Scouting in the Ward

“It is in the priesthood quorum that the doctrines of the kingdom are learned. And it is in the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood quorum that they are applied in a way that prepares a young man to fulfill a full-time mission, receive the ordinances of the temple, and live a life of service to his family, the kingdom, and his community. In the United States and Canada, Scouting is the primary activity and application arm of the Aaronic Priesthood. “ President Charles W. Dahlquist II YM General Open House, April 2006 In the spring open house of 2006, Pres. Dahlquist reinforced the importance of Scouting in our Aaronic Priesthood programs. He stated, “It is in the priesthood quorum that the doctrines of the kingdom are learned. And it is in the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood quorum that they are applied in a way that prepares a young man to fulfill a full-time mission, receive the ordinances of the temple, and live a life of service to his family, the kingdom, and his community. In the United States and Canada, Scouting is the primary activity and application arm of the Aaronic Priesthood.”

Each program is age specific to help the boys progress Purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood Priests 16-18 years old Crew 6 Experience Areas Ranger Award Consultants Teachers 14-15 years old While we often use the term Scouting generically, it is important to realize that in Scouting there are three distinct, age-specific programs. Most of us are fairly familiar with the traditional program of Boy Scouts. When a young man turns 11, he joins the 11-year new Scout patrol. He continues with this program during his tenure as a Deacon. The organization, leadership, and advancement programs are especially well-suited to boys ages 12 and 13. The fundamental unit of Boy Scouting is a patrol. The advancement program is oriented towards boys achieving their Eagle Scout rank. Besides the Scoutmaster, adult interaction is accomplished through the use of Merit Badge counselors—an adult who is proficient in the skills and knowledge required for a given Merit Badge. The Scout works with the counselor to do the steps required to earn the badge. When a boy turns 14 and enters the teachers quorum, he becomes part of the Varsity program. The Varsity program was developed by the LDS church for boys aged 14-15 and adopted by the Boy Scouts of America. The fundamental unit of Varsity Scouting is the Team and the youth Team Captain who asserts more leadership than the Patrol Leader from the Boy Scout patrol. Varsity program activities are oriented around 5 fields of emphasis--Outdoor/High Adventure, Leadership, Social, Service, Personal Development—that give the boys age specific opportunities for growth. Advancement and achievement are focused toward the Denali Award that is once again designed with 14-15 year old boys in mind. Adult interaction is accomplished via program managers who have an longer term engagement with the boys on specific skills and experiences along their path toward the Denali Award. At age 16, members of the priests quorum become part of a Venturing crew. Like Varsity, the Venturing program was developing by the LDS church and adopted by the Boy Scouts of America. The structure of a venturing crew puts more leadership responsibilities on the boys than earlier programs. Balanced personal growth is accomplished as boys are able to participate in activities from Venturing’s 6 experience areas—leadership, social, citizenship, outdoor, service, and fitness. The Ranger award is the end goal that recognizes accomplishment and achievement within the program and assists the boys is setting and working toward goals. Adult interaction is accomplished using consultants, who like the title suggest, consult with the crew for a longer term engagement on skills and activities that are specific to 16-18 year old boys. Each of these programs is specifically designed to assist boys as they mature in accomplishing the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. They will provide the structure to allow the boys have those experiences that will prepare them for their missions, for the temple, and to become worthy husbands and fathers. Team 5 fields of emphasis Denali Award Program managers Deacons 12-13 years old Patrol Trail to Eagle MB counselors

Priesthood Organization According to the LDS Handbook of Instructions, “The bishopric is the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward. Members of the bishopric watch over and nurture each Aaronic Priesthood holder, helping him accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood.” In addition, the bishop presides over the Priests Quorum. He is assisted by his counselors in overseeing the Teachers and Deacons Quorums. The bishop calls a teacher to be the president of the teachers quorum and a deacon to be the president of the deacons quorum. Only quorum president hold priesthood keys, which are the right to preside over and direct the Church within a jurisdiction. Because they hold keys, the bishop usually appoints the quorum president or an assistant in the priests quorum to serve as the youth leader of the quorum’s Scout unit. Bishop is the president of the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum presidents hold priesthood keys and usually serve as boy unit* leaders * Unit = Scout, Varsity, or Venturing

