1. Operational Overview 1/21/2010
Cub Scouts 2010
Operational Overview
1/21/2010
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.

2. Agenda Cub Scouts: Image vs. Reality Pilot Test Results
What Changes (and doesn’t)
Rollout Schedule & Available Support
Benefits Reminder – Your Role
Update on Merit Badges & Awards

3. The Ideal
In-Home Advancement
Weekly Den Meetings
Fun Pack Meetings

4. Reality Challenges the Ideal
Societal Obstacles
Reality Reflected in Data
Changes in family structures
Increased demands on parental time
More competition for boys’ interest
Shift in new leader expectations/style
On average, dens meet 2.4 times per month
Less than 30% of den leaders attend monthly Roundtables
Less than 1 in 3 CS leaders buy or are provided Program Helps
Peak membership was 1972, declining 1%/year
National retention levels are around 65%

5. Bay Lakes Council Experience
One leader with a handbook
Series of notes = den meeting plans
Focus on handbook activities in the den

6. Pilot Test Results Pilot Phase Units/Dens
Council(s) Prior Year Retention
Pilot Retention 20
65%
86%
178
63%
85%
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: dens. Central Region wide.
Average Increase In Retention = 20 Percentage Points

7. What Do Den Leaders Think?
Satisfied with the ease of preparation (87%) and the den meeting activities (86%)
Over 60% of den leaders were more confident working with their boys.
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.

8. 2008 +
Central Region Pilot
11,000 dens signed up

9. THE method of Cub Scout delivery supported by National Council!
For the 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.

10. 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

11. What’s Not Changing?
Foundational elements of the Cub Scouting program (purpose, methods, core values, etc.)
Youth handbooks, achievement activities or advancement requirements
Pack meeting structure (7 steps)
Role of Roundtable in communications & training

12. What Is Changing?
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:
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
July 2011
Courage
February 2011
Resourcefulness
August 2011
Honesty

13. What’s Changing?
Majority of advancement happens in den (not a change for many)
In-den advancement: den leader signs handbook
In-home advancement: parent/guardian signs & den leader initials to acknowledge
One Cub Scout den meeting structure (7 steps – Wolf/Bear)
Share/Discover/Search no longer part of Tiger Cub den meeting structure
All Ranks
Before the Meeting
Gathering
Opening
Business Items
Activities
Closing
After the Meeting

14. What’s Changing Training is changing to recognize:
The change in delivery method
The increasing time pressures on 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, Cubmasters and pack trainers
Continued support for in-person, PowerPoint version

15. 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

16. 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
See Handout

17. Resource Guide Availability
Current Fast Tracks den meeting plans are available as meeting-by-meeting download at no charge.
New plans and the Resource Guide will be offered as follows:
Option
Pricing
Description/Functionality
1.      Individual Item Download
No Charge
Download plans individually.  This is the functionality/pricing today with Fast Tracks.
2.    Full Resource Guide Download
TBD
One download, full book, all ranks
3. Purchase Physical Resource Guide
Physical Resource Guide, three hole punched, shrink wrapped.

18. What’s Changing? New Covers for Leader Publications
Project started with design of the cover for the NEW Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide
Review of existing publications
Significant diversity of look
Lack of compliance with current brand standards
Text dense interior content
Broadened objectives:
Provide a cohesive look across leader publications which presents BSA as a knowledgeable, training-smart organization
Leverage best-in-class practices in educational and training publication to assure materials are easy to read, understand and find for volunteers

19. Lots of “white” = inviting
Image to represent Cub Scouting’s Spirit
Where appropriate image will reinforce content
Each book will have different art/image

21. Rollout

22. scouting.org/cubscouts2010
What, Why, When, How
Sample of Resource Guide Pages & Cover
Video of Mike Surbaugh’s from Top Hands, Top Hands Breakout, and Operations Summit Presentations
Questions and Answers to Most Volunteer & Professional’s Questions
This website will be the primary communication vehicle for Cub Scouts 2010.
Available via Supply or as high res PDF
Summarizes rational, pilot history, benefits, etc.

23. Rollout Schedule - Publications
Nature of Change
Timing/Comments
Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide
New
4/30
CS Leader Book
Major Re-write
4/30 w/ new cover, shorter with less duplication
CS Roundtable Guide
4/30 w/ new cover
CS Academics & Sports
13 new awards
1/2010, subsequent reprint will have new cover.
CS Leader How To Book
No changes
New next reprint
Webelos Leader Guide
TBD
Youth Handbooks
Minor revisions
As Supply requires (Summer 2010+)

24. Rollout Schedule - Training
Timing/Comments
Fast Start Training for Den Leaders & Cubmasters
4/30
Position Specific Leader Training (PowerPoint)
Position Specific Leader Training (Online)
May 2010

25. So What’s In It For Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouts
Fun with advancement activities
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

26. Your Role To Ensure Success
Talk about the benefits of the change to your councils and districts.
Increased retention/more youth served
More fun for the boys thru advancement activities
More satisfied den leaders/easier to plan and run meetings
Easier for a new volunteer to get started
Aggressively promote the website to staff and volunteers.
Newsletters
Websites
s to all volunteers
Ensure that the delivery change is part of key training and planning meetings for 2010.

27. 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.

28. Cub Scout questions?