National Parent Initiative ScoutParents

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National Parent Initiative (ScoutParents)

• An integral part of the Five Pillars of the
  National Strategic Plan

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The mission is to develop and implement methods
that will increase the passion, participation and
number of volunteers engaged with Scouting,
especially parents of Scouts.
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The main goal is to encourage parents to become
more involved with their Scouts
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Our National goal is to recruit 1 million new
volunteers.

• 2008 is the Year of the Volunteer Involve and
  Salute!
• ScoutParents
• Eagle Scoutparents
• Eagle Search
• Alumni Connection
• Expand Council and District
• Volunteer Leadership
• - Commissioners
• - District Committee
• - Council Executive Boards

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All units are encouraged to adopt ScoutParents
as an integral part of their unit program.
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The Vision for this initiative was created
through the eyes of Gerald Lawhorn of Albany,
Georgia
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Gerald Lawhorn always believed that passionate
Scouters made better Scouts and volunteers
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Piloted in three councils Chehaw Council in
Albany, Georgia Daniel Boone Council in
Asheville, North Carolina Flint River Council in
Griffin, Georgia
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So what were their results?
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The Preliminary Results

• Growth in Traditional Scouting youth membership
  from 2006 to 2007 ranged from 36 to 57
• Growth in registered adult volunteers ranged from
  20 to 50
• Retention of youth grew by 6

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Most Used ScoutParents Resources

• Pro Scouting Brochure Scouting Builds More Than
  Campfires
• Volunteer Adult Indicators for Cub Scouting and
  Boy Scouting
• Scouting Orientation Guide
• Charter Organization Brochure
• ScoutParents Bumper Sticker

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WE SALUTE THEIR EFFORTS! Chehaw Council in
Albany, Georgia Daniel Boone Council in
Asheville, North Carolina Flint River Council in
Griffin, Georgia
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Additional Promotional Tool Used by
ScoutParentsCub Scouting On Target Video Game
(Accessible on the ScoutParents Web site)
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WHAT IS THE NATIONAL PLAN IN SUPPORT OF
SCOUTPARENTS?Supply of canvas bags sent to
allcouncils based on 75 of year- end
traditional units for free distribution to the
registered ScoutParents Unit Coordinator
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The Official Web Sitewww.scoutparents.orgBeing
Brought Under BSA umbrella and revised Fall 2008
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Web site will include resources that can be
downloaded

• Connection to Online Learning Center for Fast
  Start Training for ScoutParents Unit Coordinator
• Connection to Scouting.org to set up a MyScouting
  account
• Brochures and pamphlets for use with parents will
  be available online
• A new Parenting Book will be online as a
  downloadable with chapters covering parent topics
  of interest available late 2008

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Each unit should select someone to serve as the
ScoutParents Unit Coordinator
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ScoutParents Unit Coordinator Registers by
Completing Adult Applicationand Selects PC
Position Code
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The Coordinators Job is...

• Assign parents to help with at least one specific
  task, assignment, or project annually
• Provide an orientation for all parents about how
  the unit works and the benefits to their family
• Keep parents updated on the units program and
  their childs involvement

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The Boy Scouts of America was founded on the
premise - Volunteer involvement and the
training of leaders are critical in providing a
quality program.
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Each unit should select and register an adult
from their unit to serve as the ScoutParents
Unit Coordinator(This is the position emblem
for those who register and wear the uniforma
uniform is not required for this position. The
same emblemis to be worn for all programsPacks,
Troops, Teams, Crews, Ships)
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ScoutParents Unit Coordinator FAST STARTis
available nowGo to the online learning center
orgo to www.scoutparents.org and linkto
complete the training
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After Fast Start, the unit coordinator will be
encouraged to take other training based on the
unit program they are involved with.
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ScoutParents Unit Coordinator Creates a
MyScouting Account
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ScoutParents Unit Coordinator Creates a
MyScouting Account
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ScoutParents Unit Coordinators have access to
print rosters from ScoutNET through their
MyScouting account once they are a \registered
leader in that position
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New Youth ApplicationEncourages all parents to
check the blockto be an active ScoutParent
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The ScoutParents Unit Coordinator will be able
to print a roster of all parents who check the
block inorder to get them involved.
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There are many opportunities for a parent to
serve...

• Activity Record Keeper
• Motor Pool
• Fund Raising
• Unit Committee Member
• Unit Commissioner

• Birthday Coordinator
• Den Project Helper
• Direct Contact Leader
• Transportation Coordinator
• Charter Organization Representative

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Return On Investment
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Each parent is encouraged to

• Influence their child to join Scouting
• Participate with their child
• Go to and observe Scout meetings
• Be a part of the units program
• Support the program financially
• Coach their childs advancement and the earning
  of recognition awards
• Serve in one support role during the year

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Provide more flexible and smaller tasks or
projects for all parents to have options.
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Consider shared responsibilities shared
leadership.Involve current parents as
ScoutParents they will need to complete an adult
application (but they do not pay a registration
fee, unless they want to be a registered adult
Scouter).
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Helpful Hints

• Have a one-on-one, face-to-face meeting.
• Spend a few minutes selling Scouting.
• Ask how the they feel about Scouting.
• What are their interests and how can you help
  each other?
• It is important we pool talents to improve the
  experience for our youth.

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Fit the Task to their available Time and Talents

• Ask them to drive for an outing.
• Assist as a merit badge counselor.
• Make the job Fail proof!
• Say Thanks!

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It is an ongoing processA continuous review and
evaluation of Best Practices and Alternate
Practices will be encouraged to be submitted
from councils to share what is working.
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To Help Further Involve More Parents With Scouting
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The Mission of Eagle ScoutParents is to inspire
Parents of Eagle Scouts and Eagle Scouts who are
now Parents to remain connected with or inspire
them to re-connect with Scouting
In ways that maximize their collective experience
and available resources of Time, Talents and
Treasures in direct support of Scouting Programs
and Neighborhood Community Services
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Projects for EAGLE SCOUTPARENTS

• Mentor new Scouts and their Families
• Volunteer time on specific events
• Counsel Merit Badges
• Identify Fellow ESPs
• Volunteer at a unit or district level
• Commissioner service

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EAGLE SCOUTPARENTS Service Partners
Community Involvement with Local, National and
International Service Clubs Community Involvement
with local First Responder groups Emergency
Preparedness Training for our units, partnering
with Government agencies
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As Volunteers and Professionals we should guide
units to

• Continuously identify recruit potential
  volunteers from parents, charter organizations
  and civic organizations.
• Everyone is a recruiter!
• Get all parents to complete the Volunteer
  Indicator or Questionaire or Unit Talent Surveys
  to find the talents from their adult members.
• Make sure the unit uses the surveys to engage
  volunteers.

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As Volunteers and Professionals we should guide
units to

• Get the right person to ask for their
  involvement.
• Emphasize the fun.
• Know training is available and expected.
• What part of Scouting wont help them in real
  life?

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Always have them ask the question Whats In It
For Me?

• A chance to be more involved with your child.
• The opportunity to make new friends.
• Add to your skill set.
• Practical applications.
• To appreciate and be appreciated.

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We all have a special interest in the Scouting
program becausewe want each unit to
succeed.The path to success involves committed
and engaged volunteers.
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Being an active parent in Scouting with your
child is one of the most rewarding experiences
you can have!