Pack Committee
Member
The Pack Committee
Every pack is under the supervision of a pack committee. This committee consists of a minimum of three qualified U.S. citizens of good character, 21 years of age or older, who are selected by the chartered organization and registered as adult leaders of the BSA. One of these is designated as pack committee chairman. Obviously, with a committee of three, members must assume responsibility for more areas of service than with a committee of seven or more, where the responsibilities can be spread around. Although packs can and do operate with a minimum of three committee members, experience has shown that a larger committee generally ensures a stronger, more stable pack. A larger committee is better able to perform all the required functions of a successful pack program. It is also a way of involving more pack families in meaningful service to the pack.These pages contain the roles and responsibilities of each of the necessary Pack Committee functions.
General Responsibilities:
Regardless of the size of the pack committee, these responsibilities must be carried out:
- Make recommendations to the chartered organization for final approval of pack leadership.
- Recruit the Cubmaster and one or more assistant Cubmasters, with the chartered organization's approval.
- Provide adequate and safe facilities for pack meetings.
- Coordinate the pack program with the program of the chartered organization through the chartered organization representative.
- Assist with pack charter renewal.
- Help to stimulate the interest of parents through proper programming.
- Supervise finances and equipment.
- Work closely with the Cubmaster.
- Ensure that Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts receive a year around, quality program.
- Complete Pack Committee Fast Start Training and Cub Scout Leader Basic Training.
- Conduct, with the help of the Cubmaster, periodic training for parents.
- Cooperate with other Scouting units.
A strong pack committee will have individual members assigned to such areas as record keeping and correspondence, finances, advancement, training, public relations, and membership and re-registration. The pack committee chairman decides how the responsibilities should be divided and gives committee members assignments. Details of the various pack committee functions follow.
- Keep informed of all Cub Scouting literature, materials, records, and forms so as to help leaders function effectively. Assist new den leaders by telling them what items are available.
- Acquaint den leaders with contents of the Pack Record Book so they will know how to supply the information that should be recorded there.
- Maintain up-to-date information on membership, leadership, attendance, and advancement in the Pack Record Book.
- Maintain an inventory of pack property.
- Handle correspondence for the pack. This may include writing letters of appreciation and requests for reservations, or ordering supplies through the local council service center.
- Keep notes on pack leaders and committee' meetings. Record only key items such as things needing follow-up or items for the history of the pack.
- Notify leaders of pack leaders' meetings and other activities.
- Provide den leaders with records and forms for meetings.
- Help the pack committee and Cubmaster establish a sound financial program for the pack with a pack budget plan.
- Open or maintain a bank account in the pack's name and arrange for all transactions to be signed by any two: Cubmaster, chairman, secretary, or treasurer.
- Approve all budget expenditures. Check all disbursements against budget allowances, and pay bills by check. The pack committee chairman should approve bills before payment.
- Collect dues from Cub Scout and Webelos den leaders at the pack leaders' meeting, preferably in sealed den dues envelopes. Open envelopes in presence of den leaders or the den leader coach. Give receipts for these funds and deposit money in the bank account.
- Keep up-to-date financial records. Enter all income and expenditures under the proper budget item in the finance section of the Pack Record Book. Credit each Cub Scout with payment of dues. From time to time, compare the records with those of the den leaders to make sure they are in agreement. Give leadership in developing a coordinated record keeping system in the pack.
- Be responsible for thrift training within the pack. Encourage each den leader to explain the pack financial plan to each boy and his family, so that boys will accept responsibility for paying dues and parents will be alert for opportunities for boys to earn dues money and develop habits of thrift.
- On request of den leaders, sympathetically counsel with a boy who does not pay dues, determine the reason, and encourage regular payment. If the boy is unable to pay, work out a plan with the Cubmaster and pack committee so the boy can earn dues.
- Periodically report on the pack's financial condition at the monthly pack meeting. Make regular monthly reports to the pack committee at pack leaders' meeting, and report to chartered organization as often as desirable on the financial condition of the pack.
- Provide petty cash needed by leaders. Keep a record of expenditures.
- Guide the pack in conducting council-approved, pack money-earning projects.
- Have a working knowledge of the Cub Scout and Webelos Scout advancement plans.
- Help plan and conduct induction and advancement recognition ceremonies.
- Arrange for Tiger Cub graduation ceremonies with the Cubmaster and Tiger Cub coach.
- rain parents and pack committee in ways to stimulate Cub Scout and Webelos Scout advancement.
- Arrange for Webelos graduation ceremonies with the Cubmaster, Webelos den leader, and Scoutmaster.
