Family Involvement

Cub Scouting is fun for the whole family, but it is also run by volunteers. That means that a quality Scouting program is only possible if everyone pitches in. Involvement shouldn't be viewed as a burden though. Getting involved makes the experience more meaningful for your Cub Scout and allows you as a parent to be involved in their development in a unique way.

There is a place for every parent, guardian, or other caring adults who want to help. Often the challenge is not knowing how to help.There are all kinds of roles that need to be filled - those working directly with kids, those working only with adults, and those which are largely independent. Similarly, there are needs that require year-round commitments and needs that can be met by someone who can dedicate a bit of focused time without being able to commit to something longer term.

Helping

Being helpful is part of the Scout Law, a value we seek to instill in everyone. The best way to help is not to wait until someone asks, but by providing assistance when you know someone needs it.

When offering to help consider the following:

What things are you good at?

What do you enjoy doing?

What hobbies or skills do enjoy?

If you have not already been asked, you should complete the Family Talent Survey. This one page survey is given to a leader in your pack so they know what resources are available.

Any leader or volunteer in your pack can tell you how you can help the group. If you help by doing something you are good at you will find it rewarding and may lead you to becoming a volunteer.

Volunteering

Volunteering is another way you can get involved. Being a volunteer in the BSA means you have registered as an adult and have gone through an approval process.

Registering as an adult in your Pack lets others know that you are willing to go beyond just helping others but willing to take on responsibilities in the Pack. To serve in a volunteer position in Scouting requires an adult to register with the BSA.

1. Complete an adult application.

2. Complete Youth Protection Training.

3. The pack committee chair and chartered organization reviews and approves the application.

Not all volunteers work directly with youth. Many serve in positions that support those who do.

Leading

Being a leader means you are a registered volunteer that takes on a personal commitment to ensure that Scouting is being delivered in a safe manner, the way it was designed, and in a way that makes it meaningful to everyone involved.

Leaders take training for the position that they are in and continue training beyond position specific training, like Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) or Wood Badge. They attend local training events where other leaders share best methods.

Being a leader means you care about the Cub Scouting program beyond your current position. You want to see it strengthen and grow long after you and your Cub Scout have moved beyond the pack.

Leaders in Scouting find it to be the most rewarding way to spend their time and share their talents.

Roles and Descriptions

  • Positions Absolutely Critical for the Pack to Even Exist:
      • Committee Chair: lead the Pack Committee; coordinate annual recharter; enforce Pack Bylaws.
      • Cubmaster: plan and lead Pack-wide activities, especially monthly Pack meetings and special ceremonies; ensure a quality Cub Scout program conducted in accordance with BSA policies; ensure all Dens have needed resources; be the face of the Pack; interface with Troops for transition of Webelos to Scouts BSA and for the recruitment of Den Chiefs.
      • Secretary: keep official records of Committee meetings, including motions, voting, and decisions.
      • Treasurer: maintain Pack bank account; account for all income and expenditures; process money into/out of the Pack; report on the aforementioned items to the Pack Committee; lead the development of the annual budget.
      • Fundraising Chair: organize/lead Pack-wide fundraising activities.
      • Den Leaders (at least one per Den): plan and lead Den-level activities; ensure all Den members are making progress toward rank.
  • Positions that Ensure a Smoothly Running Pack
      • Awards/Advancement Chair: ensure loops/pins, badges, and other awards are purchased and ready to be awarded; provide packets for each Scouts to Den Leaders.
      • Assistant Cubmaster: assist the Cubmaster in leading Pack-wide activities; fill in in the absence of the Cubmaster.
      • New Member Coordinator: help new families get up to speed on how Cub Scouts works; get new families connected with appropriate Den/Pack Leaders, find answers to new families’ questions; follow up regularly with new families.
      • Activities Chair: lead/delegate the detailed planning of Pack-wide activities; ensure all necessary resources are present for Pack activities.
      • Pack Trainer: ensure all Leaders are appropriately trained; make Leaders aware of additional training opportunities.
  • Additional Jobs that Also Need to Be Done (ideally filled by others to help spread the workload)
      • Public Relations Chair: organize/lead outreach, advertisement, and recruitment type activities.
      • Communications Chair: disseminate Pack-wide information; ensure Pack calendar is up to date; direct general inquiries to the appropriate Leader.
      • Pack Historian: keep a historical record of the Pack; take pictures at Pack-wide activities and make photos available to Pack families.
      • Pack Medical Officer: ensure all Scouts and Leaders have current BSA medical forms on file; ensure medical forms are present at Pack activities; safeguard and distribute Scouts’ medications.
      • Webmaster: keep Pack website and other social media presences up to date.
      • Quartermaster: maintain a current inventory of Pack property, equipment, and supplies.
      • Friends of Scouting Chair: lead the Pack’s involvement in the Council fundraising efforts.