A Trained Leader

My never-ending quest for knowledge has not ended.  While I am not in the Boy Scout program, I will be after March 23rd 2013.  I took the Eagle Board Chair class today (9/22/12) to better aquaint myself with how not only a Board of Review operates, but how an Eagle Board of Review.   I went in with no clue or first hand knowledge on how it.  The only information that I had from what I have read online and in my virtual internet roundtable with those in #ScoutNation.

I took the Merit Badge Councilor training this January as well.  All of these trainings are great.  I implore you no matter what position you are in or what organization you are (Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts) in or even what country.  It is worth the time and effort since it will help your program, your unit and yourself.

Along with this training, I have done some of my required training for Girl Scout Leader.  While I have just gotten into it, it feels like I am a Tiger Den Leader for the first time.   There is a lot of things being thrown at me.  Lots of surfing and reading and asking questions.

Again, I know that Training for the program is needed.  It helps you give the best fun and learning for those who you lead.

Take the time. Get Trained.

Which, on the flipside, if you provide training, please please please provide good information that does not make people’s butts numb.   The training today was NOT THAT AT ALL.  The Pace was great and information shared just the same.

Read Full Post »

First Aid @Redcross App Review

I found and downloaded the new First Aid App from the American Red Cross on Thursday.   I am a huge fan of the Red Cross.  I give blood and do Apherisis through them.    I also have my First Aid and CPR certification through their local Chapter in Portland.   This App is available on both the iPhone and Android, which is very smart.

Being in Scouts, I knew that I needed this application as one of my main ones.  It’s a great note and it’s chock full of great information.  This app will help teach you first aid, how to respond, how to find a class, donate blood, buy a kit and volunteer.

Within the app itself, there is a button at the button and even when you launch it asks if you are having an emergency.  With a list of emergencies, you can walk yourself through what you need to do.  That is great since if you’re not a professional, and you forget what to do, help is there.

Within other sections of the app, there are basic trainings that you can take.  Learning how to respond is very valuable.  Even if you get freaked out about blood, knowing how to respond is a vital key to saving lives.  Not knowing how will hamper the rescue.

One of the great things that I like about this app, is that there are tests.  Yes, they are easy.  They are meant to be passed since learning is the key focus here.   The regard system within this app that is very smart is that you can post via Facebook, Twitter or email your accomplishments.  Within the Apple version, it counts on your whole Game Profile.

While I have only had this app for a couple of days, I really like it.  The layout and how it operates is very easy to understand and use. It delivers on being a well made, planned and implemented way to educate the public.  It is now part of my Scouting section on my iPhone.

As for Scouting, I will use it to teach them basic skills in the future.  I also highly suspect that Boy Scouts can use this for the many merit badges as a good reference source.

Also, I am very glad that the American Red Cross made it for FREE. 

Read Full Post »

Trained Tactical Scouters

Tactical Scouters:  Combat troops, together with any service troops required for their direct support, who are organized under one commander to operate as a unit and engage the enemy in combat.In the Scouting world this would translate to: Scouters who together and  who are trained for their position within their Scout Units are organized under guiding principle to help build character, leadership and to offer a quality WOSM based program to the youth they serve before, during and after each Scout Event and Meeting.

So, why this title and posting?  Over the past couple of days I have been on a Training kick within Scouting and also at work. I also got involved in a small discussion on the Scouts Canada Facebook page.  They let me in there and I generally lurk about, eh.  We all follow Baden-Powell and like to wear Uniforms, use Dutch Ovens, like bacon a lot and sing really badly.  Oh, and then remember it’s for the Boys (or Youth in SA’s case)!  But one thing we have in common is training and why we should take it and why we should not be required to take it.

I am think that training should be taken.  Yes, I have taken BAD training that I really have never used.  But, that was on the clock, so I did get something out of it! Yes, I have sat through boring Scout training too.  Ugh.

So, I got excited as only a Trainer would be when the LDS came out with an updated document on LDS and Scouting.  This page also talks a lot about how Training is supposed to happen within the LDS.  Ok, I am not LDS and I know very little about it.  I know as much about it as I do being Jewish, Catholic or Hindu.

