Cubmaster-Fred

BW,

First I wasn't commenting on your advice about combining dens, I was commenting on your last statement:

"The bigger question is how did the pack get into this situation. There are probably bigger problems here that need to be addressed."

This reply had nothing to do with the topic either.

As far as you stating I have a problem with the way I recruit, I take this personal because you have no unearthly idea how I handle recruiting. You apparantly don't know what warning signs look like, because I have a very strong program that does most of the recruiting by itself. I also stated I have 3 active Tiger Cubs, I currently have 7 Tigers in the den, but with football and the necessity for an adult partner, I only have 3 active. (active meaning they have attended 90% of everything so far)

Fred

BTW Bob, you should try staying on the topic.

You can combine and feel free to do so that way each boy gets as much out of the program as possible.

BW, I can't find any reference in the post about losing boys or any such situation. My question is why would you say that there is a bigger problem. They stated it was a small pack, so how can you insinuate that they have a problem other than they want to combine dens?

Fred

PS: BW, any time anyone talks about having a small group or losing people your answer is that they have a problem or are not putting on the program properly. You need to rethink your philosophy on these things. I currently have 3 active Tiger Cubs and it has nothing to do with the program or the way things are run.

JMHO but sounds like no planning and no program.

I have never had a pack meeting go like you described, not even the first one of the year.

My first one is Monday and we have games, awards, skits and more on tap for the evening.

Fred

Bob,

We sold candy bars ($1.00 a bar) and sold over 2,000 bars. The unit gets .50 from every sale, that equates to 50% profit for the unit.

We sell popcorn to do our part, but it is not our fund raiser. We don't push it and let the boys sell what they can.

What I don't agree with is rules that change for the popcorn every year. Last year and this year if the units sell up to what they did last year they get 30% profit not 33%. After the unit sells 15% more than last year it gets 33%. This is just plain wrong and council doesn't see it.

Fred

If you want to try the candy bars I can set you up the contact for the $1.00 bars.

The other night at the Webelos meeting the boys made bead flags to be handed out to people they thought were good citizens. While the boys were putting them together we talked about the flag, its history, how to display it, how to respect it, when to fly it, etc....

When we finished we practiced folding the flags and then as our game/activity for the night they split into 2 teams and were asked questions about the flag and other citizenship questions. Correct answers helped you move closer to the finish line, you get the picture. The boys got almost every question correct, I could not believe how much they retained. The best part was they had fun and said they could not wait until the next meeting to try the game again. Of course there was the obligatory " we are gonna beat you next time".

With a little bit of thought and time, you can make anything fun!

Fred

They also cannot wait until they get to tour the court house.

Yes the requirements are much like school work, but it is all in your presentation of the requirements. I am currently helping run the Webelos I den and we are aorking on this badge.

We have spent 2 meetings on the American Flag. You would be suprised at how much fun the boys had learnign everything there is to learn about the flag.

We are going to the County Judges office in 2 weeks and after a tour of the court room he will be discussing what it takes to be a good citizen with the boys.

Some of the requirements the boys already know, quiz them as part of a game, and if they pass don't spend anymore time on the requirement.

We are not finished yet but so far the boys are having fun, and learnign something new.

As for the Fitness badge, well I'll let you know in January when we work on that one.

Fred

As has been stated several times:

Cubmaster - program

CC - business end of pack

Fred

Jerry,

I agree with BW in that you should get the CO involved in this.

But I also know that the CM is responsible for delivering a quality program, and after a pack gets to a certain size, it does put a strain on the quality of the program.

If it is putting a strain on the program, feel free to look into getting another pack started in the area. Just get the CO invelved with tht eprocess by having them talk to the DE about helping to alleviate this problem.

Fred

I think that if someone wants to attend training they should never be stopped. BW no one stated that they were going to do Den level and Pack level jobs. It does not hurt to have the training. As was stated you don't just want one person BALOO qualified anyway. Just because you take the training does not mean you are necessarily going to be the one who plans the outing.

