14 assets of a GREAT Unit

1. 14 assets of a GREAT Unit Council Commissioner Cabinet Meeting March 31, 2012

2. 14 assets of a GREAT Unit • Strong and active Committee involving parents of youth in unit and a functioning Unit Key 3 (CC, COR, Unit Leader) • Trained unit leadership (at a minimum all direct leaders) • Active Advancement focus (consistent) • The unit meets regularly • Varied Outdoor program • Quality Programming • A budget plan that will fund the unit’s year round program • Active and engaged parents • Youth led (If a Troop or Crew) • A Balanced Youth Membership • Active Youth Recruitment • Positive Community Visibility • A functioning Commissioner is assigned who makes monthly visits • Supportive Chartered Organization

3. Strong and active Committee involving parents of youth in unit and a functioning Unit Key 3 (CC, COR, Unit Leader) Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • All positions are filled with enthusiastic adults who are fully trained in their position on the committee (CC, COR, MC) • Meeting regularly (scheduled times) and when necessary to resolve issues • Agendas are used that help the meeting focus on the goals of the unit at each meeting How to Remedy (if not): • Train all new committee members on their roles and responsibilities • Expectation

4. Trained Unit Leadership (at a minimum all direct leaders) Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Very organized meetings • Scouting advancement based meetings are centric How to Remedy (if not): • Compare training records of unit leadership against Council records • Actively promote the fundamental trainings for each specific position • If unit won’t attend a District held training, coordinate a training opportunity for them locally

5. Active Advancement focus (consistent) Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Youth are carrying their handbooks to Scout meetings/functions • Advancement centric meetings and outdoor opportunities • Well promoted and attended Courts of Honor • Regularly scheduled Boards of Review How to Remedy (if not): • Train unit leadership on importance and the mechanics of the advancement in Scouting • Help unit chair to recruit an Advancement Chairman for their unit to help track, purchase and maintain an emphasis on youth advancement

6. Meeting Regulary Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Unit Leaders are trained and conducting organized meetings • There is a well published calendar listing all meetings and activities • Good youth and adult attendance and all are in uniform How to Remedy (if not): • Train unit leadership on the importance of meeting consistently • Promote a well published calendar listing all meetings and activities

7. Active, Varied Outdoor Program Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Youth are engaged in a wide range of outdoor experiences • Good retention and advancement because youth are having fun and being challenged How to Remedy (if not): • Educate the unit leadership on the importance of a diverse and active outdoor program • Attend Leader’s summer planning meetings and listen for the discussion and help them outline a good and varied program for youth • Secure a copy of all of your assigned units’ program calendar for the year (this calendar should be distributed to all parents)

8. Quality Programming Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Strong participation at District events and an active unit calendar How to Remedy (if not): • Devise a tracking system to monitor which units are participating in all the key events of the District/Council • Attend Leader’s summer planning meetings and listen for the discussion and help them outline a good and varied program for youth • Secure a copy of all of your assigned units’ program calendar for the year (this calendar should be distributed to all parents) • Educate the unit leadership that active advancement should be the focus (of all meetings and activities)

9. A budget plan that will fund the unit’s year round program Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Parents don’t feel ‘Nickel and Dimed’ • Good accounting principles are being utilized • All associated with the unit are well informed on how money is derived and spent. How to Remedy (if not): • Train unit leadership and committee on the importance of planning their yearly program and determining costs and ways to offset the cost during the summer months preceding their program year kickoff • Active Advancement focus (consistent)

10. Active and engaged parents Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • The committee or unit leadership is comprised of parents of youth • Parent/ Talent survey form is used to determine what skill sets or time availability parents have to volunteer How to Remedy (if not): • Make it an expectation that your parents register as leaders • Publish calendar of meetings (youth and committee) and all unit activities • Ask parents to help intermittently like for transportation needs, help with fundraisers, etc. (Involve them in the operation of a unit)

11. Youth led (If a Troop or Crew) Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • If Unit Leader is not running the meeting • Unit annually sends youth leaders to training • The E.D.G.E. method is being used at meetings How to Remedy (if not): • Train adult leadership on the importance of allowing youth to become the planners and leaders of the program • Promote youth Training Courses at Troop and Council level (NYLT)

12. A Balanced Youth Membership Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Good mix of youth at each program level of the unit (CS-Tigers, Wolf, Bear and Webelos 1 and 2; BS- not all older boys or younger boys) • No big gaps in age range How to Remedy (if not): • Train unit leadership on importance of active youth recruiting • Help unit plan and implement a superior program –one aimed at delivering the promise of Scouting • Promote Webelos to Scout transition effort with neighboring Troops

13. Active Youth Recruitment Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Strong and active membership influx every year • Trained unit leadership (at a minimum all direct leaders) How to Remedy (if not): • Participate and follow the council Spring/Fall Membership Recruitment plan • Update their unit’s BeAScout.org website • Seek out year-round recruitment opportunities through community events

14. Positive Community Visibility Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Scouts wear their uniforms while conducting service projects that benefit the community • Participates in parades and other community focused events • Actively participates in District mall shows, Pinewood Derby events and popcorn sales in uniform How to Remedy (if not): • Send Scouting ‘Human interest’ stories to the local newspaper • Conduct community service projects in uniform

15. A functioning Commissioner is assigned who makes monthly visits Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • UVTS 2.0 is chronicling the visits to the unit • Unit Commissioner attends the Commissioner Staff meetings and makes detailed reports of his/her visits to assigned units • Information sharing is happening How to Remedy (if not): • Train and regularly coach the unit commissioner on the importance of the monthly contacts • If unwillingly, replace with a capable and willing unit commissioner

16. Strong and Supportive Chartered Organization Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • Scouting unit feels welcomed and a part of the youth serving mission of the organization • COR is present at District Board meetings and/or Council Annual meetings How to Remedy (If not): • Meet with the COR and discuss their responsibilities as liaison to unit from the organization AND their obligation to represent the organization/unit at the District/Council Board level • Establish and maintain sound communication with the charter organization • Ensure that the Unit Service Executive is visiting with the Institutional Head with the purpose of educating them on the mission and outcomes of Scouting

17. A functioning Unit Key 3 (CC, COR, Unit Leader) Indicators that will help determine if the asset is present: • a) • b) • c) How to Remedy (if not): • 1) • 2)