Re: Retaining University and College Scouts-can help Scouting grow

I have tried in vain for the past few years to get the mamagment of Scouting to take seriously the retention of our venturers. But I have almost resided to the fact that we don't really care about youth once they head to College or University.

What do I mean?

Going back a few years I was informed that it was improper for our founding member and her husband to wear their uniform at our Scout Guide week church parade each year. These were members who spent almost 20 years in Scouting and were very proud of the uniform and our group. No not registered they have to remove the uniform. Well consiering anyone could walk into any Scout shop and purchase a shirt with no questions?? I infomred our area Commissioner at the time that I would never ask them to do this they did not wear it going out to the mall it was to a a church service with our own group and congregation.

I sent emails to numerous officials in Scouting asking that they do like Toronto Fire , you must sew a retired crest unbder your should flash to signify that you are no longer an active firefighter. And hey ! how about a special necker?? It would be a great seller and on that note most Scouters would need a bigger shirt so you'll make money there and could make special cresting and and ..but all I ever got back is that they have to be registered.

It gets better
Our first Venturer goes to College under my watch. I would like to keep him registered in some way at a reduced cost so that he feels that he still belongs and 'can wear his unform at our church parades when he comes home to visit. Al I ever got back is well there are some Rover Crews at Universities..(try to find one!!)

There is nothing out there that I can register our youth in that will retain them in membership keep them sort of active while away at University and would better intice them to become leaders when they finish.

Our own son went to Company and in fact did double duty in the 1st Toronto Fire Venturers and in the 7th Pickering Group, however when it came to 3rd year he got a part-time job that kept him busy on meeting nights and almost every week end . So with his mind focused on College he said goodby to Company but did come and help teach troop some badgework as he was going into fish and wildlife at College. He was sad that he did not have the time for the 3rd year and often reminded me that he should have registered so he could have applied for the scholarship as he had spent all those years right from Colony. It was that year theat the 7th created our own internal scholarship program.

New complaints?
At the last District Forum we were told to blog our complaints.
We want to have a good program for youth and in this tough economic time we try to help parents with costs with fundraising, but here we are with parents having hours cut and layoffs and our fees not only raise for youth , but for leaders add this to the the fact we MUST have everyone part 1 trained at a cost of $100.00 becasue the only thing available here is residential, we have to ourfit them with a uniform and pay for the police check?
And if thats not bad enough....if we don't get that leader registered by the end of June , it will be $90.00

well back to finiding money to pay for our monthly storage

Re: Venturers and Rovers can help Scouting grow

Chief Commish Steve:

I can strongly relate to your challenge. Permit me to share with you a response that I sent to Andrew Patterson, DCC-Program in Voyageur Council.

Andrew, your comment, while laudable, is a few years late from my perspective. That was why I founded the Nepean Rover Crew. Just look at what they have done over the past six or seven years (the first year or so didn't count as they were being 'developed'. Rovers run RSVP and Paddle Night (benefiting Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and the Rovers). As a Group the Nepean Rover Crew had probably the highest percentage of members receiving the CCM (over 85%) in all of Canada, have consistently earned the Gold level of the Commissioner's Quality Award, have had over 50% receive the Order of the Caribou (as well as one Commissioner's Commendation), have ALL taken Standard First Aid or Boat Rescue (virtually all have both) and some have gone on to take, and then train on the Senior Section WB 1. We have also had one train on a Senior Section WB II. As role models, they have proudly worn their Nepean Rover attire in view of Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, and other Rovers AND EVEN MEMBERS OF GUIDING. The Nepean Rover Crew has been asked to assist in the formation of other Area Rover Crews (Rideau, Odawa, and Carleton) as well as other Venturer Companies. We have had Rovers train on the Combined 6 Area All Section Part I (twice being Course Led by a Nepean Rover) as well as on the past 'Working with Team' Advanced Development Module. One Rover earned his fourth bead. Over the years, Nepean Rover Crew Rovers have worked with all sections in a leadership role as well as in a training role (as stated above) as well as running a FOCUS workshop before the last CJ and the Venturer Executive Information Workshop (VEIW) last fall. In one year there were four weddings of people who had met and/or developed their relationships while being active in the Nepean Rover Crew.

In addition to the preceding, a past Rover has been a DAC-Training (Rideau Area), DCC-Program, then DCC-Training in Pacific Coast Council and is currently an Area Commissioner in Chinook Council. Another past Rover is active in the Washington, DC area with BSA. We have presented four Rovers with the Rambler badge which is the only badge which can be earned in the Rover program. (Requirements are to be involved in an international Scouting event - and the four served as Offers of Service at a Jambouree in New Zealand - and then share their experiences with others such as during the current Senior Section Part II and past Scouters' Clubs). The current Mate of the Crew attended the last Aussie Moot in Australia and during the time travelled all around Australia during the Year of the Scout. She spent some of her time working with disabled Scouts in Australia.

But perhaps most exciting is the fact that three of the Crew have been nominated for the Medal of the Maple.

So Andrew, perhaps we should be saying, "We need to train MORE OF our youth and our leaders to think on these grand scales AND give them the support to make such ideas HAPPEN." Happily that is under the role of DCC-Program of Voyageur, shared of course with the Council Youth Commissioner and the Council Commissioner !!!

Feel free to share this with those who might be interested.

