How it all works September 8 th, 2016 Mike Beck Wood Badge Instructor Presentation to Cascade District Scout Roundtable

Agenda Unit organization chart, and the role of volunteers Working with volunteers Coaching, Mentoring, and setting expectations of our Scouts.

Organization of the Boy Scouts of America

Cascade District A Scouting district area within the local council. – Bellevue & Mercer Island District leaders mobilize resources to ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within the district's territory. – Malcom, Jacque, Clay, Jerry etc. Members of the district committee are volunteers. – The district trains adult volunteers, – Provides district programs for units such as camporees, and Scouting shows – Assists in the formation of new units – Helps coordinate the annual giving campaign. The district committee also provides the unit with a unit commissioner. – The unit commissioner gives direct coaching and consultation to the unit committee and other adult leaders. The Scouting professional who provides district service is the district executive. – He can be very helpful in showing the unit committee how to accomplish the unit's program goals.

The volunteers on the district committee can be a helpful resource to your unit. Call upon their guidance when needed

Do you know your C.O.R.? Or even what a COR is?

The Chartering Organization The Boy Scouts of America partners with community organizations, such as religious congregations, fraternal groups, service clubs, and other community associations, to provide the Scouting program for the particular neighborhood or community in which the particular organization wishes to outreach to youth and families. These organizations hold charters issued by the BSA and are known then as chartered organizations. Each chartered organization provides the meeting place for BSA youth, oversees the volunteer leaders, and agrees to follow the basic BSA safety policies and values-based program, and the organization is considered the "owner" of its local program, much like a franchise

The Chartered Organization Helps By  Providing the Scouting program as part of its program for youth and families  Ensuring that the Scouting program is conducted according to the policies and regulations of the organization and the Boy Scouts of America  Selecting a chartered organization representative to serve as liaison with the scouting unit  Appointing a unit committee including approval of all adult leaders  Providing adequate and safe facilities for unit meetings  Providing opportunities for boys to recognize responsibility to God, to country, to other people, and to self

Know and Leverage your COR! Sometimes, you might have to remind them what their job is.

Unit Organization: Troop Note: Units may not follow this exactly however to have a unit, you must have a “Key 3” 1.COR 2.Committee Chair 3.Unit Leader

Unit Organization: Crew

What’s your role?

Volunteers make it happen!

Why are you in Scouting?

Why? Boy came home and I was “Volun-TOLD” Personally asked Affiliation with the Scouting Personal connection to mission, or experiences Enjoy it Want to learn new skills Want to meet people

Types of Volunteers Long term (Leaders, Committee chairs) Short term Charter org affiliated Others? Mike’s Tip: EVERY PARENT IS A VOLUNTEER but you have to ask!

National Data About Volunteers

40% stop due to poor management practices – Poor use of time – Not use skills or talent – Tasks not clearly defined – Family or personal reasons

60% of nonprofits adopted nine (5) volunteer management practices to some degree – Best practice most often used is training and communication

Mike’s “Best” Practices Written and Clear Job descriptions for Volunteers Supervision, Follow-up, Direction, Feedback and Communication Training for Volunteers Matching Volunteers to the “Right” Job Based on Talent Recognition of Impact

Mike’s Opinion: What do we NOT do so well Prepping Volunteers – Inventory of tasks and skills – Clearly defined Job Descriptions – Screening and matching – Training! Working with other Volunteers – Training! – Measuring Successes – Recognition of Volunteers – Lots of styles, ok to be different?

Some Principles Scouts and Families need a Supportive Environment. Positive interaction with adults is a core method of scouting at all levels. There’s opportunities the diversity of generations, and backgrounds. The best way to fail getting some to volunteer is not to ask. The best way to lose a volunteer is not support their success. The best way to retain volunteers is to recognize the effort and accomplishments. Scouting is a “safe place to fail”, for EVERYONE.

Preparing for the Volunteer Screening and matching – Assessment and inventory of tasks, skills and expectations – BE CLEAR Create job description Be clear on skills Create volunteer inventory for future needs.

Position Description Title Purpose/objective Location Key bulleted list of responsibilities Qualifications Time Commitment Training/Support Provided Benefits Supervisor and contact information

Training of Our Volunteers (and perhaps yourself) Every “Committee” position has mandatory training. – Is it enough? Trained volunteers (ALL VOLUNTEERS) makes for better program success.

Wood Badge is for Every Volunteer My Story… Why you should take it…yes, you 1 year or 25 years It’s leadership training, in a Scout Setting It’s about your legacy! It’s fun! A brotherhood/network of strong scouters Categorically units with Wood Badge trained adults have stronger programs. – More of my story. This Fall’s course has spots. – September and October 7-9

PTC Sat. October 15 th, 2016 Invite new Volunteers to PTC each fall. – Networking – Fun – Information on about EVERY subject – A really cool patch…recognition.

Volunteer Recruitment Need a strategy with each role. – Ask personally – Immediate need if… – Guilt? Web Site Other Units Networking

Communication Be Prompt Be Clear Be honest Share Knowledge – impact Be personal Be reliable Be respectful…

Recognition Say thank you! Simple thank you gifts – during an event Appreciation events Unit Newsletter Annual report to your Chartered Org District or Council recognition

It’s all about our Youth! Coaching and Mentoring your Scouts.

You can be one, and only one of these to your Scouts. Coach Mentor Fan/Cheerleader Parent Others?... Why only 1?

What’s a Coach? A coach is trying to direct a person to some end result, the person may choose how to get there, but the coach is strategically assessing and monitoring the progress and giving advice for effectiveness and efficiency."

What Good Coaches Do Provide task direction Provide skill instruction Build capabilities Provide resources Facilitate relationships Transfer responsibility for success Support growth and progress

Good Coaching Tips Listen Supply energy Provide focus and information Influence; don’t control Recognize what is right and wrong Recognize success and value differences Evolve with the team's life cycle

What is a Mentor A mentor is like a sounding board, they can give advice but the partner is free to pick and choose what they do. The context does not have specific performance objectives.

What Mentors Do Advise, support, and provide guidance Facilitate understanding of environment and culture Instill attitudes Aid in retention Provide trusted counsel

Good Mentoring Tips Provide a non-threatening environment Build trust early Be a good listener Share personal experiences Make suggestions – Specific problems – Getting things accomplished

It’s important to remember your role In each interaction with youth, it’s important to clearly understand your role It will vary by situation There can be only one (per engagement) The default engagement you use with any individual will likely be how that scout will always think of you.

Thank You! Go to Wood Badge!