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In the interest of increasing membership and retention within the Cub Scout Program, the Northern Star Council in St. Paul, MN has launched a five (5) year pilot program called “Lion Cubs” targeted at boys age 5 and/or in Kindergarten and their adult partners.

The program is focused on parent planning and delivery with support from the Cub Scout pack using literature specifically designed for the younger age group (Lion Cub Scout Adult Guide and Lion Cub Scout Adventure Guide). The Adult Guide contains a detailed plan for each month’s curriculum and breaks down each section in Family/Den Activities, At-home Activities and Grand Adventures.

The pilot began in the fall of 2008. Initial results from Year 1 of the five year pilot are as follows:

• Year 1 pilot had 274 kids (and 274 adults)
• Of these boys, 224 have signed up to stay in and crossover into the Tiger Cubs program – an 82% retention rate
• Year 2 targeting to have in excess of 500 boys in the pilot
• Parents who haven’t previously had a child in the program are very satisfied;
• Parents who already have boys in the program want Lions to be “more”…e.g. selling popcorn, going to every Pack meeting, etc.
The contact for this pilot program at the Northern Star Council is Elaine Sinn.
In support of our collective goals of increasing membership and retention while simultaneously delivering relevant and engaging program, the “New BSA” has embarked on a new initiative to pilot All Terrain Vehicles, more commonly referred to as ATVs.

Therefore, we have initiated the process of selecting councils to pilot the use of ATVs during 2010. All councils interested in being considered to pilot ATVs should submit their proposals to the Innovation Team (National Council), attention of Merril Davis, merril.davis@scouting.org, by November 30, 2009.

To access the proposal form, please click on this title at the top of this web page, then scroll down to find the .pdf file.
The current system for approving online tour permits is very ineffective in that "submitted" tour permits do not, by default, show on page one. Previous posts on this topic have received the response that "all you have to do is use the advanced search option instead of scrolling through the pages". While this is true it ignores the fact that this is very inefficient. For example, if you have say 10 "submitted" permits to approve you have to click on advanced search, wait for screen refresh, select "submitted" and click button, wait for screen refresh. Review and approve permit. Go back to advanced search, wait for screen refesh, select "submited" click button, wait for screen refresh.... you get the idea. If the default view was "submitted" approval of permits would be much improved.
The Piloting of new ideas and processes is an ideal way to assess the viability of a concept before making the time, labor and financial commitment required for a full scale implementation. In an effort to provide additional structure, clarity and support to the Piloting Process, the following will serve as a “road map” of necessary steps and things to consider when developing a successful Pilot Program.
Guidelines:
• Goal/Objective - Outline specifically what the pilot program is expected to achieve. What are you trying to accomplish?
• Concept - Overview of the program itself including the targeted audience/participants and market(s) as well as anticipated development, training and implementation requirements.
• Benefit - How will Scouting benefit from the pilot program in terms of measurable results? For example, Increases in Membership, Retention, Return on Investment and Brand Awareness.
• Budget - What are the anticipated expenses associated with executing the pilot program? What do you forecast to be the start up and development costs vs. ongoing expenses?
• Timing - What is the expected duration of the pilot and deadlines for interim deliverables? Is the pilot/program restricted to a particular time of year?
• Measurement - What are the metrics for evaluating the performance of the pilot? Identify a baseline level of performance today and compare the pilot program against that standard.
• Definition of Success - How will we know if we have achieved the goals of the pilot?
• Broader Application - Does the pilot have the potential for application outside of your council? If so, what adjustments (if any) would need to be considered?

Additionally, we should leverage the Innovation Engine at ideas.scouting.org as a forum for sharing new ideas and best practices. To include your Pilot in the listing of activities focused on moving Scouting forward, please email the details of your Pilot to Merril Davis of the Innovation Team at Merril.Davis@Scouting.org.
If you require any additional support, please feel free to contact Rani Monson (Rani.Monson@Scouting.org) of the Innovation Team or Pat Wellen (Pat.Wellen@Scouting.org) of the Research & Evaluation Team.
I’d like to see a ‘National Scout Spirit Day’ where members, youth and adults, show their support of Scouting by wearing their uniform to work and/or school. Monday, February 8, 2010 would be a great day to kick off this day as an annual event for all Scouting membership. In addition to recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in America, such an event would promote membership, public awareness, and Scouting pride. We have enough time to promote the date and get the word out nationally; encouraging all of our membership to proudly display their support of Scouting. Imagine February 8, 2010 dawning with BSA color guards conducting flag ceremonies at schools and businesses across the country. Can you envision the impact such an event would generate nationally for our membership, along with the positive media attention for Scouting?
It seems that so much of the information and resources are available not only to everyone...as in every.body....but also the school staff/administrators who sign a Memorandum of Understanding in order to use/implement the LFL program each school year. I think it makes more sense to assign a username/id and password to each school representative EACH SCHOOL YEAR. A new id and password should be assigned even to those schools who renew their contract with LFL...this limits the number of folks who have access to the information for free! I think we all know that some schools choose to use LFL for one school year, keep the materials, and dont' renew the following school year with the full intention of still using the LFL materials.