Young Men Organization Under the direction of the bishopric, members of the ward Young Men presidency direct the efforts of the ward Young Men organization to accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. They ensure that it is organized and functioning properly. However, because they do not hold Priesthood Keys, they are Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Advisors and should focus their efforts in assisting the quorum presidents to properly exercise their Priesthood Keys. The bishop generally calls members of the ward Young Men Presidency to serve as Scout leaders (such as Scoutmaster, Varsity coach, and Venturing advisor). Advisors are advisors -- quorum presidents hold priesthood keys Adult YM Presidency leadership generally serve as Scoutmaster, Varsity Coach, and Venturing Advisor respectively

Boy Leadership & Priesthood Keys One of the most critical meetings in Scouting and the Aaronic Priesthood is the Quorum Presidency Meeting which also serves as the Unit Leadership Meeting, such as the Patrol Meeting. Each quorum presidency should hold regular quorum presidency meetings that are attended by a member of the bishopric and the quorum advisors who are normally members of the Young Men Presidency. This important meeting is where the quorum presidencies learn how to preside, conduct, and use priesthood keys in accomplishing the mission of the Church. It provides the youth leader with the tools and information they need to run the quorum and their Scouting, Varsity, or Venturing unit. * Unit = Scout, Varsity, or Venturing

Boy Leadership & Priesthood Keys With consistent and effective Quorum Presidency meetings (and their equivalent Scout/Varsity/Venturing leadership meeting), the boy leaders are prepared to conduct and lead the quorum meetings on Sunday and weeknight activities. Note that in LDS units, the traditional patrol meeting is split between these two meetings. Adults as Scout leaders and quorum advisors provide shadow leadership by helping the boy leader be prepared and then allowing the boys to run the program. Note that normally quorum presidency members, bishopric, and quorum advisors attend quorum meetings. * Unit = Scout, Varsity, or Venturing

Scout Committees Committees provide important logistical support to the advisors so that they can focus on their core purpose to minister individually to each member of the quorum. A strong committee chair will ensure that the committee is properly supporting the adult advisors. Unit* committee meetings are critical to providing the logistical support to the advisors so that they can minister individually to each member of the quorum and unit* One of the most important roles is a strong committee chair(s) who ensures that the committee is properly supporting the adult advisors * Unit = Scout, Varsity, or Venturing

Duty to God “Duty to God was not intended to take the place of Scouting but is intended to help young men of the Aaronic Priesthood become better prepared to go to the temple, serve missions, and accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood.” President Charles W. Dahlquist II YM General Open House, October 2004 “And so it is. Both the Duty to God Award and Scouting, in all of its age groups, are there to support and build and strengthen the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood.” YM General Open House, October 2005 The Duty to God program is normally administered in the home with the boy and his parents. Each time a new boy enters the quorum, the quorum president and a member of the bishopric or the quorum advisor should meet with the boy and his parents in their home to review the Duty to God program. Progress can be monitored with regular follow up during PPI’s, Scoutmaster, or other opporunities.

“I promise you that if the Scouting program in all age groups is alive and functioning, including the Varsity program for the teacher-age boys and the Venturing program for the priests, it will make a difference in the quality of the experience your young men receive and their preparation for a mission.” President Charles W. Dahlquist II YM General Open House, October 2005 President Dahlquist gave us this promise.

Boy Leadership/Priesthood Keys Keep as single vertical arrow, trying to teach that the boys lead/”patrol method” but this is done in the patrol method. The title needs work.

Scout Committee

Quorum Presidency Meeting Keep as single vertical arrow, trying to teach that the boys lead/”patrol method” but this is done in the patrol method. The title needs work.

