cubmaster Hike program.

It includes: Geology, Wildlife Conservation, Map & Compass, Photography and Family Travel.

Hope that helps.

aahhh... yes. Late night posting error.

In 5th Grade, without earning the Webelos Badge, that Scout must earn the Webelos Badge and then the Arrow of Light.

"Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade (or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge." So, if he has earned the Webelos Badge, been active for at least six months and will earn the Arrow of Light as a 5th Grader and is 11, time for the Crossover and get to a Troop.

In Cubscouts you start Tigers in 1st, Wolves in 2nd and so on. There are requirements to be had. He is in the Webelos II program just playing the requirement catch-up game.

Cubmaster here, but we have ISA's too.

50% of what the Scout earns from any fundraiser (Popcorn/Wreaths) goes to the ISA. The other half goes to the Pack.

Dues for us is: $145. $95 if your Webelos II since your leaving in Q2 generally.

$45 is due upon Join Night each year. It pays for:

Fees:$15 for Registration, $12 for Boyslife (We don't give the option, they just get it.

School Gym Rental $18

December $100 is due for rest of year. If raised by fundraising, it's applied to ISA/Dues.

Each Den gets $$ for the year. Den's use it as they wish.

Pack pays for PWD & AOL/Crossover and other worthy Pack events from the %50.

If a Scout has any $$ leftover at the end of the School Year, it stays with him. If he leaves Scouting, money stays. If Scout transfers to another Scout Unit (Crossover/Transfer) and that receiving Unit has same system, they get money directly. No Scout will ever get $$ sent directly to them. It was earned/received as a part of Scouting/fundraising. Due to IRS/501 3c rules, a Scout is not an employee of the Unit.

So, that money is absorbed by the Unit and used for camperships, software, flags, books, or other needed items the Committee deems nesscary. (Notice I put Camperships first...Scouts comes first. No Scout will ever be denied. Also if the parent can volunteer, they are requested to do so. If single parent who works all the time, and cannot help out, we will understand.)

Thanks for that info. It's a lot. What I am really after is general documentation that shows how a CO "owns" the equipment/money of a BSA Unit. I know that Is there a site within scouting.org that has all this information.

Krier: Thanks for that info. Along with this thread and the numerous searches using this: "Individual Scout accounts" site: scouting.org and just google searches, I am finding that how you are doing it is about 90% of the time. I really have not found instances of ISA (Pack or Troop level) rolling $$ into a general fund at the end of the year.

There is a difference of the % of $$ being taken from the Scout's fundrasing and put into the ISA. Which to me, is fine.

YIS

Krier: Your on the right track. Let's say that within this ISA the popcorn money raised for the year gets generally used but there is some left over at the end of the Cubscout year. Would you roll that $$$ over for the next year into the general pack fund or leave it for the cubscout for next year. Where he would be able to apply it for dues/fees/ect?

FYI: This is part of me, the Cubmaster helping to hammer this all out.

That is my theory too.

However, let's skip the CO's involvement as ours really just signs the form so we can get a Den Leader/CM/CC/MC on the charter.

While the CO owns the unit, it's NOT really their money and it's owned by the Scout, themselves. Getting clearer? (That's my question...)

Guess I should be "clearer". The CO is not wanting to do anything with them. Terminology is being used within the Committee is "It's the CO's Money, not the Scouts". Also funds are primarily raised by Popcorn, so most is being raised by the boys. Yes, some parents are just paying the dues/fees via check.

Seeking info: Working off this old forum post:http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=169278

Does the CO "own" the funds within a Pack. Meaning, are funds raised by Cubscout are really the CO.

Looking for BSA policy/documentation.

I love the Journey to Excellence form.... Thanks for the idea for my course that starts on April 29th. YIS

I am on Staff for the Spring Course that starts at the end of April as a Troopguide. This will be my first time as TG. That being said:

1)It seems that every Course has similar but a tad different ideas about a Ticket.

2)A Ticket has 5 seperate things to accomplish.

3)Requirements of a ticket: Mine had to incorporate a religious one. I picked a Native American one. It ended up being a NA Flute, which then turned into performing an AOL/Crossover Ceremony. (The OA couldn't come, so my TG who was doing the NA Flute Demo whipped one up)

4)It was highly suggested this year by the VP of Training for the Council who came by that Training be a part of their ticket. He could not demand it, but highly suggested it.

