General Interest Electives
Thursday and Friday afternoons offer a great opportunity to delve deeper into those issues relevant to your particular position and council. Topics range from marketing effectiveness to empowering alumni to the new camp standards. Below is a listing of electives, along with descriptions to help you decide which ones you want to attend.
101: 10 Steps to Continuous Improvement
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
The 10 Steps to Continuous Improvement skill set is a process that provides a methodology to help local councils achieve an improved performance for specific criterion within the Journey to Excellence that will ultimately change the youth experience.
302: 10 Steps to Marketing Effectiveness!
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Create a compelling and exciting local market presence! This elective will highlight available tools and resources to make your marketing efforts sizzle! Learn about the Marketing Toolbox, Brand on Demand, the Best Practices Portal, Marketing News, Marketing's Menu of Services, Communications Plans, and the 10 Steps to Marketing Effectiveness.
303: Advanced E-Funding Strategies 102
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Explore the concept of donation type merchandizing, use of search engine optimization (SEO), and direct marketing to e-lists. This program also covers affiliates programs, limited duration campaigns, and replacing direct mail. Learn how to put Social Media Integration (SMI) strategies including Facebook, Twitter, etc., into effective action.
204: Aligning your Council's Strategic Plan with Council JTE Priorities
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
A council’s strategic plan should be driving all business decisions. This elective will provide real examples of how to create alignment between the council’s three- to five-year goals and current JTE objectives.
205: Big Ask Strategies for Second Century Society Donors
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Learn how to work collaboratively with the BSA Foundation to develop and execute gift strategies for major donors in true partnership. Learn the components of a successful major gift ask and the type of donors the Foundation can assist you with.
106: Building Stronger Units Through Relationships
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
This elective will bring a panel of volunteers and professionals from across the country who share their success in building long-lasting, sustainable units in the various environments of both large and small councils. The elective will also identify the latest membership resources on new unit development and specific initiatives that are being implemented in the area of commissioner service and relationships.
307: Camp Cards—What are they? Is it an income source that is right for our council?
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Several councils have launched a product sale program related to Camp Cards. Recently, there have been changes to the BSA regulations related to these kinds of programs, while some councils have already had success with programs. Learn what it is and how the sale of Camp Cards could enhance your council’s income stream.
Commissioner's Role in Using VOS and JTE to Improve Unit Programming
208, Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
408, Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
The Voice of the Scout will provide insight as to how our stakeholders value the program at all levels. Participants will learn the role of the commissioner in VOS and how to translate feedback into requests for services and mentoring opportunities.
209: Effective Donor Cultivation Events
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
How do you build and keep strong relationships with your donors? Donor retention is far more cost-effective than donor acquisition. Every council should be hosting donor cultivation events every year to establish new relationships and strengthen those that already exist. The best methods for creating effective and meaningful events that will move your donors to greater levels will be explored.
210: Engaging and Empowering Alumni in Your Council
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
This elective will cover the strategies of the Scouting Alumni Association and the National Eagle Scout Association and how councils can best take advantage of the opportunities they provide for volunteer manpower and donors.
311: Financial Statements From Our New Fiscals System—What's New and How Do You Read Them?
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
New fiscals software will be in use by local councils this year. With the new software comes enhanced financial statement formats to enhance the transparency of local council financial health. Learn what is new and how your council can gain the most from its financial statements.
112: Open to Key 3's Only: A Conversation with the National Key 3
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
This session is open only to council, area, and regional presidents, presidents-elect, commissioners, and Scout executives, area directors, and regional directors. Key 3 members are encouraged to participate in this conversation with our national Key 3 to share thoughts and ideas on national plans and initiatives in support of local councils. Note: For the benefit of all meeting participants, national Key 3 will also speak at general sessions and meals during the national annual meeting.
413: Getting the Most out of Your Financially Sustainable Council Plan
Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Since 2005, the National Council staff has facilitated Financially Sustainable Council Plans with more than 200 local councils. Learn from those councils that have had great success in implementing the recommendations and made changes within their council operations that have resulted in improvements to the council's financial health.
114: How Diverse is Your Council's Income?
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
Councils continue to explore new income sources in order to meet their service needs. Has your council examined its income diversity? These include self-generated versus member-generated; direct support versus indirect support; special events as a percent of direct support; etc. Understand the trends throughout the movement and the not-for-profit sector and risks associated with the varying models that councils are practicing.