Re: Venturers and Rovers can help Scouting grow

Steve:I have read your blog as well as some of the comments shared with regards to continued support of Venturer and Rover (Senior Sections) programs offered by Scouters across Canada. In a preceeding note I extolled how a Rover Crew can have a positive and STRONG impact on activities and training provided to others in Scouting.At a recent meeting with the Voyageur Council Commissioner, Doug Hall, in-coming CC Mike Jowett, Voyageur DCC-Program Andrew Patterson and out-going DCC-Adult Development Heather Chilvers, I was asked to represent Voyageur Council at a National Network (Program)meeting scheduled for Blue Springs. I have also been asked to provide a presentation of the value of the Senior Sections as a combined training feature aimed at Advisors. In Voyageur, we have run several pilots at both the WB1 and WBII levels. The training teams have included youth (who receive special coaching/mentoring to work with the adult volunteer participants) while encouraging their vitality, enthusiasm, and goals in improving programs which Advisors can encourage. The subject matter has been developed by conducting needs analyses from experienced, and successful, Advisors of both programs. The satisfaction value expressed by the participants of these courses has been measured, informally, at 6 and 12 month periods after they have completed either the Part I or Part II. I don't understand why there is a need to voice the concerns of Venturers and Rovers when we can demonstrate the potential and offer to support the youth so they WILL succeed. Perhaps we have to look at where the mental blocks are and get rid of them?If you are interested in contacting me, Voyageur Council have my contact info. Hey, and thanks for coming out so strong in supporting our next crop of leaders and trainers - they have come up through the programs and know what works and what doesn't...

Re: Venturers and Rovers can help Scouting grow

A few years back I was part of a WBII training team that saw two new Rovers (twins) get their beads in Colony and Pack. Their enthusiasm and sharp wit made an impact on that course. Since then many of us in the Voyageur training community have involved them in multiple WBI courses and section program events (at the AGM in January I individually asked each of them to be a trainer on a recent WBI that I led).

Our training courses take on greater relevance when we include the youth who are ultimately impacted by the leaders taking that training. Likewise, when we include senior youth in our program activities, it inspires the younger youth that much more. I admit it can be challenging to do the integration at the training level, but that also helps us to grow.

A fellow trainer and friend of mine coined a now-much-used phrase "the best course ever", which translates to participants to produce "the best program ever".

How about a simple equation?

keen leaders + actively involved senior youth = excellent program

adapt it to training courses, workshops, camporees, etc.

Many council/Area service team members were challenged 2 years ago at a Council Commissioners course at Camp Opemikon to be more proactive in involving the youth in as many areas as possible. A number of us have been doing just that, and although it takes time to build momentum and awareness, it is happening.

Re: Venturers and Rovers can help Scouting grow

Just took my Rover WB1 this weekend. As an AC I want to support and grow the senior sections and I must say I'm excited. My goal is to have two new crews in my area by this time next year. I've got an existing crew in the wings to help with mentoring and development assistance. I have lots of plans for them and hope they will have the vision I do.

Re: Venturers and Rovers can help Scouting grow

Steve, we just got home from our annual Group Camp - 67 members from all sections together for the weekend. The whole weekend, the Beavers and Cubs had their eyes on the Scouts, who were canoeing and fishing. We had so many linking activities, with one involving all sections. The Venturers and Scouts also helped the leaders during the weekend. It was great. Parents and parent helpers who attended were really impressed.

The older youth really showed their leadership qualities and the younger members can't wait to move up to the next level. The Group Committee had to partly fund this camp as the facilities and food cost more than what we could reasonably charge. It may have been a money loser, but it was definitely a membership winner.

Re: Venturers and Rovers can help Scouting grow

In my area I've made some excellent baby-step progress since taking my Rover WB1 two weeks ago. I now have a Deputy AC specifically for Rovers who has a one year assignment to start a new crew in our area. He'll help this crew get mentored by an existing crew and help them on their way. He'll then help train his own replacement and I'll appoint one of the new or existing Rovers as my DAC.

Second, all the local Rover crews in my city will be invited to a dinner get together next month so we can chat, visit, discuss the future and how I can not only support those in my area but use my position to influence changes in the council. After the visiting and the eating we will have invited senior Venturers to come to an open house to meet the Rovers, learn about the program, possibly get hooked up with an existing crew or invite them to join the new crew(s).

Mostly, I want to sell them all, Rovers and Venturers, on the vision, on what they can accomplish, on how they can truly create a better world. It's going to be awesome!

Re: Venturers and Rovers can help Scouting grow

I have looked thru this blog subject with interest. There is much value to promoting from within our richest members, the senior youth. We have spent many years bringing them along and we need to give them a recognized role. They may have been a Sixer or a Patrol Leader now they too can help scouting grow.

Then I read the new Scouting Now document, in particular ACTION ITEM #4 REAL YOUTH INVOLVEMENT. There needs to be item for the Rovers and Venturers becoming more active in the leadership of the Beavers to Scouts sections. Item 4.5 partially addresses this issue but needs to have a more specific goal to develop the youth towards leadership.

Scouting Now cites many UK scouting Assocation references. In the UK they have developed a Young Leaders program /section of the Explorers equal to our Venturer age youth. It has been running for a few years and is actively supported by many local councils. Many Leaders welcome the YL's and the many youth has found this as their vocation at the venturer age level.

The Canadian Focus program plus more youth/Leader training would provide the necessary initial steps for Scouts Canada to address 2 growth potentials- retain youth and provide leaders. A recognized title for the youth and education of adults to welcome the youth involvement is necessary.

I see from another thread in this blog, The Heroes program that one council has developed could well be the model for the whole country.

It is possible to see retention as a contribution to the 'focus on growth' that is currently being discussed. Growth does not only mean new volunteers.