Kay wrote to me with this question about building a working Pack Committee:

Hi,
I’ve been in scouting now for three years. For the past two years I served as Asst. Cubmaster and this year as Cubmaster. Our Pack has a very unique postition in that for the last 20 years our Pack has been ran solely by the Cubmaster and there has been no Pack Committee.
After attending a Wood Badge course, one of my goals was to bring back the Pack Committee model. We are having growing pains. Would you be able to offer any words of wisdom or advice.

A strong committee will definitely benefit your Pack. Hopefully your Cubmaster will welcome the help.

This is a problem many growing Cub Scout Packs need to deal with, especially in the case of new Packs where the Cubmaster was the driving force behind getting the Pack started. For a working Pack Committee, you will need a Committee Chair who works well with the Cubmaster. In a case where this is not initiated by the Cubmaster, you might need to convince him that he is not being replaced, but that people want to help lighten his load. Many hands make light work.

The Committee Chair will also need to look at the other parents in the Pack and recruit them them to be Committee members. I recommend you try filling the Treasurer position and the Pack Trainer position also. Our Committee also has a Religious Emblems Coordinator. Other members can fill roles like Pinewood Derby Chair and Blue and Gold Banquet Chair.

You might find some of the articles on my Pack Committee page helpful.

Good luck and good Scouting!

Pack Committee Chair is a very important position in a Cub Scout Pack. Over the years I have worked with many different Committee Chairs in our Pack, ranging from very committed to almost non-existent. So I know from experienced that a strong, involved Committee Chair really makes a difference to the Pack leaders and to the Pack program.

A Pack Committee Chair must be able to juggle a lot of different things at a time and must be good at delegating.   That way he or she can provide support to the Cubmaster and Den Leaders and help them provide a quality program to the Pack.

Below is a typical description of the position. Adjust it to meet the needs of your Pack.

Pack Committee Chair

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must agree to the principles and mission of the BSA
• Is appointed by the chartered organization
• Must be registered as an adult leader of the BSA.
• Must be willing to work with the Cubmaster to deliver a quality program to the Pack

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain a relationship with the chartered organization to ensure that the Pack program meets the requirements of both the BSA and the chartered organization
• Work with the Cubmaster on policy matters relating to Cub Scouting and the chartered organization.
• Chair the Pack Committee meetings
• Annually recharter the Pack
• Work with the Pack Treasurer to develop a budget
• Complete Youth Protection training and position specific training for the position of Pack Committee Chair
• Delegate responsibilities to other adults in the Pack to ensure a quality Pack program
• Ensure that the positions of Cubmaster Assistant Cubmaster are filled
• Ensure that every den has a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader
• Form new dens as necessary, remembering that an optimum den size is 6 to 8 boys
• Secure meeting facilities through the chartered organization.
• Work with the Treasurer and Cubmaster to develop fund raising projects and secure adults to chair those projects
• Ensure that all registered leaders have completed BSA Youth Protection training
• Educate Pack families about the Cub Scout program
• Nurture and maintain relationships with one or more Boy Scout troops in the area to ensure that Webelos have a smooth transition to the Boy Scout program
• Support the policies of the BSA.

When people think about who runs a Cub Scout Pack, they usually think of the Cubmaster. But in a healthy Pack, there should be a whole group of people working for the good of the youth. These people make up the Pack Committee.

Responsibilities of the Cub Scout Pack Committee

There must be a minimum of three adults on the committee. They must agree to the principles of the Boy Scouts of America. Members are selected by the chartered organization. The committee is responsible for a variety of tasks:

Regardless of the size of the pack committee, these responsibilities must be performed:

• Recruit new adult leaders, including  the Cubmaster and one or more assistant Cubmasters. These leaders must be approved by the chartered organization.
• Provide a place for the Pack to meet.
• Serve as a link between the Pack and the chartered organization, making sure the Pack functions within the mission of the Boy Scouts of America and within the mission of the chartered organization.
• Make sure the Pack charter is renewed on time annually.
• Work with the Cubmaster to deliver a quality, year-round  program to the youth and their families.
• Maintain a Pack treasury.
• Purchase equipment as necessary and maintain it.
• Encourage all adults in the Pack to obtain the appropriate training for their positions.
• Work with local Boy Scout troops, especially any troop under the same chartered organization, to provide a smooth transition for youth crossing from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

The most efficient way for the committee to run is to assign specific tasks to specific members. A well organized committee makes the Cubmaster’s job much easier and ensures that a quality program is delivered to the youth.

Some of my readers are brand new to Scouting, so every now and then I am going to give some information about leadership positions in one of the divisions.

In Cub Scouting, adults work together to deliver program to the youth members. One of the adult positions is the Cubmaster. The Cubmaster must be at least 21 years old and be a registered BSA member. The Cubmaster can be male or female. In many cases, the Cubmaster is the most visible adult leader in the Pack, and therefore the one most parents look to when they have questions.

Cubmaster Responsibilities and Duties

So what are the Cubmaster’s responsibilities? The Pack program is developed by the Pack Committee, but the Cubmaster conducts that program. A typical list of responsibilities includes:

• Deliver a quality, fun, year-round program to the Cub Pack
• Conduct the program according to BSA policies
• Receive the appropriate training, including Cubmaster specific training
• Attend monthly Cub Scout Roundtables, to receive information about district and council policies and programs
• Carry out the Pack program with the support of the Pack Committee, including leading monthly pack meetings
• Carry out the goals of the chartering organization within the Pack program
• Work with the Pack Committee to recruit adult leadership
• Work with the Pack Committee to develop the Pack budget
• Support the Pack Den Leaders and encourage them to get the appropriate training
• Encourage the Pack Den Leaders to work toward Cub Scout Leader awards
• Encourage Webelos to cross over to a Boy Scout Troop
• Communicate with parents about the Pack program and help to educate them about the Cub Scout program
• Encourage family participation in the Cub Scout program
• Encourage the Pack to participate in service projects
• Work with the Assistant Cubmasters, delegating as necessary
• Attend and participate in Pack Committee planning meetings
• Recruit Den Chiefs to assist the Pack Den Leaders
• Incorporate traditional Scouting elements, such as flag ceremonies, skits, and songs, into the Pack program
• Encourage advancement and recognize Cub Scouts when they advance