Program Innovation to Drive New Membership Top Hands 2015

Program Innovation to Drive New MembershipTop Hands 2015

Youth EngagementDennis KohlFlorham Park, NJ

L E D R Leadership Excellence - Direct Results

L E D R Leadership Excellence - Direct

Results

L E D R Leadership Excellence - Direct

Results

L.E.D.R. is designed to highlight the need for continued support of older youth by providing them with training in “applicable leadership” and development for entry into the workforce.

L.E.D.R. components have been selected to highlight specific “life-skill” areas not easily obtained through general education.

L E D R Leadership Excellence - Direct

Results

L.E.D.R. Program focuses on the following:• A “What is Leadership” modules – thread running throughout program• The need for self – confidence/assurance/awareness• The role of “community” in everyday life • Cultural and educational diversity• Young Adult Activities – including COPE• Community & Career Issues – including:

• Government Affairs• Environmental• Health Care• Education

• Criminal Justice• Communications & Media• Career Planning – College Selection

Youth Executive Committee

What is the YEC?

• The Youth Executive Committee is a pilot program in the Boy Scouts of America established by the Patriots’ Path Council. This committee consists of male and female representatives, ages 14-20, from the Order of the Arrow, Venturing, Exploring, Sea Scouts, National Youth Leadership Training Staff, and the Council Youth Leadership Award recipients.

The purpose of the Youth Executive Committee is to have outstanding youth leaders assist in the organization of teenage Scouting events, provide youth input on various council committees, develop a new fitness incentive, create stronger bonds with outside organizations, educate youth in leadership training, and continue promoting the ideals and methods of Scouting.

Member Expectations

YEC Runs on an April-April Calendar Year• Must Participate in Three Events• Members can only miss one-two meetings a year• ELE Is Mandatory and doesn’t count as “Optional”

Events • Pays $25 dues every year before retreat. • Pays for Own Shirt

Regular Member

• Must Participate in Two Activities• Attends meetings when possible• Pays No Dues, however pays for own shirt.

College Member

No really.. What IS the YEC?

• Council’s head youth representatives• Serve as Council’s VOA• Focus on Membership Retention, Service

and Venturing/Scout Training/Promotion• YOUTH serving YOUTH

Positions

• President• VP of Membership Retention• VP of Communications• VP of Service• Venturing President (Appointed)• College Liaison (Appointed)

• Chairmen

Three Sub-Committees

Membership Retention

• ELE• ELCN(s)• VILSC(s)

Service

• Blood Drive• MS Walk• Alexander’s

Walk• Car Bash• Coat Collection

Communications

• YEC Grams• Executive Board

Meetings• School Board

Meetings• Website• Videos &

Commercials

STEM in ScoutingAndrew ZahnSt. Louis, MO

Investment in Staff & Volunteers

• Greater St. Louis Area Council created a Director of STEM Programs executive position in 2012– Added 2 additional STEM Executives in summer, 2015– Report to Director of Field Service– Hybrid program-membership-development positions

• Council Volunteer Structure– Board-level STEM chairman– 80 person council STEM committee

• District Volunteer Structure– All 15 districts have STEM chairman & committees

Partnerships

Cub Scout STEM Twilight Camp

4 Nights: 5:30-8:30pm

• Evening day camp• Each evening hosted by

local STEM corporation• Boys earn 2-3 NOVA

awards, several belt loops

Boy Scout STEM Camp

Began in 2012

• Resident camp program• Volunteer counselors

and area STEM companies teach 40 different badges

• Afternoons/evenings packed with common camp programs

STEM University

Two Days, Two Universities

• Partner with local universities

• All BSA programs• STEM professionals and

university staff teach NOVA and STEM-related advancement

• 2,200 participants to date

STEM on CAMPus

2015: Inaugural Summer

• 55 Scouts stayed on campus, experienced college life

• University faculty presented on 32 different STEM merit badges and 4 NOVA awards

Einstein Dinner

Recognition

• Honor NOVA recipients, volunteers, and corporate partners

• 100 Scouts and 200 guests attended inaugural dinner in November, 2014

STEM in Scouting Results in St. Louis

Results

• 3,300+ NOVA awards earned since 2012

• Traditional retention increased 3.65% to 73% in 2014

• Align with STEM companies otherwise not accessible

Pistol MarksmanshipTom McDermottDavenport, IA

Why look for new ideas?

• Between 2001 – 2011...our Scout Camp attendance was flat.

(Nationally, attendance over this period dropped 15%)

• With our new program...

Camp Attendance increased by 26% !

Pistol Marksmanship Program

Do you live in a “gun friendly” area?

• In the Illowa Council, all High Schools and most Junior Highs have Trap Shooting Teams.

• Our Scout Camp is located in arguably the State with the most stringent gun laws in the country….yet we are thriving.

• Use of handguns by youth have restrictions that vary by state.

Financing & Support

• NRA Grants• Youth Shooting Sports Organizations• Local Gun Manufacturers (72 with offices in the United

States)• Local Gun Clubs• Local Gun Stores• More engaged charter organization volunteers

Items impacting the program

• Volunteer Manpower • Location of Camp• Training & Camp Schedule• BATFE

Announcing the D.U.F.F.E.L Program (Donated Used Firearms For Enhancing Leadership)

• Enable individuals with unwanted firearms in their possession to donate them to the Illowa Council, thus removing them from their homes and potentially earning them a non-cash tax-deductible charitable contribution.

• Firearms may be handguns, rifles, shotguns and/or muzzleloaders. (Archery Equipment may also be accepted)

New “Wildlife Observation Tower / Wounded Warrior Hunting Blind”

New Shooting Sports Complex

What Are We Accomplishing?

“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them”

Richard Henry Lee, 1788

Founding Father

Thank you

Dennis Kohl, Scout Executive

Patriots’ Path Council; Florham Park, NJ

(973) 765-9322; dennis.kohl@scouting.org

Andy Zahn, Deputy Scout Executive

Greater St. Louis Area Council; St. Louis, MO

(314) 256-3006; andy.zahn@scouting.org

Tom McDermott, Scout Executive

Illowa Council; Davenport, IA

(563) 388-7233; tom.mcdermott@scouting.org