ECS 406 EFFECTIVE UNIT SERVICE IN REMOTE RURAL AREAS

1.	INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

	a.	Instructor & Qualifications - Commissioner in Rural Areas of Indiana and Washington State
	b.	Students - Introduce Selves
	c.	Rules of the Road - Questions and Discussion Welcome

2.	OPENING THOUGHT
     
	Today there is a great variety of rural communities. Some are stabe, high-growth area, or otherwise responsive to conventional Scouting methods. The rural area that pose the greatest challange to normal Scouting operation are those characterized by poverty or isolation from urban areas.  These areas are the special focus of this session.  Tailoring Scouting to rural areas is a part of our Scouting heritage.  Baden-Powell taught that "what suits one particular troop or one kind of boy, in one kind of place, will not suit another within a mile of it, much less those scattered over the world and existing under totally different conditions."

3.	IDEAS SESSION

	a.  	What are the special needs of remote rural areas where poverty may be a factor?

			Getting to meetings
			Getting uniforms and books
			Affording uniforms and books
			Camping gear
			Transportation to events
			Part-time jobs to help the family
			Other?
			Discuss and List Other Ideas

	b.  	What unusual challenges will a Unit Commissioner experience?

			Same problems as in any area?
			Recruiting leaders
			Visiting Units
			Keeping in touch
			Being an outsider?
			Getting cooperation of parents
			Finding solutions to special problems
			Communicatons & Information		
			Discuss and List Other Ideas

	c.  	What are some successful alternatives? - Ideas and Discussion

			Discuss and List Successful Experiences

	d.  	Suggestions and ideas:

			Den aides instead of den chiefs
			Lone Cub Scouts/Lone Boy Scouts
			Wagon-wheel troops -- weekly patrol meetings and monthly troop meetings (extended Saturday or Sunday meeting which includes and outdoor activitiy, community Good Turn, or family activity)
			School bus dens / school bus patrols
			Unit "mailboxes" at roundtables (folders or envelopes for each unit in milk crates)

			"Circuit riders" -- using people who travel throughout a remote rural area on a regular basis, usually because of their job, to  perform selected unit service tasks.
			Uniform Banks
			Camperships - earned?
			Deliver Training to the Unit
			Multiple Unit Equipment Banks (share camping gear, etc.)
			Higher ratio of Commissioners to Units
			Direct ordering of supplies, equipment, badges, uniforms, etc.
			Low-cost activities, awards, etc.
			Brother-units
			Consignments from Scout Shop for Circuit Rider
			Fundraisers for uniforms, equipment, etc.
			Other

	f.  	What Resources Can You Bring to the Unit
		
     			Program Ideas
			Alternative Strategies for Meetings
			Leadership Assistance to Get ‘em Started
			Information about Activities and Events
			Traveling Scout Service Center - Bring the Information to the Units - What to Bring?
	
				General Information
					BSA at a Glance Fact Sheet
					Council Information Sheet/Packet
					District Information Sheet/Packet
					List of Key District Telephone Numbers

					Calendar of District and Council Events
					Merit Badge Counselors List
					BSA Catalog
					BSA Library of Literature
					Spare copies of Scouting and Boys Life Magazines
					Information about the Order of the Arrow

				Commissioner Tools
					Commissioner’s Fieldbook
					Commissioner Basic Training Manual  
					Commissioner Helps for Packs, Troops and Posts, No. 33618

				Manuals and Program Information
					Cub Scout Leader’s Manual
					Scoutmaster’s Handbook
					Youth Handbooks
					Program Helps
					Sample Troop/Pack Introduction Letters for New Scouts
					Sample Newsletters (KIS)
	
				Registration
					Registration and Subscription Information
					Registration Forms for Adults and Youth
					Chartering Information
					Recharter Packages		

				New Unit Start Information
				Cub Scout Meeting Plans. 	
					"Bobcat and Wolf" / "Wolf in the Den"   #8263A 
					"Our Neighborhood" / "All About People" #34203  
					"Cub Scout Chefs" / "Who Am I?" #34212 
  						"Community Carnival" / "Sports Heroes" #34211 		
					Getting ready for Troop Meetings #18-990-4.  
					Woods Wisdom (1995).
						Boy Scout Meeting Plans
							Camping #34170 

							Citizenship #34171 
							Communications #34172 
							Community Living #34173 
							Conservation #34174 
							Cooking #34175 
							Environment #34176 
							Family Living #34177 
							First Aid #34178 
							Hiking #34179 
							Physical Fitness #34180 
							Swimming #34181 

				Training and Support Information
					Fast Start Training Tapes and Outlines
					Training, Roundtable & Wood Badge Information Flyers
				 	Leadership Training: Plans, Procedures, Materials 
					Training Award Cards
					BSA, JLTC Staff Guide #34533 (1995)

				Quality Program
					Quality Unit Award Forms
					National Camping Award
					National Summertime Award
					Information about Cub Scout Day Camps
					Information about Long Term Resident Camps

				Advancement Information
					Advancement Policies and Procedures
					Advancement Report Forms
					Individual Scout Record 
					Merit Badge Application Cards
					Life to Eagle Packet and Eagle Scout Award Application
					National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) information 

				Financial Support
					FOS Information
					Unit Budget Plan
					Policies concerning moneyrasing 
					Unit Money-Earning Application 
					List of fund-raising ideas
					Other?

				Recognitions and Awards for Adults
					Cards for Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader Awards
					Scoutmaster Award of Merit Application 
					Veteran Application 

					World Conservation Award application 
					William T. Hornaday Award application 
					Nomination for the District Award of Merit
					Nomination for the Silver Beaver

	g.  	Strategies for success - how do you help the unit leader deliver a the promise of Scouting with a quality program that helps meet the three aims of Scouting?  -- Open Discussion

4.	CLOSING - TURN IN EVALUATIONS - THANK YOUS

	The Adventure of Scouting for dozens of Scouts depends heavily upon your ability as Unit Commissioner to deliver the Promise of Scouting through unit service.  Your commitment and willingness to take additional training to help deliver on this promise are keenly appreciated.  May the Great Scoutmaster of  all Scouts smile upon you in all that you do to bring Scouting to youth in your area.