COMMITTEE FAST START for NON-COMMITTEE BSA Leaders

1
COMMITTEE FAST START for NON-COMMITTEE BSA
Leaders

• Understanding Committees

2
OUTLINE

• Types of Committees
• What Committee Type Works Best
• The Committee Organizations
• Roles/Responsibilities
• Committee Programs
• How a Committee Functions
• Common Misconceptions
• Committee Guides
• Questions

3
Types of Committees

• BSA recommends 4 Committee Types
• Venture Committee
• Varsity Committee
• Scout Committee
• Cub Committee
• How do you know which Committee Type is correct
  for a given Unit?

4
What Committee TypeWorks Best

• Committee Type Factors
• Traditional LDS Church Organization
• Based on Priesthood year groups
• Based on Ward youth numbers
• Meets the needs of the Unit
• Can change as the Unit changes
• Committee comprises people officially called by
  Bishop and by volunteers

5
What Committee TypeWorks Best (Cont)

• Traditionally Wards have 2 Committees
• Cub Committee
• Scout Committee covering
• Scouts 12-14
• Varsity 15-16
• Ventures 17-18
• Large Varsity/Venture programs
• Some Units 1 Committee over all 4
• Yes, some Units have no Committee

6
The Committee Organizations

• BSA Committees vs. LDS Committees
• Similar functions/slightly different names
• All Committee functions should be covered
• Primary and Young Men Leaders - CALLED
• Committee members have important roles
• Committee members support each other

7
Committee Roles Responsibilities

• Chartered Organization Representative
• Member of the District Not on Committee
• Unit Committee is - Board of Directors
• Supports - Cubs/Scouts/Varsity/Venture
• Performs many administrative functions
• Assists Cub Master, Scout Master, Varsity Coach
  and Venture Advisor
• Committee makes it all come together

8
CommitteeRoles Responsibilities

• Ensures that quality adult leadership is
  recruited and trained.
• Provides adequate meeting facilities
• Advises leaders on policies relating to youth and
  Chartered Organization
• Supports leaders in program execution
• Is responsible for finances, adequate funding and
  funds disbursements

9
CommitteeRoles Responsibilities

• Obtains, maintains and properly cares for unit
  property and equipment
• Ensures the unit has a monthly outdoor activity
  program
• Serves on boards of review and courts of honor
• Supports leaders in solving problems

10
CommitteeRoles Responsibilities

• Provides for special needs
• Helps with Friends of Scouting
• Helps with behavior problems

11
CommitteeRoles Responsibilities

• Part of the Committee
• Cub Master, Scout Master / Asst Scout Master,
  Varsity Coach, Venture Advisor
• Parent Volunteers as needed
• Not part of the Committee
• Chartered Organization Rep - District

12
Committee Programs

• Annual Unit Recognition
• Board of Review
• Equipment Purchase and Storage
• Fund Raising
• Youth Leadership Training
• Quality Unit Awards
• 2 Deep Leadership
• Youth Safety

13
Committee Programs (cont)

• Publicity
• Parental Involvement
• Unit Calendar
• Unit Newsletter
• Courts of Honor/Pack Meetings
• Adult Leader Training
• Annual Planning
• Eagle Project Approval

14
Committee Programs (cont)

• Summer Camps/Activity Registration
• Support Chartered Organization
• Tour Permits/Permission Slips
• Physical Examinations
• Award Purchases
• Youth Records at Council
• Rank Advancement
• Unit Library Resources

15
Committee Members

• Chairperson
• Secretary (Primary Sec/Young Men Sec)
• Treasurer (Ward Finance Clerk)
• Outdoor/Activities Coordinator
• Advancement Coordinator
• Chaplain (Normally not filled in LDS Units)
• Training Coordinator
• Equipment Coordinator

16
Chairperson

• Organizes Committee
• Ensures Committee functions are covered
• Promotes relations with Chartered Organization
  and Unit leaders
• Give policy guidance
• Prepares Committee meeting agenda
• Presides over Committee meetings
• Ensures representation at Roundtable
• Charter review and re-chartering annually

17
Secretary

• Keeps meeting minutes
• Handles publicity
• Family newsletter - events and activities
• Conducts Unit Resource Survey
• Family Night Programs and Activities
• Reports on previous meetings/actions

18
Treasurer (Financial Clerk)

• Handles all Unit funds checking/savings
• Supervises fund raising projects
• Lead annual unit budgets preparations
• Reports monthly at Committee meeting

19
Outdoor/Activities

• Helps secure use of camp sites
• Serves a transportation coordinator
• Ensure a monthly outdoor program
• Promotes National Camping Award
• Promotes attendance at camp activities
• Secures tour permits
• Reports monthly at Committee meeting

20
Advancement

• Encourage youth advancement in rank
• Work with scribes to maintain records
• Arrange for boards and courts of honor
• Oversees merit badge counselors lists
• Coordinate with local Council on actions
• Build and maintain Unit reference library
• Report monthly at Committee meeting

21
Training

• Ensure leaders are trained
• Maintain up-to-date training materials
• Work with District train all Leaders
• Responsible - Youth Protection training
• Encourage Junior Leader training
• Unit, District, Council and National levels
• Report monthly at Committee Meeting

22
Equipment Coordinator

• Supervises/helps procure equipment
• Works with Quartermaster on inventory, storage,
  and maintenance of equipment
• Makes safety checks
• Encourage safe equipment use
• Reports monthly at Committee meeting

23
How a Committee Functions

• Monthly Committee Meetings
• Supports all BSA Programs
• Supports Cubs, Scouts, Varsity and Ventures
• Supports Unit events and activities
• Ensures all Committee leaders are trained
• Support each other replace dead wood
• Understand District/Council functions
• Understand overall Committee functions

24
The Committee Meeting

• Chairman Report
• Review of Past Activities
• Cubs, Scouts, Varsity, Venture
• Secretary Report
• Treasurer Report

25
Committee Meeting (cont)

• Outdoor/Activities Report
• Advancement Report
• Training Report
• Equipment Report
• Review of Future Activities
• Cubs, Scouts, Varsity, Venture
• Long Term Goals/Planning

26
Common Misconceptions

• The Committee Chairperson can do it all
• Eagle earned Committee does it
• Cub Master and Scoutmaster can do it
• Scouting is easy anyone can do it
• Committees run by themselves
• Committees are on their own
• All Bishoprics know what is required

27
Committee Guides

• Committee Guides are available
• Available at Trading Post
• Committee Roundtable training
• 64 wards X 8 Committee members 512
• Average Roundtable attendance is 15
• Committee Challenge is the Specific Leader/Basic
  training for Committees
• 2 times per year encourage attendance

28
Questions