CUB SCOUT LEADER

QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Revised December 08, 2005 by Northeast Elementary PTO

Several leadership positions are necessary for a Cub Scout pack to function properly

and successfully. (See the Pack Organization Chart on page 7-1 of the Cub Scout Leader

Book, BSA no. 33221B.) Descriptions of the leadership positions related to Cub Scouting

are provided here.

The citizenship requirement listed in the leadership positions is understood as follows:

"For citizens of the United States, individuals serving in any official relationship with

the Boy Scouts of America shall subscribe to the statement of religious principles, and

the Scout Oath and Law.

"Adults who are not citizens of the United States, but who reside within the country,

may register with the Boy Scouts of America in any capacity if they agree to abide by

the Scout Oath and Law, to respect and obey the laws of the United States of America,

and to subscribe to the statement of religious principle."

(Article VIII, Section 2, Clause I of the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of

America)

The Charter Organization

The Charter Organization (CO) of Pack 355 is the Northeast Elementary PTO.  The PTO carries the license, and owns the equipment and the bank account of Pack 355.  The Charter Organization (PTO) assigns a Charter Organization Representative (COR).  This person has to be a member of the CO and is usually the President or Vice-President.  The COR is the overall leader of the Pack and sets all policies and procedures using the BSA guidelines in combination with the Charter Organizations policies. The COR reports regularly to the PTO as to the status of the pack.  The COR has final say so in all matters pertaining to the Pack.
 

Chartered Organization Representative

Qualifications: If residing in this country but not a citizen of the United States, agrees

to abide by the Scout Oath and Law, to respect and obey the laws of the United States of

America, and to subscribe to the BSA statement of religious principle. Is at least 21 years

of age, and is a member of the chartered organization other than the unit leader or

assistant unit leader.  In other words, this person can not be the Cubmaster as well. Is appointed by the chartered organization to serve as its official Scouting representative and is registered as an adult leader of the BSA.

Responsibilities: The chartered organization representative's responsibilities are to

• Select the right leadership for the unit.

• Set unit policy

• Verify background check on new adult leader applicants.

• Encourage unit leaders and committee members to take training.

• Promote well-planned unit programs.

• Serve as a liaison between the unit(s) and the organization.

• Organize enough units.

• Promote the recruiting of new members.

• See that boys transition from unit to unit.

• Help with the charter renewal.

• Suggest Good Turns for the organization.

• Encourage the unit committee to hold meetings.

• Cultivate organization leaders.

• Encourage outdoor program activities.

• Emphasize advancement and recognition.

• Utilize district help and promote the use of district personnel and materials.

• Set approved unit finance policies.

• Encourage recognition of leaders.

• Cultivate resources to support the organization.

• Represent the organization at the council level.

The chartered organization representative is the direct contact between the pack and the chartered organization. This individual is also the organization's contact with the district committee and the local council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council.  If the chartered organization has more than one unit, one representative serves them all.

Pack Committee Chair

Qualifications: If residing in this country but not a citizen of the United States, agrees

to abide by the Scout Oath and Law, to respect and obey the laws of the United States of

America, and to subscribe to the BSA statement of religious principle. Is at least 21 years

of age, is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of

the BSA. Is a person of good character, familiar with organization procedures, with a deep concern for the pack's success.  Is a member of the chartered organization, respected in the community, who shows the willingness and ability to be the Cubmaster's chief adviser.

Responsibilities: The pack committee chair's job is to

• Reports to and receive instructions from the Charter Organization Representative

• Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative, keeping this key person informed of the needs of the pack that must be brought to the attention of the organization or the district.

• Attends District Roundtables

• Aspires to do their best at achieving the leadership knot for their position.

• Report to the chartered organization to cultivate harmonious relations.

• Confer with the Cubmaster on policy matters relating to Cub Scouting and the chartered organization.

• Supervise pack committee operation by

1. Calling and presiding at pack leaders' meetings.  In their absence they may have the Charter Organization Representative or the Vice – Committee Chair presides.  Generally this person is the Pack Trainer or the Cubmaster.

2. Assigning duties to committee members.

3. Planning for pack charter review, roundup, and re-registration.

4. Approving bills before payment by the pack treasurer.

Note:  All expenditures shall be approved by the Charter Organization Representative.

• Conduct the annual pack program planning conference and pack leaders' meetings.

• Complete pack committee Fast Start Training and Basic Leader Training for the position.

• Ask the committee to assist with recommendations for Cubmaster, assistant Cubmasters, Tiger
    Cub Den leaders, Cub Scout den leaders, and Webelos den leaders, as needed.

• Recognize the need for more dens, and see that new dens are formed as needed.

• Work with the chartered organization representative to provide adequate and safe facilities for pack meetings.

• Cooperate with the Cubmaster on council-approved money-earning projects so the pack can
   earn money for materials and equipment.

• Manage finances through adequate financial records.

• Maintain adequate pack records and take care of pack property.

• If the Cubmaster is unable to serve, assume active direction of the pack until a successor is
    recruited and registered.

• Appoint a committee member or other registered adult to be responsible for Youth Protection
    training. This could be the Cubmaster or the Pack Trainer or other designated adult leader.

• Provide a training program for adult family members.

• Develop and maintain strong pack-troop relationships, sharing with the pack committee the
    need for graduations into a troop.

• Work closely with the unit commissioner and other pack and troop leaders in bringing about a
    smooth transition of Webelos Scouts into the troop.

• Help bring families together at joint activities for Webelos dens (or packs) and Boy Scout
    troops.  Support the policies of the BSA.

