Even more popcorn info

Hi Tiger Den parents!

Hope everyone's popcorn selling is going great!

I have some more great popcorn info for everyone : )

First, please find instructions for setting up your scout's online selling account. I have done this for both my sons without any complications. If you have any questions or run into problems, please feel free to contact John E (our Popcorn Kernel) or me.

Second, please find a PDF of the popcorn information and order form. If you've lost yours -- or if you're already in need of a second page : ) -- you may find this helpful.

A HUGE thank-you to John E for putting these together for us!

Finally, please see the message appended below concerning the solicitation (not allowed) and acceptance (allowed) of straight donations to the Pack. It just provides some food for thought.

Cheers,

Your Den Leaders

++++++++++

Hi All. I hope everyone is experiencing a booming popcorn business! As you know, this is a great opportunity to raise money not only for your units, but for Occoneechee Council as well. I saw Scouts out everywhere peddling their wares this weekend and it looked like everyone was having fun and being productive.

I did want to mention one experience I had and to remind everyone of some important BSA guidelines.

As I was leaving a local retail facility on Saturday, I was approached by a Cub Scouts who came up to me with a can labeled "Donations" and asked if I wanted to make one. I told him I had already bought my popcorn, to which he responded by pointing to the can and saying, "No, a donation." The problem with this is that BSA guidelines prohibit units soliciting donations!

Here are a couple of excerpts from the BSA fundraising guidelines FAQ section:

We can't solicit gifts for our unit? No. Simply put, units are not permitted to solicit any gifts. Both the Charter and Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations of the BSA make this very clear – only local councils may solicit individuals, corporations,United Ways, or foundations for gifts in support of Scouting. Units, unit leaders, and youth members may not solicit gifts in the name of Scouting or in support of unit needs and activities (except in unusual circumstances where the unit has received permission to do so from the local council). Units are also prohibited from soliciting gifts on their Websites.

Does that mean people can't make gifts to our troop? Units are not supposed to solicit gifts, but they can receive gifts. Anyone can contribute to a Scout pack, troop, or unit – and many donors don't need or care about charitable deductions. Obviously, defining a "solicited gift" is not always easy. But we rely on our unit leaders to set good examples and honor the intent and spirit of these important guidelines. We know it's hard to stop people from being generous, especially towards Scouting.

I interpret this as saying that you can have a can out on the table so that people CAN donate if they WANT, but you shouldn't actively seek those contributions. One of the main reasons I have always given kids (and adults) for getting out and selling popcorn is that there ARE people out there who would really like to support Scouting if given a chance, and this is a golden opportunity to do just that. We have to be careful, however, to not be seen as a bunch of panhandlers in uniform! JJJ In keeping with the idea that "A Scout is Thrifty", we want the boys to learn the importance of working to support themselves. Selling popcorn certainly does that. Accosting folks with a "Donations" can? Not so much.

Good luck to everyone with your fundraising. Keep those boys hopping and that popcorn popping!

YIS,

David

Pack 39 Tiger Cubs online!

Good morning, Tiger Cub parents!

This is just an informational message with a couple of reminders and one exciting piece of news. These items share the theme of information and other content that's available to you online in real time.

First, the news!

I am pleased (and grateful) to announce that one of our moms has created and is managing a blog for our Den! Here is the link

http://pack39cubs.blogspot.com/

This blog was created with the intention to keep an archive of the informational emails that are sent out, and also to share pictures of the boys' experiences as they explore Tiger Cubs and scouting together.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to share thoughts and pictures of Den 1's activities.

You may share your comments by clicking on the "comment" link below each post. We also ask that you send your pictures, thoughts, or reviews to [email redacted]. Blog-Mom or I will post them for you.

One word of caution: this kind of blog is not fully secure. Please avoid names, email addresses, etc. in the blog posts and comments.

THANK YOU, BLOG-MOM!

Second, just a reminder that there are TWO other online sources of information for you.

