Ok, the Vote is Over. Now What? How to deal with the fallout

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Mark Hazlewood P.R.A.Y. CEO Programs of Religious Activities with Youth

Ok, the Vote is Over. Now What? How to deal with the fallout

Two Items of Good News A BSA Code of Conduct is being created. The Religious Emblems Coordinator position is now available at the UNIT level. Both pieces will be important as you work to strengthen ties with the faith community.

The Vote The number of Denominations that have dropped the BSA… NONE But there are many congregations that have dropped or are considering dropping the BSA. Our message today is that IT IS UP TO YOU to strengthen and revitalize your relationship with faith based Chartered Organizations

Topics to be covered The Vote and Reactions from the faith community Understanding faith based chartered organizations Before your visit, do your homework Know the congregation Know the Religious emblems program Tools/resources

Membership Standards Resolution Youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all youth who meet the specific membership requirements to join the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs. Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and

Membership Standards Resolution (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.

Understand the Resolution Understand what the Resolution is Scout Oath and Scout Law Duty to God Behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct Sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to our values. Also understand what the Resolution is NOT Does NOT endorse homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle Does NOT deny the right for Scoutings chartered organizations to uphold their own moral standards within the units they sponsor.

Updates from the Faith Community Roman Catholic United Methodist Church Islamic Churches of Christ Jewish Committee on Scouting LDS Statements range from: Concern (they are studying the implications) Continue to endorse Scouting as a ministry Want to change the adult standard DO YOUR HOMEWORK LINK

Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod A statement by the Rev. Bart Day, Executive Director, Office of National Mission LCMS leaders are already studying the implications of this policy change, but we will need some time to evaluate the decision and determine what it will mean for BSA troops in our LCMS congregations.

National Islamic Committee on Scouting Chairman National Islamic Committee on Scouting BSA NICS intends to review our relationship with the Boy Scouts of America program to make sure we are able to uphold the principles and values central to our faith which includes not discussing sexuality and sexual orientation within any of the Islamic Scouting programs since that is a private family matter.

National Catholic Committee on Scouting National Chairman ( ) I have come to the following conclusions: Scouting is still the best youth-serving program available to all youth We should be encouraged that the change in BSAs youth membership standard is not in conflict with Catholic teaching We need to use this opportunity to show our commitment to making Catholic Scouting a safe environment for all youth in which the Catholic faith is taught, practiced and nurtured. Each diocesan bishop must decide whether the membership standard is acceptable.

General Commission on United Methodist Men The Commission will continue to support various ministries to young people through local congregations, including BSA, Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire USA, 4-H and Big Brothers Big Sisters. All of these civic youth-serving agencies provide enrichment experiences and opportunities for leadership development. Through these ministries, local United Methodist churches are able to welcome families into their buildings and their ministries.

Understanding faith based chartered organizations What is the Role of the Council in regards to the Chartered Organization? The Council is to help further the aims and Goals of the Chartered Organization The Chartered Organization Concept offers a HUGE strategic tool when approaching religious organizations / congregations.

Chartered Organization vs. Sponsor Whats the difference? A Chartered Organization integrates Scouting as part of their congregations mission A sponsor allows the Scouting unit to meet in the basement Homeowner vs. Renter Goal: move congregations from sponsors to become Chartered Organizations

Chartered Organization vs. Sponsor BSA research points to congregations as the BEST place to start new sustainable units. Statistics show that units last longer and Scouts advance farther This only works when congregations truly understand the concept of Chartered Organizations It is your job to help them understand this. How do you do this?

Background History Journey to Excellence Conclusion The creation and maintenance of vital vibrant relationships with your COs Institutions normally outlast individuals.

Whose needs are these? Membership growth Membership Retention Program Money Trained Volunteers

We Need Each Other How do we do this? How can we help each other?