115: National Membership Recruitment Campaign 2012–2013
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
This elective will introduce the new national campaign for Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing recruitment. This new campaign proves that the memorable moments associated with earning a badge—hiking a trail, camping, hanging out with friends—are an invaluable part of the journey to being Prepared. For Life.™ Local councils will have the opportunity to review some of the campaign resources, which include print ads, web banners, yard signs, billboards, posters, door hangers, bookmarks, postcards, and radio and TV PSAs.
Implementing 2013 New Camp Standards
216, Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
416, Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
This session will help local councils implement camp standards in 2013 and beyond. The new standards offer new systems and metrics for every level of BSA camping from day camp to high adventure programs. This interactive session will guide participants through the entire process from application to authorization and the all important on-site assessment.
317: Improve JTE Scores for Units, Districts and Councils—for All the Right Reasons
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Journey to Excellence is more than just the score, but more so about providing process and program enhancements that cause a council's score to grow. Discover some of the "best practices" from councils that have made significant progress by concentrating on a couple of key items that make the biggest difference in the life of a Scout.
418: Interpreting VOS Information
Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
The VOS dashboard provides rich and valuable quantitive and qualitative information for councils. Listening through surveys is the first step. This session will help participants interpret and understand what the data is telling them so they can learn and act.
419: Is Your Council SCOUTStrong™?
Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
SCOUTStrong™ is a national initiative to ensure that we are living the Scout Oath "to keep myself physically strong." With more than 40 percent of our youth and 77 percent of our adult leaders who applied for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree not meeting the Body Mass Index (BMI) requirements, it is time for us to rededicate ourselves to living this part of the Scout Oath. Come learn more about this initiative and how you and your council can get involved to become SCOUTStrong™.
420: It Counts! Ramp Up Your Community Service Efforts to Increase Your Scores!
Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Increase your Journey to Excellence "Community Service" scores through three new initiatives: Messengers of Peace, Adopt-a-School, and America's Honor Card. As great new ways of serving your community, these programs will help you sell to unit leaders the value of community service . . . and the value of logging service hours. Learn about the programs and the template resource materials available, and hear from councils about how they plan to use these programs to drive their scores higher!
321: Learn How National Relationships Are Designed to Provide Council Support
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Learn how the National Development Office manages national partnerships and alliances designed to further our movement's strategic goals and provide local council support.
422: Making Use of Your Council's Board Assessment
Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Now that you've completed your board self-assessment, what's the next step? Participants will learn the best methods in interpreting their assessment results and discuss ways to formulate a council plan of action based upon the assessment results.
223: Managing Endowment Investments
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
It is the responsibility of BSA's local councils to invest their endowment assets in a manner that will provide competitive returns, yet satisfy the requirement that investment decisions be made in accordance with the applicable fiduciary standards. The BSA has created an investment vehicle designed to allow local councils to take advantage of the purchasing power provided by the $1.8 billion in the National Council's investment assets. BSA Asset Management, LLC (BSAAM) is structured with the BSA as the sole member (owner). Investment interests are offered through the BSA Commingled Endowment Fund, LP with BSAAM as the general partner. Local councils that have joined the partnership will receive an update on BSAAM, including recent performance; and councils considering participation will receive an overview of the program.
224: Messengers of Peace
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Messengers of Peace is a new and exciting global service project program carried out by Scouts throughout the world. The BSA challenges Scouts and leaders to demonstrate their service spirit by making a real impact on the quality of life in their local communities and on global peace. Find out how councils can guide Scouts and leaders to be Messengers of Peace through Journey to Excellence, program activities, advancement, Order of the Arrow, etc. More information about international programs and opportunities is available from the International Department.
125: Model Wills Seminar
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
Who will take charge of distributing your estate—your state or federal government or someone you choose, following your instructions? Councils can provide a great service to their volunteers and Scouting families by offering wills seminars throughout the year in different venues for different audiences. This will be a wills seminar that will educate individuals on the importance of planning for the future of their estates and the potential impact on children, heirs, charity, and themselves prior to their departure. This will provide a model presentation that you can take home and offer in your council.
126: Navigating the New Guide to Advancement
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
With the new section and topic numbering system in the new Guide to Advancement, it's easy to find what you are looking for, but we will plumb the depths, clear the fog, and cite specifics regarding rationale and reasoning. Learn, too, how proper use of the procedures outlined in the guide can contribute to increases in advancement and success in the Journey to Excellence. Be prepared with your questions; this will be the place to get the answers.
127: New Fundraising Software— What Does It Mean for Me?
Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
Later this year, the National Council will provide local councils new software to support their fundraising (development) efforts. Blackbaud, an industry leader in not-for-profit software, has partnered with the BSA to provide this resource to local councils. Learn the benefits of this new system and how it can propel your council's development effort to new heights.
228: Presentation Pitfalls
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Conquer your fear of public speaking. Learn how to share a compelling Scouting story when interacting with your external and internal audiences. Techniques include how to adjust your presentation to hold your audience's attention. This important presentation is brought to you by the Volunteer Training Team, Center for Professional Development, and the Internal Communications Team.
429: Scout Executive Performance Evaluation
Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
How does a council president fairly evaluate a Scout executive? Is it based upon how much the board likes the SE or upon business savvy and true performance? What's the responsibility of the president to help the SE succeed? Join us at this session to learn how to take the emotion out of performance reviews for Scout executives and ensure that your council is performing at the highest possible level of performance and yet in a manner that is fair to everyone.
330: Sea Scouts Impact on Membership Retention and Program Support
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Share the Sea Scout program and its emphasis on membership growth and retention, its planned 100th anniversary celebration activities, and content of its new website to support local councils in their delivery of a quality Sea Scout program. Share best practices on how to support ships in improving their score and qualifying for the Journey to Excellence award. Discuss the continuum of training available to youth and adult leaders. Discuss how the Sea Scout program is integrating the goals and objectives of the National Strategic Plan into program delivery of growth.
431: Social Media . . . the Next Employee Relations Battleground
Friday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
This presentation explains the BSA's social media policy and compliance with the National Labor Relations Board. Councils will learn the importance of employee education, best practices for social media use, and how to handle "tweets from twits."
STEM/NOVA Implementation in Your Council
132, Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
332, Friday, 2–3 p.m.
This session will inform you and your volunteer leadership to the benefits of being part of the BSA STEM initiative. Ideas will be shared from the 22 test pilot councils that help your council increase retention, corporate partnerships, and educational relationships. Ideas will aid your council roll-out plans and help integrate STEM/NOVA into council, district, and camping operations.
233: The Ingredients to Create a Great Membership Plan
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
This elective will help volunteers assist in the development of the council membership plan, which includes the review of the council's strategic plan, market analysis, membership history, growth opportunities, and building the volunteer infrastructure to support year-round, spring and fall recruitment campaigns. We'll indentify five sources of membership growth to support your council membership plan and share other councils' membership plans from across the country.
334: Unit-Focused Social Media (or, Using Social Media at the Troop Level)
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
One of the questions we get most often in the marketing group is, "How can we use social media at the local level?" This elective would explore ways to provide unit leaders with tips and techniques to use this media. The elective will focus on the BSA's social media guidelines in relation to youth protection.
235: Web-based Tools for Contributions and Event Registration
Thursday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
The National Council recently launched an additional Web-based toolset for online giving. Learn the benefits of this new resource as well as other online resources offered by the National Council to provide efficiencies and increase your council's income stream. Look at how to get started with e-funding using http://www.aplacetogive.scouting.org. This presentation provides examples of council success plus general concepts of what aplacetogive.scouting.org can do for local councils, including use of custom donation items, email templates, and Web banners.
336: What Has Your Enterprise Risk Management Committee Done for You Lately? (a.k.a. health and safety/risk management)
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
The adventure of Scouting activities often includes a certain level of real or implied risk. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) deals with all of the risks facing an entire organization. Rather than diminish the thrill of the new experience, the leaders for health, safety, and risk management should recognize risks and hazards and develop plans to manage them to help ensure that participants have a safe and successful adventure. This elective will outline the various resources available to meet the needs of councils attempting to provide a safe Scouting program using a council committee focused on health, safety, and risk management.
338: What Is a Middle School Explorer Club?
Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Never heard of Middle School Explorer Clubs? Having trouble connecting with 11-13 year olds, their schools, and parents? Searching for how to market and implement this new program? Looking to improve your JTE score? If you answer yes to any of these questions, come to this training!
Youth Protection Updates: Youth Protection Begins With YOU™ —Volunteers' Roles in Youth Protection
139, Thursday, 2–3 p.m.
339, Friday, 2–3 p.m.
Who is responsible for stopping child abuse? Youth Protection Begins With YOU™. Join Youth Protection Director Mike Johnson to learn how instilling this message in our greatest assets—our parents, our volunteers, and our youth—will help us quash child abuse, in and out of Scouting, forever.