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Bear Den without a leader

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7:51 am
July 26, 2011

darthcooley

Cincinnati, Oh

PTC Tiger

posts 17

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Any thoughts on how to motivate a parent to step up as the Den Leader? Our Pack is growing & really doing well except for our Bears. We only have 5 right now & so far have had no luck at keeping a Den Leader. We had one but she has grown tried dealing with parents who to be blunt don't seem to care much. Tonight I am attending thier Den outing in hopes to talk with the parents to work somthing out.Wish me luck..

Mike

Mike Cooley

Cub Master Pack 464

US Grant

Batavia Ohio

10:52 am
July 26, 2011

smwalker_oh

Middletown, Ohio

PTC Star Scout

posts 596

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Good luck! I have a suggestion that may or may not be possible, but what about looking outside of that den's families for leadership. I don't know if you have an affiliated Boy Scout Troop, or how many ASM's they have, but maybe you could ask one of the ASM's to help out with the den. It's a good way for the Troop to recruit those new Scouts as well.

This probably works better with Webelos than with Boy Scouts, but I had an ASM from the Troop help me out when I was Webelos Den Leader and it made a huge difference to the quality of program provided.

PT – Pack 19 Middletown
CR/CC – Pack, Troop & Crew 801 Middletown
MC, Packs 321, 418 & 468, Middletown
Hopewell District Cub Roundtable Commissioner
Hopewell 2011 Fall Recruitment Coordinator – Middletown
Dan Beard Council Certified Trainer
GSWO NOVA #449 Service Unit Camping Coordinator

10:18 am
July 27, 2011

Jeff

Sunny Florida

PTC Bear

posts 63

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in my sons pack the "if nobody steps up – there is no den" speech worked.

you could also put it to the parents like theyre not the leaders (nobody wants to lead or they wouldve stepped up already) but break up the achievements so they all share in part of the advancement. for example – someone does a requirement from each of the God, country , family and self.

10:42 am
July 27, 2011

BigMc

Houston

PTC Tenderfoot

posts 244

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I agree with Jeff that the No Leader = No Den speech is effective. You can always try the adding machine skit or something similar to get someone to reconsider.

We had that problem one year and the DL of the next den ran both dens. This lasted about two months and by then she knew who could do it and talked to them about it. That person agreed and, with a little guidance, is now a great DL.

Kevin Mc.
ScoutMaster – Troop 1865;
Copperhead District;
Sam Houston Area Council;
Houston, TX;
Twitter TaxgeekKM

3:37 pm
July 27, 2011

ScouterAdam

Portland, OR

PTC Webelos

posts 86

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I seem to remember Miss Liberty giving the "Big fat slice of Suck" speech. It's in these forums. Just go search.

However, after the BFSOS speech, you need to SUPPORT that parent who step up to the task. If you have a Pack Trainer, get them involved in training right away. If you do not, then it's up to the Cub Master. (Look at description..it's in there).

I am in the middle of creating a Den Leader book and will be handing it out to every Den Leader. (Yes, there are NO Ast Den Leaders, they are all Den Leaders!)

I am using the 2010 Den Leaders Guide (found here:http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx) and printing them off for each Den. I am also making a CD for each Den Leader. I will also be telling them that as Den Leader, you can provide the info, but hand out a Den meeting lesson plan to each parent and have them lead the activity. That way, the work is spread around. Just remember to reward that parent volunteer publically!

The more you show and prepare a Parent to be a Leader, the easier it is to have them become and be retained.

So, giving the speech is one thing, now you have to support them. Maybe the reason the other DLs didn't stay around is because the lack of support? Surprised

Cubmaster Pack 221 Portland, OR WE1-492-09 Beaver Patrol, Staff WE1-492011, Blog:http://scouteradam.wordpress.com/

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