Parent Involvement and Requirements
To ALL Parents and Caregivers, volunteerism is the lifeline of creating a memorable and meaningful Scouting program. Our success hinges on our COLLECTIVE willingness to give generously of our time and skills back to our children. Know that regardless of your background, you have skills we NEED in order to breathe life into our Pack and provide a quality experience. As with most things in life, we get out of it what we put into it. The more time we dedicate to walking the Scouting trail with our Scouts and our Pack, the more rewarding it will be for ALL. What we need in order to Function:
Dens: Dens are led by at least one adult volunteer leader and ideally, led by multiple volunteer leaders. Sharing the responsibility keeps planning and facilitating meetings/activities most manageable. These leaders are organically identified from within the pool of Scouting families belonging to the Den. A Den cannot function without a Den leader. Den leaders are where the rubber meets the road in facilitating the Cub Scout program. For Lions and Tiger Dens, Scout parents/caregivers presence and participation is REQUIRED for all meetings and activities. For Wolves and above, Scout parents/caregivers are highly encouraged to attend and participate in meetings/activities as well.
Den Leaders should work to formally involve all parents in the planning and execution of various activities and events. Parents should proactively volunteer to assist Den leaders in leading Den activities. Our Scouts benefit greatly from observing and interacting with different personalities and leadership styles. In turn, parents become more familiar with and vested in the program.
Pack Leadership: The Pack is led by a Cubmaster and, ideally, with an assistant Cubmaster. They serve as the master of ceremonies for Pack level events, provide mentorship and guidance to Den leaders, are problem solvers, and provide synchronization/resourcing of Pack level activities.
Pack Committee: The Committee is led by the Committee Chair, who orchestrates monthly Pack Committee Meetings and synchronizes the administrative functions of the Pack. The Committee also consists of: Treasurer, Advancement Chair, Recruiting Chair, Training Chair, Fundraising Chair, Secretary, Charter Organization Representative, & Special Event Coordinators. Each Committee member is critical to the overall success of administering a quality program for the Pack.
Being Involved and Building Continuity: Pack leadership has natural turn-over every year due to various circumstances. The Pack must continually work to maintain a healthy bench of volunteers who understand the tenants of Scouting and the basic essential Pack and Den level functions. We all own a piece of keeping the program going for our children and future generations to come. There are several easy ways to become involved:
Based on their Scouts preparing to cross-over into Boy Scouts in the spring, the following leader roles will require a successor identified no later than the end of November, in order to ensure uninterrupted Pack operations. Current leaders will be actively seeking your support throughout this fall to identify their replacements.
Committee Chair: Synchronizes the Committee and Pack administration/Project Manager
Treasurer: Manages the Pack budget and handles funds
Training Chair: Ensures leaders are trained and are aware of development opportunities
We also have a need to fill the following open responsibilities ASAP:
Secretary/Communications Chair: Manages the Pack calendar, publishes Pack reminders and notifications, helps with the www.Scoutbook.com application management
Pinewood Derby Coordinator: Begins planning the annual Derby in early December (Derby occurs in late January), provides car building support to Dens, sets up the Derby event, resources trophies/recognition awards, and runs the Derby
Blue & Gold Banquet Coordinator: Begins planning the annual Blue & Gold Banquet in early December (Banquet occurs in late February), resources and runs the Banquet
Arrow of Light Den Cross-over Coordinator: Begins planning the cross-over ceremony in January (ceremony occurs in late March), helps with resourcing and running the event
Pack Rank Advancement Ceremony Coordinator: Begins planning the ceremony in March (ceremony occurs in late May), helps with resourcing and running the event
ALL ADULT VOLUNTEERS must complete BSA’s online Youth Protection Training (YPT) via www.my.scouting.org prior to serving in their role. YPT is an approximately 75 minute time requirement and can be completed in segments. Once complete, YPT certification is good for two years and is tracked by the Pack’s Training Chair.
