“Building Sustainable Membership through Religious Emblems” Welcome or …….

Faith Based Initiative FBI Two Parts: Religious Emblems Coordinator Membership Growth in Faith CommunitiesTwo Parts: Religious Emblems Coordinator Membership Growth in Faith Communities

Introductions StaffParticipants

Housekeeping Plenary Sessions Faith Group Presentations Opening Devotions Flag Ceremony Water Buddies Pests

Session 1: Course Overview

Religious Emblems: Objectives Understand how emblems are created and approved Understand WHY we promote religious emblems Learn HOW to promote religious emblems Become familiar with resources that promote religious emblems Leave here with a plan to promote Religious Emblems

Membership: Objectives Understand how religious emblems can be a key to membership Increase your understanding of religious organizations Understand that faith groups need what the Boy Scouts have

Membership: Objectives Become familiar with resources that help councils approach religious institutions Understand the membership opportunities for both faith communities and Boy Scout councils Leave here with a plan to increase your membership by collaborating with religious organizations

How does this apply to Journey to Excellence (JTE)? After each session, find out how it applies to JTE

Questions? Adjourn

Devotions

Session 2: Overview of R.E.C. Religious Emblems Coordinator

Rationale Duty to God is an integral part of the Boy Scout program. One of the leading reasons parents register boys is for the BSA values. Religious emblems reinforce Boy Scout values. Only 3% of youth in BSA receive a religious emblem in any given year.

How are Religious Emblems Created and Approved? Created by National Religious Organizations for their youth Reviewed by BSA for –Chartered Partner in good standing –Curriculum is compatible with BSA values continued

How are Religious Emblems Created and Approved? BSA recognizes these programs and allows the recognitions to be worn on the uniform Religious emblems are optional programs which help the Scouts fulfill their “Duty To God” portion of the Boy Scout Oath Adult awards by nomination only

REC Powerpoint

How to Promote Religious Emblems – Unit Level Duty to God Unit Promotion Plan

Duty to God Puzzle Patch

Duty to God Resource DVD

How to Promote Religious Emblems - Council Level Round Tables POW WOW University of Scouting College of Commissioners Science Continued Continued

How to Promote Religious Emblems - Council Level List recipient names in council newsletter BSA and Duty to God Flyers distributed to all units Assemble a display of religious emblems Continued Continued

How to Promote Religious Emblems - Council Level Stock the material in the council store When stocking periodically run announcements in newsletter Provide training for Store Managers Continued Continued

How to Promote Religious Emblems - Council Level Summer and Day Camp Opportunities –69% of boys at summer camp think about their relationship with God –Recruit Chaplains –Parents want values –Another chance to offer tools for the Scouts to internalize values –Promote the Duty to God devotions Continued Continued

Interfaith Devotion Books

12 Point or 10 Commandment hikes Religious Emblems retreats Boy Scout Sunday/Sabbath Awards dinners How to Promote Religious Emblems - Council Events

How does this apply to Journey to Excellence (JTE)? After each session, find out how it applies to JTE

ASSIGNMENT Develop a plan to promote religious emblems

Devotions

Session 3: Why Collaborate? What’s in it for Families? What’s in it for Councils? What’s in it for Congregations?

What’s in it for Families? Youth benefit!Youth benefit! The number one reason parents sign up their children in Scouts is VALUES.The number one reason parents sign up their children in Scouts is VALUES.

Youth will have less at-risk behaviorsYouth will have less at-risk behaviors Search Institute, The Troubled Journey CIVICFAMILY SCHOOLS FAITH What’s in it for Families?

Youth will have more opportunities to build assets Search Institute, 40 Assets

40 Assets for Youth External Assets –Support –Empowerment –Boundaries and Expectations –Constructive Use of Time Internal Assets –Commitment to Learning –Positive Values –Social Competencies –Positive Identity

Handout (online)

The BSA Summer Camp Outcome Study revealed that 69% of Scouts think about their relationship with God while at camp. What’s in it for Families?

Continue Session 3: Why Collaborate? What’s in it for Councils?

Question: What are your council’s top five goals?

