calendar issues

[melissaingram]

I have been getting really frustrated with the CM of our pack about the number of meetings we have. He seems to think it is ok to scrape by with as few meeetings as possible. He also plans things on holiday weekends like Monthers day. Does anyone have any ideas about how to deal with this problem without leaving and going to another pack?

[WB Bear]

What kind of meetings are you referring to? You should be having a Pack meeting a month and weekly Den meetings. The Pack committee should also meet monthly. However, during the summer months when school is out that usually is altered some. It is the responsibility of the Committee for the Pack and committee meetings and to assure the Den meetings are happening.

[KrazyKat]

It all depends on what you mean by scraping by. The CM is responsible for putting on the monthly (one per month) pack meeting. Generally we have 8 "regular" pack meetings Sept through April, in May we have a family campout for graduation (Fri/Sat), and in the summer we have pool parties, bike rodeos, and picnics. Are these last 4 pack meetings? Yes they are. Even our "regular" pack meetings are anything but, one is an indoor campfire where every den sings a song or puts on a skit and another is a Cubanapolis where the boys run laps carrying crazy cardboard vehicles.

The individual den leaders are responsible for putting on the weekly den meetings - if you CM is doing these too he/she needs your help. As far as den meetings at least one per month should be a field trip, e.g., go bowling, take a hike, visit a local historical society or police or fire station, visit a pizza parlor (one place even let us make our own pizzas!), visit a bank and open a savings account, its amazing what you can do in an hour (or maybe get someone else to do for you). One of the best things about Scouting is the variety of activities that are available.

KrazyKat...
Cubmaster, Den Leader, Pack Trainer, etc...

[Gamewithapurpose]

Having worn a Unit Commissioner hat for a while, I'd suggest that the Cubmaster may need some training in how to do his job, and also how the Pack Committee runs. This should be suggested in a friendly manner, possibly through your Unit Commissioner ('best practices' in this situation), or Charter Organization Rep. (as a general comment, without obvious knowledge of your notice). Talk to your council's district executive or training committee for things like University of Scouting or Pow-Wow for these types of courses.

Try establishing a pack calendar, possibly through an annual planning event, where you touch on themes and outings in a coordinated manner. This allows the wisdom of the group to keep from putting events on Mother's Day, etc., and makes sure your pack is involved in the area Memorial Day parade explicitly (instead of an afterthought, or miss the event... and its lessons... completely).

With a functioning Pack Committee, the monthly committee meeting should be working on the details of the next two pack meetings - details for 2nd month, and finalizing details of 1st month. This forced structure helps prevent surprises, and allows time to plan.
If your Pack Committee is too small, or non-existent, grab every parent and give them a little job. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to identify a position in support of each of your events. These can start like running the Pinewood Derby, or the Blue and Gold Banquet, and transition into a year-long posting. You might also have assistant chairmen, expected to become the chairman of that event next year, when the current chairman steps aside. The important thing is to get as many adults contributing as possible.
The alternative may be unprepared meetings, or postponed meetings where there were no "plan B" options when the original concept falls flat. ...neither of which endears parents to the Cubmaster's leadership style.

Yours in Scouting,
Dave
Past-SM, SA,
Assoc Advisor Venturing crew

[ScoutmasterJerry]

I have been getting really frustrated with the CM of our pack about the number of meetings we have. He seems to think it is ok to scrape by with as few meeetings as possible. He also plans things on holiday weekends like Monthers day. Does anyone have any ideas about how to deal with this problem without leaving and going to another pack?

We will start with the latter and end with the first concern.
And let me answer your concerns with some questions:
First, why does the Cubmaster plan the calendar? It is the function of the Pack/Troop Committee to establish the Annual planning calendar. With the help of a Program helps book and a regualr Calendar showing holidays and special events, you can avoid scheduling conflicts.
Second, Where is the committee in this process:eek: ? As stated before, the committee should be sitting down with the Cubmaster during an annual or biannual planning session and working out the structure for the year.
Den leaders need to be envolved in this process too. This way they will in touch with the "Big Picture" and can plan their "Go see it's" around the monthly plan of the Pack. This will also help the Cubmaster in planning the actual Pack meeting.. he could envolve the Dens to show off something they did that month etc etc..
So far as number of meetings..
As stated in previous posts.. You need to have a Pack meeting each month and Den meetings should happen at least each week. Some Packs go to a lighter schedule in the summer while others go all year round. Thats up to the Committee.