Infastructure Reflection Pt#3

Every Scout Unit has a Committee.  The Pack is no different.  The BSA National Website has this to say about a Pack Committee:
“A strong pack committee will have members assigned to such areas as record keeping and correspondence, finances, advancement, training, public relations, and membership and registration. The pack committee chair decides how the responsibilities should be divided and gives committee members assignments.”

In our Pack, it’s really the Chair, Treasurer and myself.  The Cubmaster.  There are others who help with projects such as Wreath Sales and Blue & Gold.  Many of the Den Leaders take on other projects but their main job is their Den.

It’s a tad lope-sided since the work is really done by a few.  While the Parents who were not a Den Leader did help out as Committee Members, many I think were pulled away by other work commitments, charity work or just did not get that .  I suspect that some are also not sure about what to do or nervous about what it all entails.

I need to  point out that the Webelos II Families really put in a lot of work during their son’s time in the Pack.  I saw it.  It is hard sometimes for the parents to see what goes on behind the scene that “helps the Pack GO.”  We have tried to include as many as we can.  My hope is that those who are still in the Pack, step-up and keep going forward.  This next year is a rebuilding year.  Forming, Norming, Storming & Performing!

I can say that there are a few key people who put their best foot forward to help carry it forward for the Scouts.  If it were not for them, this Pack would have had a lot more issues than just the Program.  We worked out both fundraising and financial based issues.  Much of this was cobbled together after looking at how other Scout Units handle their affairs.  This also included a Pack Parent Guide.  Again, these internal operating documents are a good Wood Badge ticket item.

It was in the last two years of the Pack, that we actually had an Annual Planning Meeting.  The first was about 2-3 hours.  The last was about five hours.  This is part of the Pack Journey to Excellence program.

The Annual Planning Meeting really did help create a set list of events and Pack Meetings we wanted to hold and carry out.  It really is a vital part of the Scout Unit.  Figuring out this part of the infrastructure is a catalyst to recruiting new Scouts, but also showing the Parents you know whats going on.  It will help recruit them to be a Den Leader or Committee Member.  Even your replacement.

While the Pack Committee is vastly different in what going on from a Troop Committee, there are a lot of overlapping policy and rules that are just the same.  For that, I will point you to two resources that has helped me a lot.  The first is a blog from Bobwhite Blather.  The link provided shows all the posts about a Troop Committee.  The next one is of him appearing on Scoutcircle.org.  Scout Circle is a spin-off of the Scoutmastercg.com website.

Overall, a well run Committee can easily support a Scout Unit.  Our Pack Committee has weathered many a stormy situation and has learned and grown from it.

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2013 Arrow of Light Scouts

Over the weekend, the Tree Scouts of Pack 221 in the Pioneer District of the Cascade Pacific Council celebrated with an Arrow of Light Ceremony and Crossover at Magness Tree Farm.  The Webelos II, called Tree Scouts  in 2011 came to Magness Tree Farm to complete the Forester Webelos Activity Pin.  It was one of the more memorable outings taken during their time a Scouts.

Due to the liquid sunshine, the outdoor Campfire Ceremony planned was shelved for a more drier atmosphere and was held inside the Learning Center.

There were 11 Webelos II who were in the Den at the beginning of the year.    The Pioneer Order of the Arrow Chapter of Wauna La-Mon’tay Lodge helped the Webelos II crossover.   This will be the third time in my five years the Order of the Arrow has helped Pack 221 with Crossover.  Each time is very moving and memorable.  This time, one of the former Scouts from Pack 221, now in Troop 41 helped.

Of the 11 Scouts, only 10 were present for the ceremony.  Six Webelos II crossed over to Troop 150 and two crossed to Troop 432.  Three Scouts were undecided at the time of Crossover, but were still visiting Troops.

All received their Career Arrows from the OA Ceremony Team who handed them to their parents and then to the Boys.

As the now Boy Scouts spent their first night as Boy Scouts at Magness Tree Farm, many of the Dads and families stayed the night as well.   Many of the Dads had spent not only many days with the Scouts during the Outings.  But also spent many vacation days at Scout Camp.  The night was filled of stories of all the fun things that we did during that time.  It ranged from the 107 degree Tiger Day Camp week to the Horse Trek weekend at Gilbert Ranch and the most recent Summer camp at Adventure Cove.  There were many high &  low points remembered fondly.

I am proud of these boys.  Seven of these boys started at Tigers.  We had several boys who became our friend, but went on their own Journey.  Four have stayed and we continued on as a Den.  Even though many did not finish with us,  I remember all of them.

