Getting the Most out of Sponsor/Partner Relations Vancouver Island Leadership Conference September 23, 2017

Session Focus What is a Group Sponsor? What is the ideal sponsor relationship? How do you choose a sponsor (shared values)? What a successful sponsor relationships that already exists looks like? What resources are available for facilitating the sponsor request conversation? How do we keep a sponsor engaged? How are sponsors connected to the Group Name & Number?

About Scouts Canada Scouts Canada is the country’s leading youth organization offering exciting programs for boys, girls and young adults aged 5 to 26. Vision Canadian youth making a meaningful contribution to creating a better world. Mission To help develop well rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world.

About Scouts Canada Values Duty to God Duty to Others Duty to Self These core values are reflected in programs that are built on healthy and active living, environmental stewardship, leadership development, and community service

Scout Groups and Partners The role of sponsor-partners has and is evolving. A BOG resolution of Feb 17, 2001 - BP&P Section 1005 The operation of Scout Groups is the responsibility of Scouts Canada and that the appointing or arranging for an election of a Group Committee is Scouts Canada’s responsibility. The Partner is guaranteed at least one seat on all Group Committee executives. BP&P Section 1005 - Partnership Agreement February 17, 2001 That the responsibility for appointing or arranging for the election of a Group Committee move from being the Partner’s responsibility to a local Council responsibility. That Sponsors/Partners be guaranteed at least one seat on all Group Committee executives.

What is a Sponsor/Partner? “Partner” has been used interchangeably with Sponsor because outside Scouting “Sponsor” has a different meaning. Community generally understands sponsors to be simply financial supporters. Partner better describes our community supporters who take an active interest in the operation of a Scout Group. There is no financial commitment required. For more than 40 years we have used Partner interchangeably with Sponsor because outside Scouting sponsor has a different meaning. The community generally understands sponsors to be simply financial supporters. Partner better describes our community supporters who take an active interest in the operation of a Scout group. There is no financial commitment required.

What is a Sponsor/Partner? Partners annually accept their responsibilities by participating in the annual group review. Scouting could not exist in Canada without partnerships with community-minded organizations.

Identifying a Partner A Partner is an association, institution, or other organization that supports the Vision, Mission and Values of Scouts Canada and desires to use one or more of Scouts Canada’s programs. These could be religious institutions, service, fraternal and civic clubs, professional, business and occupational associations, military bases, public and private schools, home and school associations.

Parents as Sponsor/Partner? In many cases we list the parents of the youth as the Partner! Parents may not be well organized. Parents are not able to be a responsible Partner. As a result, Scouts Canada really becomes both Partners. This is not the ideal situation and should only be in exceptional circumstances where the local Area and Council believe it is the best way to introduce Scouting to a community. In recent years, Scouts Canada has adopted the practice of chartering Scout groups without community Partners. In many cases, we list the parents of the youth as the Partner. The parents aren’t organized and aren’t able to be a responsible Partner. As a result, Scouts Canada really becomes both partners. Scouts Canada should only charter Scout Groups without a Partner in exceptional circumstances where the local Area and Council believe it is the best way to introduce Scouting to a community.

Scout Group & Charters BP&P Section 2001.12 A Group is chartered by Scouts Canada to operate and deliver one or more program Sections which are referred to as Colony, Pack, Troop, Company and Crew. Scout Groups are chartered by Scouts Canada to engage youth in Scouting adventures in their community. A charter is issued upon approval by an Area or Council Commissioner on behalf of Scouts Canada. Group charters are renewed annually. They may be cancelled for cause at any time and remain the property of Scouts Canada. BP&P 2001.12 – Group: A Group is chartered by Scouts Canada to operate and deliver one or more program Sections which are referred to as Colony, Pack, Troop, Company and Crew In recent years, Scouts Canada has adopted the practice of chartering Scout groups without community Partners. In many cases, we list the parents of the youth as the Partner. The parents aren’t organized and aren’t able to be a responsible Partner. As a result, Scouts Canada really becomes both partners.

