Volunteering

You will soon find that the time you spend involved with your son’s Pack will give you the opportunity to be a “hero” in your son’s eyes, and will give you a way to teach volunteerism by example. More boys will go on to volunteer later in life when their parents have led by example.

Be assured that the time you spend as an active Scouting parent will be quality time with your son, creating memories to cherish for a lifetime!

What do I get out of volunteering?

Being involved in Cub Scouting is fun, challenging, and rewarding. Leaders find that their experiences help them to become better parents. Following are some of the many dividends that will enrich your life as you dedicate your time, talents, and enthusiasm to Scouting:

• Fun and fellowship with other families, sharing your pride in the boys’ accomplishments.

• The privilege of helping to enrich and strengthen families.

• A chance to help boys learn good citizenship and to help shape them into men who have strength of character and are sensitive to the needs of others.

• The opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of boys as they grow strong in mind and body.

• A code to live by which will set a worthwhile example for both boys and adults.

• The satisfaction of being a member of a worldwide movement, and pride in being publicly identified as a part of this organization -- wearing the Scouting uniform is a visible means of showing you believe in and stand up for the ideals and objectives of the Boy Scouts of America.

How can I help?

So, how can you help? We’re glad you asked, because we have many ways you can get involved, big and small, year-long or short-term. You are the best judge of the time you can commit. The pack cannot exist without your involvement on some level. Following are ways you can become involved. The descriptions are brief; however, if you are interested in a position, we can give you a full job description.

Large, ongoing commitment

The following positions are uniformed leadership positions that require training. These people should attend the monthly pack leader’s meeting.

Cubmaster

Assistant Cubmaster:

Advancement Chair

Tiger Program Leader:

Wolf Program Leader

Bear Program Leader

Webelos Program Leader:

Den Leader

Assistant Den Leader

Medium to Small Ongoing Commitment

The people in the following positions can choose to be uniformed or non-uniformed. Some of the positions may require training.

Committee Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Membership Chair

Activities Chair

Pack Trainer

Public Relations Coordinator

Website Coordinator

Religious Activities Coordinator

Family & Special Awards Coordinator

Outings Coordinator

Parades Coordinator

Service Coordinator

Troop liaison

Short-term Commitments

The following positions are not ongoing, and those in the positions will only spend a couple months out of the year coordinating their responsibilities. The people in the following positions can choose to be uniformed or non-uniformed. Some of the positions may require training.

Camping Coordinator:

Friends of Scouting Coordinator (1 to 2 months in January and February) Popcorn Coordinator (2 to 3 months in the fall)

Greenery Coordinator (2 to 3 months in the fall)

Blue & Gold Coordinator (1 to 2 months in January and February)

Derby Coordinator (1 month in November, 1 month in March)

Greeter

Leader Training

Some positions require leaders to be trained. The following describes each level of training:

Fast Start & Youth Protection Training

So you’re a new leader! Congratulations! To get you started, the Mid-America Council has training available online. To complete Cub Scout Leader Fast Start Training, go to www.mac-bsa.org, click on the “Training” button on the right of the screen. At the bottom of the training page is a button for “Cub Scout Fast Start Training” and another for “Youth Protection Training”. You should complete both of these trainings first, before you begin meeting with your scouts.

Basic Training

After you have completed the Fast Start training for your leadership position, the next step is to attend a Cub Scout Leader Training session conducted in your area. This training will give you a more in-depth understanding of your new leadership position and the Cub Scouting program. These sessions are scheduled to be conducted in both the fall and the spring. Ask your Cubmaster for the date, time and location of the session nearest to you.

Supplemental Training

After you have completed Fast Start and Basic Training, you will be well on your way. But every good leader looks for opportunities to expand their skills, so the Tecumseh Council offers supplemental training sessions such as BALOO, Outdoor Skills, University of Scouting, and Wood Badge courses. Look for information about these training opportunities in the council newsletter, BSA Bugle, or by visiting the council website.

Other Publications

When you become a registered leader with the BSA, you will start receiving issues of Scouting Magazine and BSA Bugle. These publications will keep you up-to-date with new information. You can also visit the council website for even more information!