Cubmaster 101Cubmaster 101Presented by Bill MulvihillPresented by Bill MulvihillVice Chairman, Programs – Huguenot Trail District, Heart of Vice Chairman, Programs – Huguenot Trail District, Heart of VA VA

Who am IWho am I? ?

Involved in BSA for over 30 years (Eagle Scout)Involved in BSA for over 30 years (Eagle Scout)

Presently serving on Huguenot Trail District StaffPresently serving on Huguenot Trail District Staff

6 years as a Cubmaster: Pack 861, Bon Air 6 years as a Cubmaster: Pack 861, Bon Air Presbyterian Church in Heart of VA Council and Presbyterian Church in Heart of VA Council and Pack 184 Transatlantic CouncilPack 184 Transatlantic Council

Former Den Leader, ASMFormer Den Leader, ASM

Have planned over 60 Pack meetingsHave planned over 60 Pack meetings

Dad of a Eagle Scout and Life ScoutDad of a Eagle Scout and Life Scout

What this presentation is not…What this presentation is not…

Short! (We will run out of time…)Short! (We will run out of time…)

The “right way” to be a CubmasterThe “right way” to be a Cubmaster

Learning how to manage conflictLearning how to manage conflict

The presentation of your dreams! (Well, I The presentation of your dreams! (Well, I guess maybe…)guess maybe…)

What this presentation is…What this presentation is…

What I believe the basics areWhat I believe the basics are

Nothing more than tips and suggestionsNothing more than tips and suggestions

Situations and experiences that I learned fromSituations and experiences that I learned from

A pointer to good online resourcesA pointer to good online resources

Hopefully, a time where we can share ideasHopefully, a time where we can share ideas

AgendaAgenda

IntroIntro

What is the Cubmaster’s job?What is the Cubmaster’s job?

What is a Pack Meeting?What is a Pack Meeting?

The Pack Meeting Plan (Agenda)The Pack Meeting Plan (Agenda)

Den Duties (Assignments)Den Duties (Assignments)

Do you know what your dens are Do you know what your dens are doing? doing?

Do you have a monthly Do you have a monthly leader meeting?leader meeting?

Working with the Pack Working with the Pack CommitteeCommittee

Working with the Charter Working with the Charter OrganizationOrganization

Recruiting (Scouts and Recruiting (Scouts and Leaders)Leaders)

Event PlanningEvent Planning

Diplomacy and Crisis Diplomacy and Crisis ManagementManagement

Who is your Unit Who is your Unit Commissioner or DE?Commissioner or DE?

Leader TrainingLeader Training

WebelosWebelos

CommunicationCommunication

Who is the Cubmaster?Who is the Cubmaster?

The Ruler of the Pack (no, but many will think The Ruler of the Pack (no, but many will think you are)you are)

The Glue that holds everyone togetherThe Glue that holds everyone together

The energy that keep the pack runningThe energy that keep the pack running

The grease the keeps things smoothThe grease the keeps things smooth

The face of the packThe face of the pack

The one everyone blamesThe one everyone blames

The chief evangelist!The chief evangelist!

Cubmaster’s JobCubmaster’s Job

Read The Cub Scout Leader BookRead The Cub Scout Leader Book

Responsible for Pack Program (not by yourself)Responsible for Pack Program (not by yourself)

Chief Goofball and Crisis NegotiatorChief Goofball and Crisis Negotiator

Plan the Monthly Pack MeetingPlan the Monthly Pack Meeting

Cultivate a strong Webelos programCultivate a strong Webelos program

Have your finger on The Pulse of the packHave your finger on The Pulse of the pack

Have a regular leader/planning meetingHave a regular leader/planning meeting

Build and cultivate relationships (scouts, families, schools, charter Build and cultivate relationships (scouts, families, schools, charter organization and more)organization and more)

Work with your Committee Chair, Charter Rep, District Executive Work with your Committee Chair, Charter Rep, District Executive (DE) and Unit Commissioner(DE) and Unit Commissioner

Use Your ResourcesUse Your Resources

Can’t sing?Can’t sing?

Find it hard to be silly?Find it hard to be silly?

Bad at planning?Bad at planning?

Don’t think you are very creative?Don’t think you are very creative?

