Family involvement and recruiting adult leaders

[Koda 10]

I just got back from the first weekend of wood badge course c-12-05. It was Owl-standing!!!

Our Owl patrol has chosen to do a presentation on family involvement and recruiting adult leaders.

Does anyone have ideas or advice on this topic that we could include in our presentation?

 

Shawn

Owl Patrol

C-12-05

[EagleInKY 14]

One way to approach it is to describe the adult's role in each of the programs. I know your Wood Badge presentation is supposed to span the programs, so it would be a logical approach. For example:

 

Tigers - This is easy, parents are required to participate as adult partners. This is a very involved role, attending every meeting (sometimes dragging, sometimes being dragged).

 

Cubs - Very much a planning and doing role. Den leaders plan activities, crafts, games, etc. and coordinate the effort to get it done. Very much a hands-on role.

 

Webelos - While still doing a lot of planning and execution, this is more of a coaching role. They're trying to get the boys to start to think for themselves.

 

Boy Scouts - This is more of a coaching and mentoring role. Boy Scout leaders need to be able to teach and counsel, but stay out of the way. Much less execution and much more mentoring.

 

Venturing - They're pretty much a chaperone here. These young men can do most of it themselves. You're there to provide transportation and make sure they stay safe and follow the rules.

 

 

That's one approach. You could also highlight the fact that there are "contact" roles (like these described) and "non-contact" roles, such as committee and district roles. Some parents don't want to have a hands-on role, but would love to help with the administrative end. Tap into these resources as well.

[John-in-KC 311]

To Eagle in KY:

 

One comment: Venturing as a program is (and many Crews in fact are) co-ed, hence the chaperoning is not so trivial as your great post otherwise implies

[Eamonn 61]

Hi and Welcome

The BSA does have booklets on Selecting Quality Leaders

http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=cm

For Boy Scouts and there is one for Cub Scouts.

(Hunt around the Commissioner pages in the BSA web site.

Other things you might want to look at are:

BSA Family Award

The BSA Family Award is earned by a Cub Scout and his family when they complete five of eight requirements that are outlined in the BSA Family Book.

BSA family camping

An outdoor camping experience, other than resident camping, that involves elements of Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, or Venturing in overnight settings with two or more family members, including at least one BSA member of the family.

BSA Family program

The BSA Family program, as outlined in the BSA Family Book, helps strengthen families of Cub Scouts and encourages family involvement in Scouting. The program includes a weekly "family talk" that provides family members an opportunity to learn and practice relationship skills as well as suggested family activities that fulfill requirements for registered BSA families to earn the BSA Family Award.

Adult Mentor program

Adult mentors work with young people enrolled in the God and Country program. An adult who completes the mentor studies receives a certificate and lapel pin to wear on nonuniform clothing.

Alpha Phi Omega

A coeducational service fraternity organized in many of the colleges and universities of America. It was founded on the principles of the BSA and Scout Oath and Law.

alumni family members

Individuals, previously registered with the Boy Scouts of America, who wish to continue to identify with the BSA's ideals, values, and program.

Alumni Family News

A national publication sent to alumni members several times per year. It provides both nostalgic and current information

College Scouter Reserve

A registration status for young people 18 and older who are in college, have been actively registered in Scouting, and commit themselves to an informed interest and active participation in the program whenever possible.

consultant

A person who has special skills, equipment, facilities, or contacts in an interest area related to the interests of Venturing crew members or of a Varsity Scout team activity.

instructor

(1) This youth leader helps other youth members with rank advancement; appointed by the senior patrol leader with the Scoutmaster's advice and consent. (2) This term can also apply to any youth or adult who can instruct others on parts of the Scouting program.

Lone Cub Scout friend and counselor

A Cub Scouter who works with a Lone Cub Scout.

merit badge counselor

A registered adult volunteer at least age 18 who is expert in a merit badge field and shares enthusiasm for that field with Scouts and who certifies that requirements have been met.

National Eagle Scout Association

This group provides an opportunity for all Eagle Scouts to retain identification with Scouting through service to the local council in which they live.

parent and family talent survey

An inventory of parents' interests and abilities conducted by the Cub Scout pack to determine program potential.

TRAIL Boss

TRAIL (Teaching Resources And Individual Leadership) Bosses are Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers who have learned how to lead volunteers completing environmental work on public lands. Upon completion of the requirements, candidates may receive the TRAIL Boss patch and certificate.

volunteer service

The work of men and women throughout the country who make Scouting available to youth by their service at all levels of the Scouting organization-all done without pay. The voting members of the council are volunteer Scouters.

Young American Awards

These local council awards may be given annually to young adults between the ages of 15 and 25 who have achieved excellence in the fields of science, religion, service, government, business, athletics, art, music, or literature. Recipients need not be members of the Boy Scouts of America.

 

While I really don't want to split hairs!! I do think that it is worth mentioning that in the BSA we don't recruit adult leaders we select them. The final word at the unit level is with the chartering organization.

The final word for Commissioner Staff is with the Council Executive Board.

Members of the District Committee are nominated by the Nominating Committee and voted on at the District AGM.

There are a lot of people me included that feel we would do a better job at every level if we spent more time in the selection of qualty leaders rather than recruiting any Tom, Dick or Harry.

Eamonn

 

 

 

 

[Koda 10]

What a great list. I'm sure we'll use several of these resources for our presentation. Thank you for your help.

 

Shawn

Owl Patrol

C-12-05

[Koda 10]

This is a rough outline one of our patrol came up with to use for our presentation. Let us know what you think, just keep in mind this is our first draft, it may need some tweeking.

 

Family Involvement and the Selection of New Scout Leaders: a six step process

 

1. Meet

2. Assess

3. Educate

4. Select

5. Train

6. Reward

 

1.Make all scout families feel part of the Unit (Pack, Troop, Crew) family

1.1.Get acquainted with the parents in your Unit

1.1.1.Personal introductions

1.1.2.Participate with them in fun or challenging social or scouting events

 

2.Assess their capabilities and desires for leadership

2.1.Family talent survey

2.2.Interview show genuine interest in them

2.3.Dont assume they will have the same passion for scouting that you do

 

3.Educate them about

3.1.Scouting Mission, Vision, Values

3.2.Aims, Purpose, Methods

3.3.Resources available to help leaders

3.3.1.Extensive Training Programs

3.3.2.Professional Staff

3.3.3.Policies, Leaders Books, Web sites, Program Guides

 

4.Select the person best suited for the job

4.1.A CPA might make a good Treasurer

4.2.A Project Manager might make a good committee chair

4.3.Best suited to work with scouts, leaders, district, council level?

4.4. Start slow - baby steps - for new/inexperience leader, assign easy task

 

5.Train the new leader

5.1.Complete Fast Start and Job Specific training

5.2.Consider assigning to a mentor

5.3.Transition into a position with the help of the outgoing leader

5.4.Periodically assess their progress to determine timing to transition to higher level positions

 

6.Reward accomplishments

6.1.Formal leader recognition

[SeattlePioneer 144]

Here's hat is often an underutilized resource to encourage and recognize adult leaders:

 

The Cub Scouter or Boy Scouting "knot" award. Our district has the form on line, and I'm encouraging the pack and troop I'm commissioner for to fill out the form for each registered Scouter, check off the requirements they have met and give it to the Scouter with some encouragement to complete the requirements and get their award.

 

This neatly encourages leaders to get trained, to be active in their unit and stay involved for at least a couple of years.

 

Once individuals have it in their hands, my hope is that many will use it to help choose what they do in Scouting.

 

 

 

 

 

Seattle Pioneer