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Blue & Gold

The National Scouting website says this about what a Blue & Gold represents:

“The purpose of the blue and gold banquet is to celebrate the pack’s anniversary, thank pack leaders and other adults who have helped the pack, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and parents. Packs often like to invite former members and other Scouting or community leaders to take part in their blue and gold banquet.” 

If you’re in the Boyscouts, it called the “Red and Green”.  I do not know what it would be called for Teams, Crews, Ships or Posts.

In a Facebook Cubscout group, there has been a lively discussion on how Blue & Golds are put on and what happens.  A lot of the forum people are putting in all the details on what they do, the entertainment, speakers, gifts, awards, food, rank advancements, Arrow of Light, Crossover’s and unruly kids.  I even heard of a Pack that hands out the Pinewood Derby cars.

Blue and Golds are supposed to he held within the month of February.  It’s to celebrate the Birthday of Scouting in the United States. Some Packs hold it in March.  I suspect even in April, but I have not heard that.

So during all of this, I posted that our Pack had forgone Blue & Golds up until now.  A fellow Cubscouter asked me why?  Which, got me to thinking that I need to post about this before it gets hazy.

Here goes.  My son joined in the fall of 2008.  Our first Blue & Gold was in 2009.  I really had no idea what the culture of Scouting was at that time.  I had never passed beyond Wolf back in 1976.  So, I do not remember it from back then.

I believe that we did have a Blue & Gold that year.  I know this because I brought Pulled Pork.  Though, it might have been part of the Pinewood Derby.  I am getting old and feeble….and cannot remember well.

During 2010 I was the Cubmaster as I took over in April 2009.  Because of the 100th Anniversary, we got ourselves to a Pizza place called Roundtable.  Families ordered their own Pizza and soda. NO BEER.  The cake, two of them, were bought.  Yes, I got one and so did the Webelos I Den Leader.  Neither of us communicated.  We wrote letters to the military and had a FOS guy come speak.  BORING.  Not that fact that it was FOS, but they guy really was kinda boring.  The talk was good, but we did not relate.

2011, I just cannot remember if we had one.  I know we didn’t do anything special.  I think the timing of the Pack Meetings just got messed up.  Even in my notes on Pack Meetings has nothing for February.  I know we had the DE come talk to us about FOS.  Again, not the best use of time.  The FOS part was on a stage with a Pack Meeting going on in the Gym and all the yelling made it hard.

While, I need to as Cubmaster take responsibility for the Program.  The Blue & Gold was a lot to do by myself.  In 2010, it was myself and the WDLI doing it.  This year we had the Committee and a B&G Chair.  The Committee spent a lot of time working through details and handing out assignments.  KISSMIF.  And that’s the difference.  There was support from all sides.  In earlier years, there just wasn’t.

This year, we had a potluck.  Each Den was responsible for some type of Food.  I brought Pork Butt.  It was gone at the end.  There were the basic veggies in a plastic container, Pizza, Nachos, Dips, Chips, Salads, 3-Bean Salad and Crockpots full of goodness. Oh, and yes…Spaghetti.  What Scout event does not have some type of Spaghetti?  Yes, again, we bought Cake and too much. 

We had our Den Leader Awards, Songs, a small history lesson on why Blue & Gold is celebrated.  We had a great guest speaker who spoke about tradition.  In total we had about 110 people attending.

Now, here is what we did not have.

Rank Advancements, FOS, Awards for the Scouts or paid entertainment or Catering. There was no Arrow of Light or Crossover as well.  Nothing like all that.

Here is why, and I hope it keeps that way.

Blue & Gold is not a Pack Meeting.  Nor is it for the Scouts, in general.  It is a time to come together and recognize the Scouting Movement within the United States.  It’s a Party.  It is also a time, the one time a year, that the Pack Leadership and Den Leaders are recognized by the Scouts and the Parents who bring their sons to the meetings.  It is not an Arrow of Light or Crossover or Rank Advancement time.  Hold those at different times.

Here is where it gets sticky and I got some of this from my Troop Guide in the WE1-492-09 Wood Badge Course.  Yes, I am a Beaver.  My Troop Guide is a Bear.  He was a Cubmaster for seven years, and a pretty good one at that.  His main thought on Arrow of Light and Crossover is to keep them seperate.   Crossover should be a separate ceremony for just the Webelos II.  It’s their time, not Pack Time.  There should be time between Arrow of Light and Crossover so the Webelos IIs can be the highest rank in Cubscouts.  Not crossed over and be the rank of Scout in Boy Scouts at the lowest.