What’s in it for Councils? Answer: Membership Retaining Membership Volunteers Program Money

What’s in it for Councils: Membership Youth membership –Parents are looking for values –Religious organizations share common goals Adult leaders –Improve retention of leaders –Adults who don’t volunteer for religious organizations may be inclined to do Scouting Target underserved populations

What’s in it for Councils Program Religious organizations can teach the religious emblems programs Recruit clergy for religious retreats and camporees Chaplains

What’s in it for Councils: Program It’s strategic: –More boys and units –More volunteers –Improve relations with Chartered Partners 66% + 10% + 70% + 98% = +42%

What’s in it for Councils: Money More boys, more units, more families, more friends of Scouting

Continue Session 3: Why Collaborate? What’s in it for Congregations?

Question: What are the five most stated items in any strategic plan of a local congregation?

What’s in it for Congregations? Answer: MembershipMembership Retaining MembershipRetaining Membership Trained VolunteersTrained Volunteers Program / Faith formationProgram / Faith formation MoneyMoney

Congregations need Young familiesYoung families Adult malesAdult males Retain membersRetain members Scout parents parents Religious Organizations Benefit: Membership

Religious Organizations Benefit: Membership The average size of a pack is to 60% of youth in a pack troop or crew do not currently have a current faith home These parents are pre-qualified as looking for values for their children 15 pre-qualified families already in your building without a faith home

Religious Organizations Benefit: Membership The chartering congregation offers their religious emblems program for their youth members and extends an invitation to the Scouting unit, especially those without a current congregational home. Invite the parents to the first class and start building relationships.

Religious Organizations Benefit: Membership If the congregation offers a religious emblem class to all youth in their units If the congregation offers a religious emblem class to the whole district The congregation expands its membership potential in close geographic area

Congregations focus on Religious growthReligious growth ValuesValues Religious Organizations Benefit: Faith Formation

Religious Organizations Benefit: Faith Formation Religious Emblems Programs: Can supplement a congregation’s own religious growth programs Are age specific Are developed by the national religious organizations, not BSA

Religious Organizations Benefit Common Goals Enrich current program –Scouting has high brand recognition –Proven youth program: citizenship training, character development, fitness –Outdoor resources (local and national facilities) continued

Religious Organizations Benefit Trained Leaders –Provides leadership training skills –Scouting renews memories in adults –New leaders (adults may volunteer to be leaders because they see it as service to their religious organization) –Religious organizations select the leadership that reflects their values continued

Religious Organizations Benefit Provide an outreach to the community –Help people –Community service projects Help Congregations build assets with youth

Religious Organizations Benefit Handout: “Does your congregation need a Scouting program?”

Wrap up: Why Collaborate? Win-win-win situation Collaboration results in: Stronger youth and families Stronger congregations Stronger councils

How does this apply to Journey to Excellence (JTE)? After each session, find out how it applies to JTE

Session 4: Strategies for Growth

“You can have everything in life you want if you'll just help enough other people to get what they want!” – Zig Ziglar

Religious Emblems: Value Added Programs for Membership

Religious Emblems as a Membership Tool Created by religious organizations Help connect Boy Scouting and faith based organizations Explain how they can be used as an outreach tool Opportunity for intergenerational experiences continued

Religious Emblems as a Membership Tool Help target diverse memberships Provide first exposure of religious organization membership to Boy Scouts Increase adult tenure

Strategies for Growth: 66% + 10% + 70% + 98% = +42% Strategy #1: Shore up drop rate Strategy #2: Sell more products to existing customers Strategy #3: Target similar customers Strategy #4: Target under served populations

Background Information To further the aims and goals of that Chartered partner What is BSA’s role to chartered partners?

What are the aims and goals of religious organizations? Religious training Membership 98% = the number of clergy who are unaware that these religious emblems even exist!

