Cubmaster 101Cubmaster 101Presented by Brent GearPresented by Brent GearCubmaster, Pack 324 Cubmaster, Pack 324 Grand Canyon CouncilGrand Canyon Council

Who am I? Who am I?

Dad of a Wolf, a Webelos, and 2 Boy Dad of a Wolf, a Webelos, and 2 Boy ScoutsScouts

Involved in BSA for about 40 years Involved in BSA for about 40 years

Pack 441 Arrow of LightPack 441 Arrow of Light

Troop 441 Eagle Scout, Order of the Troop 441 Eagle Scout, Order of the ArrowArrow

US Army Medical Corps – 14 yearsUS Army Medical Corps – 14 years

ER and Bariatrics DoctorER and Bariatrics Doctor

What Jobs Have I Done? What Jobs Have I Done?

3rd Year as Cubmaster of Pack 324 3rd Year as Cubmaster of Pack 324

Tiger Den LeaderTiger Den Leader

Webelos Den LeaderWebelos Den Leader

Pack TrainerPack Trainer

Religious Emblems CoordinatorReligious Emblems Coordinator

Chartered Org. Rep.Chartered Org. Rep.

What Jobs Have I Done? What Jobs Have I Done?

Asst. Director Winter Day CampAsst. Director Winter Day Camp

Supernova MentorSupernova Mentor

Camp Kaibab CounselorCamp Kaibab Counselor

Cub Scout Day Camp CounselorCub Scout Day Camp Counselor

Merit Badge CounselorMerit Badge Counselor

Medic!Medic!

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…

Some of the Basics if you’re a beginnerSome of the Basics if you’re a beginner

Tips and suggestionsTips and suggestions

My experienceMy experience

A pointer to good online resourcesA pointer to good online resources

Hopefully, a time where we can share Hopefully, a time where we can share ideasideas

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 The Pack Meeting Plan (Agenda)(Agenda)

Den Duties (Assignments)Den Duties (Assignments)

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

Do you have a monthly leader Do you have a monthly leader meeting?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 are your Unit Who are your Unit Commissioner and DE?Commissioner and DE?

Leader TrainingLeader Training

WebelosWebelos

CommunicationCommunication

Cubmaster…Cubmaster…

The Ruler of the Pack (not really, but The Ruler of the Pack (not really, but many will think you are)many will think 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 EvangelistThe Chief Evangelist

Cubmaster’s JobCubmaster’s Job

Get Trained!Get Trained!

Read The Cub Scout Leader BookRead The Cub Scout Leader Book

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

Chief Goofball and Crisis NegotiatorChief Goofball and Crisis Negotiator

Plan the Weekly or Monthly Pack Plan the Weekly or Monthly Pack MeetingsMeetings

Cultivate a strong Webelos program and Cultivate a strong Webelos program and BridgeBridge

Cubmaster’s JobCubmaster’s Job

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

Have a regular leader/planning Have a regular leader/planning meetingmeeting

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

Work with your Committee Chair, Work with your Committee Chair, Charter Rep, District Executive 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!!!!

Leave your own comfort zone and Have Fun!!! (Diversity)

Leave your own comfort zone and Have Fun!!! (Diversity)

What is a Pack Meeting?

Two Kinds:Two Kinds:

Monthly Monthly

Weekly Weekly

What is a Monthly Pack Meeting?(Oh my! Soooo many words….)

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

What is a Weekly Pack Meeting?(The words are all running together….)

The Weekly pack meeting also brings together The Weekly pack meeting also brings together boys from every den, their leaders, and their boys from every den, their leaders, and their families.families.

Start and End with large formation of entire packStart and End with large formation of entire pack

Announcements and Updates for everyone Announcements and Updates for everyone

More chances for boys to display their projectsMore chances for boys to display their projects

Den Meeting Breakouts.Den Meeting Breakouts.

BenefitsBenefits• Not at someone’s houseNot at someone’s house• All same night, same locationAll same night, same location• Easier to help if leader absent or having troubleEasier to help if leader absent or having trouble

Award Ceremonies are so Award Ceremonies are so

Boooooring!Boooooring!This is a This is a showshow for your pack for your pack families!!! families!!!

Cub Fest, The Big Show, Cub TheaterCub Fest, The Big Show, Cub Theater

You are the Warm-Up ActYou are the Warm-Up Act

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

Award Ceremonies are so Award Ceremonies are so

Boooooring!Boooooring!

