October 18 & 19
Bartle 2001 Camp Draw at council headquarters, see Steve Cox for details
October 20 to 22
Blue Elk's Annual Camporee at Blue/Grey Park. Now signing up Junior and Adult staff. If you like a great Camporee program, your unit's commitment is needed. Contact Jim Cox and Lane Brown for details.
November 2
Blue Elk Roundtable at our new location, George Kaleb Bingham 7th Grade Center at 1716 South Speck Road accross from George Owens Park in Independence.
Planned activities are as follows:
Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing Roundtables
Youth Protection Training
Merit Badge Counselor Training
Order of the Arrow Chapter meeting each month at Roundtable
November 11
Advancement Seminar for Cub, Boy Scout and Venturing Leaders at Beacon Heights RLDS Church, 19400 Holke Road, Independence. The cost will be $5.00 and reservations are requested but not required. See Marvin Sands for details.
NEW PARENT ORIENTATIONS
Many units have “First Nighters” or open houses to solicit new members, but what about those prospective leaders? Consider a “Fast Start Night” for any new adults. After your new members are settled in, your unit may want to present a Parent Orientation Program for those mothers and fathers of your new Cubs, Scouts or Venturers. Of course there are many policies, rules, responsibilities, jobs or programs for the parents to learn. An Orientation booklet may be a way for your unit to bring those new leaders up to speed. Provide the necessary handouts and an informative, fast paced session to help your new parents have a successful experience in any Scouting program.
PARENT ORIENTATION BOOKLET
Consider including the following information:
Contact Information (Include name, address and phone number)
Adults
Charter Organization Representative
Cubmaster, Scoutmaster or Advisor
Assistant Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or Assistant Advisor
Advancement Chairperson
Den Leader, Patrol Parent or Consultant
Youth
Senior Den Chief, Senior Patrol Leader or Crew President
Den Chief, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader or Crew Vice President
Denner, Patrol Leader or Crew Leader
Policies
Aims of Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting or Venturing
Youth Protection Guidelines
Unit Parents Handbook (Unit rules and regulations)
Parent Responsibility Sheet(from Youth application)
Program
Annual Calendar
Current Newsletter
Gear & Supplies
Gear and supply list for new members
Supplier and Outfitter list
Fast Start Appendix
Adult Leader Training application
Youth Training application
Adult Leader application
Youth application
Pack, Troop or Crew talent/resource survey
PRESENTATION
I have my new adults and the orientation booklet, so what do I do now?
1. Introduce your staff, yourself and welcome everyone.
2. Let the parents know there will be an opportunity for discussion at the end of your presentation.
3. Tell the parents what your unit wants to accomplish for their child.
4. Cover the information from your booklet pausing for questions from each section.
5. Spend some time covering the necessary information for parent responsibilities, training
opportunities, applications and your unit’s talent or resource survey.
6. Encourage parents to fill out the resource survey while you have an open question and answer period to finish the evening.
RECRUITING ADULT LEADERS
The Adult Job description is one of the most important parts of recruiting leaders and helpers. The job description must include as complete a description as possible. It should have the duration of responsibility, whether for only a month or two, like Scouting for Food coordinator or weekly for the year as a Den Leader or Patrol Dad. It should indicate whether the job is for one year, or two years, the first as the assistant and the second as the primary. It should include the “reports to” as well as “supervises”. It should include information about the District or Council training courses appropriate for the position. If there is a budget allowed for the position, that should be included. Just like a paying job in business, the volunteer wants to know as much about the job as possible before accepting employment.
INTERNET INFORMATION RESOURCES
Discussion Groups
Adult Leadership
Pack Leadership Roles
Leader Recruiting
Keeping Volunteers
Heart of America Council
Scouting Magazine
Scouter Website