Now, what I really like is how the LDS Church looks towards training.  Being the Charter Org, this document has it right.  Now, each position is a Calling within the LDS. It’s an honor to be Called for a position.  The LDS even go so far to say, they will pay for any training and that Roundtable is a Good Thing!  There is even a LDS Cubscout Den Leader PDF Training off the Scouting.org site.

So why all the excitement about LDS?  I am not LDS….  Well, here is why.  The LDS have put Scouting as part of their mission to help their Youth.  Working with their program and the BSA’s there is good documentation and processes to help them offer a quality program.  As District Training Chair, I need to know when there is a difference so I can give them the correct information.

Which in the end will help me offer a better program to the Youth I serve.

Ok, so you might feel like, what’s up with the Tactical part of the title of this posting.  As Trainer’s we are charged with providing good information to the Scouter’s who will guide the Youth.  We support them with quality training, quality answers & information for what is needed.  Every Scouter is a Trainer to the Youth.  So, it is incumbant of each Scouter to Be Prepared for the meetings, outings and events that we go to or put on.

We are all in this together.  We are all Trained Tactical Scouters in support of each other for the Youth.

Get Trained.

Links:
Adult Training on Scouting.org
Training Team on Scouting.org (off to the right hand side is a link to the Training Times. It’s where the BSA National Training Team communicates to Everyone! They are on Facebook too!)
Other Adult Training Info on Scouting.org
Publications of most every document and/or Book the BSA has printed. Even ones for sale at the Scoutshop! (Download these and put on your Laptop/iPad/Tablet/iPhone or whatever you use. This is a great resource and cuts down on paper & 3-ring binders/books to carry!)

Read Full Post »

Good Deed Done Daily

Today, I did two things that qualifies for my Good Deed Done Daily.  The first was to re-certify with the BSA for Youth Protection.  In an earlier post about YPT, I talked about it.  Today, I needed to check and make sure that I was current. I have lapsed by two months.  Not good for a Scouter, even worse for the District Training Chair!  Our District Chairman has asked us to bring a printout of it to tonight’s meeting.  One thing that I noticed is that the BSA has re-done the YPT and is really very nicely done.  I learned something from it.

Secondly, I registered for the Wilderness First Aid Responder class via REI and WMI.  REI is holding it and WMI is putting it on.  I am not going to Philmont or any other High Adventure Camping.  I will be camping in Montana this Summer and am working to get out more.  I figure that any First Aid Training that I can get will be well worth it.  I had gotten CPR & First Aid trained by the Red Cross in 2010 during Christmas.  I had wanted to take WFA ever since then.

Finally, and maybe not a GDDD, but I finally found that an author that I have read is coming to Portland.  It’s Richard Louv.  It’s a Friday night, but I am going since what I have written about lately is about getting out into Nature.  If you want to come to ‘Richard Louv presents The Nature Principle at the Oregon Zoo‘, follow the link and come hear a great topic.

Read Full Post »

I care a lot

On Thursday night our District like many had their Committee Meeting.  I had not been to a meeting for awhile, and really needed to be there for Training.  I got to meet the new Advancement person and talk to our Communication Chair.  The normal banter of Membership/FOS and what units are doing what.

I joined in June 2011 when the District’s re-chartered.  We were asked that night about staying on if we wanted to since May is our last month before we re-chartered.  I said yes.  I plan to be on for awhile.
That all being said, I have gone through two District training cycles.  One was already planned and one I planned.  I have yet to make it to one of our ITOLS.  I am thinking that I will show up for the start of the one in March.

I also made it to a Council Top Team meeting.  To me it’s important. I need to know who all are my counterparts and what they are doing.  As do they.  I went into it just wanting to listen.  However, I made myself known.  I voiced my opinion about how we should share training lists of courses.   I explained how I went out of District for BALOO/OWLS and even considered going to Chief Seattle Council for BALOO/OWLS.   I pointed this out along with the fact that one of the main reasons our Pack got Gold was that my Webelos Den Leader and I had gotten BALOO/OWLS & ITOLS trained.  It counted on Journey to Excellence.  We would have gotten Gold, however out overall points would be lower if we had not.

During the District Meeting, I explained how I am putting our a request (not a call since the LDS view that very differently) for my trainers for all courses.  To which I got favorable support for.  I have made the request of our Communications Chair to put that in the Roundtable Notes & District Email.  Pioneer needs to have a good group of Trainers in case some back out or not able to make it for various reasons.  Be Prepared.