There should be:There should be:SongsSongsSkitsSkitsJokesJokesAwardsAwardsRank advancementRank advancementShort announcementsShort announcementsFUN!!!!!FUN!!!!!

Award Ceremonies are Award Ceremonies are

Interesting and Fun!Interesting and Fun!

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

Consistency is good - change is also okayConsistency is good - change is also okay

Keep it simpleKeep it simple

Keep things short for young attention spansKeep things short for young attention spans

Be flexible!Be flexible!

Have a copy on handHave a copy on hand

Get every den involvedGet every den involved

Get parents and leaders Get parents and leaders involvedinvolved

Cubmaster is the Ringmaster Cubmaster is the Ringmaster not the starnot the star of the of the show!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 (Plan)! Always have an agenda (Plan)!

Set expectations (Behavior for scouts AND Set expectations (Behavior for scouts AND guests)guests)

Does every boy get something? Does every boy get something?

Do adults get something? (Adult Awards)Do adults get something? (Adult Awards)

Do you have a treasure box or goodie bag?Do you have a treasure box or goodie bag?

Den Duties (Assignments)Den Duties (Assignments)

Gathering Game & SetupGathering Game & Setup

Opening Ceremony Honor Guard - Opening Ceremony Honor Guard - FlagsFlags

Prayer?Prayer?

Songs? Skits? Jokes? Cheers? Run-Ons?Songs? Skits? Jokes? Cheers? Run-Ons?

Closing Ceremony Honor Guard - FlagsClosing Ceremony Honor Guard - Flags

Cleanup (before closing?)Cleanup (before closing?)

Den DutiesDen Duties

Publish the duties ahead Publish the duties ahead of timeof timeRemind leaders at your Remind leaders at your leader meetingleader meetingCome up with an easy Come up with an easy rotationrotationSend email reminders!Send email reminders!

Den DutiesDen Duties

Be ready to fill in or Be ready to fill in or change as neededchange as neededHave a time limitHave a time limitGet every den involved!!Get every den involved!!Public speaking is an Public speaking is an important life skill!important life skill!

Keep what works, Keep what works, change what doesn’t!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 Are the scouts earning awards and advancing?advancing?

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

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

Meetings?Meetings?

LeadersLeaders

Pack CommitteePack Committee

ParentsParents

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

Make every den have a representativeMake every den have a representative

Make it face-to-face rather than by Make it face-to-face rather than by phone or e-mailphone or e-mail

Get Den Leader feedback on recent Get Den Leader feedback on recent eventsevents

Plan for upcoming eventsPlan for upcoming events

Get a report on den health (Andrew Get a report on den health (Andrew not showing up, Reece being not showing up, Reece being disruptive)disruptive)

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

Help resolve issuesHelp resolve issues

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

Gather feedback for the Pack Gather feedback for the Pack CommitteeCommittee

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!!! (My wife)Committee Chair!!! (My wife)

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

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...

New Parent Welcome

New parents are LOSTNew parents are LOST

Have a HandoutHave a Handout

Fees or DuesFees or Dues

UniformUniform

WebsiteWebsite

Contact phone number and e-mailContact phone number and e-mail

CalendarCalendar

Working with Your Charter

Organization

Build a relationship with your Build a relationship with your Chartering Organization HeadChartering Organization Head

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 Remember the Charter Organization ownsowns the pack the pack

Recruiting (Scouts & Adults)

Market your pack year-round Market your pack year-round (Scouting apparel and uniforms)(Scouting apparel and uniforms)

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

Recruiting Fall & Spring for new Recruiting Fall & Spring for new scoutsscouts

Have the boys recruit (business Have the boys recruit (business cards, invitations, Special Events)cards, invitations, Special Events)

Recruiting (Scouts & Adults)

Special Events:Special Events:

Ice Cream SocialIce Cream Social

Red Ribbon WeekRed Ribbon Week

Bike RodeoBike Rodeo

Police or Fire DemonstrationPolice or Fire Demonstration

Throw a PartyThrow a Party

Recruiting (Scouts & Adults)

Help identify potential leaders and Help identify potential leaders and event hostsevent hosts

Make families feel welcome!Make families feel welcome!

Remember Names!Remember Names!

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

Event Planning (and Attending)

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

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

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 and water!Make sure you get some food and water!

