Parents of Pack934,
Pack 934 started its rich and proud history of “Helping our boys become men of Character, Honesty, and Integrity” 42 years ago. Several hundred Eagle Scouts and leaders in our community can say it all started at Pack 934. Today, we are one of the oldest and strongest Packs in Old Hickory Council. None of this would have been possible without extraordinary parents like each of you. We have been blessed with amazing leaders through the years, who believed it was incumbent upon them to ensure Pack 934 was better than when they inherited it. Furthermore, we have learned the boys are more engaged in scouting when the parents are actively involved.
As such, the Pack leadership started planning for the upcoming transition during my first year as Cubmaster. Brad Wood stepped-up to replace me as Cubmaster, Al Hadley volunteered to be the Pack Committee Chair, and Shannon Settlemire has agreed to replace Kim Towles as Pack Secretary. That said, we still have few positions to fill and are looking to add a couple of more. Along with Kim, both Joe and Ryan Leigh Runyon, the Pack Treasurer and Awards Coordinator, respectively, will be bridging over with their boys to the Troop in March. I will stay involved with the Pack until fall recruiting to assist in the transition and help launch a STEM program. In keeping with the spirit of the “Law of the Pack,” we need new leaders so the “Pack can help the Cub Scout grow.” Let’s work together to ensure Pack 934 continues to build upon its tradition as being one of the most organized & active Packs in Old Hickory Council and more importantly, “Helping our boys to become men of Character, Honesty, and Integrity.”
The description of each position is listed below.
Treasurer
The Treasurer ensures the pack’s finances are sound. Specifically, the treasurer will:
- Help the pack committee and Cubmaster establish a sound financial program for the pack with a pack budget plan.
- Maintain a bank account in the pack’s name and arrange for all transactions to be signed by any two of the following: Cubmaster, pack committee chair, secretary, or treasurer.
- Approve all budget expenditures. Check all disbursements against budget allowances, and pay bills by check. The pack committee chair should approve bills before payment.
- Collect dues from den leaders at the pack leaders’ meeting, preferably in sealed den dues envelopes. Open envelopes in the presence of den leaders. Give receipts for these funds, and deposit the 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 agree. Give leadership in developing a coordinated recordkeeping 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 family members will be alert to opportunities for boys to earn dues money and develop habits of thrift.
- Periodically report on the pack’s financial condition at the monthly committee meeting and/or pack leaders’ meeting. Make regular monthly reports to the pack committee at theas often as desirable on the financial condition of the pack.
- committee meeting and/or pack leaders’ meeting, and report to the chartered organization
- Provide petty cash needed by leaders. Keep a record of expenditures.
Awards Coordinator
The Awards Coordinator ensures the scouts receive the appropriate recognition. Specifically, the Awards Coordinator will:
- With the aid of the Cubmaster and Den Leaders, ensure all awards are entered into the Pack tracking system.
- Work with the Pack Treasurer/Pack Committee Chair to ensure there are funds available at the council office to purchase awards and pay enrollment and/or re-chartering dues.
- Establish a deadline for Den Leaders to enter awards into the Pack tracking system. This must occur sometime after the second den meeting of the month and prior the Pack Meeting.
- Purchase the awards for distribution at the Pack Meeting.
- Sort the awards by scout and by den. Distribute to respective Den Leader at Pack Meeting.
- Work with other leaders to ensure other required scouting items are purchased, such as Pinewood Derby. God and Me/Family, etc.
- Notify Cubmaster of boys who have received rank advancement.
. Assistant Cubmaster
The Assistant Cubmaster assists the Cubmaster/Pack Committee Chair in managing the Pack activities. Specifically, the Assistant Cubmaster will:
- With the aid of the Cubmaster and Den Leaders, ensure all awards are entered into the Pack tracking system.
- Assist the Cubmaster with the planning and organizing of Pack ceremonies, i.e. Bobcat and Rank Advancement.
- Work with Cubmaster and Den Leaders to ensure Cub Scout Values are reinforced.
- Assist the Cubmaster and Pack Committee with the Pack Recruiting Plan.
- Assist the Cubmaster by ensuring all leaders are current with their required training.
- Fill-in when the Cubmaster is unavailable.
New Opportunities to volunteer.
Public Relations Chair
This Public Relations Chair keeps pack activities visible to the public, as well as to the families of the pack.
Specifically, this person will:
- Identify and promote pack service projects in the chartered organization, school,
and community.
- Aid Cubmaster and Outdoor Activity Chair by promoting family participation in all pack events.
- Urge pack participation in appropriate programs of the chartered organization.
- Suggest ways of showing interest in the chartered organization’s overall program.
- Publicize and promote pack participation. Let the people in the neighborhood know
that a Cub Scout pack is available.
- Work with Pack Secretary to provide pack announcements for regular release in the official bulletins, newsletters,
websites, etc., of your chartered organization.
- Make use of the news media in publicizing pack events. One way is by submitting stories to be printed in the Raven.
STEM/Nova Chair (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
This is something I would like to get off the ground before transitioning to Boy Scouts and will work hand in hand with a volunteer(s) to ensure its success.
- Serve as the representative and spokesperson for the council’s STEM initiative and the Nova Awards program.
- Offer personal endorsements and testimony to support the STEM initiative and Nova Awards program.
- Help promote the STEM/Nova website, Facebook page, and STEM scholarships.
- Identify prospective volunteers and key organizations and events that could help support the BSA’s STEM initiatives.
- Ensure integration of the awards with all training opportunities, such as a “This Is the Nova Award” workshop.
- Help organize council STEM-based events such as a STEM Merit Badge Day.
- Integrate Nova awards with existing camp programs (merit badges, belt loops, pins).
- Participate in conference calls, discussions, webinars, etc., to support the launch.
- Prospect, meet, and recruit key STEM leaders in your community.
- Help educate council staff and volunteers about the Nova Awards program and STEM initiative and about how they can help
promote the program and initiative.
- With the Scout executive at local council events, present youth members with the NOVA awards they have earned.
More information can be found at www.scouting.org/stem
Best Regards,
Terry Snider