Are some of you getting rankled?  Your green BSA Socks in a twist?  Need to loosen your Bolo Tie?  Maybe slide the homemade slide back off your necker?

Why do this, we have done X and Y and Z forever!  That’s the way we have done it!  Well, yes you have.  Am I saying YOUR WRONG?  No.  You are having Blue & Gold.  We were not.

Now, I do believe that no Rank Advancement, FOS and Crossover and even Pinewood Derby should be a part of Blue & Gold.  These are all separate and unrelated items.

Again, Scouting.org describes Blue & Gold as: The banquet can be like a regular pack meeting, with songs, skits, stunts, and awards. Or it can be something different and a little more special. Your pack may decide to bring in an entertainer such as a magician or a storyteller. Or you could have a video or slide show of what the pack did over the past year.

If your Pack is comfortable in the way it does the Blue & Gold. Fine, don’t change.  Why fix it.  If you feel you’re doing WAY too much…then take a look at what you’re doing.  Spread it out, but talk to the parents and Scouts.   I know that putting on Pinewood, Crossover and Blue & Gold all into one event is a lot of work.  Again, my opinion.

The great thing is that the Pack is now been shown a tradition of Scouting and it will grow from there.  We were not perfect this year, and we won’t be perfect next year.  But, it’s all about fun and recognition of Scouting and those who help along the Journey of Scouting.

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A Scouting Tradition

This Monday night was the Pack’s Blue & Gold.  Our Pack has been around for since 1951.  We have had many Blue & Golds celebrations.  However, as of late, we have been pretty lax on them.  It changed on Monday night.

The theme in the back of my head was Tradition.  I spoke to everyone about how Scouting in the US was started.  I spoke about how we had certain traditions that we do and why.

The Den Leaders then after a while broke into song.  Der Top Knocker was the first.  Second was the our guest of honor and many of the Den Leaders.  We sang “if I were not a cubscout”.  It was a huge hit.  The guest of honor played the statue.  I played a Preacher!

Then, it was time for our Guest of Honor and Speaker for the night.  I invited my fellow Beaver and Wood Badger, Jerry Schleining to speak.  When I first asked, it turned out that Monday was his birthday.  But, he came anyway.  He didn’t have to.  His wife Theresa came as well, and I am glad she did.

I wanted the Scouts, Parents and Leaders to hear about his Scouting Journey.  He ended up speaking about the little purple patch and his experience from being in the Trans Atlantic Council to Cubscouts and Boy Scouts.  He spoke about Wood Badge and his current position.  He also wove in a story about his son who is in the Army and how Scouting helped him.  He also spoke about that staying in Scouting is a good thing and why.  He spoke to the Parents to help the boys  stay in and the benefits.  While,  I had heard this before, it was good to see him tell it.  It was good for this Pack to hear it.

After his talk, I brought him back out and explained to the Pack that since it’s the BSA’s Birthday that we need to sing Happy Birthday.  But, I also explained, that Jerry took the time also on his Birthday to be with us. The Pack did not know that he did it.  So, we sang to Jerry as well.

After the speech, we handed out the Journey to Excellence Gold Award patches.  I told the Pack, that this is our fourth year earning it.  Two at Quality Unit Award.  I told them, that because of what they do, they earned it.  I also told them that out of 15 Packs, we are of but Two that earned Gold.  Another Tradition.

Our wonderful Blue & Gold Chair, Donna Marie, then brought everyone up and gave a quick talk about how she believes in Scouting and that it’s the parents/leaders that help make it go.  She and Jerry I know did not consult on notes.  It was great.  She got the entire Pack to stand and clap.

So, before the Closing Flag and a couple of songs, the Committee Chair asked for a moment.

On Monday, he awarded me on behalf of Pack 221, the Unit Leader of Merit Award.  My time in the Cubscout Pack is ending and this really means a lot.  I choked back the tears that were forming and I thanked him, the Leaders, the boys and parents.  Told them that I love Scouting and Pack 221 and that I would always be around.

Again, a Tradition.

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Trainer’s EDGE 2013

This weekend was Trainer’s EDGE in Cascade Pacific Council, in the Pioneer District.  There were about 26 participants who got either certified or re-certified for three years.  Eight of the participants are incoming Troop Guides for the W1-492-13 Wood Badge Course this year.  Five participants were from the Pioneer District who needed for certification and/or wanted to take it.  There were some who thought it would be good to have since they train within their Scout Unit or just wanted it.  We did have one Scouter from out of Council come, but he was staff for Wood Badge in his Council.

