We are sticking with the old forms as they are much faster to scan (100/min vs 15/min for the new survey)and we spend less time correcting errors with the old one versus the new. We've found students can complete them in 6 - 10 minutes and the school administrators love the results.
The time to scan and correct the new surveys is critical to us - 15 per minute is not efficient.
The yes/no questions are a selling point for us but not a deal maker.
Glad to see forensic lab tech added. Also need welding, power plant operators, electric line workers.
We do need to update the hobbies on the survey. Who says "world wide web surfing"? Call it "web surfing". Music is too broad - is that composing, listening, playing, rock, rap, classical, jazz, hip-hop, mixing, singing, other? Same with dancing - ballroom, Latin, classical, other?
Add geocaching, gaming, painting, sculpting, graphic arts, social media, auto repairs, sign language, mentoring/coaching, community service, computer building, yoga, pilades, health & fitness, jewelry making, scrapbooking, magic, comedy, water polo, cheerleading, more? These are the many hobbies people have asked us about.
I'm somewhat concerned that since a similar posting about surveys was marked "completed" today, that this one will not gain much attention.
In Indianapolis we invested the better part of three weeks to compile a spreadsheet which compaired Cub Scout advancement requirements to state education standards. We listed the education standards down the left side and grades / ranks across the top.
For example, one Indiana standard is to "Listen respectfully to the ideas of others". That relates to Cub Scouts as follows: Tigers: At a family meal, have each family member take turns telling the others on thing that happened to hem or her that day. Remember to practice being a good listener while you wait for your turn to talk. T4fR Wolf: Complete the Character Connection for Respect. Wr7R Bear: Complete the Character Connection for Respect. B8gR Webelos: Take part in at least four family meetings and help make decisions. The meetings might involve plans for family activities, or they might be about serious topics that your parent wants you to know about. FamMbr5R
We have gained more allies in the education field and from the United Way from that one document. We also learned that Cub Scout requirements mirror 26% of the Indiana State Education requirements. This helped educators realize we are an educational program and not just another child care program.
There is an extensive template for Scout Executives - but way too much for a district level.
When I was in the military, everyone in a supervisory role was required to maintain what we called a "turnover binder". The 11 point format was the same for everyone - but the specifics of what was included varied by person and position. It included topics such as: supervisor, subordinates, important points of contact, specific procedures for accomplishing tasks, upcoming projects, location of important files, etc. It was a one stop reference manual. I used my routinely and updated it in pen as I used it, then updated the electronic version quarterly. It was critical to keep it updated as one never knew when a short notice deployment would send him / her off for 6 months or more and someone else had to cover those responsibilities. It also was fairly common for a gap between people in a position.
I created a similar binder for each of the positions I've had in Scouting (including unit, volunteer, and fund raising info)and at least some of my successors kept them updated. By keeping such a resource updated, it is more useful, easier to update when people change, and is likely to be more detailed than something created hastily when one is tryinng to depart.
The Field Book for Professionals is a great tool, too.
The key - whatever the template - is to keep it current.
Take the directory one step further... if I formerly called Cub Scout division, now I call this section...; if I formerly called Venturing, now I call this section. The corresponding new section / department would be most helpful.
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