Friday, February 19, 2010

Two Key Positions are Vacant! Please Help Fill Them!

Pack 195 has two openings that are crucial to the success of the Pack.

The first opening is Committee Chair. Our current Committee Chair felt that she just did not have the time to continue on in this capacity, while her husband is working out of state.

The Pack Committee Chair job is to:
- Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative, keeping this key person informed of the needs of the pack that must be brought to the attention of the organization or the district.
- Report to the chartered organization to cultivate harmonious relations.
- Confer with the Cubmaster on policy matters relating to Cub Scouting and the chartered organization.
- Supervise pack committee operation by
- Calling and presiding at pack leaders' meetings.
- Assigning duties to committee members.
- Planning for pack charter review, roundup, and reregistration.
- Approving bills before payment by the pack treasurer.
- Conduct the annual pack program planning conference and pack leaders' meetings.
- Complete pack committee Fast Start Training and Basic Leader Training for the position.
- Ask the committee to assist with recommendations for Cubmaster, assistant - Cubmasters, Tiger Cub den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders, and Webelos den leaders, as needed.
- Recognize the need for more dens, and see that new dens are formed as needed.
- Work with the chartered organization representative to provide adequate and safe facilities for pack meetings.
- Cooperate with the Cubmaster on council-approved money-earning projects so the pack can earn money for materials and equipment.
- Manage finances through adequate financial records.
- Maintain adequate pack records and take care of pack property.
- If the Cubmaster is unable to serve, assume active direction of the pack until a successor is recruited and registered.
- Appoint a committee member or other registered adult to be responsible for Youth Protection training.
- Provide a training program for adult family members.
- Develop and maintain strong pack-troop relationships, sharing with the troop committee the need for graduations into the troop.
- Work closely with the unit commissioner and other pack and troop leaders in bringing about a smooth transition of Webelos Scouts into the troop.
- Help bring families together at joint activities for Webelos dens (or packs) and Boy Scout troops.
- Support the policies of the BSA.
Essentially the Committe Chair's job along with the Committee is to Run The Pack!

As you can see this is an important position to have filled in the Pack, and I as the Cubmaster cannot do both jobs. I've been trying for a few weeks and it just isn't possible - despite the "cool, calm and collected" disposition I display at the meetings. LOL

The second position is Assistant Cubmaster.

The Assistant Cubmaster's responsibilites (as designated by the Cubmaster) are to:
- Help the Cubmaster as needed. Be ready to fill in for the Cubmaster, if necessary.
- Complete Cubmaster Fast Start Training and position-specific Basic Leader Training. Attend monthly roundtables.
- Participate in pack meetings.
- Supervise den chiefs and see that they are trained.
- Conduct the monthly den chief planning meeting for all den �leaders, assistant den leaders, and den chiefs to plan and coordinate weekly den meetings and pack meeting participation.
- Work with neighborhood troops that supply den chiefs and into which Webelos Scouts may graduate.
- Help inform pack leaders of training opportunities and arrange for them to attend training sessions.
- Work with the pack committee to develop and promote an ongoing plan for recruiting new boys.
- Work with the Cubmaster and pack committee on pack reregistration.
- Help with pack activities, such as dinners, derbies, bike safety workshops, service projects, etc.
- Work with the pack committee on outings to see that the pack and dens qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award.
- Participate in the annual pack program planning conference and pack leaders' meetings.
- Promote the religious emblems program.
- Support the policies of the BSA.
In fact having two or three Assistant Cubmasters would be ideal, allowing us to divide responsibilities. At least one Assistant Cubmaster should be able to replace the Cubmaster's position in case of an emergency. The Assistant Cubmaster is recommended by the Cubmaster, approved by the pack committee and chartered organization, and registered as an adult leader of the BSA.