Pack Committee Roles

Every pack is under the supervision of a pack committee. This committee consists of a

minimum of three members, each of whom meets these requirements: If residing in this

country but not a citizen of the United States, agrees to abide by the Scout Oath and

Law, to respect and obey the laws of the United States of America, and to subscribe to

the BSA statement of religious principle. Is of good character, is 21 years of age or older,

is selected by the chartered organization, and is registered as an adult leader of the BSA.

One of these is designated as pack committee chair.

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 divided among the members. 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 and is better able to perform all the required

functions to ensure a successful pack program. It is also a way of involving more pack

families in meaningful service to the pack.

Responsibilities: Regardless of the size of the pack committee, these responsibilities

must be performed:

• 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.

• Attends District Roundtables

• Provide adequate and safe facilities for pack meetings.

• Coordinate the pack's program and the chartered organization's program through the chartered
    organization representative.

• Help with pack charter renewal.

• Help stimulate the interest of adult family members through proper programming.

• Supervise finances and equipment.

• Work closely with the Cubmaster.

• Ensure that all Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts receive a year-round, quality 
   program.

• Complete pack committee Fast Start Training and Basic Leader Training for the position.

• Conduct, with the help of the Cubmaster, periodic training for parents and guardians.

• 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 chair decides how the responsibilities should be divided and gives committee members assignments. Here are details of the various pack committee functions.

Pack Trainer

(Also known as Assistant Committee Chair and Pack Supervisor)

Qualifications: If residing in this country but not a citizen of the United States, agrees

to abide by the Scout Oath and Law, to respect and obey the laws of the United States of

America, and to subscribe to the BSA statement of religious principle. Is at least 21 years

of age, and is registered with the BSA as a pack trainer. It is recommended that the pack

trainer have at least one year of experience in a leadership position in Cub Scouting,

preferably as a Cub Scout or Webelos den leader.

Pack trainers should be trained at a district or council trainer development conference.  Leader Specific Training will surface for this position. The pack committee chair selects the pack trainer with the approval of the chartered organization. For new packs and those lacking experienced leaders, an experienced leader from the district training team or another pack may be appointed as pack trainer until the new leaders gain experience.

The Pack Trainer is often considered to be the Vice-Committee Chair also known as the Assistant Committee Chair.  In the absence of the Committee Chair the Committee Chair has the can ask either the Charter Organization Representative or the Assistant Committee Chair to preside over meetings.

The Pack Trainer is also considered the supervisor of all leaders except for the Committee Chair and Cubmaster.  In the absence of a fully trained Cubmaster, the Pack Trainer leads that position as well.

Responsibilities: The pack trainer is responsible for

• Serve as Assistant Committee Chair if requested by the Charter Organization
    Representative.

• Function as Pack Supervisor assisting the Committee Chair and Cubmaster

• Conducting orientation of new families and pack leaders. (See Chapter 10 of the Cub Scout
    Leader Book, "Den and Pack Management.")

• Training each new leader and pack committee member for his or her specific position, using
    material provided by the BSA.

• Helping with Unit Leadership Enhancements during pack leaders' meetings.

• Conducting other training as designated by the district and/or council.

• Encouraging pack leaders to attend ongoing training, such as roundtable, pow
    wow or University of Scouting, outdoor training, Youth Protection training, and
    Wood Badge.

• Remaining current with training material and program updates.

• Keeping track of pack training records.

• Attends District Roundtables

The goal of the pack trainer is to have 100 percent of the pack leadership trained in their position

responsibilities. New leaders and adult family members should receive orientation within one

week of joining the pack, and leaders should receive position-specific training within 30 days.

Secretary

Keep informed of all Cub Scouting literature, materials, records, and forms to help leaders function effectively. Help new den leaders by telling them what resources are available.

Acquaint den leaders with the contents of the Pack Record Book so that 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 business conducted at pack leaders' 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.

• Attends District Roundtables

• Send out communication via email or other means on behalf of the Committee Chair and Charter Rep.

Treasurer

• Reports directly to and receive instructions for the Committee Chair.

• Attends District Roundtables

• Be fully trained for their position

• Maintain Pack Financial Records on behalf of the Committee Chair

• Reports on all financial matters at the request of the Committee Chair as well to the Charter Organization Rep.

• 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.

• Maintain their name on the bank signature card along with the Charter Organization Representative. One other person can
   also be placed on the signature card at the request of the Charter Organization Representative; however this person can not
    be the Committee Chair. Frequently this person is the Cubmaster.

• Ask permission and receive authorization for all expenditures by Committee Chair who in return must ask permission and receive authorization from Charter Organization Representative or has been given guidelines by the Charter Organization Representative and in return adheres to such guidelines.

• Approve all budget expenditures when conducting business with all other pack members as designated by the Committee Chair.  Check all disbursements against budget allowances, and pay bills by check.  Again, the pack committee chair should approve bills before payment.

• Only the pack Committee Chair and Charter Organization Representative can make expenditures without first communicating with the Treasurer, however all expenditure should fall in the budget guidelines.

• 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.  The memo section on checks can satisfy the receipt requirements.  Only the Committee Chair can modify the requirements of this section as set by the guidelines of the Charter Organization Representative.

• 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 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 family members will be alert to opportunities for boys to earn dues money and develop habits of thrift.

• On the 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 that the boy can earn dues.  If scout has not paid dues by their third month, consider reframing room award presentation.

• Periodically report on the pack's financial condition at the monthly pack leaders' meeting. Make regular monthly reports to the pack committee at the pack leaders' meeting, and report to the 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.