m0mmaBuck Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 We are in a pecular situation this year as we have a fully-staffed Pack with the exception of a Committee Chair. As the outgoing CC, I have made sure we have Den Leaders and Asst. Den Leaders for each Den. We have a Cubmaster and Asst. Cubmaster, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Recharter Asst, Blue and Gold chair, Derby chair, Webmaster, Advancements Coordinator, Refreshments Coordinator, Decorations Coordinator, Membership Chair.... Well, you get the picture. But we are lacking a volunteer for the CC position. I had found one last spring but then our Cubmaster resigned and he decided he'd rather be in that position so now I'm on the hunt again. I've tried to stress the fact that given how well-staffed we are, the CC will have very little actual work to do (it's all been delegated out already). Basically, the CC will run the Committee Meeting once/month (i.e. check to see that everyone is doing their part), review the minutes before the Secretary mails them out, and MC the Blue and Gold banquet. That's it. I've invited people to come to the Committee meeting (all parents are always welcome) to see exactly what the job will be. I've pulled together all of the parents to stress the need to fill this now easy position. I've emailed the job description to everyone. I've called people and asked them to consider the position. Any other ideas? My son earned his AoL on Friday and our entire den is bridging in December, and recharter needs to be done preferably by Thanksgiving, so the clock is ticking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted October 7, 2012 Author Share Posted October 7, 2012 I would stress that there is training available. Figuring out the pack budget, programming for next year, etc can be intimidating to new volunteers who haven't read the leader's book I'd look at people who have boys at Wolf or Bear level and have a committee job and ask them to step up, and visit with them one-on-one to be specific on the time committment and job duties. Wolf level because they'll be around a few more years, and they've already gotten their feet wet. The budget is done. The entire calendar year is planned. Both are on paper and have been emailed and snail mailed to the entire pack. Seriously, there is nothing left to be done. We have taken care of it all! We don't have a Wolf den (as we did not have a Tiger den last year since none of the parents of the interested boys would step up last year) but we do have 2 Bear dens. I've been avoiding the Webelos because their time is short. Bears have been my focus thus far but I keep getting shot down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted October 7, 2012 Author Share Posted October 7, 2012 I understand that set up is done for this year, but I would be looking for a person to take the position for the next few years, not just fill out this year. That person needs to understand that job and not be surprised when spring comes and recruiting of new leaders, set up of new dens, planning the pack program, planning to pay for the pack program, arranging for summer camp, participating in the council volunteer recognition, etc comes up. I'd sell it as as easy job to step in to, as the planning is done for this year, and there is training so they know what they need to do and when to do it for next year. It's a lot harder to have a year gap, no files, and then scramble for training when the previous person is over a year departed. I'd look at the existing committee members and project chairs and see who has the skills to step up, then make those personal visits and invite them. I'd also ask the membership chair to recruit a wolf den or two, and look in that parent population for a Committee member. Great ideas! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted October 7, 2012 Author Share Posted October 7, 2012 You're welcome. You might also talk about the committment when you talk to your prospects. For us, everyone's committment is for the year, with old leaders thanked at the last pack meeting before school lets out, continuing leaders and new leaders get together over the summer, arrange for training, and are formally introduced at the first pack meeting. The pack usually sends one person to Roundtable to bring back info and resources and encourages U of Scouting training. The person you're recruiting mgiht see it as more possible if they know they can leave at the end of this year with no hard feelings, even though you're hoping for someone that has such a good fit they stay for the duration of their kids' time (or maybe not, it's nice for new ideas to come in). We do the same with our leaders, Roundtable, etc. The question about the length of the commitment did come up at the Pack meeting Friday night. The outgoing and incoming Cubmasters and the Asst. CM took all of the kids outside to play capture the flag and I talked with all of the other parents Re: the CC position, the calendar, the budget, and so on. Part of the problem, I think, is that my DH started the Pack when DS was a Tiger and here we are 5 years later still front and center as a family. People have gotten used to us always being there, and that comes to an end in 2 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Select an end date for yourself, make it known to the committee members and stick by it. Indicate you are willing to train even after you have left the pack. Then move on. Someone will volunteer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 (edited) Select an end date for yourself, make it known to the committee members and stick by it. Indicate you are willing to train even after you have left the pack. Then move on. Someone will volunteer. DD's AHG troop was in a similar situation over the summer. They had all but one vital adult role filled and could not recharter without it. There was even some behind the scenes talk of what troops our girls could possibly join if ours fell apart. Finally the threat was real enough and someone stepped up. I highly recommend telling all the parents that if the role is not filled, there will be no troop as of ___ date. Then sit back and wait for someone to come to you, because someone will care enough to get the job done. Edited October 7, 2012 by athena1277 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted October 7, 2012 Author Share Posted October 7, 2012 You are all right. I had stepped down in June. I had stopped doing all my duties. And then our CM got sick and stepped down, leaving a huge hole as we had also lost our Treasurer, Webmaster, Pack Activities Coord, and Secretary in June. I guess my mistake was stepping back in to get volunteers for all of the vacant committee positions. I should have let them deal with it while I watched in the background. Hindsight being 20/20, I would have stayed retired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Select an end date for yourself, make it known to the committee members and stick by it. Indicate you are willing to train even after you have left the pack. Then move on. Someone will volunteer. I agree. You can only hold their hand so far. Then SOMEONE will need to step up as you are leaving. It's on the shoulders of the committee members, as they have vested the most now into the Pack. It really needs to be the Scoutmaster hustling his bustle to get someone into that seat, knowing you are leaving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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