Use Your Leaders and Families!!!!Use Your Leaders and Families!!!!

But… Leave your comfort zone and Have Fun!!!

But… Leave your comfort zone and Have Fun!!!

What is a Pack Meeting?(Oh my, soooo many words….)

The monthly pack meeting brings together The monthly pack meeting brings together boys from every den, their leaders, and their boys from every den, their leaders, and their families, to participate in a large-scale event families, to participate in a large-scale event that serves as a showcase for everything the that serves as a showcase for everything the boys have learned and done in their individual boys have learned and done in their individual den meetings. den meetings.

The pack meeting gives the boys a larger The pack meeting gives the boys a larger experience beyond their own den, and helps experience beyond their own den, and helps them to connect their individual activities to them to connect their individual activities to the entire Cub Scouting program.the entire Cub Scouting program.

Meetings are boooooring!Meetings are boooooring!

A monthly show for your pack families!!! A monthly show for your pack families!!! (Cub Fest, The Big Show, Cub Theatre)(Cub Fest, The Big Show, Cub Theatre)

There should be:There should be:SongsSongs

SkitsSkits

JokesJokes

AwardsAwards

Rank advancementRank advancement

Short announcements (use a newsletter)Short announcements (use a newsletter)

FUN!!!!!FUN!!!!!

Mix it up! Some families have been there for years!Mix it up! Some families have been there for years!

You NEED an agenda!!!You NEED an agenda!!!

Consistency is good; but change is also okay (find a balance)Consistency is good; but change is also okay (find a balance)

Keep it simpleKeep it simple

Keep it as short as possible (75 min in my book)Keep it as short as possible (75 min in my book)

Be flexible!Be flexible!

Have a copy on handHave a copy on hand

Get every den involvedGet every den involved

Get parents and leaders involvedGet parents and leaders involved

Cubmaster is the Ringmaster Cubmaster is the Ringmaster not the starnot the star of the show! of the show!

Pack Meeting TipsPack Meeting Tips

Always have a Plan BAlways have a Plan B

Did you confirm the guest (or verify that they had Did you confirm the guest (or verify that they had been confirmed)?been confirmed)?

Always have an agenda! (Did I already say that?)Always have an agenda! (Did I already say that?)

Set expectations (Stage Area, Behavior for scouts Set expectations (Stage Area, Behavior for scouts AND guests)AND guests)

Does every boy get something? (Bead program)Does every boy get something? (Bead program)

Do adults get something? (Bead program, thank Do adults get something? (Bead program, thank you gift)you gift)

Do you have a treasure/goodie box?Do you have a treasure/goodie box?

Den Duties (Assignments)Den Duties (Assignments)

This is what I use:This is what I use:Gathering & SetupGathering & Setup

OpeningOpening

PrayerPrayer

SongSong

SkitSkit

Spotlight DenSpotlight Den

Den Choice (Song, Skit, Cheer)Den Choice (Song, Skit, Cheer)

Jokes or Run-onsJokes or Run-ons

Closing & CleanupClosing & Cleanup

Monthly Den DutiesMonthly Den Duties

Publish the duties ahead of timePublish the duties ahead of time

Remind leaders at your leader meetingRemind leaders at your leader meeting

Come up with an easy rotationCome up with an easy rotation

Send email reminders!Send email reminders!

Be ready to fill/change as neededBe ready to fill/change as needed

I give my dens 5 minutes each (they can use less)I give my dens 5 minutes each (they can use less)

Get every den involved!!Get every den involved!!Public speaking is an important life skill!Public speaking is an important life skill!

Keep what works, change what doesn’t!Keep what works, change what doesn’t!

What Are Your Dens Doing?What Are Your Dens Doing?

Where and When do they meet?Where and When do they meet?

Do you ever visit them?Do you ever visit them?

What Go See It trips are they going on?What Go See It trips are they going on?

Have they filed a Tour Plan?Have they filed a Tour Plan?

Are the scouts earning awards and advancing?Are the scouts earning awards and advancing?

Have you asked about any problems?Have you asked about any problems?

Do Den Leaders have assistants? Den Chiefs?Do Den Leaders have assistants? Den Chiefs?

Do You Have a Leader Meeting?Do You Have a Leader Meeting?