On a more realistic note...I wish the public LFL website was more organized and user friendly, for my school staff's sake! I think it's a bit of a turn off when there are plenty of other character ed programs out there whose websites are very simple and organized in a manner that makes it easy for a first-time-visitor to find what he/she is looking for!
Many companies offer a wear jeans to work days as a fundraiser for United Way, Cancer Reasearch, etc. How about a national Wear your Scouting uniform to work day on the week of the 100th anniversary?
When a Scout transfers from one council to another and provides their BSA ID number, there should be a means by which individual's data in ScoutNet is transferred from the old council to the new and generate a report of transferred Scouts for both councils. This would be helpful for scouts and their families, registrars, and even for field staff who are looking at membership numbers.
Scouting could reach so many more kids if we tried new methods of recruiting. Since there are traditionally no district wide recruitment events that parallel School Night For Scouting for older youth, our Boy Scout & Venturing Scout youth membership suffers. I was thinking that our district's Scout Troops & Venturing Crews could host an open event that would attract young people to try something fun, free, exciting & new.

In an attempt to solve this problem, we are trying some new ideas for recruiting Scouts & Venturers. In October we're hosting the first "Massanutten District ScoutClimb" at a local university rec center's climbing wall.

* The objective: Host a District Wide recruitment event for Boy Scouts & Venturing Scouts in the Massanutten District.
* The plan: Reserve the Climbing Wall on a Saturday Morning
* Climbing would be FREE for those that signed up with a troop or crew that day. (Pay for membership & complete the application). Parental supervision will be required for climbing safety & signature needs.
* To pay for the facility rental, we're asking units that wish to participate to chip in. Also, we're seeking funding amongst district volunteers.
* Marketing:
1. Contact Middle Schools & High Schools in Harrisonburg/Rockingham & Pendleton requesting permission to send out invitation flyers to the event.
2. Give invitation flyers to Scouts & Venturers to invite their friends. Scouts that invite their friends are also invited to climb for free.
3. Make a facebook event for Scouts & Venturers to invite their friends to.
4. Have an article written prior to the event in the local paper.
5. Have local television news coverage prior to and during the event.
6. Radio Advertising.

Hopefully it goes off well.
Many of the BSA Print Applications print blank paper at the end of a report. Eliminate the extra paper as most often it is discarded. We should be greener and save money.
Please consider adding a Training records report including all Training Types by Unit for all registered adults. This is a common request and pulling the information person by person is not an effiecient use of time.
When people have problems using myscouting.org, they often contact the local council office for help. It does them no good, becuase local councils don't interface with operating myscouting.org. We then have to direct them back to to the myscouting.org website or contact the National Office and then call those individuals back, causing a delay in customer service. There should be a link on every page within myscouting.org to report problems (technical, data entry, broken links, etc) to more efficiently address problems with myscouting.org rather than burying it in the FAQ.
Could you please upload/post the Marketing Award winners booklet for 2006, 2007 and 2009. I would be great to see the innovative ideas councils are using to market BSA.
Would suggest that every big city in the U.S.A. should have a Boy Scouts Ave. A bill toward this goal should be introduced into each city council.
When a Boy becomes an Eagle Scout our local, county, state and federal representatives will have a proclamation passed macking that day Eagle Scout Jihn Doe Day. We should ask our various governments, local, county, state and federal, to make February 8, 2010, Boy Scouts of America Day.
Could we add the Prospect Generator feature to the WealthEngine search program? It was introduced in the WealthEngine 2009 Fall Newsletter.
There are alot of boys out there that would love to be a Scouts, but CAN'T because they either only have one parent or a parent that has lost there job or have both parents, just can not afford a uniform for them to be in Scouting. Boy Scout of America has fundraising for alot of different things, why not ask Scouts that have grow out of there uniforms whether it be Cubs, Boy Scout, Venturing, etc. to GIVE there uniforms, so they can be given to a less fortune boy that would love to be a scout. Let's make a stand Scouts and give someone else a chance
The Give Every Kid a Chance gadget has been a useful tool for the last several years. One addition that would allow it to be more meaninful to Unit Serving Executives would be to let the gadget drill down to the district level.