Partner Commitment Annual renewal of the Group Charter Receive a copy of the Annual Report of the Group Provide mentorship and guidance to the Group. Assist the Group with identifying appropriate fundraising opportunities Assist the Group with finding appropriate meeting space. Together with Scouts Canada, ensure that volunteers are receiving training appropriate to their roles and the needs of the Partner.

Group - Partner Creating a collaborative environment with Partners so that Scouting can benefit more youth is a key priority. Fostering a harmonious partnership with Partners will directly contribute to both a better program and help increase membership. There is no limit to what can be achieved when there is an enthusiastic and fresh synergy between Scouting members and the Partnering institutions.

Ideal Partner Relationship Examples

Maximize Partner Engagement Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities Improve communication Encourage Partner participation Support the Partner Recognize the Partner Scouts Canada depends on the local Scout Group to help maximize its relationship with the Sponsor. There are five key strategies for ensuring that Scouts Canada and its Sponsors’ interests are fulfilled to their maximum potential. These are outlined as follows: 1. Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities; 2. Improve communication; 3. Encourage Partner participation; 4. Support the Partner; 5. Recognize the Partner.

Maintaining - Great Partner Relationship Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities Annual Charter Renewal and Orientation Meeting Meet with the Partner One-on-One Scouts Canada depends on the local Scout Group to help maximize its relationship with the Sponsor. There are five key strategies for ensuring that Scouts Canada and its Sponsors’ interests are fulfilled to their maximum potential. These are outlined as follows: 1. Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities; 2. Improve communication; 3. Encourage Partner participation; 4. Support the Partner; 5. Recognize the Partner.

Maintaining - Great Partner Relationship Improve Communication Pick up the Phone Copy the Partner on a Group Newsletter Scouts Canada depends on the local Scout Group to help maximize its relationship with the Sponsor. There are five key strategies for ensuring that Scouts Canada and its Sponsors’ interests are fulfilled to their maximum potential. These are outlined as follows: 1. Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities; 2. Improve communication; 3. Encourage Partner participation; 4. Support the Partner; 5. Recognize the Partner.

Maintaining - Great Partner Relationship Encourage Partner Participation Invite Them and Show Them a Good Time! Ask for Their Help Scouts Canada depends on the local Scout Group to help maximize its relationship with the Sponsor. There are five key strategies for ensuring that Scouts Canada and its Sponsors’ interests are fulfilled to their maximum potential. These are outlined as follows: 1. Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities; 2. Improve communication; 3. Encourage Partner participation; 4. Support the Partner; 5. Recognize the Partner.

Maintaining - Great Partner Relationship Support the Partner Offer Praise and Congratulations Offer Assistance Raise the Partner’s Profile Scouts Canada depends on the local Scout Group to help maximize its relationship with the Sponsor. There are five key strategies for ensuring that Scouts Canada and its Sponsors’ interests are fulfilled to their maximum potential. These are outlined as follows: 1. Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities; 2. Improve communication; 3. Encourage Partner participation; 4. Support the Partner; 5. Recognize the Partner.

Maintaining - Great Partner Relationship Recognition of the Partner Celebrate the Partner’s Contribution to Scouting Celebrate the Annual Charter Renewal Send a Note or a Card Scouts Canada depends on the local Scout Group to help maximize its relationship with the Sponsor. There are five key strategies for ensuring that Scouts Canada and its Sponsors’ interests are fulfilled to their maximum potential. These are outlined as follows: 1. Ensure mutual understanding of roles and responsibilities; 2. Improve communication; 3. Encourage Partner participation; 4. Support the Partner; 5. Recognize the Partner.

Group Name and Number XXth Community/Area, (Partner) Scout Group Traditionally the number has been assigned to the Sponsoring institution, now Partner. As a good practice, we approach the former “Sponsor” to relinquish their number if the Group has been defunct and we want to use it again.

Scouts Canada For over 100 years, kids in Scouting have been having fun Adventures they wouldn’t discover elsewhere. Along the way, kids develop into capable, confident, and well-rounded individuals. Scouting is the start of something great. It starts with Scouts.

Questions & Thank You!