1. Starting A New Crew
Jerry Johnson

2. First, The Paperwork
Organizing a Venturing crew is easy to do. Just follow these steps:
A survey is conducted annually in community high schools to determine students' recreational, hobby, and avocation interests.
A meeting is called of key people within an organization, with a Scouting representative in attendance. The representative explains the Venturing program, describes the key volunteer leader positions, and plans the recruiting of adult leaders.
The crew committee and Advisors are recruited and meet with the Scouting representative. Responsibilities of adult leaders are explained. The Scouting representative also discusses program ideas and helps develop a one-year program. The crew's one-year program is reviewed and adopted.
The organization's top executive writes a personal letter to each young adult selected from the survey, or identified through other recruitment efforts, and invites the youth and their parents to attend an organizational meeting. This letter is followed by a personal phone invitation from a member of the organization to each prospective youth.
The first meeting is held, involving young adults, the adult committee, and selected consultants. Adult Advisors share the program plans with the new Venturers (youth) and discuss member involvement and leadership roles through the election of youth officers.
For additional information and support on organizing a new Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship, go to BeAScout.org or the Program Impact Department, National Council, Boy Scouts of America.

3. The Official Process
Organizing a Venturing crew is easy to do. Just follow these steps:
1. A survey is conducted annually in community high schools to determine students' recreational, hobby, and avocation interests.
A meeting is called of key people within an organization, with a Scouting representative in attendance. The representative explains the Venturing program, describes the key volunteer leader positions, and plans the recruiting of adult leaders.

4. The Official Process 2
2. The crew committee and Advisors are recruited and meet with the Scouting representative. Responsibilities of adult leaders are explained. The Scouting representative also discusses program ideas and helps develop a one-year program. The crew's one-year program is reviewed and adopted.
3. The organization's top executive writes a personal letter to each young adult selected from the survey, or identified through other recruitment efforts, and invites the youth and their parents to attend an organizational meeting. This letter is followed by a personal phone invitation from a member of the organization to each prospective youth.

5. The Official Process 3
4. The first meeting is held, involving young adults, the adult committee, and selected consultants. Adult Advisors share the program plans with the new Venturers (youth) and discuss member involvement and leadership roles through the election of youth officers.
For additional information and support on organizing a new Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship, go to BeAScout.org or the Program Impact Department, National Council, Boy Scouts of America.

6. Now Lets Talk Reality Who wants to form a Crew? DE Involvement
What do you need?
Reality
Who wants to form a Crew?
DE Involvement
What do you need?
Do you have five youth with a specific interest?
Who will sponsor?
Where do we find leaders?
Where do we find youth?

7. What about a Troop creating a Crew?
Advantages
Disadvantages
What about a Troop creating a Crew?
Advantages
Ready source of members
Ready source of leaders
Same COR
Keeps the experienced boys associated with the Troop
Disadvantages
May discourage “outside” members
Troop leaders often do not understand the Venturing difference
Less likely to focus on special interests
Keeps the experienced boys too connected to the Troop

8. This is key Plan for longevity! Plan for longevity!
Identify and cultivate sources of new members
Constantly recruit and train new adults
Train the youth
Encourage participation in VOA
Ensure Superactivities take place

9. May I answer your questions

10. Please remember to complete your evaluation
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The code for this session is 5163.