I also explained that three other Districts and Pioneer will be sharing lists of training courses and dates.  I have already agreed to host/put on Cubscout training for Sunset when they have Boyscout, Varsity & Venturing.

I have also decided that we are going to go to the core of what is required for training.  These courses are BALOO, OWLS, ITOLS, Hazardous Weather, Trek Safely, First Aid/CPR/AED, COR and Merit Badge Counselor.  I will include Troop Committee Challenge too.  All these courses are required at some level or for some paperwork to be legal within the eyes of National.  Be it for position or Tour Plan.

I did get feedback from one person on the Committee who stated that for volunteers to take time away from family is hard and that we should offer other ways to get trained.  They would like to see training done at Camporee, Webelos Woods, Summer Camp and other District Camping events.  I fully agree with this person in part.  I replied that yes, I want training to be given at Summer Camp, Camporee, Cub-0-Ree, Webelos Woods and other District Event.  However, I am running into people who feel strongly that training would take away from those who are there with their Scouts.  IE: Parents who hover.  I said that they need to start requesting it.  There are many Districts within our Council that hold BALOO/OWLS  and then ITOLS at these events.  Starting next year, I am going to work in BALOO and maybe OWLS into one of these events.  I would like to work ITOLS into Camporee as well.  It would help focus the District’s energy into these events and get people there.

So, this gets to the part about TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY for training. I fully get and understand that time with family is very important.  If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter and/or Google+ you will know that I travel the six western states of AK, ID, MT, OK, MT, CA for work.  I now tell Scouter’s and my DE how many Councils I traveled to to get where I am at that moment.  I once traveled through five Councils to get to Roundtable that night or a Cubscout meeting.  I know that people have their own busy lives within a town.  However, they made a commitment to Scouting when they signed up for the position.  They committed to the Unit and the Scouts that they serve that they would be there.  That also means getting the training needed to be considered trained for their position.

I don’t get people who cannot get trained for their position within Scouting.  Even if it’s just the Online version from myscouting.org.  At lest they took it and maybe learned something.  I personally like the face to face training since they will be able to get answers to their questions.  Plus maybe learn a bit about how another unit has fun.

Heck, I am not involved with Girl Scouts, but I took Cookie Training so my daughter could sell cookies last year.  That helped me this year when I was picking up cookies from Rachel’s new Troop leader.  I knew what she was going through and told her.  I explained that I am appreciative of what she does.  Did I need to do the training.  No, not really.  My wife could have, or we just would not have sold.  The latter would have been horrible since my daughter might have ended up quitting and getting mad at us.  But, I took it because it was needed.  I was not a registered Girl Scout Leader.  From what I have heard, the Girl Scout Council in Portland demands the Troop Leaders come to Council and get training on specific dates.  The Troop Leaders do it.  Why can’t we?

In the end, training will provide knowledge to the participant that will enable them to correct their ways if needed and provide a program to the unit that is fun.  Keeping it fun will help keep the scouts involved in scouting and keep them safe.

And just as Dr Seuss said in “The Lorax“

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Yours in Scouting.

Read Full Post »

Trainer’s EDGE

   On Saturday Feb 18th, I was finally able to get fully trained in “The Trainer’s EDGE“.  I was supposed to have it last year for the 2011 Wood Badge course, but I was with my family in Maui.
With all the training/meetings that I had to get ready to be a Troop Guide for Wood Badge, I was certified for the course.  It is also one way that I got to this training this year since I told my wife I missed it due to our vacation.

The training itself is valid for three years.  Outside of that, it’s valuable training.  I mainly took it because I should have last year.  I also took it because as the District Training Chair, I should have it.  It’s like being fully Trained to be a ScoutMaster.  If your going to be IT, you need the training.  Now, I can say that I am fully trained for my position.

The other reason I took it is because I can always use this type of feedback on how I present myself and trainings that I do.  It’s not just useful within the Scouting world, but also within my Corporate life.

So, what did I learn.  I learned that I need to take the conversation from my head, get it onto paper and practice, practice, practice.  Then give it to a group before the main presentation and then reflect, modify and practice.  What I think is good, isn’t that good in the end.

