Welcome toPosition-Specific

Training for The Scouting Committee

1

We Will Coverthe Committee Serving

Boy Scouts

2

When itAlso Serves the Varsity Scouts

3

And How One Committee Can And How One Committee Can Also Serve the Venturing CrewAlso Serve the Venturing Crew

44

• Youth Protection• Fast Start - there is a separate video for each area;

recommended• This Is Scouting (Previously required, recommended)• Troop Committee Challenge• Each of these are available online at myscouting.org• To be followed up with monthly in-service at

Roundtable

Basic Training OverviewBasic Training Overview

5

The Aims of ScoutingDo Not Change

Across Differing Age Groups

6

The Aims of ScoutingDo Not Change

Across Differing Age Groups

• Character development• Citizenship training• Mental and physical fitness

7

What Scouting (All Three Phases) Can Provide a Young Man

• Sense of belonging• Achievement and

recognition• Self-esteem• Self-confidence• Self-discipline

• Self-reliance• Healthy interaction with

others• Leadership development• Experience of teamwork• Significant away-from-

home experiences

8

Adult Leadership• Troop

• Scoutmaster• Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

9

Adult LeadershipTroop

•Scoutmaster•Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

•Team•Coach•Assistant Coach(es)•Program Advisors

10

Adult LeadershipAdult Leadership• Troop

• Scoutmaster• Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

• Team• Coach• Assistant Coach(es)• Program Advisors

• Crew• Advisor• Associate Advisor(s)• Consultants

1111

Adult LeadershipAdult Leadership

1212

Boy Scout Troop OrganizationBoy Scout Troop Organization

Patrol Leaders’ Council

13

Varsity Scout Team Organization

14

Varsity Scout Team Organization - Small

15

Venturing Crew OrganizationVenturing Crew Organization

1616

Scouting Committee PositionsScouting Committee Positions

* “Must Have” positions in Zion District

*Committee Chair*Secretary/Treasurer - use as FOS Chair*Outdoor/Activities Chair*Advancement Chair*Scouting Trainer*Primary President (LDS Units)*Membership & Registration Chair - consider using the YM SecretaryScoutParents Scouting Coordinator

1717

Scouting Committee Positionsfor Small Units

xx* “* “Must Have” Must Have”

* “Must Have” positions in Zion District

Note the consolidation for small units*Committee Chair/Secretary/Treasurer*Outdoor/Activities & Trainer*Advancement/Membership Coord*Primary President (LDS Units)ScoutParents Scouting Coordinator

18

Why So Many Positions?Why So Many Positions?

• How can a committee of one or two be a committee?• What are they supposed to do?• Where do they find what they are supposed to do?• How do we get them to do their jobs?• What would several functioning committee members

do for the morale of the typical leader?• How could they help a struggling leader?

1919

2020

Fewer Committee PositionsFewer Committee Positions*Normally there is a separate committee required for each unit.*This means a minimum of 3 each for Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing.*Including Program Advisers for a full Varsity staff requires 5 additional positions.*By using the district-recommended consolidation of one committee, at least 11 positions are eliminated, but the needed tasks can still be accomplished.

Which Comes First?Which Comes First?• Many times we find the sponsoring organization fills

the leader positions first, then starts looking for individuals to serve on the committee, almost as an afterthought.

• What is wrong with this approach?• If one of the roles of the committee is to recommend

personnel to the COR, then it stands to reason they ought to be the first to be called to serve, so they can fulfill this part of their task.

2121

Filling the PositionsFilling the Positions• A full organization chart would have each of these positions filled.A full organization chart would have each of these positions filled.

2222

• It is the committee’s job to recommend candidates for most of these It is the committee’s job to recommend candidates for most of these positions to the COR, through the chair, when there are vacancies.positions to the COR, through the chair, when there are vacancies.