Other comments:

Taking on the role of WDL/ ACM and on the Committee for both Troop & Pack, I am not sure if you actually have a day job. You can be on the committee as the FOS Chair and still go to Wood Badge. Your position really does not matter. Fully trained is everything except BALOO/OWLS/ITOLS trained. Next year in 2012, all top leaders need to be OWLS/ITOLS trained. IE CM/SM.

I would really look at what you want to be doing for your boys. Since two boys are in Boyscouts, one is currently in WII and in Boyscout's next year it would seem that Pack Committee would be just fine. You have another year before you have a Tiger. Once he joins, become the Tiger Den Leader and drop as Committee Memeber. Be on the Troop Committee. Become a Merit Badge Counsoler. Being an ASM means 3 meetings a month and outings. You have a simular agenda coming up as Tiger Den Leader. That's 6 meetings a month not counting Roundtable, Pow-wow, other Trainings, Committee Meetings. Which, if you did count, that's 9 meetings.

This is coming from a Tiger Den Leader (twice) and now as a Cubmaster for two years. Do not overload yourself. You will implode as well as your wife.

If you go to Woodbadge, and I hope you do, go as a Committee Member. You can affect both Units in a positive way. You can work on the Webelos to Boy Scout transition. Create a Den Chief Program within your Pack/Troop. You can work on Camp/Cuboree meetings within your District....work on native american/OA activity within the Pack. Create a Pack Overnight Program. If you set up these traditions now, they will be fully functioning for your upcoming Tiger. Plus his brothers will have a chance to get into the OA and be a Den Chief. This all affects how both units work together.

As to the training side: Take BALOO/OWLS/ITOLS and anyother training your Council/District provides. You will only know more about Scouting and will be able to help more than just your Unit.

YIS

Hello:

Great energy here. I was the Tiger Den Leader and went into being the Cubmaster. I am almost at the end of my 2nd year.

A couple of questions:

What is your role going to be next year if you are not Cubmaster?

Since you are trained in all the online courses, have you thought of going to Woodbadge?

Woodbadge would really help you and your vision for the Pack.

Camping: You really do not have to go camping. Get a Camping Chair and they can go. Just make sure that those who are camping are BALOO/OWLS trained. Unless the WHOLE Pack goes camping the only ones that really can camp are the Webelos.

Roundtable: You should go. You meet and network with a lot of people that can be used as a resource.

Unit Committee/Committee Chair: If your not a Den Leader this coming year, this would be a great position. The CC is a very powerful position and does a lot of behind the curtain work.

Back to Woodbadge:

I went to Woodbadge in 2009 and now on staff for Spring 2011.

Looking at your goals, some are attainable and others are farther out and others not realistic.

You said:"I also want Pack 254 to embark on the Journey of Excellence and strive for a gold medal! My vision for Pack 254 is to be known for the highest standards in the district and set the bar for all others in recruiting, retaining, and preparing our leaders and our boys! "

Looking at our Pack's stats for the past two years and we attained Quality Unit Award 2009/2010 I already know that we got Gold for 2011 in what we do. I highly suspect that the BSA will change the Journey Awards in 2012 so Gold will be harder.

Do you really want to be GOLD? To get Gold your Committee/Den Leaders have to be on board and share the vision.

Goals:

I want to see Pack 254 grow to at least 75 boys in the coming year.

Great: I would shoot for 10% each year. If you have a strong Tigers Group that will keep you going. Remember, you need Volunteers to be Den Leaders. Those are harder to get!

I would like to see our retention rate at 80% and achieve a gold standard of the Journey of Excellence.

If you have a program that gets them in the door and is FUN. They will stay. If it's not fun they will walk! KEEP IT FUN!

I would like to see at least 50% of our boys attend day camp.

Always good idea. See why they are not going. Do you have less than 50% now?

I want Pack 254 to participate and spearhead 4 service projects other than regularly scheduled scouting projects. At least one of these should be in conjuction with FUMC.

If FUMC is the Charter Org, then yes. The Unit should give back. However, what are the other regularly scheduled scouting projects? Scouting for Food, Goodwill Good Turn? The Unit needs to do BSA projects as well. Do not swap one for another or ad more on to them. If you add on or take away fun ones, then the boys/parents will walk.

Identify Wolf, Bear, and Webelos leaders by May 31st.