I gave two presentations during the training.  One was about the Training Area and the second was about patches.  The latter I had time before class to think up and produce.  The first one was given to us during the training.  The five minute talk I gave about this subject was better delivered and given than the one I had time to prepare about.  That was a great lesson.

I am including the PPT as a PDF so people can see it.  I have a lot to do to refine it down.  I am actually taking out the National Outdoor Award info from it.  Reason being, I am not in Boy Scouts , but in Cub Scouts and know that program a lot better.  I am also going to revise what is said on the screen.  Less is more and more is not good.

Overall, Trainer’s EDGE is a valuable course and one that should be taken if you find yourself up in front of people. No matter if they are Scouts or non-Scouts.

Read Full Post »

Training in the District

On Saturday our District held three training classes.  Merit Badge Counselor, Charter Org and District Committee Trainings.  There was supposed to be the Boy Scout & Cub Scout Position training.  However, those the Boy Scout class only had two and the Cub Scout had none.  There was only ONE WALK IN for the Boy Scouts!

As Training Chair,  I looked at our records and realized that we were not trained as a District.  We only needed 95 more people trained to get to 50%.  Yuck.  (I am waiting to see what Council has for the January timeframe since that will get us the latest version after Re-Charter.  Many people will drop & get added.)

So, first up was Merit Badge Counselor Training.  Out of the normal Roundtable Crowd, there were four Scouters who I never saw before.  One lady was the Merit Badge Coordinator for his Troop.  The other was told to come and another knew she needed it.  Plus since there were changes to the Guide to Advancement & new Eagle Project Book, she wanted to make sure she got all the new info.  The forth was an ASM.  We all took it in and got a lot of great information.  The course was taught by our Advancement Chair, who is also on the Council Advancement Team.  So, great info from the top.  So, why was this different?  Well, normally this training was done at the Troop level or one on one.  Here you had 6 different Troops represented.  Basically 6 different ways on how MBC could be handeled.   The great thing is through this group learning 6 different Troops came together and learned how each other did it and what their issues were.

Charter Org Rep Training:  This was timely as there is a dust-up within our District.  We had four real Charter Org Reps at the class along with several of the normal Roundtable people.  My push for this class was to help the District reach out to the Charter Org Reps and tell them more about Boy Scouts and what everyone is supposed to do.  Our Trainer got right to the point and said, it’s about the Kids and that’s who we work for.  He pointed out that each COR is on the District Committee.  Our District Chairman was there as well and did do an invite and how he saw them and the BSA.  It was great.  We covered the basic syllabus from the BSA and also dived into very meaty topics.  Ones you would not get online.  Portland Lawsuits, Insurance, Liability…who owned what.  We had service clubs and churches represented within the class.  Great mix.   I was very happy that this class was offered.  It will be back.

District  Committee Training:
My big push for this was a lot of our Committee is new within the past year or two.  With our new Chairman, Commissioner, Program Chair, me and others….we needed this.  Our fellow Scouters in the District next to us was in a similar situation.  Plus, I knew the District Chair from Wood Badge and as being a Troop Guide together this past year.  So, while I had just gotten trained as a MBC, COR, I was really looking forward to this training.  I had asked the Scoutmaster from WE1-492-09, who is a Assistant Council Commissioner to come speak.  The Trainer worked with her to figure out what needed to be covered.

This was a great training.  We went over the basics of what a District is and how it functioned.  We did not get into breakouts since we were so small and our committees as a District are not that huge.  So, what happened was a lot of discussion between each other.  Our counterparts within Wapiti (The Great Herd from the West, as I call them) were great!   Both Districts learned from eachother about how the each did business.  We learned that we are not that different in the challenges we both face.  Membership, Retention, Finance, Programing….you name it we talked about it.

We also learned that the Commissioner Corp is highly valuable.  That they needed to be out in the Units so we can get “The Message” out to them.  That the Commissioners are there to help tell the District Committee how healthy or unhealthy the District/Units are.

It was a great day for learning at the Unit Level, District Level and Council Level.  Both the District Exec’s were there.  Each of them had words to share about what they thought was important.  Not just about their District, but as a Council.

