First, some organizational descriptions – a where are we in the scheme of it all?
At the top level is the National Organization, the Boy Scouts of America. This breaks down into Groups, of which we are in the Program Group. That group breaks into Divisions (Boy Scouting, Cub Scouting, and Venturing).
For administrative purposes, the BSA is divided into four regions - Western, Central, Southern and Northeast We are a member of the Southern region, which covers all of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Each Region/Area is made up of local councils, with each council covering a geopolitical area that may vary from a single city to an entire state. Councils receive an annual charter from the National Council and are usually incorporated as a charitable organization. We are within the Sam Houston Area Council, which oversees Scouting programs in 16 southeastern Texas counties. (See Attached Map for more information).
Sam Houston Area Council is made up of over 1800 units; which translates to over 44,000 scouts. Due to its size is divided into 5 council divisions, each serving a council area.
The divisions are further broken into Districts (See Map). Districts are directly responsible for the operation of scouting units (troops, packs, crews and ships) and, except for the district executive, are mostly staffed with volunteers. Our pack is in the Phoenix District, and supports scouting units in the Klein ISD (west of Kuykendahl) located North of Houston and east of Highway 249. The Phoenix district is made up of 74 units with approximately 1,950 scouts.
Whew – now we have gotten through all of the above, we can look at our Pack!
The Boy Scouts of America does not operate troops, packs, crews or ships. The Boy Scouts of America charters organizations to use the program as a resource for children, youth, and families. Our Charter organization is Theiss Elementary PTO
- Finding a meeting place
- Setting the Pack policies in accordance with Boy Scouting and the chartered organization.
- Coordinatng the Pack program with that of the charter organization.
- Assist with the annual Pack charter renewel.
- Is responsible for carrying out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Provides encouragement to leaders in carrying out the Pack program.
- Provides the finances and fundraising coordination for the Pack.
- Is responsible for Pack property.
- Is responsible for the quality of the adult leadership, that the leadership is recruited and trained. This is all adult leadership, including Cubmaster.
- Responsible for recommending this leadership to the charter organization for final approval.
- Coordination between the Pack and other scouting units.
A complete Pack Committee consists of the following people:
- Chartered Organization Representative
- Pack Committee Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Advancement
- Public Relations
- Membership and Registration
- Sustaining Membership Enrollment Chairperson (a.k.a. Friends of Scouting)
- Cubmaster
- Pack Trainer
- Den Leader(s)
Chartered Organization Representative
This person is the liaison between the Pack, the chartered organization, and the BSA. They make sure that the chartered organization is awaire of what the Pack is doing, and coordinates activities between the chartered organization and the Pack. It is also the responsibility of the chartered organization representative to communicate any relavent policies that the charter organization has to the Pack committee.
A point that a new scouter often misses is that the chartered organization 'owns' the Pack, not the Pack committee. The Pack committee is simply an administrative arm of the chartered organization.
The Chartered Organization Representative is a voting member of the local BSA Council and District committees. As such, they represent the Pack on these committees.
Pack Committee Chairperson
The Pack Committee Chairperson organizes and facilitates the running of the Pack committee. This person works with the Cubmaster and Chartered Organization Representative to make sure that the responsibilities of the Pack Committee are being met.
Cubmaster
The Cubmaster, who is sometimes refered to as the unit leader, is up front. Most parents think they run the show all by themselves. Now you know different. So what does a Cubmaster do? Plenty!
The Cubmaster is responsible for:
- Conducting the pack program which includes leading the monthly Pack meeting, with the help of the other leaders.
- Guiding, supporting, motivating, and inspire the other adult leaders. Make sure they receive training for their positions.
- Making sure the dens are functioning well.
- Plannning the den and pack programs with the help of the other leaders.
- Coordinating the total Cub Scout program for the pack.
- Helping recruit den leaders.
- Establishing and maintaining good relationships with Boy Scout Troops.
Pack Trainer
The Pack Trainer is responsible for ensuring stable, active and enthusiastic den leaders for all Cub Scout and Webelos dens. They also are responsible for:
- Conducting orientation of new families and pack leaders
- Encouraging pack leaders to attend Cub Scout Leader Basic Training, which includes New Leader Essentials and Cub Scout Leader Specific Training
- Helping with Unit Leadership Enhancements during pack leaders' meetings
- Conducting other training as designated by the district and/or council
- Encouraging pack leaders and parents to attend ongoing training such as Youth Protection training, roundtable, pow wow, BALOO, Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders, and Wood Badge
- Remaining current with training material and program updates
- Keeping track of pack training records
- Encouraging den chiefs to attend Den Chief Training
Den Leaders
A Cub Scout Den Leader is the adult volunteer who plans and runs den meetings and activities, with the assistance of one or more Assistant Cub Scout Den Leaders, the Den Chief, and Denner. They coordinate the den's involvement in pack activities, and facilitate and track the den's advancement. The Cub Scout den leader's responsibilities are to:
• Give leadership in carrying out the pack program in the den.
• Complete Cub Scout den leader Fast Start Training and position-specific Basic Leader Training. Attend monthly roundtables.
• Lead the den in its participation at Pack Meetings. Serve as den host or hostess for den family members at pack meetings.
• Work in harmony with other den and pack leaders.
• Help the Cubmaster (or assistant Cubmaster) and Pack Committee recruit new boys throughout the year.
• Help train the Den Chief and guide him in working with Cub Scouts. See that he receives recognition for his efforts at den and pack meetings.
• With the assistant den leader, meet with the den chief and let him help plan den meetings and den activities; allow him to serve as den activities assistant.
• Provide meaningful jobs for the denner and assistant denner so that they can learn responsibility and gain satisfaction from their efforts.
• Use Boys' Life and Scouting magazines, Cub Scout Program Helps, the boys' handbooks, and other Cub Scouting literature as sources for program ideas.
• Collect weekly den dues and turn them in to the pack treasurer at the monthly pack leaders' meetings. Keep accurate records of den dues and attendance.
• Maintain a friendly relationship with Cub Scouts; encourage them to earn advancement awards. Keep accurate advancement records and see that boys receive recognition for their achievements.
• Stimulate the Cub Scouts' imaginations on the program theme for the month and help the den prepare its stunts and exhibits for the pack meeting.
• Promote the religious emblems program.
• Help the den and pack earn the National Summertime Pack Award.
• Help establish a close working relationship with the assistant den leader and den chief, functioning as a den leadership team.
• Develop and maintain a good working relationship and open communication with den families. Use their talents to help enrich the den program. Hold den adults' meetings as often as needed to get acquainted with family members and strengthen den operation.
• Involve den fathers, uncles, and grandfathers in outings and other den activities so that boys will have additional male role models.
• See that a leader is available for all den meetings and activities. Call on the assistant den leader to fill in when necessary.
• Take part in the annual pack program planning conference and pack leaders' meetings.
• Help set a good example for the boys through behavior, attitude, and proper uniforming.
• Support the policies of the BSA.
Other parents help in the den as assistant den leaders, activity leaders and chaperones. All parents are encouraged to help in their son’s den and in the pack. You will find your family’s experience of Scouting is greatly enhanced when you make it a truly family activity.
Den Chief
The Den Chief is a Boy Scout from a nearby troop who, usually, has achieved at least the rank of First Class. The Den Chief is a trained leader who assists a Den Leader in the running of a Den. It is the Den Chief's duty to assist the Cub Scouts in their den with the projects and activities of the Den. His duty also is to encourage, guide and protect them in all den and pack activities; and to show them by their example what a Boy Scout is. Webelos Den Chiefs also will work to interest the Webelos Scouts in becoming Boy Scouts.