Weblogic

Cub Scout Pack #61 Bylaws and Guidelines

Charter Organization: Kiwanis

Wheaton, Illinois

Section 1: Nature and Purpose of the Pack

Chartered by the Kiwanis Club of Wheaton, the Pack operates under the guidelines of Boy Scouts of America as incorporated on February 8, 1910, and charted by Congress in June 1916, which is to provide for boys an effective educational program designed to build desirable qualities of character; to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship; and to develop personal fitness. In Cub Scouting, boys, families, leaders, and chartered organizations work together to achieve the following objectives:

·       Influence a boy’s character development and spiritual growth

·       Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship

·       Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body

·       Improve understanding within the family

·       Strengthen a boy’s ability to get along with others

·       Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills

·       Provide fun and exciting new things to do

·       Show a boy how to be helpful and do his best

·       Prepare him to be a Boy Scout

Section 2: Pack Leadership

A committee will be appointed to conduct Pack business, record Pack activities, ensure leader training and coordinate other Pack Program committees. The committee will consist of a Cubmaster, not less than three (3) adults and all Den Leaders. The committee shall have a Chairman, Cubmaster, Treasurer and Advancement Chair as a minimum.

The Chartering Organization must approve all adult leaders. The Cubmaster is responsible for:

·       Ensuring Pack leadership is provided and properly trained

·       Conducting Pack meetings

·       Ensuring all Pack activities are conducted in accordance with National BSA guidelines

The Pack Committee Chair is responsible for:

·       Supervising Pack Committee operation by calling and presiding at Pack Committee meetings, assigning duties to and training committee members, recruiting

·       Approving bills before payment by Pack Treasurer

·       Ensuring the Pack is properly funded

·       Seeing that new Dens are formed when needed

·       Coordinating with the Cubmaster on Council-approved money earning projects

·       Ensuring that every activity committee is fully staffed and properly planning its assigned activity

·       Conducting an annual Pack program planning conference

·       Rechartering the Pack

·       Supervising annual membership process and assist with forming dens for new scouts

Den Leadership and Den Meetings:

·       Each Den will have a designated Den Leader(s). They are responsible for attending training designated for their leadership position. The ultimate goal of any Den Leader is to ensure their Cub Scouts have FUN through proper program planning and activities. Den Leaders will follow the Pack and BSA guidelines for advancement.

·       Two-adult leadership is required to hold a Den meeting. No Den Leader may hold a meeting or outing without another adult in attendance. Den Leaders must coordinate with the Den parents to ensure that proper supervision and assistance is provided at the meeting.

·       Siblings must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at den and pack meetings. Pack leadership is not responsible for siblings.

Section 3: Pack Meetings

1.    Dens will be assigned specific tasks for each Pack Meeting. Tasks will include, but not be limited to; greeters/setup, opening/closing ceremonies (including flag detail), skits, songs, cleanup.

2.    The Pack will recognize advancement awards of individual Scouts at designated Pack meetings. Belt loops and progression toward advancement beads will be handed out at den meetings.

Section 4: Committee Meetings

1.                Committee meetings are held no less than four times per year at a time and place designated by the Committee Chair. All committee members, den leaders, and applicable program committee members are encouraged to attend. Parents are also welcome.  These planning sessions include preparations for upcoming Pack meetings and ensure all advancement awards earned by the Cub Scouts will be available for presentation.

2.                While Committee Meetings are open to all Pack adults, only Council registered adults are eligible to vote at a meeting. Registration is accomplished by completing an Adult Leadership application and paying the annual National Registration fee. All parents and guardians are eligible to become registered volunteer leaders and are encouraged to do so.

Section 5: Financial Obligations

1.                A single registration fee will be determined at the beginning of each Scout year and is in part based on the operating budget for the Pack. Current budget and registration fee is summarized in Exhibit A. The balance of the budget for the year is generated through fundraisers.

2.                It is the goal of the Pack Committee to hold as few fundraisers as possible, however it is important that each family supports our fundraising efforts when they are held. Families are expected to participate in the primary fundraisers as designated by the Pack Committee. In a typical year there is only one fundraiser, popcorn sales. Additional fundraisers may be called for depending on the state of the Pack treasury.

3.                Den dues policies will be decided by each den individually. It is the Den Leader’s responsibility to manage the Den dues and maintain a record of how they are spent. This accounting must be available to any Den parent or the Pack Committee upon request.

4.                The cost of the Cub Scout uniform is the responsibility of the family. The Pack has established a Uniform Standard, as detailed in Section 11, which all Cub Scouts are expected to meet.

Section 6: Membership

1.                Membership recruitment activities are held twice each year to encourage Cub Scout-age boys in the immediate local area to join our Pack. These activities are held in the spring and late summer at Whittier Elementary School.  New boys are welcome to join the pack at any time during the year. BSA registration and Boys Life must be paid in full but Pack dues will be prorated.

