Sample Script for the Parent Orientation Meeting

Start the Meeting

We are going to start the meeting by reviewing the pack calendar.

(Explain the different types of meetings and events that the pack has scheduled, start with information
about the Cub Scout Day of Awesomeness)

Cub Scouts follow the leaders outside (or to another room) and they will have games for you to play.

Parents, before we continue, please make sure you are sitting together with the other parents in your
den (or age group).

Parent Involvement
Our pack is successful because each parent volunteers in some way during the year to help the pack.
Some people run the den or pack meetings. Some people take a “behind the scenes” role on the pack
committee and help with planning, paperwork or other administrative type duties. And some people are
not available to help every month, so they volunteer for short term projects such as the Pinewood
Derby, Blue & Gold Banquet, outdoor events, field trips, etc.

We are pleased to announce that some parents have already volunteered.

(Introduce any people that were recruited since the last meeting).

Before we finish assigning parents to volunteer positions, I would like to introduce our pack trainer, to
tell you about the training and resource materials that are available to help you be a volunteer.

(Pack Trainer) Thank you. How many of you were able to complete the online training for Youth
Protection this past week? Great. I hope that you found the online training to be easy to use.

As you probably saw online, there are many other training courses available. Let me tell you a little bit
about some of the ones you will want to complete next.

• Leader Specific Training – this course can be taken online or in a classroom setting. It explains in
more detail the advancement program, conducting meetings, and what printed materials are
available.
• Roundtable meetings – Our district conducts a monthly Roundtable meeting at
________________ on the _________________ of each month from ____to____ pm. These
meetings are “help sessions” for anyone interested in learning tips from other experienced
leaders. They occasionally have special sessions for people that are in charge of pack events
such as the Pinewood Derby, day camp, etc. Our pack makes sure that at least one volunteer
attends every month so we don’t miss out on any important information that is shared.
• Pack leaders meeting – our pack conducts a monthly planning meeting. We encourage parents
to attend these meetings as often as they can. We want and need your input and ideas.
 • Cub Scout Meeting Plans – These are plans for each of the den meetings. If you are a den
leader, these meeting plans explain exactly what materials you need and will give you directions
on how to run the meeting. All of these meeting plans are available in the den leader guide or
now through Scoutbook as well.

As a side note – our district, the ________________ District, is a geographic area of the Mayflower
Council. The district includes all of the packs in __________________________. The district helps our
pack by running the monthly Roundtable meetings, organizing large events that our pack participates in,
conducts the classroom training sessions, and in other ways helps our pack with any questions we have.

(Master of Ceremonies)

Before we break into small group discussions by den, let me tell you that there will be no cost for you to
register as an adult leader with the Boy Scouts of America. Our pack has built those fees into our budget
and will pay the registration fees for you. (If your pack doesn’t pay the fees, explain how much they are).

Unless you volunteer to be a den leader, you are not required to wear a uniform. We do ask our den
leaders to wear a uniform so they can set the example for the Cub Scouts.

One of our adult leaders will now join your table to help finish filling vacant leadership positions. They
have job description cards to explain all of the duties for each position. I will now turn over the meeting
to our group discussion leaders.

Finish Recruiting

For dens that already have a den leader:

• The den leader discusses den-meeting dates, times and locations.

For dens that don’t have a den leader:

• Another pack leader will need to guide the discussion.

Adult Leader Registration

Bring the Cub Scouts back into the main meeting

Make reminder announcements (or conduct a popcorn kickoff or conduct a regular pack meeting,
including ceremonies for awards earned during the summer).

• Next Pack meeting

Closing Ceremony
 Den Organization and Leader Recruitment Script
Get the adults excited about the fun and exciting opportunities of being a leader and set their mind at
ease concerning the time involvement and difficulty.

Everyone has the opportunity to be a leader in your Cub Scout pack. Now you may be thinking I can’t
volunteer because I don’t have time, I’m not interested and / or I don’t know how.

Well first of all, we know you are interested or you wouldn’t be here. Out of 168 hours in a week, you
can find a few hours to spend with your kids and their friends. We find the time for the important things.

Scouting has been around since 1910, so we can train you and give you the resources needed to be a
great Cub Scout leader. What are the various ways you can be a leader?

You can be a den leader – this is a great opportunity to spend quality time and create forever memories
with your child. We have many program plans which lay out each den and pack meeting with activities
and advancements. These are great tools for your Den; following each step of the program helps keep
them excited about Scouting. We know that if the families are having fun and advancing, earning belt
loops, ranks, etc. they will stay in the program. And if they stay in the program then we are able to
deliver our promise to you of instilling values and building character in our young men and women. As a
den leader, you decide when and where to meet and plan each meeting.

Assistant den leader is also a fun job. Your chief responsibility is to work with the den leader to make
sure the meeting is fun and informative.

Parent committee members – The parents’ committee is the administrative body of the pack. This group
plans the program year, plans pack meetings, activities such as Pinewood Derby and Blue & Gold
banquet, etc. Parents meet once a month to plan.

So why should you be involved?

Think about your family – Now is the time they need you. You are the most influential person in your
child’s life right now. In a few short years, their peers will take that role. Right now they want to be like
you and model after you.

(See “Take a Moment to Consider” for motivational ideas)

(Appoint a sharp parent in each group to be the discussion leader)

I’m going to leave you to determine the best person to serve as den leader, assistant den leader and
members of the parent committee. For your kid’s sake, this decision must come from you. When you
have reached your decision, let me know and we will register the leaders.

Leave the parents. Don’t stand around and answer questions. If they have questions, answer briefly then
leave. This is critical. In the event a den cannot make a decision, try this, “I realize you are having a
difficult time; perhaps you all work or have other children. For your kid’s sake, please try to solve this.
Perhaps you will work as assistants, but if we do not have leaders, we can’t have a den.”