The Wapiti District Committee: (Not all shown)

The Pioneer District Committee (Not all shown)

Finally, we did celebrate our Training that day.  As any Scout function needs to have, is a song.  Since it was the 2009 Wood Badge Scoutmaster came and spoke to us, we sang her favorite song. ROOTBEER!  Yes, we had fun.  If you cannot have fun during training….well…..

 

 

Read Full Post »

Thoughts on District Training

  As the Pioneer District Training Chair, it’s my duty to fullfill the “Every boy deserves a Trained Leader” part.  It’s my duty to offer training that is needed or that I see needed within the District. I  have always thought, WHY CANCEL, a training.  A Scouter friend of mine out in Southern Ohio who is a Program Chair has the same thoughts along the line of canceling courses.  However, in this case it’s not because there isn’t enough.  Say, class needs 10 and only 7 sign-up.  Wood Badge needs 30 or the course is canceled, so I get that.  The past several years our Council’s Wood Badge has been full at 56.

The photo is during the W1-492-11 Wood Badge course.  It was during the first presentation/talk that I gave as Troop Guide to the very awesome BOBWHITE Patrol! You will notice that I have both thumbs up!  It’s because they ROCK!

So, at this first of the year training for Pioneer, I have put together the normal Cubscout Specifics, Boyscout Specifics training.  I also put on for the first time, Merit Badge Counselor, Charter Org Rep & District Committee trainings.

I have more sign-ups for the MBC & District.  COR has one and CS/BS have none.  I have interest from other Districts.  I even had a LDS Stake President call me directly.  Talk about a calling..(FYI: I am not LDS)  I think that is HUGE!

So, I have just sent out an email to all the COR/CC/SM/CM letting them know that the two CS/BS classes will be canceled due to sign-ups at COB on Monday.  I had let my thoughts be known to the DE & District Chair as well as the Program Chair.  Which, they agree and understand.

I have directed the District Commissioner & the Commissioner Corp to reach out to each COR and explain the training date & invite them.  It’s their job to do that.  It will put a contact in the system for them.  If they all come to the training, including the Unit Commissioners they will build up a bond and or strengthen it.

Overall, I do not like canceling.  But, I do not want to waste the Trainer’s time either.  I am not disheartened and I will schedule more and sooner.

I did get feedback for Den Chief & Troop Committee Trainings to put on.  I have also contacted the Council Training Chair and asked for assistance in putting on a BALOO & OWLS course.  Either for all the Cubscout Trainers so we can take it back to the Districts or hold one Council wide.  I am also aware of our Council’s Trainer’s Edge course that is coming up soon.  It’s basically for the Wood Badge Staff who have not taken it.  I got a mini version since I went to Maui during that time.  I will be telling those who have not taken Trainer’s Edge in the past three years to go.  Which, if you follow the Training Times from National, a lot of training requirements have changed.  They do have a Facebook page as well.

Read Full Post »

District Cubscout Training

Today was the first time that my Program Chair and I  trained others within the District.  It was the Cubscout Basic’s for Den Leader, Tiger, Webelos, Cubmaster and Committee.  We had a morning and afternoon session that was about 3.5 to 4 hours.  In the first there were three people.  A Tiger Den Leader, Cubmaster and Committee Chair.  In the second session a Cubmaster.  Training was held and not canceled.

We also had Varsity, Scoutmaster, Youth Protection and Hazardous Weather.  My DE ended up teaching YPT for one ASM and the Hazadous Weather training washed out since no one signed up.  Bummer. Their loss since he is a Weatherman by profession.  However, Varsity had two and Scoutmaster had six.  So, overall, 13 Adult Scouters came out for a day of training and it went well.

Since it was all me, I started the Training with the Pledge and a few announcements.  I pointed out that we have ITOLS coming up and that our new Pow-Wow is Nov 5th. It was off to the races.

Our Cubscout training held to what the Powerpoint slides had us talk about.  However, we did not stick to the overall format or slide to slide.  Death by Powerpoint is a slow horrible death.  So, we covered what was needed.  We went over the Purpose, 12 Core Values, and Character Connections of Cubscouts.  As well as the Methods. We drove these four topics home in several way and examples.   We talked about how in November, we are using the Flag as a centerpiece for respect & citizenship.  Explained a Flag Folding Relay that we will be doing at an upcoming Pack Meeting.  Also,  we explained that Cubscouting is a Family activity and that while advancement is part of the method, we look at it last.  We want to create fun for the boys and parents so they will come back again and again.  We have skits and den yells to help bond the boys together and promote activities that while fun, serve to explain many of the purposes of it.

