Since my last post we have had a couple of good training sessions in Committee Meeting. We trained on Den Cheifs (what they are and how to use them) a couple of months ago. We then requested District Den Chief Training, and the District quickly provided it for us. I worked with the Scoutmaster, and we had six Boy Scouts from 1510 get trained at the event. That was awesome. So I followed that up with another committee training session on proper use of Den Chiefs. The Den Leaders seem pleased with the results they see in the dens. The Boys Scouts seem much more confident in their duties, as well.
For diversity, I'm pleased to report that we invited our unit's first eagle scout to the Blue & Gold Banquet in February, and he came! (He's about 85 years old.) He was the perfect guest of honor for our Hundred Years of Scouting celebration, and he made it really special.
Also on the subject of diversity, I am happy about the way our Pinewood Derby was a very inclusive event. We allowed boys who are not normally part of our group to participate, and I think it was a great experience for those families. While we haven't been able to recruit all of these boys, I think we were able to create a lot of possitive contact with families outside of out usual congregation. We didn't go to great lengths to make this happen, but we invite anyone we meet, and our open participation policy bears great fruit.
Pack meeting planning has definitely improved as we follow the BSA suggested planning process. We continue planning Pack Meetings in advance at Committee Meeting, and it seems to be going smoothly. I don't feel like I'm on my own putting the program together.
I have slacked a little in my efforts toward recruiting. My attention has been directed elsewhere, I suppose. What's neat is that others have begun doing recruiting as well! And I will return my focus to that subject soon, as I have some work to do on my ticket in that area.
I will also get working on the "service" item on my ticket by the end of summer, as I will likely have completed three other ticket items by then.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
December Space Derby Was Outstanding
The Space Derby was so fun! We turned out the lights, gave everybody glowsticks, lit the tracks with Christmas lights, and the whole thing was like Space Mountain. The boys had fun racing, and the little brothers and sisters had lots of fun playing with glow sticks.
Ms. Connell gave a wonderful presentation on Hanukah. The "diversity guest" ticket item is really enriching our pack meetings. We'll definitely have to keep this going after I get beaded.
The pack meeting was a little crazy, and ran a little long (as race nights tend to do), but I think it was definitely a success. I'm finding that I'm going to need to delegate some of the recruiting responsibilities on Pack Meeting Night, because I cannot give new families the attention they need while I'm running the show. We had two new families there, but I had my hands so full with final adjustments to advancements, responding to people's requests, keeping things in order and preparing certificates for racers. I couldn't be calm and clear and unfrenzied, even though I desperately wanted to make a good impression and help them get oriented. I need to delegate welcoming new families to our excellent committee chair.
I'm seeing how I really need to recruit another leader that would enjoy helping to run the pack meeting show with me. My assistant, Judy, is awesone and I adore her, but she does not enjoy the spotlight. So it would be good to add another person to our team. That way when I eventually move on to other things (hopefully in the distant future) there will be someone who already knows how to keep things moving and thriving.
Ms. Connell gave a wonderful presentation on Hanukah. The "diversity guest" ticket item is really enriching our pack meetings. We'll definitely have to keep this going after I get beaded.
The pack meeting was a little crazy, and ran a little long (as race nights tend to do), but I think it was definitely a success. I'm finding that I'm going to need to delegate some of the recruiting responsibilities on Pack Meeting Night, because I cannot give new families the attention they need while I'm running the show. We had two new families there, but I had my hands so full with final adjustments to advancements, responding to people's requests, keeping things in order and preparing certificates for racers. I couldn't be calm and clear and unfrenzied, even though I desperately wanted to make a good impression and help them get oriented. I need to delegate welcoming new families to our excellent committee chair.
I'm seeing how I really need to recruit another leader that would enjoy helping to run the pack meeting show with me. My assistant, Judy, is awesone and I adore her, but she does not enjoy the spotlight. So it would be good to add another person to our team. That way when I eventually move on to other things (hopefully in the distant future) there will be someone who already knows how to keep things moving and thriving.
