Top Hands Meeting Detroit, MI 8/26-28/2009 Slide Notes Contain Important Information About The History And Implementation of Cub Scouts 2010 Cub Scouts 2010 Top Hands Meeting Detroit, MI 8/26-28/2009 The following breakout session slides were developed with the knowledge that Mike Surbaugh (SE Pittsburgh) would be presenting a full 30 minutes on the history and development of the pilot that lead to Cub Scouts 2010’s national implementation. As such, the notes are an important portion of the presentation. The initial portion of the presentation is from the perspective of a non-scouter coming into the BSA organization.

Cub Scout Membership 1972: Peak Membership; Echo Boom creates Peak TAY Cub Scout membership since inception thru 2008. Membership peaked in 1972 with the peak of the Echo Boom and TAY The increases in the late 80s are associated with the development of the Tiger Cub program and in the mid-90s with Tiger Cub integration into the pack. Primary point is that membership is declining 1% per year as TAY declines. Absent some change in retention (or share), membership will continue to decline. Average Retention appx. 65% Stable Retention X Declining TAY = Declining Membership

Just Some Cub Scout Data? Pilot Phase Units/Dens Council(s) Prior Year Retention Pilot Retention 2005 20 65% 86% 2006 178 63% 85% 2007 1117 64% 89% The Innovation Team in its initial months “scouted” out results from pilot tests going on at the council level. We were initially presented these results without any context with respect to what was being tested. What we knew was: There was a three year history of expansion of the test. Each years base was a retention rate around 65% Each phase of the test demonstrated an improvement of about 20 percentage points About the pilots: Phase one: 20 dens. The criteria being one den per pack would participate, the pack must be at or slightly below the council average retention, and the balance of the pack would not participate. Phase two: 178 dens. Same selection criteria. Packs selected from 10 urban councils. Phase three: 1117 dens. Central Region wide. Average Increase In Retention = 20 Percentage Points

What Do Den Leaders Think? Resources are effective in planning and conducting den meetings (97%). Satisfied with the ease of preparation (87%) and the den meeting activities (86%) Den leaders more satisfied with their role (97% pilot; 88% non-pilot) Almost all (95%) would recommend using Fast Tracks to another den leader Den leaders participating in the pilot were surveyed after the Central Region phase (phase 3) and then again after the first year of national availability of the Fast Tracks den meeting plans.

What Was The Pilot?

THE method of Cub Scout delivery supported by National Council! For the 2010-2011 Program Year THE method of Cub Scout delivery supported by National Council! BSA is adopting the Fast Track model as THE national model for delivering Cub Scouts. The change is not optional. Only materials to support the new method will be produced. 2010

What is Cub Scouts 2010? It’s Cub Scouts (the 2010 is when it starts) It’s a method of delivering the existing program that is handbook based and focuses on den meeting activities leading to youth advancement. Recognizes shift in family dynamics by moving MOST advancement into the den Provides den leaders with specific den meeting plans to ease planning and enhance meeting organization

What’s Not Changing? Den meeting structure & phases (7) Pack meeting structure & phases (7) Role of Roundtable in communications & training

What Is Changing? New Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide Replaces the annual Program Helps Designed as “one-stop” resource for den leaders & Cubmasters Available online and via Scout Shops Sample available here and will be posted online

New Resource Guide Table of Contents Light introduction into Cub Scouting (not to replace Leader Book) Tips and suggestions on den meetings, pack meetings, using the Guide Den meeting plans for ALL Ranks Pack meeting plans Resources

What Is Changing? Majority of advancement happens in den Themes as we know them (craft/seasonally based) will be eliminated Themes will be replaced by a monthly focus on the twelve core values of Cub Scouting: Majority of advancement happens in den September 2010 Cooperation March 2011 Compassion October 2010 Responsibility April 2011 Faith November 2010 Citizenship May 2011 Health and Fitness December 2010 Respect June 2011 Perseverance January 2011 Positive Attitude Courage February 2011 Resourcefulness July 2011 Honesty

What’s Changing? Training is changing to recognize: The change in delivery method The increasing time pressures of our volunteers New Fast Start for Den Leaders and Cubmasters Less Scouting History, BSA organization and administration More about how to run den/pack meetings and use the new delivery method Revised Position Specific: New online version for den leaders (Cubmaster under discussion) Continued support for in-person, PowerPoint version

CS 2010 Communications Plan Scouting.org/cubscouts2010 Release date for materials affected by Cub Scouts 2010 is now MARCH!! Release Date Now March!!

scouting.org/cubscouts2010 This website will be the primary communication vehicle for Cub Scouts 2010. Work is underway to add a forum area where BSA employees and volunteers can post questions. We will also be posting a video of Mike Surbaugh’s Top Hands speech when available.

So What’s In It For Cub Scouting? Cub Scouts More fun activities More recognition Scout Execs + Membership & retention Improved vol & staff satisfaction Den Leaders Planning & execution simplified Meetings more fun & easier to run Cubmasters Pack operates together More recognition & parental involvement DEs & Commissioners Easier Recruiting New leaders on-line faster

What’s The Opportunity? 20% Point Increase In Retention X 2008 Cub Scout Membership = 350,000 Additional Youth Served While it is difficult to realize 100% of a pilot’s outcome when moving from the hand-held pilot situation to the less focused environment of a national introduction, if we are able to achieve only half of the outcome, we will have significantly impacted the number of youth to whom our program is benefiting.

What Can You Do To Ensure Success? Make sure that the benefits for Scouting and for the youth we serve are promoted throughout your council: Increased retention/more youth served More satisfied den leaders/easier to plan and run meetings More fun for the boys thru advancement activities Assure that the website is promoted to your staff and volunteers, aggressively. Newsletters Websites Emails to all volunteers Work with your district executives, commissioners and other key volunteers to assure that the delivery change is part of the training and planning process for 2010.