Pack Meeting Responsibilities

Pack 2008 meets once a month, normally the fourth Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held in the Church. Meetings will either be in the main building or the auxiliary building depending on availability. Dens are assigned one of the following duties as part of the meeting. The most recent copy of the Den assignments is located on the Duty Roster.

Set-up/Clean-up

• This Den must arrive and begin set-up not later than 6:30 in order to set up chairs and tables for the meeting. Complete Set-up NLT (not later than) 6:45 p.m.

• All scouts participate in gym clean-up following the meeting. Scouts stack their own chairs and clean-up with help from all family members.

• Den should remain after the Pack Meeting to assist leaders in loading out equipment and to ensure the Pack meeting room is clean.

• Set-up & Clean-up Dens/Patrols remain for final check before being released at the end of the Pack meeting.

Greeters & Sign-In

• This Den is responsible for Scout & family member sign-in.

• Greet Scouts and family members and provide directions on where to sit and any special instructions.

• Hand out flyers or raffle tickets as instructed.

• Den Leader submits sign-in sheets to the Assistant Cubmaster (or the Advancements Chairperson) NLT 10 minutes after start of Pack meeting.

Open/Close

• This Den must arrive early to practice, if necessary, for the Opening and Closing ceremonies.  (See the Ceremonies section of this Leader Guide)

• It is very important to emphasize the significance and formality of the flag ceremony to the boys.  Patriotism is an important part of Scouting.

• Ceremony should be consistent with the theme of the month (see Program Helps).

• Den is responsible for getting US and Pack flags and stands from Library prior to Pack meeting.

• Den is responsible for returning U.S. and Pack flags and stands to Library after the Pack meeting.

• Coordinate with the Wyatt Custodian if required to get or return the flags.

Raffle

• This Den provides items for the pack raffle. Den responsible for raffle should bring 10-15 items to be raffled.

• Suggested items for raffle may be baked goods and/or donated promotional items of low intrinsic value.

• Den should arrive and be set up to begin selling raffle tickets NLT 20 minutes prior to start of Pack meeting.

• Den (under adult supervision) sells raffle tickets at $.50 each prior to Pack Meeting.

• One adult should remain at table selling raffle tickets until about 30 minutes after the start of the Pack meeting.

• Den turns money in to Pack Treasurer (Alternate: Committee Chairman) after closing raffle ticket sales.

• Two adults from the Den responsible for the raffle should assist the Assistant Cubmaster during the raffle.

Skit

• This Den plans, rehearses and performs a skit, stunt or song for the Pack’s entertainment.

• This activity is an important part of building the boys’ confidence and poise in front of an audience, as well as providing some laughs. For some ranks, it fulfills an achievement or elective.

• Use some of the suggestions in this book if you’d like.  Be creative!  Have fun!

 NOTE:  If no Pack meeting is held on the scheduled month, the scheduled den is excused from duty.  The regularly scheduled den for the following month is responsible as scheduled.

Guiding Principles

Pack 2008 has a few guiding principles that have kept our meetings something that families want to attend:

1. Start on time.  Raffle ticket sales end at 7:00.  The meeting starts at 7:00.  We rely on you as a den leader to convey the importance of starting on time.

2. Keep it short.  Our meetings run one hour.  You can rely on me as Cubmaster to keep the pace and end on time.  We don’t want the boys to get restless.  In show business they say, “Always leave them wanting more.”  In Pack 2008, we say the same thing.

3. Controlled pandemonium.  Boys tend to twitch and jump and make a lot of noise.  That’s okay.  That’s what boys are supposed to do.  Rather than spend our hour yelling, “Hey, the sign is up!” we punctuate the meeting with frequent opportunities to shout, especially with funny Cub Scout cheers. This year, we will break up meetings by providing hands-on or physical activities related to the month’s theme.

4. Recognize achievement.  At every meeting, we like to recognize contributions to the Pack and/or individual achievement.  Please always turn in advancements and awards in a timely manner, and feel free to submit ideas for special recognition.

5. Share experiences.  At each pack meeting, the Cubmaster will ask dens, in turn, for a den report.  A designated boy from each den (usually the Denner) will stand, introduce himself, and give a brief (one sentence) description of a recent den activity.

6. Reward good behavior.  This year, we will be using Marble Jars to reward good behavior and to correct less than good behavior. Scouts who meet specified behaviors will have marbles added to their Den jars. Those who don’t will see marbles removed from their Den jars. At the end of 3 Pack meetings, the Den(s) will the most marbles will receive recognition and a pre-specified award.

7. Supervision.  Den Leaders are responsible for the supervision and discipline of the Scouts in their Dens at Pack Meetings. Parents are responsible for the supervision of any siblings attending the meeting. If too disruptive, a Scout or sibling may be asked to leave the Pack meeting.

Uniforms (Click here for examples of proper uniforms wear)

Unless otherwise instructed, Scouts should wear their full uniform to every Pack meeting. The full uniform is defined by Pack 2008 as either the Tiger uniform shirt, blue Cub Scout uniform shirt or tan Webelos uniform shirt; appropriate neckerchief and slide; appropriate Scout cap; either denim or black (or olive green for Webelos) shorts or jeans; and socks and shoes or sneakers. The Cub Scout belt and red “brag” vest are optional, though both provide opportunities to display belt loops, pins and/or patches Scouts receive throughout the year.

Pack Meeting Set-Up

This year, we ask that the Scouts sit together by rank, with the parents and siblings in rows behind all the Scouts. Den Leaders will sit with their Dens in order to supervise their Scouts. Den flags should be placed next to the appropriate rank row of chairs.

All new dens should have a Den Flag and Den Cheer by the October Pack Meeting.

Here is the normal Pack Meeting seating arrangement:

Scouts should remain with their Dens throughout the meeting. Parents should be asked not to interact with their Scouts during the meeting. If a Scout leaves his seat to go to his parent, either the Den Leader or the parent should remind him to return to his seat.