Meeting Management
You may be asked to host a group of boys on a frequent
(or infrequent) basis.
Here are some ideas to keep your meeting (and sanity) intact.
Have a Structure and Follow It:
It seems to reduce the chaos when the boys know what to expect.
The first place to look to for structure is the pack meeting.
The den meeting may follow a modified version of it.
Here is a suggested order:
1. Gathering
The boys generally won't arrive at the same time.
A gathering activity is a good way to keep them occupied
until the full group assembles.
This can generally be a craft activity around a table.
2. Opening
The Pledge of Allegience, the Cub Scout Oath, the Law of
the Pack are good
things to repeat from the pack opening.
At this point if there is a candle to
light, the boy who is hosting
the meeting should do it.
3. Recognizing
Now is a good time to hand our Progress Towards Ranks Beads
(if you aren't doing that at the pack meetings.
4. Sharing
Take a moment (particularly for Tiger Cubs) to let each boy tell
about one significant event they experienced that week, or to show
the den their work toward one of the activities.
5. Doing
Have multiple activities planned, in case one goes awry or ends early.
6. Closing
While the boys may run wild occasionally, a regular closing is a good way
to round them up fo their parents. It is also a good time to hand out
items and assignments for the next meeting.
7. Snacking
Obviously, if this meeting is between school and dinner, snacking is best
left out. If this is an evening meeting, then caffeine is best avoided as
well. If you are providing a snack, then do it at every meeting. Be
regular about it as you would the rest of your meeting routines. Save it
for last. There is no need to have a sugar buzz driving your the pace of
your meeting.
You can incorporate the snack into your activity. Have the boys make
pretzels or cookies as one of their activities.
General Suggestions
Divide and Conquer
Boys are plutonium. Get enough of them together and they are bound to set
each other off in a chain-reaction. Use multiple activities to divide them
into smaller gropups. Switch boys/activities in mid meeting.
Keep Them Occupied
Table activities work best to keep boys focused. Don't let their minds
wander.
Control Mechanisms
Some groups use a behavior candle. The candle stays lit as long as the
group is orderly. If the candle burns down past a certain poing during the
year, the group gets a treat.
Another mechanism is the "Talking Feather." This is a decorated feather
which is passed to the boy whose turn it is to talk. If you use a control
mechanism, be consistent or it won't work.
Lose Control But Not Your Cool
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