Dens: Dens are led by at least one adult volunteer leader and ideally, led by multiple volunteer leaders. Sharing the responsibility keeps planning and facilitating meetings/activities most manageable. These leaders are organically identified from within the pool of Scouting families belonging to the Den. A Den cannot function without a Den leader. Den leaders are where the rubber meets the road in facilitating the Cub Scout program. For Lions and Tiger Dens, Scout parents/caregivers presence and participation is REQUIRED for all meetings and activities. For Wolves and above, Scout parents/caregivers are highly encouraged to attend and participate in meetings/activities as well.
Den Leaders should work to formally involve all parents in the planning and execution of various activities and events. Parents should proactively volunteer to assist Den leaders in leading Den activities. Our Scouts benefit greatly from observing and interacting with different personalities and leadership styles. In turn, parents become more familiar with and vested in the program.
Pack Leadership: The Pack is led by a Cubmaster and, ideally, with an assistant Cubmaster. They serve as the master of ceremonies for Pack level events, provide mentorship and guidance to Den leaders, are problem solvers, and provide synchronization/resourcing of Pack level activities.
Pack Committee: The Committee is led by the Committee Chair, who orchestrates monthly Pack Committee Meetings and synchronizes the administrative functions of the Pack. The Committee also consists of: Treasurer, Advancement Chair, Recruiting Chair, Training Chair, Fundraising Chair, Secretary, Charter Organization Representative, & Special Event Coordinators. Each Committee member is critical to the overall success of administering a quality program for the Pack.
Being Involved and Building Continuity: Pack leadership has natural turn-over every year due to various circumstances. The Pack must continually work to maintain a healthy bench of volunteers who understand the tenants of Scouting and the basic essential Pack and Den level functions. We all own a piece of keeping the program going for our children and future generations to come. There are several easy ways to become involved:
- Attend Den/Pack activities with your Scout and proactively volunteer to help run an activity, plan something, provide setup/clean-up support.
- Familiarize yourself with your Scouts advancement requirements via their handbook and in planning conversations with the Den Leader.
- Attend and participate in monthly Pack Committee Meetings, which are typically held the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm-8:15pm, via dial-in (hopeful to return to in-person at HFUMC). Learn about what a Committee Member does, pick one that interests you and ask to observe what they do to support the Pack.
- Attend monthly Appalachian Trail District Roundtable Meetings, which are typically held the first Thursday of each month, 7:00pm-8:30pm, via dial-in and/or in-person at Canton First United Methodist Church (930 Lower Scott Mill Rd, Canton, GA 30115). Roundtable is a group forum for all local Scout leaders and volunteers to convene for training and sharing program best practices.
- Register as an official adult leader in www.my.scouting.org and take the related role specific virtual training courses offered.
Based on their Scouts preparing to cross-over into Boy Scouts in the spring, the following leader roles will require a successor identified no later than the end of November, in order to ensure uninterrupted Pack operations. Current leaders will be actively seeking your support throughout this fall to identify their replacements.
Committee Chair: Synchronizes the Committee and Pack administration/Project Manager
Treasurer: Manages the Pack budget and handles funds
Training Chair: Ensures leaders are trained and are aware of development opportunities
We also have a need to fill the following open responsibilities ASAP:
Secretary/Communications Chair: Manages the Pack calendar, publishes Pack reminders and notifications, helps with the www.Scoutbook.com application management
Pinewood Derby Coordinator: Begins planning the annual Derby in early December (Derby occurs in late January), provides car building support to Dens, sets up the Derby event, resources trophies/recognition awards, and runs the Derby
Blue & Gold Banquet Coordinator: Begins planning the annual Blue & Gold Banquet in early December (Banquet occurs in late February), resources and runs the Banquet
Arrow of Light Den Cross-over Coordinator: Begins planning the cross-over ceremony in January (ceremony occurs in late March), helps with resourcing and running the event
Pack Rank Advancement Ceremony Coordinator: Begins planning the ceremony in March (ceremony occurs in late May), helps with resourcing and running the event
ALL ADULT VOLUNTEERS must complete BSA’s online Youth Protection Training (YPT) via www.my.scouting.org prior to serving in their role. YPT is an approximately 75 minute time requirement and can be completed in segments. Once complete, YPT certification is good for two years and is tracked by the Pack’s Training Chair.