Central Region Area 4 Venturing Training Conference Starting and Sustaining Venturing Officer Associations

What is a VOA? The mission of a Council Venturing Officer’s Association is to promote and support the Venturing program, utilizing a standard organizational structure that enables the council to grow membership by advancing leadership opportunities through communication, program, and administration. 2 Rewording of Area VOA Mission

3 A Council VOA preserves the Service Model The National Cabinet serves the Region VOAs who serves the Area VOAs who serves the Council VOAs who serve the Crews and their Venturers

4 Central Region Brian Parro Kris Zahrobsky Area 4 Michael Gunther Duane Zobrist

5 Step 1 Critical Step 2 All officers Step 3 Full VOA

VOA Structure Entirely youth driven Advised by adults VOA consists of four main officers President VP of Administration VP of Program VP of Communications VOA consists of all Crew Presidents Other may may be added or removed 6

Council Venturing President Works with the Council VOA Advisor Is one of the two top youth leaders in the council. Is the primary Venturing Ambassador in the Council Helps to achieve the Area 4 Venturing President’s goals Sets the Council Goals and oversees their achievement Delegates responsibilities to Council VPs Sets the tone for the program for the Council’s crews Any other jobs as assigned by Area or Council Advisors 7 Full description in SOP

Council VP of Administration Works with the Council Associate Advisor for Administration Develops and implements strategies to increase Venturing membership in the Council Promotes and facilitates the selection and presentation of the Venturing Leadership Award and other appropriate Venturing awards Promotes Venturing with Charter Organizations Takes minutes of the Council meetings and publishes them Any other duties as assigned by the President 8 Full description in SOP

Council VP Program Works with the Council Associate Advisor for Program Supervises activity chairs and the planning of fun, training and service activities (conferences, outings, summits, and other events). Facilitates internal training events of the VOA. Promotes external training events and maintains a knowledge base of all training opportunities available for youth and adult members in Venturing. Any other duties as assigned by the President 9 Full description in SOP

Council VP Communications Works with the Council Associate Advisor of Communication Ensures communication is happening throughout the Council via Facebook, newsletters, websites, etc. Works to maintain a contact list of crews in the Council with the help of the other Council Officers Any other duties as assigned by the President 10 Full description in SOP

VOA Advisor Works with the adult Area Venturing Committee to support the youth driven program Chairs the Council Venturing Committee or is a principle member of the committee and part of the Key 3 (or 4) Serves as a mentor and advocate for the Council Venturing President Works with each youth officer, mentoring them in their roles Works with coordinating things between youth and adults Ensures fiscal, programmatic, and risk management issues are properly addressed. 11 Full description in SOP

Starting up, Stepping up Select Officers Suggestion: First time? Invite all Crew Presidents to a pizza evening. Ask the youth the best way to come up with a Council Venturing President. If they want to name someone on the spot – let them. Create SOP Set goals Set meeting dates Start working on activities Communicate – make your presence known 12

Selection of Officers Selection process is handled at the council’s discretion (eventually written in to your Council Operation Procedures) Council Venturing Presidents are to be selected by April 30 Current and past crew officers are eligible to submit an application All tier terms start on June 1 st and end on May 31 st 13 See the section in the SOP

Standard Operating Procedures States purpose and responsibilities Provides guidance and clarification Example: Dates of newsletters, which weekend is your fun event, etc. and the backdating timetable to achieve. Outlines organization and responsibilities Can customize to fit specific needs of each council ByLaws generator located on CR website ( ) Copy the Area OPs as a model ( on ) 14

SOP Contents Mission (National Youth Cabinet and Region and Area VOA’s) Methods to select youth officers and appoint adult Advisors to the Council VOA Timetable for selections Position descriptions for each role Organizational charts for Council VOA Detail of your annual events (fun, training, service, recognition) Short glossary to provide definitions and clarify terms 15

Council Venturing Goals As a VOA create a set of goals Focus on: Administration Program Communications Personal Remember, keep them SMART! 16

Council VOA meetings Hold meetings at least once a month In person Freeconferencecall.com Set an agenda for each month Allows VOA to stay on task throughout the year Ensures constant communication with the officers Who attends: Council Venturing President, runs the meeting Council VPs Crew Presidents All respective advisors 17

We have a VOA, now what? Fun Events Training Events Recognition Events Service 18

Fun Events Get creative! Use all of your resources Promote, promote, promote... Examples Video Game Nights Skiing Trips Whitewater Caving Putting the WOW into your Program (handout) 19

Training Events Effective training leads to well performing teams Hold at least one training event each year Provide Opportunities to: Train new officers (officer orientation) Plan the year Get to know your crews Get involved in your Council’s University of Scouting Venturing Courses 20

Recognition Events Recognize the hard workers! Venturing Leadership Award Good way to promote Venturing 21

Council Standards of Venturing Excellence Similar to JTE Presented by BSA National Council Must meet 12 core requirements Must meet 5 of 9 electives Goal of every council to earn the CSVE Councils sends report to Area whether they earn or not. 22

Council Venturing President and the Council VOA Advisor are part of the Area VOA while leading the Council VOA Recognize your President and Advisor 23 The Area 4 VOA will supply these patches and conduct an Area COH installation.

Council Venturing Vice Presidents and their Council Advisors are part of the Council VOA 24 Recognize your VPs and their Advisors Council provides these

Crew Presidents and their Crew Advisors are part of the Council VOA 25 Recognize your Crew Presidents and their Advisors Council provides the VOA insignia and Units provide the other.

Starting and Sustaining Venturing Officer Associations Questions?