Training Chartered Organization Leaders and Representatives

Introduction Chartered Organizations Backgrounds in Scouting Topics or Questions Scouting experience. Youth and adult. What topics in this session? Brief overview of agenda.

Course Overview BSA Organization Charter Concept COR Responsibilities Unit Leadership Other Resources

We Will Understand Mission of the BSA Purposes (Aims) of BSA Structure of the BSA Programs and Ages "Whole Scouting Family”

Mission of the Boy Scouts of America Prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law What words stand out? How are your organization goals BSA similar? Clearly compatible. That’s why the chartered concept works.

Aims of Scouting Character Development Citizenship Training Personal Fitness From your knowledge, what scouting activities address these goals?

Methods of Scouting Ideals (Oath, Law) Patrol Method The Outdoors Advancement Adult Association Personal Growth Leadership The Uniform Activities program specific . . . How? 1st Grade…Tigers 2nd - 3rd Grade…Cub Scouts 4th - 5th Grades…Webelos Scouts 11 - 18…Boy Scouts 14 – 21… Venturing (may be co-ed) 7

Organization of the BSA The Whole Family First Graders – Tiger Cubs Second/Third Graders – Cub Scouts Fourth/Fifth Graders – Webelos Scouts Eleven to 18-year olds are Boy Scouts Fourteen and 15-year olds may be Varsity Scouts (Typically LDS Units) Fourteen to 21-year olds may be Venturers (Coed) Activities program specific . . . How? 1st Grade…Tigers 2nd - 3rd Grade…Cub Scouts 4th - 5th Grades…Webelos Scouts 11 - 18…Boy Scouts 14 – 21… Venturing (may be co-ed)

Structure of BSA Scout (Youth) Adults Chartered Organization District Council National All other levels support the youth.

Charter Concept Local Council Charters Local Organization Charters Charters are granted to the local council for two purposes: 1. Extend an invitation to community groups/organizations to use the Scouting program. 2. Provide supporting services to help community organizations/groups successfully carry out their Scouting programs. Local Organization Charters BSA extends invitations to community groups/organizations to use the scouting program. BSA provides supporting services to help community organizations/groups carry out their scouting programs.

Chartered Organization Organizations are granted a charter by the BSA. The organization may be a church, civic group, school, or other such organization that seeks permission and works in conjunction with the BSA to provide an outreach program for youth. The chartered organization is the “franchisee” and as such is the “owner-operator” of the Scouting program. The program includes “units” such as the Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, and Venturing Crew. The program also includes organized unit committees.

District Organization A district is a geographic area designed to support Scouting in an area through training, program planning, and support. A district committee is composed of volunteers who deal with specific tasks, including membership, program, and finance. The district also has a commissioner staff. A unit commissioner is assigned to coach your unit adults, help solve problems, and provide other guidance as needed.

District Organization Key 3: District Committee Chair (Volunteer) District Commissioner (Volunteer) District Executive (BSA Professional) District Committee: Membership/relationships, finance, programs, unit service Commissioner Staff District Commissioner Assistant District Commissioners Unit Commissioners Roundtable Commissioners

Council Organization The national organization grants a charter to a council. A council is a geographic area composed of districts. Each council has an executive board of volunteers and a staff of professionals. The council supports chartered organizations by providing materials and certain facilities, such as camps. There are approximately 300 councils in the BSA.

National Organization The national organization consists of four regions, 33 areas, and the national office in Irving, Texas. The national office develops programs, policies, training, literature, and videos, and maintains the standards for the organization. There is a national volunteer board that oversees the National Council.

Chartered Organization Uses Scouting Under its Own Leadership To Serve its Own Families For its Own Objectives Discuss each as needed . . .

Chartered Organization Responsibilities Comply with its own and BSA Policies Include Scouting as Part of its Overall Program for Youth and Families Appoint a Representative (COR) Committee of Parents and Others Provide a Secure Meeting Place Encourage Outdoor Experiences Discuss each as needed . . .

Chartered Organization Representative's Duties Not an Honorary Position Head of Organization’s Scouting Dept. (Chief Operating Officer) Approve Financial Policies Liaison to District & Council Voting Member of District & Council Understand relationship to your unit, the chartered organization and the local council. Voting member of both the District and the Council . . . Elaborate on this. Draw 3-legged stool . . . [page 9].