Those who presented during Trainer’s EDGE are Wood Badgers and some are on the current course this spring.  So, for many of us, it was a reunion.  The rest of us, we got to make a lot more friends.  That is the one good thing about going to Trainings.  You see your friends.  You see the people who are dedicated to the Scouting Program and know the value of it.

So, what does Trainer’s EDGE actually do for you?  Soon MYSCOUTING.ORG will have the H96 code in it and your set for three years.
Trainer’s EDGE helps the participant learn how to be a better speaker and presenter.  It’s not just for Wood Badge, Scout Units but also in everyday life and even work related.    During class, the tools of better speaking are explained, demonstrated, and then done and then the participant does.  EDGE.  We learn how to control the audience, how to help the audience be comfortable and how to be realize what we are doing during a presentation.  Are we nervous, do we stutter, pace.  We also talk about being ready, being a subject matter expert and practicing our talk.  We also talk about how to have and instill FUN into presentations.  I do not think that humor was ever lost on anyone during the day.

Each time I take this class, I learn more and more about how to be better.  I also learn more about the Scouting Program and how it’s supposed to be delivered.  The side conversations that were had were greatly helpful.  I got to know people better.

I know that I think that I am a good speaker.  But, I also know that I need more practice and to do things differently.  Trainer’s EDGE helped me with that.
There were many great quotes and sayings that happened during this time.  I wish that I had written them down.  Those are classics.

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#Scoutnation Bucketlist

” From our humble beginnings as a #hashtag on Twitter to a community on G+ we are Scout Nation. The adult volunteers in the great organization of Scouting! Sit by the fire and stay awhile, we have questions, answers, stories and laughs. Remember the Scout Oath & Law and you will do fine here!”

The above is the “About” part of Scoutnation on the G+ Community page.  I think that I have following Scoutnation Scouters via Twitter & Websites since about late 2008 when Elliot joined Cub scouts.   I have had the pleasure meeting a lot of them offline and in the “real world”.  Most recently Bryan Spellman.  Funny, both he and Arlen Ward have both been in Non-Scouting areas.  Bryan in Las Vegas. (PS: The Scout shop was closed the whole time! We were bummed.)

What I love about Scoutnation is the instant Brother & Sister Hood we all have when we meet.  There are hugs all around.   As Bryan put it, there are other forums and places that Scouters get mean and nasty about what they think is correct.  We, within Scoutnation love to poke fun at each other and work well together even though we are separated by hundreds of miles.  If it were not for Scoutnation, I would not have been able to grow into the Scouter that I am.  It would have taken longer.

My hope is that sooner than later, I get to meet everyone within Scoutnation.

While our plans did not totally work out together, Bryan and I got to meet and talk.  I was in Vegas with my High School Class and he with his Wife of 20 years celebrating their 20th Wedding Anniversary.  We kept texting each other trying to make it work.  It was still very much fun to be there.

So, the Scoutnation bucket list.  Meet other Scouters.

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Operator Rating Strip

  I follow K2BSA on twitter and via his blog.  I am also a Ham Radio Operator.  My call sign is K7RUB.  I have written about Ham Radio before on this blog, but was very happy to see K2BSA’s tweet/blog about a recent update to the BSA Program.

“The National Radio Scouting Committee is pleased to announce that the BSA Awards and Insignia Committee has approved the Amateur Radio Operator Rating Strip for wear on youth and adult leader uniforms. This rating strip recognizes the member’s availability as an amateur radio operator for communication services for events and activities as well as emergencies.”

You can read his blog here for more details.  K2BSA is the official Ham Radio call sign.  Several BSA Volunteers travel to many National events like Jamboree to broadcast.  Learn more about Scouting and Ham Radio.

I would highly suggest anyone either in or out of the Scouting program to get their Ham Radio license.  It’s fun and it’s always good to Be Prepared.  The American Radio Relay League has more information and has been around since 1914.

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First Aid Pack Meeting 2013

For the past three years, Pack 221 has put on a First Aid Pack Meeting in January.  First Aid is one of the things that Cubscouts and Boy Scouts are known for.  Knowing First Aid is one thing, but knowing what to do when an Emergency happens is key as well.