Both the Pack and our Den have Google calendars. If you use these, you'll want to view and/or subscribe to BOTH -- we won't replicate Pack activities on our Den calendar.

[URL redacted]

In addition, we've sent out personalized links to a shared workbook document on iWork.com. The shared document will be kept up to date and will always be accessible to you via the web. The shared document includes a Roster with team assignments and contact info for each scout. The iWork shared document also contains pages with up-to-date listings of Pack, Den and Team activities for the coming year.

If you misplace your personalized link, you may use the following URL. The problem is that any comments you make (e.g., for changing dates or other info) will be ascribed to my alter ego instead of you.

[URL redacted]

Hope this will help us all keep in touch and on top of it all!

Den Leader

P.S. THANK YOU to all the parents who have graciously volunteered to help with snacks and games/songs/skits throughout the year. If you haven't, it's not too late to participate in our shared leadership : )

1st Pack Meeting 9/15/2009

Receiving the Key to Scouting

The Key to Scouting is Scout Spirit... This group has LOTS of that!!

Yorktown, confirmations, waiting list, and lodging

All,

We have had a fantastic (and somewhat overwhelming) response to the USS Yorktown trip. I've been in touch with my Yorktown contact, and he will be working hard to accommodate all that wish to attend. I'll have a status update by the 2nd week of October.

If you are on the list and have decided not to attend do let me know.

Lodging

I'm holding a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn at Patriots Point, which is a stones throw from the Yorktown. Pack 39 stayed their previously, and it worked out quite well. I was able to get a discount rate of $109 (down from $155) a night, which includes a hot breakfast each AM.

The Hampton Inn is setting up a web link that will allow you to reserve your room online. Look for an email containing that link the first part of next week.

If you are bringing your spouse, you will want to reserve a room for Friday and Saturday night. If it's just you and your scout coming, only reserve a room for Friday night.

Fun in Charleston

For those mom's and siblings not staying on the ship, Lyn (my wife, for new Pack 39 families that don't know her) will be organizing a fun day in Charleston for those left ashore. More info will follow.

That's it for now. Look for more info next week.

Thanks,

E. B.

Teams, Pack & Den Calendar & Meetings, Volunteering. 9/21/09

Hi Tiger Den parents,

As you know, we have the extraordinary fortune of having 20 first-grade boys join Pack 39 this year. (For those of you keeping score at home: that's right, it's now 20 : ) This large number required that we partially separate into two "teams" of equal size.

Jen and I are pleased (and grateful and relieved) to announce that Janet and Kean H. and Kim and Steve P. have graciously and enthusiastically volunteered to serve as team co-coordinators for one of the teams. Please join us in offering sincere thanks to Kim, Steve, Janet and Kean!

Here's a draft of how the teams will break out. We've circulated similar (but not identical) lists on two prior occasions. The team rosters were developed based on what we know about your scout's school and friends, and were revised with your feedback. Please don't hesitate to let us know if your assignments isn't optimal -- but please do so ASAP.

Bengal & Tiger teams (please see original email.)

We will be sending a separate link to a shared workbook document on iWork.com. The shared document will be kept up to date and will always be accessible to you via the web. The shared document will include a Roster with team assignments and contact info for each scout. When you receive the link, please do ensure that we have the best contact information for your family. We will keep this shared, web-accessible file up to date throughout the year.

HOW WILL THE TEAMS WORK?
In a formal sense, the "Den" will remain a single group for which Jen and I would serve as Den Leaders. In that capacity, our "job" will be to plan and facilitate the Den's activities and keep records of achievements and advancements. Both teams will follow the same activity plan (or "curriculum" if you will) organized by Jen and me. For many events -- including field trips, campouts, pack meetings -- we will continue to operate as a single Den. But for monthly meetings focused on activities, crafts, and individual attention, we will operate as teams.

WHEN DO WE MEET?
Importantly, the teams will meet approximately one week apart. For example, the Bengal Tiger team will next meet on Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 PM, while the Siberian Tiger team will meet on Sunday, October 18 at 4:00 PM.

