Mass Email - Scheduling Function 

I am not sure if this functionality is available, so please comment on how to access it if it is!

I think we could empower families to "take action" when there is a problem within a unit if we were able to send a template email to each email address entered for a new member on a specified schedule through our mass email system.

I recognize this could be a commissioner function, but I think it is too easy to pass up if it is all automated.

The schedule could include:
1.) (2 weeks after their entered in ScoutNET) Welcome to the Scouting family - this email could just give them a few helpful hints as they start their Scouting journey (i.e. the phone number to the council service center if they have any concerns, the location of the nearest Scout shop to purchase uniform parts, books, etc., and perhaps what they should expect from their unit in the 1st 3 months)
2.) (3 months after their entered in ScoutNET) We hope you are enjoying the program - this email could just reinforce what they should be receiving from their unit (i.e. den meetings occuring regularly, pack meetings, Scout troop meetings, etc.) This would empower them to contact us if they aren't getting the program WE expect. (because they don't know any better as a unit)
3.) (8 months)

Again, new parents don't know what to expect, so these emails could explain what they should be getting from their unit. Parents will be encouraged to email or call with issues and we can more quickly solve problems and retain these families before they "drop out".

Youth Protection Training - Expiration Alert 

So we all know that Youth Protection Training (YPT) expires every two years and with out YPT you're not a trained leader.

In the Council I serve, many adults will take YPT, and the other training courses and say "PHEW!! DONE! Note to self, do YPT again in two years" With the busy lives we all run, so many of us are forgetting that our two years are up and we need to 'recertify'.

Can we incoroprate some type of 'alert email' to Scouters whose YPT is about to run out? Maybe a month before it's experiation date, send the Scouter an email with a link to the website reminding them it's time to do the training again, taking about the importance of YPT, and again thanking them for their service and commitment to the BSA.

Then incorporate some type of follow up email if they don't do YPT again one week from expiration date.

Just a thought. Sometimes e-reminders are a pain...other times they're a blessing

Geocache Your Crossover 

Packs, Districts, and/or Councils can rent the proper equipment so that families can gather at a central location and then breakout individually. A more fun way to get the whole family involved before a Scout becomes more capable with a compass! Den Chiefs and Assistant Scout Masters can be assigned a location with program/troop material as they wait for families to arrive. Once completed, the family returns to the centralized location with the borrowed equipment and possibly compete to answer questions about the units visited.

Improve Reporting of Training & Advancement for District Volunteers 

We really need to be able to give our volunteers report updates on a regular basis that we KNOW are accurate. The reports in MyBSA for Training are never accurate for everyone, and we don't have a report that shows what Advancement Chairs need.

We need a Training Report like the "Training Not Completed" Report in ScoutNet, but one that shows all trainings required to be "Trained Leader" (ScoutNet currently only recognizes a couple trainings depending on the position and many don't include Youth Protection). We've also found that it doesn't always show accurate info about those who've taken the new "This Is Scouting" course or New Leader Essentials before the 4.1.09 deadline.

As for Advancement... there's no report that we can run that tells us which Units (and how to contact them) that have NOT used the Internet Advancement System. The ScoutNet Report "Internet Advancement Useage" is great but it would be better if it showed ALL Units (not just those who've used the system). We also need it to tell us not only how many reports the Unit has submitted since their start date but also when their last report was submitted... so we can see that they are submitting reports regularly.

Accurate information will show accurate progress and it will not only improve retention of youth but also adult Scouters. We will know the youth are earning/being recognized on a regular basis and we will be serving the Scouters to make their jobs easier by giving them proper training.

Unit Photographer 

Have a position for units to have someone take pictures and catolog them for their unit. This will help with the history of the unit and also with recruitment of Scouts to show them what that unit does for activities.

Webelos to Scout Transition Award 

There is a National Summertime award to encourage units to continue meeting and doing activities during the summer, why not have a webelos to scout transition award nationally? Many volunteers tend to put focus and priority on opporunities when there is an incentive attached. Retention should be a huge priority and adding focus and more opportunity to expanding this would be beneficial. This is not a new idea and is already being conducted in the Crossroads of America Council but I think more attention on a national basis is in hand.

Unit Recharter Online Signature 

I like the addition of the online rechartering tool but it is still cumbersome because the units still have to print out the document and get the signatures…I propose that we implement an online signature like the one the IRS uses for online tax return. This would help to make recharter less of a headache.