Boy Behavior

Sandwich PrincipleSandwich Principle

DisciplineDiscipline and and Qualified SupervisionQualified Supervision

Know the normal behavior for each age groupKnow the normal behavior for each age group

Set expectations (make sure you are clear)Set expectations (make sure you are clear)

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

Make sure your leaders understand this as Make sure your leaders understand this as wellwell

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

Diplomacy and Crisis

ManagementAs in any family, problems and tense situations can As in any family, problems and tense situations can arise “Drama Happens”arise “Drama Happens”

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. Be Nice.respond in kind. Be Nice.

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

Your Unit Commissioner and

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

Have you met your other council reps?Have you met your other council reps?

Invite them to pack functionsInvite them to pack functions

Is your Pack’s Unit Commissioner on your Is your Pack’s Unit Commissioner on your email list?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 changed in 2012)trained (trained standards changed in 2012)

Youth Protection is Mandatory for all direct contact Youth Protection is Mandatory for all direct contact leaders leaders

YouYou NEED to be trained NEED to be trained

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

All Leaders should attend All Leaders should attend Wood BadgeWood Badge !!! !!!

Leader Training

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

All Leaders should attend :All Leaders should attend :

Trainer’s EDGE Trainer’s EDGE

Wood BadgeWood Badge !!! !!!

Leader Training in Our Pack

11stst Meeting of the year Meeting of the year

Youth ProtectionYouth Protection

22ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd Meetings of the year Meetings of the year

Leader Specific Training – Committee Leader Specific Training – Committee MembersMembers

44thth Meeting of the year Meeting of the year

We repeat the Youth Protection Training We repeat the Youth Protection Training for late joiners and anyone else who for late joiners and anyone else who missed it.missed it.

Webelos

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

Who are the Scoutmasters?Who are the Scoutmasters?

When can your Webelos visit or camp with When can your Webelos visit or camp with them?them?

Roundtable and Council and District events Roundtable and Council and District events are good places to make contactsare good places to make contacts

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

How many of your Webelos Bridge and where?How many of your Webelos Bridge and where?

Communication

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

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

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

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

Communication

Do you use online records? Do you use online records?

www.ScoutTrack.comwww.ScoutTrack.com

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

www.ScoutPack324.comwww.ScoutPack324.com

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

Do you have online sign ups? Do you have online sign ups?

www.SignUpGenius.comwww.SignUpGenius.com

Have Fun

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

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

If you are not having fun, you need to If you are not having fun, you need to change thingschange things

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

Everyone needs help and ideas!

Great Resources!

Resources

Complete your Training online or in Complete your Training online or in person!!!person!!!Go to Wood Badge!!!Go to Wood Badge!!!Go to Trainer’s EDGEGo to Trainer’s EDGEMonthly District RoundtablesMonthly District RoundtablesCub Scout Leader Pow Wow (Got Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow (Got this!)this!)University of ScoutingUniversity of ScoutingBaden Powell UniversityBaden Powell University

Resources

Cub Scout Talk Yahoo! GroupCub Scout Talk Yahoo! GroupCubmaster Chat Yahoo! GroupCubmaster Chat Yahoo! GroupScouting.org WebsiteScouting.org WebsiteOur Counsel Website (and email lists)Our Counsel Website (and email lists)Your District WebsiteYour District Website

Great Online Resources

Pack Meeting Info from BSA: Pack Meeting Info from BSA:

www.scouting.org/scoutsource/www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Activities/pack.aspxCubScouts/Activities/pack.aspx

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

www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34-www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34-37.pdf37.pdf

My website for Pack 324 My website for Pack 324 www.ScoutPack324.comwww.ScoutPack324.com

Major Helps

Baloo’s Bugle Baloo’s Bugle

www.usscouts.org/bbugle.asp www.usscouts.org/bbugle.asp

Cubmaster Resources Cubmaster Resources from the BSAfrom the BSA

www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/CubScouts/Leaders/CubScouts/Leaders/CubmasterResources.aspxCubmasterResources.aspx

Den and Pack Meeting Resource GuidesDen and Pack Meeting Resource Guides

www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspxDenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx

Major Helps

MacScouterMacScouter

www.macscouter.com/ www.macscouter.com/

The Virtual Cub Scout Leader’s Handbook The Virtual Cub Scout Leader’s Handbook

webspace.webring.com/people/wu/webspace.webring.com/people/wu/um_10831/home.htmum_10831/home.htm

The Scouter Mom The Scouter Mom

www.scoutermom.com/www.scoutermom.com/

Thank You!cubmaster@batescentral.com

Thank You!cubmaster@batescentral.com