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Den Chief Overview
A requirement for advancement to Star, Life and Eagle is a leadership position. Many scouts will attend Troop Leadership Development and earn a leadership assignment with the troop. Den Chief is also an accepted leadership position. The Troop 174 Den Chief program is designed to provide leadership experience for scouts and to attract future Boy Scouts through positive experiences. Scouts that have completed White Stag leadership training or Troop 174’s TLD [note: potentially Den Chief training depending on curriculum] in the prior summer are eligible to serve as a den chief in the upcoming scout year.
A Den Chief accepts leadership responsibility with a specific Cub Scout pack and den. In this position, the Den Chief will work with the den leader and Cub Master to help the scouts achieve the purpose of Cub Scouting. The Den Chief will actively participate in den and pack meetings which may include overnight campouts. There are specific requirements that must be met for the advancement leadership requirement to be met with a Den Chief assignment.
Troop 174 Den Chief Requirements
1. Actively participate with a Cub Scout den and pack for the minimum time requirement. A minimum of two activities with scouts per month are required. If a scout is unable to complete two activities in a month, the Den Chief assignment will be extended.
2. Meet regularly with the den leader to plan meetings. Serve as the activities assistant at den meetings.
3. The Den Chief’s focus during den and pack meetings should be on leading and assisting the den leader rather than attending.
4. Plan and execute at least six Den meetings under the direction of the den leader.
5. Set a good example of scouting by wearing a full scout uniform and demonstrating a good attitude.
6. Document Den Chief experiences with written reports to be reviewed monthly by the advancement coordinators (Dr. Healey for Star, Mr. Fryrear or Mr. Allen for Life, Mr. Slattery or Mr. Dann for Eagle).
7. A maximum of two Den Chiefs are allowed per den.
Beginning a Den Chief assignment
1. Identify a Cub Scout den and commit to serving as a Den Chief subject to Mr. Otte’s approval.
a. You may identify your own opportunity. Known opportunities for 2009 are maintained in this spreadsheet. www.bsa174.com/images/stories/BSA174 Den Chief Opportunities.xls.
b. Scouts should avoid an assignment where their parent is the den deader. The Den Chief assignment is an opportunity to have an adult other than the parent help develop leadership skills. Only by exception will Mr. Otte allow this.
2. Complete and sign a Den Chief Commitment form. Get the den leader’s signature.
3. Review your plan to be a Den Chief with your advancement coordinator (Mr. Fryrear and Mr. Allen for Star, Mr. Arthur andn Mr. Alderman for Life). Get the advancement coordinator’s signature.
4. Review your plan to be a Den Chief with Mr. Otte. Get Mr. Otte’s signature.
5. Your Den Chief assignment time period begins with Mr. Otte’s signature.
Den Chief Training
The Crossroads of America council offers training for the Den Chief role. This training is an excellent opportunity for scouts to be prepared for their role. If a scout has not attended TLD and has Mr. Otte's permission to be Den Chief, this training is mandatory.
There are two opportunities for training for 2010.
The first will be on September 11th from 9:00 - 4:00 at Camp Belzer. If you have any interest, please register on line for this course through the Del-Mi District Training at www.del-mi.org/training/http://sz0148.ev.mail.comcast.net/training/> under the "Upcoming Trainings" heading on the right side of the page.
The second will be available at the Council Pow Wow on November 6, 2010, 8am-3:30pm, $20 online signup, class code N11.
There is also on-line training available that is excellent. This will not replace the Pow Wow training but provides a good 15 - 20 minute introduction to the Den Chief role. It is available at http://olc.scouting.org/
Completing a Den Chief assignment
1. Present all monthly reports for review to the advancement coordinators (Mr. Fryrear and Mr. Allen for Star, Mr. Arthur and Mr. Alderman for Life). Be prepared to discuss and review experiences and learning. These reports must be detailed enough to allow the reviewer and Mr. Otte to fully understand your activities and determine that leadership requirements are being met. These reports must be submitted on a monthly basis. Submitting the reports at the conclusion of your leadership will not be accepted. It is the scout’s responsibility to submit these reports. The den chief coordinator will not contact or follow up with scouts that do not submit monthly reports.
2. If requirements have not yet been completed, the advancement coordinators will describe what remains to be completed and the assignment is not yet complete.
3. Complete the Den Chief completion form with signatures.
4. Present all monthly reports and advancement coordinator’s signature to Mr. Otte for final sign-off.
5. Arrange with the den leader for a successful end to your Den Chief assignment.
Available Resources
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