Working together to build a stronger community through Scouting
Who are we? 17 Counties in MD, VA, DC and the USVI
2.6 Million Youth Members 1.3 Million Adult Leaders
Volunteer & Council Staff
21,000+
Local Adult Leaders
55,000+ Local Youth Served
1. Who are we? A. BSA Highlights
B. NCAC Highlights
i. The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training to more than 2.6 million youth members. With more than 1 million adult volunteers in more than 280 local councils throughout the United States and its territories, Scouting is an ongoing adventure that teaches a powerful set of real-life skills and develops fundamental qualities that help young people become Prepared. For Life.® ii. The aims of the Scouting movement are to build youth into quality citizens by building character, fostering citizenship, and promoting fitness. The unit provides each Scout with an arena in which to explore, to try out new ideas, and to embark on adventures that sometimes have no design other than to have a good time with good people. iii. The methods of Scouting: 1. Patrol Method 2. Ideals 3. Outdoors 4. Advancement 5. Association with adults 6. Personal growth 7. Leadership 8. Uniform
i. 55,307 youth served ii. 77.3% youth retention rate iii. Balanced budget for the 22nd consecutive year iv. 1,377 new Eagle Scouts – a new Eagle Scout every 6 hours! v. 313,877 service hours, valued at more than $6.9 million to local communities vi. $5.75 in community service performed for every $1 donated to Friends of Scouting vii. 8.31 service hours per Scout viii. 908,539 pounds of food collected for local food banks ix. $3.78 million popcorn sale x. 55 NOVA Awards & 21 SUPERNOVA Awards
c. Volunteers & Professionals in partnership. i. 21,928 adult leaders ii. Professionals 1. District Executive 2. Marriott Scout Service Center administrative staff 3. Goshen Scout Reservation & Camp William B. Snyder camp staff & rangers iii. Volunteers 1. Unit Commissioner a. Roundtable 2. District Committee: volunteers to assist with… a. Training b. Activities c. Camping d. Advancement e. Newsletters f. Popcorn g. …and many more.
Who are we? 17 Counties in MD, VA, DC and the USVI
2.6 Million Youth Members 1.3 Million Adult Leaders
Volunteer & Council Staff
21,000+
Local Adult Leaders
55,000
+
Local Youth Served
What are we?
2. What are we? National Capital Area Council (NCAC), BSA
Cub Scouts
Boy Scouts
Venturing
Sea Scouting
Exploring
Learning For Life
National Capital Area Council (NCAC), BSA was organized in 1911 and today it is one of the largest Boy Scout councils in America. In 2013, NCAC served more than 55,000 youth and over 21,000 registered adult volunteers. NCAC’s territory includes the District of Columbia and 16 counties in Maryland and Northern Virginia: Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford and Culpeper counties in Virginia, and the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg. The area is divided into 23 districts and 1 Learning for Life Division. In 2013, NCAC merged with the US Virgin Islands Council to provide better support to the youth of both communities.
Cub Scouts
Sea Scouts
Cub Scouting is a year-round program designed to meet the needs of young boys ages 7-10 and their families. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness.
Sea Scouting is a co-educational program offered to young adults (male and female) between the ages of 14 and 21. It’s a chance to learn and have fun at the same time.
Boy Scouts Boy Scouts is an outdoor program designed to develop character, citizenship, and fitness for boys ages 11-17. Scouting helps boys develop into well-rounded young men by letting them take responsibility and develop leadership skills.
Exploring is a career-education program for young men and women ages 14-20 (or 13 and have completed 8th grade). It’s about helping young adults make a more informed decision about future careers and determine if a particular career is the right one for them.
Venturing
Learning For Life
Venturing is a year-round program for young men and women ages 14-20 (or 13 and have completed 8th grade) that provides positive experiences through exciting and meaningful youth-run activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills.
Exploring
The Learning for Life Corporation offers seven programs designed to support schools and community based organizations in their efforts to prepare youth to successfully handle the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and self-esteem.
What are we?
Cub Scouts
Boy Scouts
Venturing
Sea Scouting
Exploring
Learning For Life
Why are we here? Our Benefits For Youth
• Scouting develops interpersonal skills that will equip its members for a lifetime • It is a positive environment for the transition of youth from dependence to independence
For Families
• Parents can serve as volunteer leaders and share common experiences alongside their sons in Scouting and alongside their sons and daughters in Venturing
For Communities
• Adults are recognized for their commitment and involvement in serving youth • Complete program resources help adults work effectively with youth
For Your Organization • Scouting is an opportunity to prepare our next generation of leaders • Scouting helps with team-building attitudes within the organization
3. Benefits A. Youth i. Scouting is an exciting, challenging program young people can do with their friends. ii. The setting lets youth participate in making choices. iii. Young people get a sense of acceptance and belonging. iv. Boy Scouts and Venturers can experience the adventure of adult-like activities in a supervised environment. v. Scouting develops interpersonal skills that will equip its members for a lifetime. vi. There are real opportunities to try leadership roles and develop leadership skills. vii. It is a positive environment for the transition of youth from dependence to independence.