The Dens are Growing, Getting Stronger
We sent letters (a few weeks ago) to all of the cub-age boys and their parents in Bremerton Ward, inviting them to come to our pack meeting and inviting them to consider joining Cub Scouts. It was so exciting when Laura brought her son Dennis to the Pack Meeting! She filled out an application on the spot and we are in the process of getting her oriented to the scouting program. Dennis turns 11 in a few days, so we are focusing on getting him into 11-year-old Scouts.
Sam T has been faithfully attending Leia P's den meetings on Tuesday nights, but he is 11, so we are helping him transition into 11-year-old Scouts. He loves Leia's den, though, and wants to keep attending there too. We think that's great, so we're going to make him an official Den Chief as soon as he starts attending the 11-year-old Patrol.
Sister J has kindly offered to give rides to weekly patrol meetings for Sam and Dennis (if needed) as she drives her son to the meetings. That's so helpful and thoughtful!
Leia P is so reliable and committed to leading her den. I am so thankful for her! Tonight at den meeting Leia told me she would really appreciate an assitant (or two) with creative talent. She hopes to be assisted by someone who can think of fun den projects, games and activities. Likewise, having a bit of diversity in leadership will strengthen the den and make the meetings that much better. I passed that info on to the church leaders.
Jessi C is the new Den Leader for Den 1. She has been oriented, has committed to do all of her BSA online training this month, and is really hitting the ground running. We're excited to have her on our team! She hopes to recieve an assistant or two soon, as she understands that with two-deep leadership, she isn't allowed to run den meetings alone.
John P and Linsey S have done a lot for our pack over the last few months! They demonstrated a space derby for us in November, and then officiated over a space derby in December. Both pack meetings were incredibly fun and exciting, especially with the 11-year-old boys being there. They also brought an entire den of 8 Tiger Cubs (and their families) from Holy Trinity Catholic Church to participate as guests at both Pack Meetings. It was an absolutly outstanding time, and we are so grateful for what Mr P, Mr S, and their boys did for our pack.
Participating tonight at Leia P's den meeting was a new boy and his mom. Aparently, they heard about our Cub Scout program from some missionaries. Isn't that wonderful? I will meet with his family and orient them to the program. We're so glad to have this new family in the pack!
Sam T has been faithfully attending Leia P's den meetings on Tuesday nights, but he is 11, so we are helping him transition into 11-year-old Scouts. He loves Leia's den, though, and wants to keep attending there too. We think that's great, so we're going to make him an official Den Chief as soon as he starts attending the 11-year-old Patrol.
Sister J has kindly offered to give rides to weekly patrol meetings for Sam and Dennis (if needed) as she drives her son to the meetings. That's so helpful and thoughtful!
Leia P is so reliable and committed to leading her den. I am so thankful for her! Tonight at den meeting Leia told me she would really appreciate an assitant (or two) with creative talent. She hopes to be assisted by someone who can think of fun den projects, games and activities. Likewise, having a bit of diversity in leadership will strengthen the den and make the meetings that much better. I passed that info on to the church leaders.
Jessi C is the new Den Leader for Den 1. She has been oriented, has committed to do all of her BSA online training this month, and is really hitting the ground running. We're excited to have her on our team! She hopes to recieve an assistant or two soon, as she understands that with two-deep leadership, she isn't allowed to run den meetings alone.
John P and Linsey S have done a lot for our pack over the last few months! They demonstrated a space derby for us in November, and then officiated over a space derby in December. Both pack meetings were incredibly fun and exciting, especially with the 11-year-old boys being there. They also brought an entire den of 8 Tiger Cubs (and their families) from Holy Trinity Catholic Church to participate as guests at both Pack Meetings. It was an absolutly outstanding time, and we are so grateful for what Mr P, Mr S, and their boys did for our pack.
Participating tonight at Leia P's den meeting was a new boy and his mom. Aparently, they heard about our Cub Scout program from some missionaries. Isn't that wonderful? I will meet with his family and orient them to the program. We're so glad to have this new family in the pack!
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