Having a regular leader meeting is worth itHaving a regular leader meeting is worth it

Make every den have a representativeMake every den have a representative

Make it face-to-faceMake it face-to-face

Get Den Leader feedback on recent eventsGet Den Leader feedback on recent events

Plan for upcoming eventsPlan for upcoming events

Get a report on den healthGet a report on den health

Help resolve issuesHelp resolve issues

Inform your leaders about additional awards Inform your leaders about additional awards (National Den Award, STEM NOVA, Emergency (National Den Award, STEM NOVA, Emergency Preparedness and lots more...) Preparedness and lots more...)

Gather feedback for the Pack CommitteeGather feedback for the Pack Committee

Working with the Pack Working with the Pack

CommitteeCommittee

Attend the monthly Committee MeetingAttend the monthly Committee Meeting

Give a Cubmaster ReportGive a Cubmaster Report

Work hand-in-hand with your Work hand-in-hand with your Committee Chair!!!Committee Chair!!!

Let them handle the Business Let them handle the Business of the Pack of the Pack

Help recruit new membersHelp recruit new members

Have a New Parent Welcome Have a New Parent Welcome ProgramProgram

No, you should not No, you should not feel like this...feel like this...

No, you should not No, you should not feel like this...feel like this...

Working with Your Charter

Organization

Build a relationship with your Institutional Build a relationship with your Institutional Head (IH), if possibleHead (IH), if possible

Try to attend some Charter Org eventsTry to attend some Charter Org events

Look into doing a yearly Service Project Look into doing a yearly Service Project

Build a relationship with your Charter Build a relationship with your Charter Organization RepresentativeOrganization Representative

Remember the Charter Organization basically Remember the Charter Organization basically owns the packowns the pack

Recruiting (Scouts & Adults)

Market your pack year roundMarket your pack year round

Use the tools the council provides (flyers, lawn signs, Use the tools the council provides (flyers, lawn signs, posters, banners, business cards, and more!)posters, banners, business cards, and more!)

Make sure you have a recruiting program for new Make sure you have a recruiting program for new scoutsscouts

Have you been assigned a school or two?Have you been assigned a school or two?

Have you tried to run a boy talk? (Huh? What's that?)Have you tried to run a boy talk? (Huh? What's that?)

Help identify potential leaders and event hostsHelp identify potential leaders and event hosts

Can you help in leader recruitment?Can you help in leader recruitment?

Make families feel welcome!Make families feel welcome!

Return phone calls and email!!!Return phone calls and email!!!

Event Planning (and Attending)

DO NOT do it all yourself!!!DO NOT do it all yourself!!!

Don’t be afraid to let events failDon’t be afraid to let events fail

Do you know who your event hosts are?Do you know who your event hosts are?

You do NOT have to attend every pack event You do NOT have to attend every pack event (there is only so much of you to go around)(there is only so much of you to go around)

Spend some time with your own family while Spend some time with your own family while at events (even the Cubmaster gets to enjoy at events (even the Cubmaster gets to enjoy the event)the event)

Make sure you get some food!Make sure you get some food!

Boy Behavior

Become familiar with the normal behavior for Become familiar with the normal behavior for each age groupeach age group

Do not be afraid to set expectations (make Do not be afraid to set expectations (make sure you are clear)sure you are clear)

Do not be afraid to reprimand (but be calm Do not be afraid to reprimand (but be calm and fair)and fair)

Make sure your leaders understand this as wellMake sure your leaders understand this as well

Have you tried a Pack Theme of the Year?Have you tried a Pack Theme of the Year?

The boys CAN do it!The boys CAN do it!

Diplomacy and Crisis

ManagementAs in any family, problems and tense As in any family, problems and tense situations can arisesituations can arise

Be careful not to jump in too fastBe careful not to jump in too fast

Try to listen as much as possibleTry to listen as much as possible

Folks WILL come to you looking for solutionsFolks WILL come to you looking for solutions

People can get very nasty, do your best not to People can get very nasty, do your best not to respond in kind respond in kind

Don’t be afraid to go to your Unit Don’t be afraid to go to your Unit Commissioner, DE, Charter Organization Rep Commissioner, DE, Charter Organization Rep or others for help!or others for help!