When I first envisioned this meeting, I wanted it to incorporate the Emergency Preparedness Pin.  We really have never fully completed the requirements for it as a Pack or Den.  I can say that as a Unit Scouter, that I only need to create an emergency kit/plan for the meeting place.  In our first version of this meeting in 2010, we did create Emergency Kits.  I found out that a now Bear Cubscout still has and uses his to this day.  Which, really means a lot to me.  Anytime his Sister’s or Family needs a band-aid, he runs and gets it.

In 2011, while we did the full meeting again, I took a moment to talk about how we plan for emergency’s.  While we have never had a fire drill or a plan for an emergency during a meeting, I did simulate a power outage.  I did this after the Japan Tsunami.  I wanted to let the Scouts know that we need to be prepared for a lot of things.

So, for the January 2013 First Aid Pack Meeting, we created it all again.  This time, we had the 141st Charlie Co Medical Corp from the Oregon National Guard, Oregon Search & Rescue, Troop 127, A Sports Medicine Trainer from the Portland Timbers and a Tiger Den Leader helping us put on the event.

We talking about how to stay put and be safe if lost, control bleeding & and how to stabilize, how to stay fit, what to do for snake bites & poison plants and our 10 essentials.  We did it all in about 50 minutes in rotating stations.  Now,  yes, it is a brief overview but a lot of Cubscouts got good tips on what to do when.  That is the goal.  The Dens can break it down later and work on these skills.  But, we need to put into the Cubscouts thought process of, what to do when.  It just might help them.

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A Look Back

   I am trying to come up with a post that talks about all of Pack 221′s accomplishments for the past calendar year.   Outside of the announcement that for the second year in a row, we have attained Gold for the 2012 Journey to Excellence, our program is good.  I know that there are weak points within the Program and within the Committee, but what Scout Unit doesn’t?  If they don’t then well, they are mindless and their compass is defective.  My goal since I took over as Cubmaster is to make this Pack a lot better than I got it.  I have had my Committee Chair say that is true.

I can say that just about every Den has 10 Scouts in it and we basically have grown each year.  The Committee is good and is growing into their positions after adding a few new parents to it.   My replacement was found and accepted the position.  The new Committee Chair is on board as well since re-charter is basically over.

The new Committee Chair is looking into  the 2013 Wood Badge, but the Cubmaster has already signed up.  For me, that is a huge win.  I think Wood Badge will help them understand more of Scouting and get them more information and support than I can.  Not to say that I did not give it, but hearing it from another source than myself is good.

The Committee and Den Leaders as a whole are now functioning way better than what I had as a Tiger Den Leader.  Pack 221 is now in its 62nd year as a Scout Unit.  It is always good to leave something a little bit better than you found it.    While I will not be far after I turn over my duties on April 6th, 2013 when the Webelos II “Tree Scouts” earn the Arrow of Light and crossover, I know that Pack 221 will be in good hands.

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Scouter Friends of 2012

  Within the Google+ Community of #Scoutnation, there is a question going around of what are your highlights of the past year and even what you are looking forward to in 2013.  I have given my response there about what I am looking forward to.  In a post to come later I will talk about the highlights of Pack 221 and myself in 2012.

This post is about my friends that I have made and met within 2012 (and earlier).   I take great pride in knowing, talking, tweeting, and emailing with all of you who I am connected to through Scouting and the Internet.  I have good friends through Scouting, Wood Badge and other Scout events.

What I really liked this year is meeting up with several of Scoutnation Scouters in life. Mike Walton, Phil Peck, Jerry Schleining, Kevin Devin and now Arlen Ward.  The ongoing joke that I tell about these people who I meet in life to others is “I meet guys on the internet and arrange a meet-up in life.”  I would have never have met any of these people if it were not for Baden-Powell and the Unknown Scout.   I really look forward to the days that I can meet all my other Brother & Sister Scouters in life.   Be it at Philmont, Seabase or Disneyland.

The “local” Scouters within Cascade Pacific Council, I really enjoy our time together.  Coming together or just running into each other at non-Scout events is great.  There is an instant recognition and understanding.   If our families meet, I can point to my son or daughter and say, they are a Webelos or Brownie too and our kids have something in common.  Though, I can say, hey, do you play Chess, Magic or Minecraft?  Instant friends.   My wife can also talk to the other wives about being a Scout Widow.  I normally point out what my wife does with jewelery and her volunteer work.

So, my biggest Scouting joy of 2012 is knowing all of you and meeting some of you in person.  Here is to meeting more of Scoutnation in 2013.

Photo image is from here.

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