You must sell the Chartered Partner Concept

Carefully explain to the congregation and clergy about the Chartered Organization Concept Make them understand and accept ownershipMake them understand and accept ownership Decide the person to be the Chartered Organizational RepresentativeDecide the person to be the Chartered Organizational Representative Make the investment in the program by recruiting the best “kid person” to be the unit leaderMake the investment in the program by recruiting the best “kid person” to be the unit leader

Select the committee chairSelect the committee chair Select the unit chaplainSelect the unit chaplain Require all leaders to be trained by the CouncilRequire all leaders to be trained by the Council Require a report from the COR at appropriate board/committee meetingRequire a report from the COR at appropriate board/committee meeting

Background Information Religious training: Religious emblems provide opportunity for religious training through the curriculum booklets created specifically for their faith by their national religious organization. Membership: Religious emblems classes can be taught by the congregation not only for their units but also for others in the community and even council-wide. This provides opportunity to reach out to families that do not have a faith home or who have dropped away from that congregation. How can religious emblems help?

Strategy #1: Shore up drop rate

10% national drop rate 66% of all units are in religious organizations ½ units dropped are in religious organizations 10% drop rate x 66% = 7% loss Eliminate the drop rate and save 7% How can religious emblems shore up the drop rate?

Why do kids drop out? Who ultimately decides? –The children –The parents Unless they see that Scouting is providing values

Why are units dropped? Leaders resign – Religious Awards can help retain leaders.

Why are units dropped? (cont’d) Religious Organizations get upset – During re-chartering visit bring along sample copies of religious emblems booklets and walk the COR through the material or suggest that they do this with their clergy.

Why are units dropped? (cont’d) 1.Remind congregations of members gained 2.15 potential families in basement 3.Which side do you want your windows broken from? Result: Shore up the 10% drop rate of units in religious organizations = +7% increase

Strategy #2: Sell more products to existing customers (build more capacity by increasing units in existing chartered partners.

Is your membership problem one of getting the boys or finding leadership and meeting places? Who is the easiest person to sell to?

70% of chartered partners only have 1 unit At your Re-charter visit talk about adding a unit and discuss religious emblems programs for that level. 15 pre-qualified families in basement Result: 70% x 66% = 46% growth 46% - 4% = 42% growth

Strategy #3: Target similar customers

Sell to similar or like-minded customers i.e. religious organizations Most respected organizations in any community are the faith groups Ask your staff and volunteers if anyone is of the selected faiths Ask current chartered partners for contacts Ask religious relationships committee members for help Use religious emblems as a tool

Before calling on religious groups you may want to review the items on P.R.A.Y.’S CD

Strategy #4 : Target under served populations

Select a target population or under served area Develop a list of religious organizations in the area Ask your fellow staff and volunteers if anyone is of that faith Ask current chartered partners for contacts Use religious emblems as a tool

Before approaching any Religious Organization, ask staff, key volunteers and religious relationships committee.

Five Year Plan

Year 1 Target Current Religious partners – Re- charter – Add a Unit While talking with current customers ask if they know other clergy who would benefit from having a Unit. Ask them to open that door. Identify underserved populations and start looking for cultural informants

Five Year Plan Year 2 Target last year’s no’s among the 54% Target new Religious Organizations by asking current Chartered Partners, staff, volunteers and religious relationships committee Work with the cultural informants and start gaining visibility in their religious communities in your underserved populations.

Five Year Plan Year 3 Revisit first 54% and add that 3 rd unit At re-charter, ask for help in underserved populations from staff, volunteers and religious relationships committee Work hard to establish units in underserved populations in Religious Organizations

Five Year Plan Year 4 Your Scout Exec becomes the new Chief Scout Executive The Scout Exec position in your council becomes open You get promoted and you teach the new District Executives this system or you start kicking yourself for not listening to me today and using this model three years ago. Visit year 2 new starts and look to add a unit Continue working in underserved populations Year 5 If you don’t have it by now Oh Well!

