From: mwilson@orl.mmc.com (Mark Wilson)
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Subject: Re: What's the role of the Pack Committee Chair
Date: 31 Aug 92 23:40:23 GMT
Reply-To: mwilson@orl.mmc.com
Organization: Martin Marietta Orlando


In article 4792@linus.mitre.org, edelheit@smiley.mitre.org (Jeff Edelheit) writes:
>I am curious how different packs split the work between the committee
>chair and the cubmaster. 

The Cub Scout Leader's Handbook is the single best reference for your answer. I don't
have mine here (the text would be too long to post, anyway). I'll look up the page 
references if you want. Any good Cubmaster wouldn't be without this book. Mater of
fact, all Cub Leaders should have one (IMO).

>I'd hate to see the pack fall apart.

Most of us who have led a pack feel that way. Don't be too worried. If there is 
something good going on or even just started, someone will pick up the ball. The 
best thing for you to do is try to get a good start and to find an assistant who
will carry on. Most important, rebuilding will take some time. I've been rebuilding
a pack for the last two years and we're not out of the woods yet.

In article 23063@cbnewsl.cb.att.com, stank@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (Stan Krieger) writes:
>
>For the one year that I was active in Cub Scouts (5th grade Webelos
>Leader), the way I saw it done was that the Pack Committee handled
>all the support tasks, while the Cubmaster handled anything directly
>related to the boys.  

Basically, Stan is right. The Cubmaster is responsible for the Pack program and den 
operation. The Committee is responsible for everything else. The Handbook outlines
their specific responsibilities.

>The result was that the Cubmaster recruited the Den Leaders, while the
>Committee Chair recruited the Treasurer, Blue and Gold Dinner Chair,
>arranged for meeting space for the Pack meetings, etc.

Leadership recruiting should be everyone's job all the time. I don't know of 
any units that have all the help they want.

>>One final thing-  I personally believe that the Committee Chair should
>be given visibility because, to most of the parents and all the kids,
>the central figure is the Scoutmaster (and they don't even know about
>the Troop or Pack Committee).

The committee does it's work mostly behind the scenes. It's like being on the 
crew of a play or movie. The CM is the star and therefore most recognized. There
should be a special effort to recognize all those (registered or not) who help
make the Pack go. 

In article 17968@cbnewsk.cb.att.com, brick@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (robert.p.stawicki) writes:

>Hope this helps somewhat.  I am Cubmaster of 135 boys, my Committee 
>Chair was one of my Webelos Leaders.  

National policy prohibits adult leaders from holding two positions within the same
unit. The only exception is the COR, who may hold one other position in the Pack.
The commisioners should catch this at recharter. At the least, the council computer
might.

>We split up the work close to
>what follows:  I handle the internal Pack policies, training needs,
>den assignments, den problems, etc.  All are concerned with the 
>Pack membership.  My CC deals with outside events, e.g training
>courses, Council and District events and happenings.  

From a pragmatic point of view, whatever works is great. Perhaps you would consider
shifting the training stuff to the CM and the policy stuff to the CC. That would
bring the division more in line with other units and the handbook.

>We both set up 
>the Pack calendar (I know that we should have a committee do this,
>but fewer is faster for this meeting), and the programs initially.
>At our first Committee/Leaders meeting all is outlined and discussed
>with the other members of the Leadership and if needed, changes are made.

The CM and the CC may get together to create a proposed calendar, but the final 
calendar should be decided at the annual planning meeting. The annual planning
meeting should include as many registered leaders as possible and, especially,
the COR. The pack calendar should consider the Chartered Organization, Council
District and local school calendars.

>I do not have seperate committee and leaders meetings.  My experience
>has been that everyone has input.  In this manner, all of the members
>of the Leadership feel important, and no one is told what to do.

Although everything from national calls for separate meetings for the committee 
and the leaders, I agree with this approach. Not only do you get more input,
but you don't have to repeat everything and there is one less meeting on the 
schedule (and who needs another meeting?)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Wilson 
Eagle Class of 1974
SM, Troop 565, Deltona, FL 
also CC, Pack 565, CM training award, Cub Scouter training award, for
what it's worth.
Newsgroups: rec.scouting,alt.discrimination