2.                A BSA application must be completed for each boy. This application will be accepted only after at least one parent or guardian understands Pack operation, Bylaws and parent/guardian participation requirements. Acceptance of the Bylaws requirements will be proven by signature on the Pack Participation Statement attached.

3.                Boys transferring into our Pack from another Pack must fill out a Cub Scout registration form with medical information, and pay the current Council transfer fee of $1.00. The Pack registration fee will be adjusted to reflect the difference between a transfer fee and Council registration fee. The Pack Registration fee will be prorated.

4.                Den membership will be limited to eight boys. However, Den Leaders will only be asked to take as many boys into his/her Den as he/she feels is manageable. Accepting more than eight boys requires the permission of both the Pack Chair and the Cubmaster. Membership in the Pack is directly controlled by the availability of adults to be Den Leaders. New boys will not be accepted into the Pack if leadership cannot be recruited.

5.                The Parents of new members are expected to read the Pack Participation Statement, attached as Exhibit C.  Signature of the Bylaws and Pack Participation Statement indicates understanding of expectations for participation by members in the Pack.

Section 7: Awards

1.                Advancement awards will normally be presented at Pack Meetings. The Den Leaders will submit lists of Cub Scout achievements to the Advancement Chair a minimum of one to two weeks prior to the Pack meeting at which the award is scheduled to be presented. It is left solely to the discretion of the Advancement Chair to accept late award list submissions. Awards will be presented in accordance with Pack customs.

2.                Tiger, Wolf and Bear Badge Awards are encouraged to be completed by the March Pack meeting. This goal ensures sufficient time for each family to work on Arrow Point electives. It is strongly encouraged to have the Bobcat badge earned by the first Pack meeting in the Fall.

3.                It is the goal of the Pack to have each Webelos Scout obtain his Arrow of Light Award in the fall of his fifth grade year or earlier.by the crossover ceremony. This is a special recognition in the Cub Scout program and is the only award that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform, excluding the religious award.

Section 8: Budget and Expenditures

    The Pack Committee shall develop a budget annually, with a fiscal year running from January 1 through December 31.  The Pack Committee Chair will have authority to approve expenditures in compliance with the budgeted amounts for each line item, with an allowance of plus or minus 10%.  All other expenditures shall be approved by a majority of the members of the Pack Committee.

Section 9: Camping and/or Overnights

1.                All Dens who plan overnight camp outings will follow strict adherence to BSA camp guidelines. This includes the requirement that an adult member must accompany each boy from his own immediate family or by an adult approved and designated in writing by the boy’s parent/guardian. In the case of scout siblings, only one parent/guardian is required to attend. Exceptions to the one family adult per boy are made for District or Council sponsored camp outs when the District or Council so indicates. Den Leaders will file tour permits with Council offices.

2.                Webelos Scouts should participate in a minimum of one overnight outing each Pack year.

3.                No overnight campouts will be held during cold or snowy weather months per BSA policy with regard to Cub and Webelos Scouts.

Section 10: Uniform Standards

1.                The Pack’s goal is to have each boy and adult leader in complete uniform as described by BSA. The uniform for both the Cub Scout and adult leader is an important and meaningful part of the Cub Scout program. We recognize the cost involved to outfit each Cub Scout and leader. The minimum requirements for Cub Scout uniforms are attached as Exhibit B.

2.                Adult leaders should provide the example of wearing their uniform to all Scout functions and especially to Pack meetings. Leaders should note that uniform purchases for them might be tax-deductible, as are other non-reimbursed Scout related expenses, and are encouraged to speak with their personal tax accountants about their situation.

3.                A uniform inspection will be conducted at least once during the Pack year by the Cubmaster to identify any uniform deficiencies.

Section 11: Pack Service Project

It is the goal of this Pack to be “Service Oriented”. Each year the Pack Committee will choose a Pack Service Project in which all members of the Pack are expected to participate. The importance that each Cub Scout learn to serve his community or fellow man cannot be overemphasized.

Section 12: Retention of Membership in the Pack

1.                Retention of membership in Pack 61 is predicated upon a full understanding by the parents/guardians of their responsibilities toward the Pack program and their active support of it. The Dens and Pack are not in any position to carry out the Cub Scouting functions that are the parent/guardian(s) responsibilities alone. However, Pack discipline and program accomplishment are the Pack Committee’s responsibility. A Cub Scout will be dropped from the program for the following two reasons:

·       Infractions of the Bylaws by either the Parent or Cub Scout deemed severe enough to warrant action if no resolution can be worked out.

·       Continuous refusal by a Cub Scout or family member to obey instructions at Den or Pack meetings.

2.                The provisions listed above will not be invoked except as a last resort. Den Leaders are to discuss problems with parent/guardian(s) and Cub Scouts as they occur. When no satisfactory conclusion can be arrived at, Den Leaders will refer the problems to the Pack Committee. The Committee Chair or Cubmaster will contact the family in an effort to reach a mutual understanding before the final action is taken.