Not only that but you want someone to take the BALOO training that is willing to go on the pack overnighters. You can never have enough training.

And in your words, BW, everyone should attend training.

I am the PAck trainer and am having a BALOO training in the coming weeks. All registered leaders in the PAck will be BALOO trained. This will only enhance our program no hurt it.

YIS

CMF

How has everyone elses recruiting gone?

We did ours tonight and got 10 new boys, and 1 application that should come back in a few days.

Fred

Well I got myself in to the Cub Scouting mood, and gave myself the old its for the boys speech and managed to get to the recruiting that the DE was doing (of course I also brought Carol along). I was indeed 20 minutes late but I got there. As I arrived several parents were in the process of leaving and I invited them back inside. I gave a quick this is what we do speech followed by the I will contact you in the coming days to visit and answer all your questions talk.

I am glad I changed my mind because we now have 10 new Cub Scouts (3 Tigers, 2 Wolves, 4 Webelos I and 1 Webelos II). The DE was just collecting money and applications and basically gave them my phone number, that was it. They now have met me and have seen we have a true interest in thier boys.

She also informed me that from now on we would be doing our own recruiting. We have been running a proactive recruiting plan all year round and have shown results on a regular basis. I am glad she has decided to help and not run.

Fred

Eammon: as far as I know we don't have a District Committee. On the District level I think we have a Cub Scout RT commish (me), a Boy Scout RT commish and a DE.

And I think we might do the fishing thing anyway!

Welcome, and let me get in on the hug before its over.

Fred

Welcome back! and a big hello from Texas!!

Fred

How involved do your DE's get as far as recruiting?

Our DE contacted the Elementary School here in town and arranged a recruiting night without contacting the Pack or anyone in it. She has sent out 2 flyers and our unit number and contact phone numbers are on neither. By doing this she has caused us to postpone our "Fishing for Cubs" night that we were planning.

Fred

Welcome, fromt he big state of Texas.

Fred

Welcome and congratulations

Fred

We follow the BSA themes for the mosat part. Certain times of the year we wander from them (an example is October). In October we have our annual Halloween costume contest at the Pack meeting. It is usualy judged by a local VIP such as a police officer, Fire Chief, or just a boys Grandmother.

Let the themes tie your month together but don't let them dictate what you plan to do.

Fred

We do the snacks after the meeting. When we do them we try to do something in line with the themes.

We meet on Mondays at 7pm. Haven't had a problem yet.

Fred

I also would not serve food at the Pack meeting. We do snacks occassionally but save the food for B&G. This just adds to much to the meeting.

I do not know what time your meetings start but try adjusting the time if you are having trouble getting boys there.

Fred

I agree with Bob, don't add ant requirements. First you can't change the requirements and second why would you want to.

If you want them to get the training then get them to commit to it. As one of the Districts trainers, I try to have treining often enough that everyone gets a chance to go.

Fred

Welcome back, from another who came back 2 years ago.

Fred

Hello from across the pond. It will be great to hear how things are in England.

Fred

Welcome from Texas, to a fellow scouter and EMT!

Fred

A big Texas welcome to ya!!

Fred

As Carol statd this last year we added games, and boy has this worked out great. This coming year I plan on adding cheers and possibly soem fun awards to be given out.

I usually break up the meeting using the games and skits. Each month the opening and closing ceremonies rotate through the dens. Each den is also responsible for a skit each month. Some dens sing a song others make up a skit or put on a demonstration. This last year the Webelos put on a mini majic show and also told jokes on night.

We give out a door prize each month that relates to the theme. I get a younger brother or sister to pull the name out of the hat.

I use elaborate ceremonies for the rank advancements, and will be adding props to them this year. For the other awards I give an explination and present them.

Don't forget the drinks and snacks.

This works for us and I am always looking for ways to make it better.

Fred