Boy Scouts Key Methods Ideals Adult association Patrols Advancement Uniform Outdoors Personal growth Leadership development

Varsity Key Methods Varsity Team Denali Award Key differences with Boy Scout program?? How is it age-specific 14-15 5 fields of emphasis (Outdoor/High Adventure, Leadership, Social, Service, Personal Development) Very age specific Developed specifically for the LDS church Ken- the 5 fields of emphasis is what makes it different, they are encouraged to have one of those 5 fields of emphasis in each of their activities. Scouts are technically not supposed to be doing high adventure. They have outdoor activities but not high adventure. Less advancement oriented and more oriented towards the five fields of emphasis to give more opportunity to practice than in Scouting, more leadership opportunity.

Venturing Key Methods Key differences with Boy Scout program Venturing Crew Ranger Award Key differences with Boy Scout program Use of consultants Increased responsibility of crew captain (patrol leader); reduced responsibility of crew advisor (scout master) Focus on depth of skill and learning on a particular topic rather than breadth of exposure to many (a la merit badges) Developed specifically for LDS church

Key Meetings LDS BSA Aaronic Priesthood Committee meeting Patrol leaders council Quorum Presidency meeting Patrol meeting Quorum meeting Mutual night Troop meeting YM Presidency meeting PPI Scoutmaster’s Conference Troop Committee meeting

Troop Committee Chairman Secretary Organize the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed Maintain close relationship with COR & Scoutmaster Interpret national and local policies to the troop Prepare troop meeting agendas Call, preside over, and promote monthly troop meetings Ensure troop representation at month roundtables Secure top-notch, trained individuals for camp leadership Arrange for charter review and recharter annually Secretary Keep minutes of meetings and send out committee meeting notices Handle publicity Prepare a family newsletter of troop events and activities Conduct the troop resource survey Plan for family night programs and family activities At each meeting report the minutes of the previous meeting

Organization of Non-LDS BSA Troop

Changes in Committee Responsibilities Responsibility Traditional LDS Recruit quality adult leadership Troop Committee Chair Bishopric Interpret policy to the troop Handle troop funds Treasurer Maintain checking and savings accounts Bishopric/Clerk Lead in preparation of annual troop budget Provide spiritual tone for troop meetings Chaplain Bishopric/Advisors Promote regular religious participation Give spiritual counseling service Ensure troop leaders and committee members are trained Training Coordinator Recruiting of new boys Scoutmaster The change in responsibility of recruiting/reporting and finances dramatically changes the dynamics of the troop in an LDS unit

Non-functioning youth leadership positions Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Senior Patrol Leader Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Troop Guide The lack of youth leadership in these key positions typically shifts responsibilities back to adult leaders from the boys

PRIESTHOOD LINES Bishop is president of Aaronic priesthood Bishops counselors serve as representatives in deacons and teacher quorums Young-men leaders serve as advisors Quorum presidencies are the direct line of authority

Patrol method The boys run the program The president of the quorum holds the keys The presidency/ patrol leaders hold regular presidency meetings The boys are surrounded by supporting leaders

Quorum advisors/scout leaders Advisors are advisors Advisors lead by example Advisors are resources for the boys Advisors can receive resources from the Committee, COR,Unit Commissioners and the District

COR DUTIES General health and welfare of scouting in the ward In charge of key scout meeting and coordination In charge of rechartering at ward level Assists in getting round table info to the local units Oversees committee involvement and staffing Organizes and oversees FOS Insures all leaders in the ward are trained Reports to bishopric on all scouting activities Is an active member of one of the district committees Could be part of ward council as needed COR can be a member of the bishopric or other as assigned by the bishop

COR Tasks Help recruit the right leaders Encourage unit leaders and committee members to take training Promote well-planned unit programs Serve as liaison between units and charter organization Organize enough units Promote the recruiting of new members Graduation of members from one program phase to next Assist with unit charter renewal Suggest good turns for your organization Encourage unit committee meetings Keep organization leaders informed Encourage active outdoor unit and sports programs Emphasize advancement and youth recognition Bring district help and promote its use Use approved unit finance policies Encourage recognition of leaders Cultivate resources to support your organization’s units Represent your organization on the council and district levels