Review Objectives Were all of our objectives met? –Understand how religious emblems can be a key to membership –Increase your understanding of religious organizations –Understand that faith groups need what the Boy Scouts have –Become familiar with resources that help councils approach religious institutions –Understand the membership opportunities for both faith communities and Boy Scout councils

Forming a Religious Relationships Committee Role of a Religious Relationships Committee How to form and sustain one

Overview of P.R.A.Y. Resources

Usage Reports Recipient Report

Usage Reports Year Comparison

Resources: Sample UMC FBI Questionnaire Sample PowerPoint (UMC)

The UMC was the second largest charter organization of the BSA 370,000 youth370,000 youth 11,400 units11,400 units 6,500 United Methodist Churches6,500 United Methodist Churches United Methodist Church

The only body that can set official policy and speak for the denomination. Made up of approximately 500 lay people and 500 clergy. Meets once every four years to make decisions/revise the Book of Discipline. Bishops also preside at the General Conference (non-decision-makers). Special sessions may be called. General Conference

5 Jurisdictions (for communication purposes primarily) 60 Annual Conferences 488 Districts 35,000 Churches Structure

The five jurisdictions are like super regionsThe five jurisdictions are like super regions There is a bishop (paid clergy) for each Annual ConferenceThere is a bishop (paid clergy) for each Annual Conference There is a District Superintendent (paid clergy) for each District.There is a District Superintendent (paid clergy) for each District. Districts are comprised of local churchesDistricts are comprised of local churches Structure

To facilitate a board of directors called the Connectional Ministries (formerly administrative board), a volunteer chair, and committees that lead the churchTo facilitate a board of directors called the Connectional Ministries (formerly administrative board), a volunteer chair, and committees that lead the church Role of the Pastor

Pastor (or Reverend)Pastor (or Reverend) CongregationCongregation SanctuarySanctuary Evangelism, outreach, “to Make Disciples”Evangelism, outreach, “to Make Disciples” Christian Education & DiscipleshipChristian Education & Discipleship Youth groups = United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF)Youth groups = United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) Board of Directors = Connectional MinistriesBoard of Directors = Connectional Ministries Terms

Losing membershipLosing membership Older congregationsOlder congregations Average age of men is 56Average age of men is 56 Trying to appeal to a younger generation and to youthTrying to appeal to a younger generation and to youth Issues of homosexuality (pastors cannot be practicing, self-avowed homosexuals); however, any and all persons are invited into the life of the churchIssues of homosexuality (pastors cannot be practicing, self-avowed homosexuals); however, any and all persons are invited into the life of the church Concerns

We’re a Connectional Church and structured to communicate very wellWe’re a Connectional Church and structured to communicate very well The Church has named Four Areas of Focus which are the priorities for the next four years:The Church has named Four Areas of Focus which are the priorities for the next four years: 1. Global Health - i.e. Eliminate Malaria in our lifetime in Africa1. Global Health - i.e. Eliminate Malaria in our lifetime in Africa 2. Poverty – seeing to the needy, i.e. mentoring youth whose parents are incarcerated, Amachi Initiative with Big Brothers Big Sisters2. Poverty – seeing to the needy, i.e. mentoring youth whose parents are incarcerated, Amachi Initiative with Big Brothers Big Sisters Positives

3. Church Renewal – new church growth, renew existing congregations3. Church Renewal – new church growth, renew existing congregations 4. Leadership – developing principled Christian leaders4. Leadership – developing principled Christian leaders Positives

How does this apply to Journey to Excellence (JTE)? After each session, find out how it applies to JTE

Group Presentations Presentation of Religious Emblems Promotion Plans

Devotions

Council Perspective on Journey to Excellence JTE

What about the girls? American Heritage Girls Patti Garibay, CEO

How does this apply to Journey to Excellence (JTE)? After each session, find out how it applies to JTE

Chaplaincy Unit Council campouts Summer camp

Religious Emblems Analysis Sheet

Religious Emblems “Foot in the door” versus “foot in your mouth”“Foot in the door” versus “foot in your mouth” Become familiar with the religious emblems program before visiting a congregationBecome familiar with the religious emblems program before visiting a congregation Each religion creates its own programEach religion creates its own program Eligibility requirements will differ from religion to religionEligibility requirements will differ from religion to religion

Faith Group Presentations Guest Speakers

How does this apply to Journey to Excellence (JTE)? After each session, find out how it applies to JTE

Assignment: Work on back home Membership Plans

Devotions

Presentations of Membership Plans Session 7

Session 8 Wrap-up Q & A EvaluationsGraduation!

Happy Trails to You!