Show congregations WHY they NEED Scouting Stop selling Packs, Troops, and Crews Stop asking for a place to meet Start selling SOLUTIONS to congregations and their needs

Offer Solutions Congregations need Young families Scouting can bring young families to your congregation Scouting has high brand recognition

Offer Solutions Congregations need Program Scouting can enrich the congregations current program Proven youth program: citizenship training, character development, fitness Outdoor resources (local and national facilities) Religious Emblems programs

Offer Solutions Congregations need Trained Leaders Scouting provides training Religious organizations select the leadership that reflects their values Adults receive leadership training skills Possibly open new leadership base (adults may volunteer to be leaders because they see it as service to their religious organization)

Tools to make it happen: RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS Religious emblems are programs that are developed by the national religious organizations, not BSA Religious emblems belong to the congregation Religious emblems help youth to grow stronger in their faith Reinforce Scouting Values Improve Relationships with Religious Chartered Partners and Others Religious emblems can help congregations reach inactive families in the community

Tools to make it happen: RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS The average size of a pack is to 60% of youth in a pack troop or crew do not currently have a faith home These parents are pre-qualified as looking for values for their children 6 pre-qualified families already in your building without a faith home A Religious Emblems class is an effective way to invite these families into your faith community

Tools to make it happen: RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS Make sure your congregations know how to utilize the religious emblems programs Do your homework – Each religion creates its own program so the religious emblems requirements and guidelines will differ from religion to religion See analysis sheet

Religious Emblems Analysis Sheet Before visiting a congregation, become familiar with their religious emblems programs This analysis sheet will be helpful.

Tools to make it happen: Unit R.E.C.s REC = Religious Emblems Coordinator R.E.C. positions exist at the Council, District and now UNIT levels Religious emblems will be promoted like all other rank advancement Shows that BSA is strengthening the core value of Duty to God Significant that the Unit REC patch was unveiled at the same meeting as the Membership vote UREC Patch – SKU # – 7/5/13 in stock

Tools to make it happen: Unit R.E.C.s Encourage each congregation to recruit a UNIT REC The Unit REC makes a presentation on religious emblems using the R.E.C. / Duty to God resources. The chartering congregation offers their religious emblems program for their youth members and extends an invitation to the Scouting unit, especially the 50% without a current congregational home. Congregations need to invite the parents to the first class and start building relationships.

Next Steps Review your list of Chartered Organizations Prioritize Them in Order of Concern Visit them in order of concern and before their re charter date I would even suggest that you call on dropped units

Before you visit Know these facts: Polity: top down, bottom up, independent? Liberal, conservative? Has the denomination made a statement regarding the BSA resolution? Consider your relationship with each congregation Consider whether the congregation is a Chartered Organization or sponsor Who are your cultural informants?

Do Your Homework! Congregation Questionnaire

Resources online

Congregations Response We dont have any children. What will it cost? Weve never done it before!

Ingredients for Success Both sides must clearly understand the chartered organization agreement before it is signed. BSA should use as many congregational volunteers as is feasible. The congregation must invest their best kid person to be the leader

Ingredients for Success All volunteers should be trained by the local council Religious emblems must be promoted by the unit leader Congregations must offer a religious emblems class

Final thoughts / Summary Three groups of chartered organizations: Religious - 70% Most likely to be effected by the vote Educational- 8% Least likely to be effected Civic - 22% unsure Visit your congregations now Duty to God is a cornerstone of Scouting. Scouting needa the faith community. Do your homework. Are you familiar with RE, REC, CO? Can you articulate the reasons why Scouting and the faith community need each other? Can you articulate the benefits of working together?

Webinars : Unit Religious Emblems Coordinator – Where Do We Start; What Do We Do? Working with Other RECs at the Unit, District and Council Levels Philmont Course: Faith Based Membership Initiative, July 21-27, 2013 P.R.A.Y. Training, St. Louis, MO FBI Workshop, Nov 12-14, 2013 Upcoming Workshops

Please use the Question Box in the Control Panel to submit your questions. Questions?

Thank you for attending this webinar. Thank you for your commitment to working with the faith community! P.R.A.Y. Thank you!