COR Tasks . . . Encourage Leader Training Promote Solid Programs Enough Units for Need Promote Recruiting Youth Encourage Youth Transition

More Tasks . . . Assist in Charter Renewal Suggest Good Turns Oversee Unit Committees Promote Friends of Scouting Encourage Active Outdoor Programs Acts as Scout Leader Role Model

and More Tasks . . . Encourage Scout Rank and Merit Badge Advancement Support and Elevate Religious and Adult Scouting Awards Promote Journey to Excellence (JTE) Unit Performance Recognition Program

Unit Committee Manages each Scouting Unit (Pack, Team, Troop, Crew) Selects Unit Leaders Supports Unit Leaders Communicates with Parents Communicates with the Chartered Organization Need solid committee to support the “scoutmasters” How closely should the COR direct the committee? Hands on?

Scouting Unit Committees The Pack Committee The Troop Committee The Team Committee The Crew Committee The Scouting Committee (Combination)

The Pack Committee The Chairperson The Secretary/Treasurer Membership/Registration Chair Pack Trainer Advancement Chair Outdoor Activity Chair Unit Leaders (Cubmaster, Den Leaders)

The Pack Committee

The Pack Committee Chairperson calls, conducts, prepares agenda for the monthly committee meeting Holds annual planning meeting Ensures national programs are followed Maintains inventory of Pack equipment Assists with Pack charter renewal and Journey to Excellence (JTE) Sets the standard by wearing uniforms Recommends new leaders Maintains COR relationship Monthly Roundtable Report

The Troop Committee The Chairperson The Secretary/Treasurer Membership/Registration Chair Training Coordinator Advancement Chair Outdoor Activity Chair Equipment Coordinator Unit Leaders (Scoutmaster, ASMs)

The Troop Committee Chairperson calls, conducts, prepares agenda for the monthly committee meeting Holds annual planning meeting Ensures national programs are followed Maintains inventory of troop equipment Assists with troop charter renewal and Journey to Excellence Sets the standard by wearing uniforms Recommends new leaders Maintains COR relationship Reviews monthly Roundtable

The Troop Committee The Troop Committee Meeting is attended by all committee members and the Scoutmaster. The Chartered Organization Representative may attend as desired. Unit Commissioners are encouraged to attend regularly. The Scoutmaster is not actually a member of the Troop Committee. However, the primary responsibility of the Troop Committee is to support the Troop program. Cooperation between unit leaders and Troop Committee members is critical for the smooth and successful operation of the troop. The support and administration of the troop requires the active participation of every committee member. Every member should have a working assignment. This will not only help the Troop to operate effectively, but will assure team spirit and promote attendance at meetings. When people feel that it doesn’t matter if they attend or not, often they will choose to do something else.

Unit Leader Appointment => Success Selection Committee List of Qualifications List of Candidates Organization Approval Call on (visit) Prospect(s) Ask Prospect to Serve

Unit Leader’s Acceptance Provide BSA Adult Application Immediate Youth Protection Training Position-Specific Training Leader Goes to Work Additional Training

Local District Provides Leadership Development and Training Monthly Roundtable Program Resources Klondike Challenge, Camporee, Merit Badge Clinics, Cub Scout Day Camp, District Pinewood Derby, Eagle Scout Advancement, Recruiting help, etc. Commissioner Support Discuss each as needed . . .

Local Council Provides Leadership Development and Training (Program and Training Conference, Wood Badge, Trainers Edge, etc.) Program Resources Service Center Camps and Facilities Assists in Leader Selection Discuss each as needed . . . 33

Local Council Provides Liability Insurance Provides primary general liability insurance to cover the chartered organization and its board, officers, chartered organization representative, and employees against all personal liability judgments. This insurance includes attorney’s 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. Discuss each as needed . . . 34

Council Responsibilities Respect Chartered Organization Aims/Objectives Training for the COR Training, Service & Support Coaching on Leader Selection Primary Insurance Protection Professional Staff Discuss each as needed . . .

Chartered Organization Representative Council and District Units Chartered Organization

Resources for Help District Committee Key Three: Chair, Commissioner, Executive Assistant District and Unit Commissioners Council Professional Staff Online sites, Books, Pamphlets & Audiovisuals District involvement Commissioner service

Resources for Help www.myscouting.org Chartered Organization Representative Fast Start Online Unit Training Inventory for Chartered Organization Representatives: Unit Training Tracking District involvement Commissioner service

Other Resources District Email Updates & Newsletters District Training Courses District Roundtable Council Training Courses Philmont Training Center Guide to Safe Scouting (.pdf) http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx Everyone needs training Program and Training Conference Can support org’s youth mission Encourage in place of Little Philmont?

Questions? “Reflection”