The latest in a series designed to help Scout families, Scouts and those new
Turning the Page! (cont.)
Turning the page provides an opportunity to consider priorities, and formulate goals and strategies for the future. Each year as the New Year dawns, many of us form resolutions. I’d like to suggest four resolutions for each of us as Scouts, families and units to consider. It is my fervent wish and deep hope that as the year progresses, our Scouting experience will prove more meaningful, fulfilling, and rewarding and that at the end of the year, we can look back with a feeling of accomplishment.
- Resolved: that each of us looks inward at our Scouting experience and answers a couple of questions, and that we begin to share our insights with all who may listen. What is Scouting and what is its purpose? What does Scouting mean to you? What do you gain from your Scouting experience? In many organizations they talk about formulating an “elevator speech”, a way to encapsulate the answer to these questions in a few minutes such that you could explain your thoughts to someone who doesn’t know anything about Scouting on an elevator as you move between floors. It is important to consider these questions individually and within the unit. Sharing your answers and thoughts with fellow Scouts not only helps clarify your journey in Scouting, but builds a culture of understanding and commitment among your fellow Scouts.
- Resolved: that we begin to share our Scouting experience more broadly with others. For too many years, Scouting has suffered an identity crisis. We operate to some degree in private, hold outings on Scouting property, wear our uniforms only at meetings, and focus on our unit programming. Many parents today did not benefit from the Scouting experience as youth and do not really understand who we are or what we do. We need to help them appreciate the value of Scouting, how it is different from other youth activities and organizations, and why it is worth their consideration. Community can be defined in many ways; the unit, den or patrol, the school community, the neighborhood, city or region, a faith community, an athletic program, organization or club. The people around us should know we are Scouts and proud of it, and begin to understand what Scouting means through us. It is time to toot our own horns, let the media know what we are up to, and become visible in the community. It is time to share our elevator speech at every opportunity.
- Resolved: that we recognize those Scouting alumni in our midst and remind them of the impact of their contributions to our movement and of the impact that Scouting has had in their lives. I recently had the opportunity to speak in front of a large audience of community and business leaders gathered to celebrate their accomplishments in 2024. I asked anyone with a Scouting experience in their background, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, youth or adult leader to please raise their hands. The response was overwhelming as over three-quarters of their hands rose enthusiastically! What a powerful testament to the role Scouting can play in shaping the life of a community through its leaders, movers and shakers. It is important that our youth know they are among friends, surrounded by a community of support that appreciates their good work today and looks forward to their many contributions in the future. And it is important to remind our alumni that we are still here carrying out the good work and promise of Scouting every day.
- Resolved: that we work more diligently on the three pillars of success in Scouting. Alright, this may be a bit self-serving, but as a final resolution, I think it important to pay attention to these three priorities to grow Scouting.
- Membership recruiting is essential to sustain our units, extend the promise of Scouting to more people, and secure the adult leadership to support our youth. We must adopt a year-round approach to recruiting new members, and each of our Scouts should be encouraged to bring in a friend or two. If needed, they should be shown how to do it. What a great opportunity for the edge method to come to life!
- Retention is just as important as recruiting. Our program planning must be robust and engaging. We must pay attention to every Scout and his or her experience. As our youth move into Scouts BSA, we must facilitate the transition to youth led and empower them to “own” their experience with our support.
- Building new units is the third leg of the stool, the third pillar of success. New units cannot simply be left to some group of individuals to somehow come together and figure out that a Pack or Troop would be a fun and meaningful thing to do. We all have a stake in building new units, extending Scouting to underserved communities, and it will take all of us to help in this effort. We must look for opportunities, suggest formation of a unit, seek Charter partners, and seed the development of these units. They will grow if we plant and nurture these seeds.
You may well come up with resolutions of your own. I hope that these or at least some of these suggestions find their way into your thinking for the year ahead, and that they continue to be front and center. We have all made New Years resolutions that seem to fade away after a few weeks. Oh but how rewarding is it when we stick to one and it makes all the difference? What will you do? What will you ask your Den, Patrol, Pack or Troop to do? What will your expect of our Council and how will you help make these resolutions change Scouting for the better?
I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a blessed and peaceful holiday season filled with wonder, gratitude for all we have and share, and anticipation for a joyous and meaningful year ahead. Thank you for your commitment to Scouting, for the faith and trust you place in your leaders and units every day throughout the year. I’m looking forward to seeing you down the trail as together we fulfill our New Years resolutions and turn the page on 2024.
Paul Shrode
psshrode@aol.com