We explained how to work advancement into “A Game with a Purpose” mentality.  Explaining that if you can have an event or even work with the local school teachers, gym teachers or other people the Cubscouts come in contact with, that advancement will happen without them knowing it.  We explained that these people are Activity Badge Counserlor‘s.  Much like a Merit Badge Counserlor’s, but not an official position within Scouts.  For the ABC, think of other parents who know something about Construction or is a Lawyer or Doctor and the Webelos Den Leader gives them the OK to sign off in their book for completion.  If a Teacher is going through a Geology section within class over four weeks, why spin your wheels teaching it in two Den Meetings and an Outing.  Your wasting time and money.  Yes, you need to have the boys show, explain and possibly demostrate what they have learned.  But if that Teacher is a ABC, then they have earned it.

As Cubmasters we talked about how a Den and Pack meeting should be planned and how parents should be involved.  We pointed out many resources on Scouting.org  The main one we focused on was the Den and Pack resource guide.  While we had hardcopy versions of this and others we pointed out that many of them are downloadable off Scouting.org.

In covering Pack Meetings, we covered Committee Meetings, budgets, fundrasing and other Pack, District and Council Activities.  This is the point in which both of us started to point out many outings, campouts, cub0rees and derbies we have done.  We pointed out where to go, what to do and other pitfalls.  It’s also were I showed a slideshow of my Pack’s latest Pumpkin Derby.  A Committee Chair and Cubmaster wrote that down.  They were going to go to a Pumpkin Patch, but now switched it because what I showed them was a lot more FUN.  My Co-Trainer Allan, explained that the best ideas are shared and stolen.  I used Allan’s Pumpkin Derby and changed it up and also added a food launcher.

Throughout the entire first training we pepper the talk with what WE did, how WE did it and offered suggestions on how to make THEIR Pack/Den meetings fun and entertaining while educational.  Some of it was just pure fun at the Parents expense.  Allan also had several ideas such as making hats out of paperplates as shown above.  Take one paperplate and cut it like a pizza without cutting the edges.  Don’t tell the boys that they are making a hat.  Then have them decorate it.  Such as, use Car Photos, matchbox cars and the like.  Glue/Staple/Adheare it to the plate on the pizza slices.  Then, put it on.  It’s your Rally Cap for Pinewood Derby or whatever else you can think of.

In the second session, we only had one Scouter show up.  It was my friend Wes who was a the Eagle Troop Guide this year when I was the TG for the Bobwhites.  He came for the Cubmaster & Webelos Den Leader session.  OK. One person!  We are on this.  This session took about three hours, but all worth it.

We dived right into Cubmaster and how he runs his Pack meetings.  He’s a new Cubmaster and is on his first year, second meeting.  We again went over what we did in the first session, but disected what he does.  We asked why he does this and explained that just because it was a tradition before, does not mean you cannot change it.   We gave many ideas of what he could do and what Allan and I do in our Den/Pack meetings.  I showed and shared all the books that I brought and explained I use them as guides.  Both Allan and I run our Pack’s very differently.  I would love to impliment some of Allan’s ideas within my own.  So, I learned a lot too.

As to Webelos, we again explained that the Webelos can earn the Activity Pins within the Den, but also within the home and School or other activtives.  Meaning, Family Member is done at home, Scholar is at School, Aquanaut can be a Den/Troop activity.  I explained that a local Troop has historically took our Webelos IIs on a swim night when they work on the Swimming Merit Badge and other items.  The Webelos earn the Aquanaut in one night and knock out a Troop visit for Arrow of Light.

The main thing that both Allan and I tried to convey over both sessions is that Scouting is not cut and dry.  It is also not about doing it all yourself and re-inventing the wheel.  Look at your resources, parents, teachers and the like and see what the Scouts are doing in other places that will make YOUR LIFE EASIER.  Yes, you do want to have Scout Activities based upon SCOUTING.  Have those Scout moments Count and Matter.