Both of these positions are adult positions so the applicant must be at least 18 years of age. Also both of these positions require the holder to be fully trained, the good news is that you can get this training in one day in March - Saturday, March 6, 2010 by contacting Vicky Carswell: cubpack570@hotmail.com

If you or if you know of another adult in the Pack that would be great for either of these positions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank You

Monday, February 8, 2010

Cubmaster Minute

A badge in Cub Scouting is a piece of embroidered cloth. If you were to try to sell one of these badges, you'd find that it wouldn't bring much money. The real value of the badge is what it represents … the things you've learned to earn it … how to keep healthy, how to be a good citizen, good safety practices, conservation, and many new skills. Does your badge truly represent all these things? Were you prepared to meet each test at the time you passed it, or did you try to get by? Maybe you were prepared when you passed the test, but through laziness and neglect, you have forgotten the skill now. If this is true, then the badge you wear has little value.

Don't wear a cheap badge. Wear one that has real value… one that represents what you can really do and know.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A Lone Scout Leads the Way

Sometime during 1909, William D Boyce, a wealthy newspaper publisher in London England, during a stop in London on his way to the British East Africa for a safari, lost his way in the city. An unknown young man offered to help and lead him to his hotel. As was probably his habit, Mr. Boyce offered a tip to the young man who had come to his aid. The young man refused the tip, explaining he could not take money for doing a “good turn,” because he was a Scout.

Mr. Boyce must have asked questions about this organization as he was given the address to the Scout Headquarters. Later on a return trip to London, William D
Boyce went to the Scout Headquarters and collected information about the Scouting program founded by Lord Baden-Powell. Once back in the United States W D Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on 8 February 1910.

The Boy Scouts of American owes its roots to several groups, including Baden-Powell’s Scouts as well as the Sons of Daniel Boone formed in 1905 by Daniel “Uncle Dan” Beard and the Woodcraft Indians formed by Ernest Thompson Seton about 1901 to 1902. Even Baden-Powell based his organization on an earlier organization know as the
Boys’ Brigade formed by William Alexander Smith in 1883, who was influenced by the YMCA.

After the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated, they began to absorb the other similar groups, including the Sons of Daniel Boone and the Woodcraft Indians. W D Boyce included others in the Boy Scout movement to help it grow. That included Daniel Beard, Ernest Thompson Seton, William T. Hornaday, and James West. There was
disagreements among the principals and W D Boyce created the Lone Scouts of America (LSA) and the Rhode Island Boy Scouts, (RIBS). Joseph Lane, a member of RIBS started the Boys Life in 1911, which was purchased a year later by BSA. The LSA and RIBS were later absorbed into BSA. The RIBS exist today and the Narragansett Council of
the Boy Scouts of America.

No one may ever know who that lone Boy Scout was that dark night in 1909 who helped William D Boyce. But there is no doubt he was the match that struck the fire to the carefully prepared foundation that would become the Boy Scouts of America. As we look back, we must be thankful for that “divine spark” that continues to burn one hundred years later. Happy Birthday Boy Scouts of America, and Thank you Lone Scout.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Monthly Theme: Happy Birthday BSA!

It's time to celebrate with a big birthday bash: the Boy Scouts of America is 100 years old this year. Learn the history of how Scouting came to the United States. Find out about those who have given us this great Scouting legacy, such as Daniel Carter Beard, James W. West, Ernest Thompson Seton, Waite Phillips and W.D.Boyce. Let's play birthday games, make party decorations, and have birthday cake for our Blue & Gold Banquet.

Some of the purposes of Cub Scouting through this month's theme include:
Preparation for Boy Scouting. Learning about the history of Scouting helps Cub Scouts prepare for their next adventures as Boy Scouts.
Citizenship. Boys learn about the character of those who started the Scouting movement.
The core values highlighted this month are:

Honesty. Cub Scouts learn that when they are true and honest with themselves, being true and honest with others will quickly follow.
Faith. With family guidance Cub Scouts develop in their own faith.


Character Connections - Honesty

In the Pack: Explain Honesty and the activity. Do the same activity with 3-5 family members. Encourage families to continue activity at home to instill value at home.

In the Den: Know: Webster says: (noun) Integrity; truthfulness; sincerity; free from deception; trustworthy.

Practice: At beginning of each meeting this month, ask: “who had a situation this week where it was a challenge to be honest?” Boys share what happened. Have “Honesty Under Pressure” awards ready to hand out to all boys in den. Each week will probably increase. Boys will want to earn the award.

Commit: Boys fill out journaling page, committing to what they have learned about being honest.