B. Families i. It’s fun! ii. Parents can serve as volunteer leaders and share common experiences alongside their children. iii. Complete program resources help adults work effectively with youth. iv. Scouting is an opportunity to work safely with young people. v. Adults get to participate with their children in a values-based program. vi. It offers the satisfaction of seeing young people grow through mentoring and teaching others. vii. Adults are recognized for their commitment and involvement in serving youth. viii. Providing positive role models and mentors to youth ix. Presenting parents with opportunities to set and achieve goals
C. Communities
i. Scouting teaches skills that can help youth develop into our future community leaders. ii. It is an exciting opportunity to give back to the community and nation through service projects. iii. In 2013, for every $1 donated to Friends of Scouting, local Scouts did almost $6 worth of community service – a great investment in your community!
D. Your Organization i. Scouting is a positive form of community outreach. ii. Scouting is a proven program with a reputable world wide brand and has been in existence for more than 100 years. iii. You become a part of a large, friendly family. iv. Scouting is an opportunity to prepare our next generation of leaders. v. It helps develop team-building attitudes within the organization. vi. Local, regional, and national events are available to supplement your program. vii. BSA offers outstanding adult and youth leader training resources, including leadership development. viii. Youth Protection training materials and videos are available for both adults and youth. ix. Increases parent and volunteer involvement.
Why are we here? Our Benefits For Youth
• Scouting develops interpersonal skills that will equip its members for a lifetime • It is a positive environment for the transition of youth from dependence to independence
For Families • Parents can serve as volunteer leaders and share common experiences alongside their sons in Scouting and alongside their sons and daughters in Venturing
For Communities
• Adults are recognized for their commitment and involvement in serving youth • Complete program resources help adults work effectively with youth
For Your Organization • Scouting is an opportunity to prepare our next generation of leaders • Scouting helps with team-building attitudes within the organization
How do we organize a new unit?
4. Chartered Org
Chartered Organization
A. Adopts the program
Organization Adopts the Program
i. iBSA grants charters to organizations such as churches, service clubs, and other community groups to operate Scouting groups. ii. The cost of starting a unit is minimal to the chartered organization. The fee is $20, which covers liability insurance for the chartered organization and administrative support from the local council. iii. The chartered organization agrees to: 1. Conduct the Scouting program according to its own policies and guidelines, as well as those of the Boy Scouts of America. 2. Include Scouting as part of its overall program for youth and families. 3. Appoint a chartered organization representative (COR). This person will serve as a member of the unit Key 3, will be a member of the organization, and will coordinate all Scout unit operations within it. The chartered organization head or chartered organization representative must approve all leader applications to ensure that the individuals meet the organization’s standards as well as the standards of leadership of the Boy Scouts of America. 4. Select an organizing committee (minimum of three) of parents and members of the chartered organization who will assist in the selection of leaders. 5. Provide adequate facilities for the unit(s) to meet on a regular schedule with time and place reserved. 6. Encourage the unit(s) to participate in outdoor activities and all programs of the council. iv. The council agrees to: 1. Respect the aims and objectives of the organization and offer the resources of Scouting to help meet those objectives. 2. Provide year-round training, service, and program resources to the organization and its unit(s). 3. Provide training and support for the chartered organization representative as the primary communication link between the organization and the BSA.
Organizing Committee Meets
4. Provide techniques and methods for selecting quality unit leaders and then share in the approval process of those leaders. 5. Provide primary general liability insurance to cover the chartered organization, its board, officers, chartered organization representative, and employees against all personal liability judgments. This insurance includes attorneys’ fees and court costs, as well as any judgment brought against the individual or organization. Unit leaders are covered in excess of any personal coverage they might have, or, if there is no personal coverage, the BSA insurance immediately picks them up on a primary basis. Vehicles owned by the chartered organization and loaned to the unit will be covered on an excess basis for the chartered organization’s benefit. 6. Provide camping facilities, a service center, and a full-time professional staff to assist the organization in every way possible. v. For information about training the chartered organization representative, go to www.scouting.org/ scoutsource/Media/Relationships/TrainingtheCOR.
B. Organizing committee i. When an organization adopts Scouting as part of its youth and community outreach program, a committee is formed and leadership is selected to organize and operate the unit in conjunction with the organization’s special needs and desires. ii. The organizing committee must also review position descriptions and select qualified individuals to serve as the committee chair and committee members. These people may be members of the organizing committee. iii. With these people in place, and with members of the organizing committee also acting as members of the unit committee, you are ready to complete the process of selecting and recruiting leaders and youth.