Section 13: Revision of Pack Bylaws

These Bylaws will be reviewed at least once each year at an announced meeting open to all adult leaders and parents of the Pack. Only the Pack Committee members will vote upon changes.

EXHIBIT A to Pack 61 Bylaws

2010 Pack Financial Obligations and Fees

A single registration fee will be determined at the beginning of each Scout year to go towards the following operating costs:

National Registration fees              $15.00 (includes insurance)

Boy’s Life Magazine                     $12.00

Awards                                        $30.00

Insurance for Adult Leaders          $ 1.00

TOTAL                                       $58.00

This year’s Pack registration fee is $55.00 per Cub Scout.

Registration fees are collected by the Den Leader, submitted to the Membership Chair and due to the Treasurer by the September Pack meeting.

If this fee presents a financial hardship for any Cub Scout family, considerations will be given to those situations. Each Den Leader will be prepared to address those concerns with the committee.

The Pack has an annual budget of approximately $6000.00 for a Pack of 60 Scouts or approximately $100.00 per Scout. The difference between the Pack registration fee of $55.00 and the cost per Scout is made up through our fundraising efforts.

EXHIBIT B to Pack 61 Bylaws

The Pack’s goal is to have each boy and adult leader in complete uniform as described by BSA. The uniform for both the Cub Scout and adult leader is an important and meaningful part of the Cub Scout program. We recognize the cost involved to outfit each Cub Scout and leader. The minimum requirements for Cub Scout uniforms are as follows:

              Class “A” requirements for all Pack Meetings and other Scout functions:

·                  Shirt: Blue for all Cubs and tan for all Webelos. Required to have all Council, District, Unit and Den Patches sewn on in accordance with the latest Uniform Insignia Guidelines. Shirts must be worn completely buttoned and tucked into pants.

·                  Neckerchief: Proper color and worn under or over the collar secured with an appropriate tie slide.

·                  Pants: Dark with belt loops. Blue jeans or dark pants all in good condition must be worn at the waist. Dark colored short pants may be worn during hot weather months. National BSA policy does not permit camouflage colored pants.

·                  Belt: Optional, but if worn must be official Cub Scout blue-web belt with proper belt buckle for rank.

·                  Hat: Optional, but if worn must be proper style for current rank. Must be worn bill forward. Hat may be worn indoors for official Scout functions, unless otherwise directed to “uncover”. Hat should never be worn in a House of Worship.

·                  Shoes: Closed toe shoes appropriate for the activity.

Class “B” may be worn when designated as “uniform of the day” by Pack or District:

·                    Pack T-shirt, camp T-shirt and/or Den T-shirt 

·                    Pants, belt and hat: Same as Class A Uniform, unless others designated 

EXHIBIT C to Pack 61 Bylaws

PACK PARTICIPATION STATEMENT

      Pack meetings will normally be held once a month at a time and place designated by the Pack Committee. Pack meetings are intended to be a display of Den accomplishments, a place of learning, and a place to have FUN! As such, the Pack has established the following Behavior Policies which need to be learned and enforced:

·       Our meeting place is lent to us for the night and worthy of our respect. All children must remain in that portion of the building being used for the Pack Meeting and not be allowed to run in the hallways or enter any of the other rooms not designated for Pack use.

·       All Scouts and adults will be respectful of guest speakers and leaders addressing the Pack.

·       Observe the Cub Scout sign (right hand up with two fingers in a V-shape) when raised and become quiet. Leaders will ensure each Cub Scout and adult knows what to do when the Cub Scout sign is shown.

·       Scouts and family should attempt to arrive 10 minutes before the starting time so that meetings can begin promptly.

·       A parent or designated adult must accompany a scout to the pack meetings.

Each parent/guardian, by registering his/her boy in the Pack, assumes the following duties and obligations:

Serving as an active member on one of the following of our many Pack Program Committees, such as:

·       Membership & Recruitment

·       Pinewood Derby

·       Advancements

·       Fundraising

·       Cub Scout Day Camp

·       Arrow of Light Ceremony

·       Blue & Gold Banquet

·       Pack Outing

·       Campouts

·       Holiday Party

Understanding the importance of his/her role in the Cub Scout Advancement Program.

Ensuring his/her Cub Scout(s) attends regularly scheduled Den and Pack meetings.

PARENT/GUARDIAN BYLAW

PACK PARTICIPATION STATEMENT

I have received the Bylaws for Pack 61 and agree to abide by them.

I agree to be an active member of the Pack Program staff, realizing that if each parent/guardian takes on a small part of the program responsibility, the Program can be that much more fun for all.

________________________________                                          _________________________________

Cub Scout Parent/Guardian signature                                          Cub Scout Committee Member signature

________________________________

Date

Cub Scout Name:              __________________________________

Den/Rank:                            __________________________________