Your Unit Commissioner and DE

Have you met them? You NEED to do that!Have you met them? You NEED to do that!

You WANT your Council Office to know you (at You WANT your Council Office to know you (at least your name)least your name)

Have you met your area's Program Impact Have you met your area's Program Impact Executive?Executive?

Invite them to pack functionsInvite them to pack functions

Is your Unit Commissioner on your email list?Is your Unit Commissioner on your email list?

Leader Training

Your goal is to encourage EVERY leader to be Your goal is to encourage EVERY leader to be trained (trained standards have changed in trained (trained standards have changed in 2012)2012)

You NEED to be trainedYou NEED to be trained

Mandatory training for direct contact leaders Mandatory training for direct contact leaders

Do you have a pack trainer?Do you have a pack trainer?

Do you have any training for parents?Do you have any training for parents?

Know who has/has not been trainedKnow who has/has not been trained

Look into Wood Badge… It is THAT good!Look into Wood Badge… It is THAT good!

Webelos

What are the Troops in your area?What are the Troops in your area?

Do you know who the Scoutmasters are?Do you know who the Scoutmasters are?

Roundtable and Council/District events are Roundtable and Council/District events are good places to make contactsgood places to make contacts

Where are your Webelos bridging to?Where are your Webelos bridging to?

Are you making sure that Webelos is a strong Are you making sure that Webelos is a strong program?program?

How many of your Webelos Bridge?How many of your Webelos Bridge?

Communication

Do you have an email list?Do you have an email list?

Do use use online groups?Do use use online groups?

Do you have a website?Do you have a website?

You REALLY need a Pack Newsletter!You REALLY need a Pack Newsletter!

Do you have a yearly calendar?Do you have a yearly calendar?

How often do you communicate to your pack?How often do you communicate to your pack?

How much face-to-face time do you have with How much face-to-face time do you have with pack families?pack families?

Have Fun

Just an hour a week, right? (Yeah, a Scout Hour!)Just an hour a week, right? (Yeah, a Scout Hour!)

Don’t do this for your son, the boys or the Don’t do this for your son, the boys or the pack… Do it for YOU!pack… Do it for YOU!

If you are not having fun, you need to change If you are not having fun, you need to change thingsthings

If you do it right, you will be compensated more If you do it right, you will be compensated more than you ever expected! than you ever expected!

Everyone needs help and ideas!

Great Resources!

Resources

Complete your Training!!!Complete your Training!!!

Wood BadgeWood Badge

Monthly District RoundtableMonthly District Roundtable

University of Scouting (duh…)University of Scouting (duh…)

Cub Scout Talk Yahoo! GroupCub Scout Talk Yahoo! Group

Cubmaster Chat Yahoo! GroupCubmaster Chat Yahoo! Group

Scouting.org WebsiteScouting.org Website

Our Counsel Website (and email lists)Our Counsel Website (and email lists)

Your District WebsiteYour District Website

Your unit WebsiteYour unit Website

Great Online Resources

Pack Meeting Info from BSA: Pack Meeting Info from BSA: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Activities/pack.aspx

Simple Pack Meeting Planning Document:Simple Pack Meeting Planning Document:

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34-37.pdfhttp://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34-37.pdf

My University of Scouting Website:My University of Scouting Website:

http://cubmaster101.com/http://cubmaster101.com/

Major Helps

Baloo’s Bugle (my secret sauce)Baloo’s Bugle (my secret sauce)http://www.usscouts.org/bbugle.asp http://www.usscouts.org/bbugle.asp

Cubmaster Resources from the BSACubmaster Resources from the BSAhttp://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/Cubmaster%20Resources.aspxhttp://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/Cubmaster%20Resources.aspx

Den and Pack Meeting Resource GuidesDen and Pack Meeting Resource Guideshttp://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspxDenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx

MacScouterMacScouterhttp://www.macscouter.com/ http://www.macscouter.com/

The Virtual Cub Scout Leader’s Handbook The Virtual Cub Scout Leader’s Handbook http://webspace.webring.com/people/wu/um_10831/home.htmlhttp://webspace.webring.com/people/wu/um_10831/home.html

The Scouter Mom The Scouter Mom http://www.scoutermom.com/http://www.scoutermom.com/

Thank You!