Alvin Townley - Scouting


	Scouting \| SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE - The Film \| Scouting for State Parks \| Eagle Scout Recognition \| Red Shirt Young Adult Program \| The Eagle Reserve \| Book Sponsorship


	<!-- startprint --> <span class=default><p><span class="blueheader">Reclaiming Scouting's Second Century</span></p> <p>After twelve straight years of declining membership, our Movement must act together - strategically and boldly - to re-engage with America and serve the rising generation of youth and families.  We need to revamp our organization and programs to deliver an experience that will truly impact the next generation of youth.  All the while, we must remain true to the core principles of Scouting and ensure every family can find a Scout unit where their child can thrive.</p> <p>Scouting Resurgent offers a youth-focused strategy for Scouting's Second Century that can return us to growth by rejuvenating and empowering local Scouting.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Full document and additional detail located <a title="" href="/uploaded_files/scouting_resurgent_summer_2013_scyRqN.pdf">here</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong>THE SCOUTING RESURGENT STRATEGY </strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>(in summary)</strong></p> <p> </p> <p style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"><strong>The realities</strong>:<span>  </span>Despite efforts of dedicated professionals and volunteers, complex issues threaten Scouting's future.</span></cite></font></p> <p style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /--> <o:p><cite><span class="default"> </span></cite></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="color: windowtext"><cite><span class="default">a)  If Scouting served the same percentage of youth as it did in 1990, current membership would be ~5,000,000 Scouts — that's 85% higher than current levels.  Membership has declined for eleven straight years, as National expenses have increased markedly.<span>  </span></span></cite></span></font></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="color: windowtext"></span><cite><span class="default"><span style="color: windowtext">.</span><em> <o:p></o:p></em></span></cite></font></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"><span style="color: windowtext">b)  With $250M+ in debt outstanding, funding lagging, public support and access in jeopardy, membership declining, and legal threats mounting, BSA faces its own fiscal cliff</span>.</span></cite></font></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"></span></cite></font> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default">c)  Burdened with national issues and constraints, local staff and volunteers are struggling to grow Scouting.</span></cite></font></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"></span></cite></font> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"></span></cite></font> </p><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"> <p style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"><strong>The opportunity</strong>:<span>  </span>We have the chance to reclaim Scouting's future by adapting strategically to today's realities.<span>  </span>If we can empower units to recruit, retain, and inspire "<strong>The Next Scouts</strong>," we will once again grow the Scouting Movement.<span>  And i</span></span></cite></font><font size="3"><cite><span class="default">f each unit recruits and retains <em>one additional Scout</em> next year, we will grow by 111,668 youth (4.1%).</span></cite></font></p> <p style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><cite><span class="default"></span></cite></font> </p> <p style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p></span></cite></font> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; color: black" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"></font><strong>The killer question:</strong> <strong><u>How do we get the Next Scouts to join Scouting, stay in Scouting, and get prepared for life?</u></strong></p> <p><strong>1) Make Scouting accessible</strong></p> <p><strong>2) Summon great leaders</strong></p> <p><strong>3) Deliver a relevant and engaging experience</strong></p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>1) Make Scouting accessible.</strong></p> <p><span>a.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Reduce national expenses, cap Summit spending, and direct savings to local use since grassroots volunteers and staff truly drive membership growth, which should be our first priority.</span></p> <p><span>b.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     </span>Implement concrete plans to signal real change, rebuild BSA's brand image, and re-engage with America.</span></p> <p><span>c.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Reach today's youth where they already spend time by delivering a robust online Scouting experience that includes constructive video gaming. </span></p> <p><span>d.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Empower units to engage whole families, including girls/young women, with focus on Hispanic markets.</span></p> <p><span>e.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Provide modern and appealing options for consistent clothing and rank recognition.</span></p> <p><span>  </span></p> <p><span><span><span><strong>2) Summon great leaders</strong></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt"></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></span><span> </span><span>a.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Launch Red Shirt program for age 18-29 adults to create unit leadership corps for age 11-17 Scouts.</span></p> <p><span> </span><span>b.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Create a domestic Peace Corps for Scouting to provide young adult leaders for underserved units.  </span></p> <p><span> </span><span>c.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Create a Key Four system, adding Youth/Young Adult Commissioners at all levels.</span></p> <p><span> </span><span>d.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Elect a portion of National Board, establish term limits, and reserve positions for young adult members. </span></p> <p><span> </span><span>e.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Hire the right professional talent from inside or outside BSA for local and national positions and create a sustainable employment model that will attract, retain, and develop the next generation of executives.</span></p> <p><span> </span><span>f.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">       </span>Equip unit leaders with time, tools, and resources to deliver an engaging and relevant Scout experience.</span></p> <p><span> </span></p> <p><span><strong>3) Deliver a relevant and engaging experience</strong></span></p> <p><span>a.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Align the entire organization to empower local units and volunteers by reducing management layers, consolidating support services, creating an entrepreneurial culture, and focusing on local units. </span></p> <p><span>b.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Pilot seasonal, expedition, STEM, and other Scouting programs, using new and existing partners.</span></p> <p><span>c.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Consider standard skill competency model that extends from entry-age Scouts through adult leaders. </span></p> <p><span>d.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Continue improving unit support and retention through the Commissioner Corps.</span></p> <p><span>e.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      </span>Guided by core principles and open minds, assess Scouting programs for relevance and effectiveness.</span></p> <p><span><span>f.      Imagine: if we designed Scouting </span>from scratch, for today's youth and families, what would it look like?</span></p> <p><span></span> </p> <p><span>Full document and additional detail located <a title="" href="/uploaded_files/scouting_resurgent_summer_2013_scyRqN.pdf">here</a>.</span></p> <p><em><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt"></span></em>Scouting Resurgent offers one set of ideas; there are certainly many great ideas and initiatives being discussed or tried.  I hope these concepts will spark discussion and help us think critically about our future - all in the spirit of Scouting.</p> <p>Please contact me with your thoughts - and thank you for your service to this great Movement... </p> <p> </p></span> <!-- stopprint -->