The two last things we touched upon are the Religious Emblems and Leader Knots.  Since we had two LDS Leaders at our training we dived into what their Religious Emblems were like and how they accomplished it.  We explained that it is an important aspect within Scouting and should be promoted.  As for Leader Knots, I explained while I like earning them, it helps me make sure that the program I am providing to the Unit and others, is a quality one.  If it was not for the Cubmaster Knot, I would not have started a Summertime Pack Event for two years, not worked the Quality Unit Award and continued towards the Journey to Excellence.

I also explained that as the District Training Chair, I felt that BALOO and OWLS are vital to the continuing education of Leaders.  Once they get into Boy Scouts, there is more face to face training than the Online Training they are used it.  Plus, it prepares them for ITOLS and the like.  Taking BALOO & OWLS educates the Leaders as how to promote, plan and execute a great Pack Program.

It was a great training session.  I am looking forward to the next round of training.

YIS

Read Full Post »

The Training Chair look at Journey to Excellence.

This year will be the first year that the Boy Scouts of America has rolled out the Journey to Excellence.  If your in a Leadership position within your Unit, and your not aware of this, start your research.  It’s the replacement to the Quality Unit Award program. There is a lot written already about the JTE on several websites outside of Scouting.org.  So, I am not going to re-explain it here.

I am going to talk about JTE as it pertains to my position as the Training Chair within my District.   As the Training Chair, I get a report from Council that shows me all the latest training records for the district.  It also contains all other Districts.  A very interesting set of records.

Using some quick math here are our stats.  554 registered positions. (There are duplicate people since they might be an ASM and WDL or a CC/CM in seperate units.  Hence, I am not using People.)

Within the Packs, there are 189 positions and only 42 are fully trained. The requirements for fully trained are listed here from Scouting.org’s website of www.scouting.org/training.  This covers every program within the BSA.  If your local Council has a different set of standards, please consult your Council Training Chair.  Overall, that’s 22% of the positions trained in Packs alone. In District out of 554, only 147 are fully trained (by Council’s terms).  As a District we are at 26.5%.  To obtain Bronze Status as a District for JTE, it’s 40%.  Last time I was in school 70% on a test was a C.  Pretty lame.

What to do?  Well, I have just written a note to my Program Chair with a copy to the District Chairman and District Executive pointing all of this out.  I stated that my goal for this year is 40%. It’s Bronze level.  Next year it will be 50%.

To point out how simple a task I view this is, let’s look at what Silver is for CREW.

Have an Advisor, an associate Advisor, and a committee with at least three members. All have completed This Is Scouting, Fast Start training, and Youth Protection training or, if new, complete within three months of joining.

That is Silver.  So, why not make it mandatory at the Unit level to have EVERYONE take all that training. You can do this ONLINE as with the Boy Scout, Varsity and Pack training. (this is taken from my personal MyScouting.org account)

For the Pack Gold Level JTE you need  this: Silver level, plus pack participates in BALOO training and in OWLS training. (Note: I could not find any BSA info to link to. )  If you do not have anyone who has taken these trainings, then your Pack will not get Gold in that area, which could be what you need to get Gold as a Unit if your short in other areas.  Currently in the Pack that I serve as Cubmaster in, myself and a Webelos Den Leader both have BALOO and OWLS.  Along with ITOLS.    I will talk more about the difference between OWLS and ITOLS and why they should not be lumped together along with BALOO.

District Training: The district Key 3 and district committee have completed orientation or training plus Youth Protection training (YPT). New members complete YPT before joining and orientation or training within six months of joining.  I believe we all have met this with the exception of District Committee Training.  To which, I have one planned for.  We just need to set a date & time.  If the District Committee does all of this and meets as scheduled, we will be at least Bronze for this year.

So, training is a big deal.  It’s not something that people should take lightly. Granted the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs were bought, built and flown on the lowest bid.  Look at what NASA did with the barest of  contract spending limits.    Now, just think of the barest of training that the BSA can get by with.  Look at what can be done if we give a little bit more of our time and energy to get and be trained at the level we need to be but also EXCEL at!  Look at the reward that the Scouts will get if we do.

The Cubscout Motto says it very well.  “DO YOUR BEST”

Read Full Post »