Duties (Job Descriptions)Duties (Job Descriptions)• The district has detailed job descriptions available.• We started with the basic job descriptions from

National.• From there we added items, based on our experience.• We considered needs of the unit young men and their

leaders.• Needs of the district and council were also addressed. • We included roles specific to LDS units. • These job descriptions are available from our District

Website.2323

UtahScouts.Org; Districts; Zion; Scouting

Some DetailsSome Details• Chairman - makes personnel recommendations to

COR, conducts/directs monthly committee meeting, receives accountability reports, looks for needs, makes assignments, follows up

• Secretary/Treasurer - makes note of assignments, conducts annual surveys, works with youth historians, prepares budgets, unit FOS Chair

• Outdoor Coord - maintenance of equipment, Tour Plans, Special Programs/Events advisor to Varsity, Youth Coordinator for Venturing

2424

More DetailsMore Details• Advancement Coordinator - points out individual needs of

advancement, arranges/coordinates/conducts boards of review, maintains records, obtains awards, is a resource person for Eagle procedures, recommends adults to receive appropriate awards and recognition

• Trainer - to be an experienced Scouter, orients new leaders, presents short in-service at committee meetings, keeps track of leaders who have/need various types of training, promotes youth leader training programs - den chief, troop/team/crew leadership training, Timberline, and All-Stars

• Membership - registers young men and adults during the year, leads the rechartering process in September, inputs Troop/Team/Crew data for rechartering of the three units, secures Den Chiefs for Cub Dens

2525

Roles of the CommitteeRoles of the Committee• Serves as a Board of Directors for all three areas• To be a support to the Unit Leaders and District• Fulfill many of the “little” but time-consuming needs• Paperwork – does it ever end?• Boards of Review – standing monthly assignment• Advancement – something for everyone every quarter• Outings – don't forget transportation and food• Each member should have specific responsibilities

26

Additional Roles of the CommitteeAdditional Roles of the Committee• Each unit to be under direction of the Committee• Assure at least a one year outline for each unit’s plans • Provide a force of stability for the programs• Accountability - see that the intended programs are

delivered• To have at least 7 members (4 if identified as a small

unit, Zion District Requirement)• Experience has shown that a larger committee

generally ensures stronger, more stable units

27

The Scouting Committee The Scouting Committee Is Supported byIs Supported by

• Chartered organization• District and Council, through

• District Roundtables/Huddles/Forums• District Committee• District Training Team• Commissioners• District Executive

28

2929

ResourcesResources Available To Help CommitteesAvailable To Help Committees

Where Can We Find Where Can We Find Committee Members?Committee Members?

• Parents (Who doesn't have time for their son?)• Sunday School Teachers• Home Teachers & Visiting Teachers (LDS units)• Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, and other relatives• Non-member family friends• Older members of the sponsoring organization• People who love young men

30

What Can Be Done If The What Can Be Done If The Committee Isn’t Functioning?Committee Isn’t Functioning?

• Offer to help the Chair.• Talk to the Chartered Organization Representative.• Talk to the Unit Commissioner.• Suggest additional names to the Chair.• Lead out with personal service. Encourage others to

do the same.• Repeat the above.

31

Points of a Good Committee AgendaPoints of a Good Committee Agenda• Conducted/directed by the Chair, using a printed agenda• Prayer, Scout Oath, Scout Law• Visual review of announcements and calendar,

commented on only as needed• Trainer presents a short in-service lesson• Leaders outline successes and challenges• Each committee member reports on their stewardship• Problems and needs are identified• Chair makes assignments

32

A Recommended A Recommended Committee AgendaCommittee Agenda

• Due to its importance, the Zion District has developed a recommended agenda, covering the three programs, expanded from the skeletal one from National intended for only one.

• It is intended as a “Return and Report” agenda with many intentional details to aid all in seeing one another’s responsibilities, allowing a strengthening of the committee’s ability to function as a team.

• When leaders realize they have a team behind them they are more likely to:• Feel accountable.• Deliver the intended program.• Be strengthened as they sense this system of support.

33

Early Warning Signals -Early Warning Signals -Items Which Signify Unit NeedsItems Which Signify Unit Needs

• Irregular meetings• No written program• Little advancement,

awards, or recognition• Few in uniform• Seldom participate in

district events• Insufficient outdoor

program

• Limited Roundtable/Huddle/Forum attendance

• Weak Scouting committee

• Limited parental involvement

• Minimal youth leadership• Lack of discipline• Leaders not fully trained

34

Signs of a Strong ProgramSigns of a Strong Program• Youth-led program• Regular advancement, awards, and recognition• Lots of traditions• Leaders aware of, and following, safety guidelines• Annual program planning• Youth and leaders wearing uniforms• Leaders who are Wood Badge trained - at least one

additional in each unit each year• Regularly qualifies for Journey to Excellence award

35

Committee SummaryCommittee Summary• Learn your duty• Do your duty• Encourage others to do the same• A need to have a full and functioning committee• Meet regularly• Follow a written agenda• Support the leaders• See that the intended program is delivered

36

3737