How do we organize a new unit? Chartered Organization Organization Adopts the Program
Organizing Committee Meets
How do we organize a new unit? Adult Leadership Select and Recruit Key Leaders Assistant Committee Chair Unit Leader Unit Leader
Chartered Rep. 2x Committee Members Den Leaders
Train Leaders Plan and Organize Program
5. Adult leadership A. Select & recruit
B. Train
i. Scouting’s value to young people is clear, but the advantages of Scouting are not limited to youth. Adults also develop leadership and physical skills with every training experience. ii. Choosing unit leaders 1. Make a list of the qualifications needed for the leadership position. Then decide which people would make good leaders. 2. Asking for volunteers from the floor may not always produce the best candidates unless you know their qualifications accurately match the profile of the position you need to fill. 3. Present the list of candidates to the head of the organization for approval and ask for additional suggestions. 4. Have the organization appoint someone—perhaps a member of the organizing committee—to be the chartered organization representative. The chartered organization representative represents the organization at the district and council levels as a voting member. 5. Characteristics of successful leaders: a. Commitment to the ideals of Scouting b. High moral standards c. Ability to relate to boys d. Ability to keep a cool head under pressure e. Good organizational skills f. Ability to relate to and interact with adults g. Flexibility and the ability to compromise h. Good planning ability i. High energy level j. Good attention to detail
i. Adult training begins with Youth Protection Training and the Fast Start Training program, followed by Leader Specific Training. ii. Additional training opportunities are available: 1. Pow Wow 2. University of Scouting 3. Wood Badge: BSA’s core leadership skills training course. It focuses on a person’s ability to work with and lead groups of youth and adults. 4. Powder Horn 5. Roundtable 6. Philmont Training Center
C. Plan & Organize i. Resources are available to help leaders plan their annual program. ii. Once you know what the year’s activities will be, develop a budget. 1. Popcorn: The annual popcorn sale helps units fund their program. With proper planning, a unit can have a full year’s program at little or no cost to the families.
How do we organize a new unit? Adult Leadership Select and Recruit Key Leaders Assistant Committee Chair Unit Leader Unit Leader
Chartered Rep. 2x Committee Members Den Leaders
Train Leaders Plan and Organize Program
How do we organize a new unit? Youth Membership Recruit Youth Members
Complete Paperwork First Unit Meeting
Charter is Presented
6. Youth members A. Recruit i. The first group of youth to be invited should include those who are members of the chartered organization. Youth from the community can also be reached by announcements through area schools. Your District Executive can provide recruitment fliers and posters, and usually have contacts with school administrators. ii. Put information about the unit into the national “Be A Scout” website to enable families to identify Scout units online: https://beascout.scouting.org. iii. Work with your District Executive and Unit Commissioner to schedule a Join Scout Night. iv. Number of youth needed: 10
B. Paperwork i. iNew Unit Application ii. Youth Applications iii. Adult Leader Applications
C. First meeting
i. The unit committee, with the Unit Commissioner serving as a mentor, helps plan and support the meeting.
D. Charter presentation i. The first charter should be presented at a full gathering of the chartered organization. For instance, in a church they should present the charter before the full congregation; a service club should present it at a meeting of all of its members. This way, everyone will know that Scouting is a part of the organization’s youth program and can share in the pride of ownership. ii. Youth members and unit leaders should participate in the ceremony as the charter is presented to the head of the chartered organization. Unit leaders and the unit committee may also be installed during this ceremony. iii. The charter certificate should be framed and appropriately displayed after the ceremony.
How do we organize a new unit? Youth Membership Recruit Youth Members Complete Paperwork First Unit Meeting Charter is Presented
Working together to build a stronger community through Scouting
Questions for a leader of a faith community:
Questions for a parentteacher group:
1. What are your current youth programs? Tell me which one you are most proud of. 2. How are your current youth programs meeting your expectations? 3. What are your top three concerns regarding youth today? 4. Why did you pick those? Can you tell me more about that? 5. Tell us about your outreach ministries or services to the community. 6. What is the average age of your congregation? 7. What do you feel are the most important issues facing families today? 8. What do you think your faith community can do to help? 9. Do you use camps or outdoor programs with your youth? 10. Have you ever considered Scouting to address your concerns? 11. Where do you see your faith-based organization five or 10 years from now?
1. What are your top concerns? Why? 2. What collaborative efforts already exist? 3. What collaborative efforts could exist to match community resources with schools? 4. What is important to the children and families in your school? 5. What issues do you face trying to serve children and families? 6. What issues would you like to help families address? 7. What type of additional volunteer support do you need? 8. Have you ever considered Scouting to address your concerns?
Questions for a president of a service club: 1. What is your club’s focus for the next two years? 2. What are your concerns about youth in our community? 3. How is your club addressing these needs? 4. Why is that important? 5. What types of service projects does your club do? 6. How does that work for you? 7. How does your club serve children and families? 8. What would you like to see made more available to children? 9. Why is this important? 10. Have you ever considered Scouting to address your concerns?
Be prepared to answer questions and common concerns, such as the following: 1. We don’t have very many youth in our organization. 2. We do not have any extra volunteers in our organization to take on this project. 3. We are concerned about liability issues. 4. We don’t have it in our budget. 5. I don’t know anything about running a Scouting unit. 6. Our congregation is much older. 7. We tried this before, and it did not work. 8. We already have a youth program. 9. I will have to run this by our board.
Thank You
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