- Promote the use of Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Den Advancement Charts to record advancement in the den and as an incentive for advancement.
- Promote the use of den doodles as a stimulus for advancement.
- Collect Den Advancement Reports at pack leaders' meetings for use when ordering badges and insignia from the local council service center.
- Promote Boys' Life magazine as an aid to advancement.
- Help build or obtain advancement equipment for use in making advancement ceremonies more effective.
- Promote wearing and proper use of uniform and insignia.
- Have a working knowledge of the training plan for Cub Scout leaders.
- Promote leaders' attendance at Cub Scout leader training courses, monthly roundtables, Cub Scout leader pow wows, and Quarterly Leadership Updates.
- With the den leader coaches, coordinate Fast Start training for new adult leaders.
- Work with the Cubmaster and pack committee to set up a program for training parents.
- Develop a pack library for use by den and pack leaders.
- Encourage full use of program materials in Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Program Helps, in Boys' Life and Scouting magazines, Cub Scout Leader Program Notebook, and other Cub Scouting literature.
- Promote den chief attendance at den chief training.
- Stimulate pack service projects in the chartered organization, school, and community.
- Promote family participation in all pack events such as blue and gold banquets, pack picnics, and other special events.
- Urge pack participation in appropriate programs of the chartered organization such as the worship service on Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath if the organization is a church or synagogue and Cub Scouts are members. Suggest ways of showing interest in the chartered organization's overall program.
- Publicize and promote pack participation in Scouting Anniversary Week activities.
- Circulate Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout recruiting fliers and leaflets to invite boys to join. Work with the pack committee to promote new membership. Let the people in your neighborhood know a Cub Scout pack is available.
- Consider using a monthly or quarterly pack newsletter to inform parents of pack plans, guide new parents in pack policies, and create a feeling of unity among members of the pack family.
- Provide pack announcements for regular release in the official bulletins of your chartered organization.
- Make use of the news media in publicizing pack events.
- Help the Cubmaster plan and arrange for outdoor activities.
- Arrange for property, fire, and tour permits when required.
- Locate new picnic areas.
- Arrange for safe transportation when needed.
- Plan first aid for emergencies.
- Help the Webelos den leaders plan Webelos overnighters.
- Help arrange for equipment, as needed.
- Arrange for Safe Swim Defense implementation for all outings involving swimming.
- Plan outings to help pack and dens qualify for National Summertime Pack Award.
- Help inform parents about opportunities for family camping.
- Assist in the promotion of day camp and resident camp opportunities.
- Be aware of BSA health and safety requirements and see that these are carried out.
- Know and carry out BSA outdoor program policy related to Cub Scouting. Review all activities to ensure unit leaders comply with BSA policies in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Pack Membership and Re-registration
- Prepare re-registration papers and an annual report to the chartered organization. Secure signatures and registration fees for the coming year.
- Ask the chartered organization representative to submit a charter application and annual report to the chartered organization for approval.
- Arrange with the unit commissioner for periodic uniform inspections. At least a month before charter expiration, also arrange for the annual membership inventory, a uniform inspection, and the annual charter review meeting.
- Assist the Cubmaster and chartered organization representative in planning and conducting the formal charter presentation.
- Conduct an annual census of boys in the chartered organization for systematic recruitment. Work with pack committee members to promote recruitment plans.
- Visit new families in their homes. Review with them the Bobcat requirements and Parent's Guide in their son's Cub Scout program book. Emphasize the part parents play in their son's advancement. Stress parent participation at all pack functions and see that new families are introduced and feel welcome at pack meetings.
- Work with the Cubmaster and pack committee to develop and carry out a plan for year-round membership growth.
- Work with the Cubmaster and pack committee to see that eligible boys and parents are moved into a Webelos den at the appropriate time.
- Work with the Cubmaster and Webelos den leader to see that Webelos Scouts and parents have a smooth transition into a Boy Scout troop.
- Work with the Cubmaster in following up on former pack members who are now Boy Scouts and potential den chiefs.
- Follow up on Cub Scout dropouts to return them to full, active membership.
Pack Friends of Scouting (FOS)
Some councils rely heavily on units to raise FOS funds. The following functions need to be carried out:
- Build organization to enroll parents and Cub Scout leaders in FOS.
- Enroll as a Friend of Scouting.
- For every five families in the pack, recruit one person as an enroller.
- Attend an FOS kickoff meeting,
- Enroll each enroller as a Friend of Scouting.
- Train enrollees.
- Conduct report meetings.
- Follow up until all cards have been accounted for.
- Give recognition to contributors and enrollees.
- Work closely with the pack committee on public relations for FOS.