In addition to having teams that are sized more appropriately, this feature will offer advantage of allowing families some scheduling flexibility. For example, if you were going to be out of town one weekend, you could simply participate with the other team that month.

The iWork shared document mentioned above will also contain an up-to-date listing of Pack, Den and Team activities for the coming year.

In addition, you may view (and subscribe) to the Pack's Google calendar here:

http://www.tinyurl.com/pack39cal

or to our Tiger Den Google calendar here:

http://www.tinyurl.com/pack39den1cal

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
That's the question that we were hoping that you'd ask! We are STILL looking for volunteers to help with snacks or games/skits -- I am embarrassed to report that ONLY ONE family has volunteered to help : ( But we're grateful for your family's commitment, Lucas!

As we've discussed, Cub Scouts depends on shared leadership. We need you! Now! Without YOUR help, YOUR scout will have a sub-optimal experience.

First, you can volunteer to organize and serve healthy snacks at our Den and Team meetings. We will help organize a schedule so that every family knows when it's turn is up. But we need you to volunteer and offer meeting dates when you're committed to being present.

Second, you can volunteer to lead activities at our Den and Team meetings. Cub Scouts -- and especially Tigers -- love games, songs and skits. We can even perform these at Pack meetings! We even have websites dedicated to ideas for all these activities. We just need adults to help organize and teach them. We will help organize a schedule so that every family knows when it's turn is up. But we need you to volunteer and offer meeting dates when you're committed to being present.

Thanks so much for your participation!

Reminder, first Pack meeting, some details 9/14/09

First of all, I am quite excited about how our Tiger den is shaping up, and I am very appreciative of the enthusiasm we are seeing from our den 1 families. Thanks to the Singleton's for getting the Tigers off to such a great start, and to all the parents who are assisting in their efforts.

Gathering for our first Pack meeting begins at 6:45pm, and we will start promptly at 7pm. We will meet in the fellowship hall at University Methodist church, which for our new families is located on Franklin

Street. Access the church from the parking lot in the rear, and the fellowship hall is located in the basement.

For those scouts that already have their uniforms, please have your son wear it to the meeting. If your son does not have a uniform yet, we understand.

Our theme tomorrow night is Cub Scout pockets. If your son would like to bring a sample from anything he collects, or if he has built anything cool from Lego’s, have him bring it tomorrow night, as we will have an area set up for display.

We will be giving an overview of our Popcorn sales goals and prizes for the year, which is guaranteed to excite the boys. Don’t miss it.

Thanks again, and we will see you tomorrow night.

Ed Billings

Tiger Cub Character Connection: Responsibility 9/6/09

Hi Tiger Den parents,

We're here with a weekly service announcement : )

We're all working on helping our scouts with Tiger Cub Badge Achievement 1 -- Making My Family Special (handbook pp 37-43). As you know, we completed Requirement 1D (make a family scrapbook) at our first Den meeting. We will complete Requirement 1G during our Go See It visit to the Duke Homestead site next Saturday, September 12. That means that you're working on Requirement 1F. Right?

Your scout should think of one chore he can do with you. The two of you should complete the chore together. You should then complete the Character Connection: Responsibility discussion with your scout.

Speaking of responsibility: have you completed your scouting to-do list for the week? If you have, you're showing your scout a good example of being responsible! Here are just a few provocative questions.

Have you submitted your scouting application and dues?

Have you arranged to get a Tiger Cub handbook?

Have you responded to the Den Leaders' request for confirmation of you and your spouse's email addresses?

Have you helped your scout with his family scrapbook?

Have you responded to the Den Leaders' request for volunteers to share leadership responsibilities?

What are you putting into your son's scouting experience to make it the best one possible for your son?


You may not have realized that BOTH scout AND parent would be challenged on this road we call scouting : )

If you've done ALL the things on this list, please accept our deepest gratitude for your efforts. If you haven't yet completed your task list, please accept this as a gentle reminder that we're waiting for you : )

With warmest regards