Do you NOT have these leaders already in place? I would work on Tigers Den Leaders. They are harder to get.

Have all leaders trained:

It is a requirement to have all those Adult Scouters Youth Protection Trained. If not, you do not charter.

That said, what do you mean by Trained? BALOO, OWLS, ITOLS, First Aid, CPR, ETC...

Complete a written budget and get input from chartered organization, parents, leaders, and scouts.

Hold a parents meeting and see what they want. Then figure out the budget of what is inportant. Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold, Crossover...etc.

Have 100% involvement in fundraising activities such as scout show cards and popcorn.

Increase popcorn sales 150%.

These last two are hard sells. Some boys do not like to sell. We have 38 boys in our Unit and only 17 sold popcorn. However, they did increase the sales this year. What's the goal with the fundraising? Send everyone to camp? Pinewood Derby, Family Camp, Blue & Gold?

You are a very well meaning person. But, I think your coming on too strong for the current leadership. Hence, they are a tad nervous. I would go to Woodbadge. Go to Roundtables. Go to other Council/District trainings. Get on the committee and watch and listen. I suspect that going through this process you can get some of your goals working.

Hope that helps.

Yours in Scouting.

PS: You will notice that I did not say anything about your health.

Like to see someone enforce that. Wear them. The boys earned the awards/patches. It's showing respect.

Since your using the Trail's End Popcorn model, it was split three ways between Unit, Council and Trail's End. If you went to a Kickoff meeting your unit got 35%. So, model the sharing that way. However, give yourself the larger % than the council since they did nothing to help. It's a donation to them.

70 to the Unit and 30 to Council.

I believe that the Council needs support since none of the registration fees/Boys Life money goes to the local council. It all goes to National. If you coordinate it with your FOS donation, that would great.

What By-laws? Scout Oath and Law are the Bylaws along with what National states. Yes, the CO can put on additional requirements on the Unit. LDS & Catholic Churches do it.

However what Moosetracker says:

All I can think of that could be construed as unwritten bylaws are the following:

We have known yearly things the troop pays for such as we pay for the admission price of all camporees..

Of the money in the scouts accounts they must use it for scout related events or items. (not to buy soda at the local store.)

Adults need to be fully trained per National in order to take on the role of SM or ASM.

Adults need to be fully trained per National for SM position to stay overnight on a troop event.

Troop will pay for adult training (all but Woodbadge) provided you attend the course (we don't pay if you register for it but do not attend.)

To me that's generally included Annual Planning Program that the Troop puts together. Some of these such as not buy Soda, Wood Badge Training can be in the basic understanding of how the Unit operates. But that would come down from the Troop Committee as Troop Operations...(ok, a tad like by-laws).

I mainly view By-laws as added rules to abide by. BSA/GSS have a lot to follow and just know.

It's only $15 for re-charter fees for the boy. $12 for Boys Life. It goes to National, not Council. The rest is up to the Pack to charge what they want to charge. As said by others, every Pack is different.

This year we started Indivigual Scout Accounts (ISA). Boys get what they sell from Popcorn in there. Upfront dues upon joining is $45. That covers registration, Boys Life, Gym Rental and Den Leader Registration fees. $100 is charged on Dec 31st for the rest of the year. $50 for Webelos. This basically covers rank badges and the like. Boys buy their books, slides, scarves & uniform. We do have extra items just in case a boy cannot supply it. We will NEVER let a boy not participate if the family has money issues.

Money that is leftover at the end of the School year in the ISA is swept into the general fund for the Pack. This will go to unforseen expenses, Summertime Pack Events and other items we need to use it for. We really do not expect a huge surplus but it keeps the pack going at teh beginning of the year before we have money.

I cannot answer about the Webelos money transition to Troop. We do account for the shortened year with their pack dues.

There should be a transfer fee of $1 for the Troop to register the Webelos. It's $5 in your case. From what I understand it's a Council based fee that does not go to National. (Could be wrong).

Overall, the dues from the Scout pays for all rank advancement material. If they cannot, then the Parents are told a head of time. (Again if the scout cannot pay they do not.) It is not right that a Tiger pays for the Webelos.

*If a scout is not able to pay pack dues, it is expected within our Pack that the parent will step up and be of service to the Pack. They could be a Den Leader, Popcorn Kernal, host Blue & Gold or any other thing. Point is they are giving back.*