We already have that ability on the National, Regional, and Area Level, why not the district level.

Thanks for your consideration.
A Scout works on his advancement while participating on camping trips, troop meetings, etc.

Why not consider giving credit to a Boy Scout Leader for the outdoor skill requirements while on Troop Campouts, Camporees, etc. A Troop Trainer can be the person like a Pack Trainer to coach this individual.
It would be helpful to be able to print a report for a specific unit that lists every registered adult and the training courses they have completed.
This idea came from a Director of Field Service that promoted 5 Executives/Directors in a period of six months. As far as he/we know there is no template for an executive leaving the position.

Will the CPD or the appropriate department put together a template for Council's/Manager's to use
Submitted by Life Scout of Troop 170, Sumner, WA

I've been seeking "the answers" in scouting as a leader. I've always wanted a large manual explaining every nook and cranny of scouting. That's why I'm suggesting the publication of this manual - or several smaller divisions through a series such as For Dummies or The Complete Idiot's Guide. I'm writing to you because I feel that you, as the head council, would know the professionals - the veterans of scouting with an abundance of experience to write such a manual. By collecting all of the information into a single location or series, I'm sure it would clear up much of the nation's uncertainties of running a troop/team/crew/post.
The organization of new units is one of the greatest legacies that a professional Scouter and/or a volunteer can give to a neighborhood or community. To do right, organizing a new unit is also a very challenging task to complete.

The BSA has an excellent method established for unit organization as outlined in the Membership Committee Guide book. Our process is built on a foundation of year-round unit organization including ongoing prospecting for chartering organizations and following the twelve step process. This is all excellent.

However, for many years, our recognition of unit organization for professionals has revolved around CSEWC/High Five on June 30th and Quality District/Council on December 31st. I believe that the pressure placed on professional Scouters to organize new units around these 2 deadlines has contributed to the problem of professionals doing most or all of the unit organization with little or no involvement by our volunteers. Professionals often feel compelled to do everything within their power to have new units organized by these two deadlines. This often results in taking shortcuts, not following the twelve steps, and not involving volunteers (feeling that it is easier to do themselves and don’t want to rely on volunteers to meet their deadlines which have a major impact on their performance reviews.) Plus, since volunteers are not evaluated based on their completion of new units by our two deadlines, they are not motivated to work with our professionals to meet the deadlines.

We should consider a different incentive and recognition of our professionals (and volunteers) for unit organization.
When a new professional organizes his or her first new unit following the process and certified by his/her staff leader, he or she should receive immediate recognition from the organization. Maybe a letter from the regional director or the chief, plus some other recognition. Then (like in the real estate and insurance business) have a level of “clubs”: the “Five Unit Club”, then the “Ten Unit Club”, “Twenty Unit Club” etc. and there should be significant recognition for professionals that achieve these levels of accomplishment in unit organization.

This would be a useful tool for a staff leader to coach his staff towards. The leader coaches the brand new D.E. towards organizing his/her first unit in order to be recognized. Then coaches toward the next 4 units in order to be further recognized etc. This would be a more long term approach to unit organization, would tie in well with our new SMART goals and the PDS system, and would complement the W.D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award for volunteers.

All units that count towards the recognition should be certified by the staff leader to have included volunteers in the organization process and to have completed all of the necessary steps to help that unit have a solid start. (It should not recognize, however, instances when a professional is sometimes “handed” one or more new units as can sometimes happen in a LDS ward split, for example.)
In our Council, whenever an Eagle Applicant submits their paperwork, they seem to forget or look over the fine print of this requirement. I wonder if they might include a section for the requirement #6 in the project workbook. That way, it is already in the booklet and ready to be turned in.
We want to make best practices in pack-level membership development available on the newly created www.scouting.org/cubscouts2010. We need your great experience in building strong units. SEND US YOUR IDEAS!!
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