The bottom line is to keep Scouts active, in person or virtually. Please follow these links for some virtual recruitment ideas:
Cub Scout Recruitment Idea Book
Use This Virtual Rally Plan to Recruit Scouts During COVID-19
Using Tools Like Geofencing and Nextdoor Events to Promote Scouting
The BSA might be the most patriotic organization in the U.S.
But we don’t endorse any one political party. You could say that rather than being pro-left or pro-right, the BSA is pro-America.
The same applies to your pack, troop, post, ship or crew. You and your Scouts should Do Your Duty to Country but not by endorsing any one candidate.
During election years, the line between patriotism and political favoritism becomes thin, making it important to remind you of the BSA’s official policy on Scout participation in political rallies.
Fact is, Scout units like the one pictured above are permitted to provide a color guard flag ceremony, in uniform, at political events. Troop 605 from Rocky River, Ohio, provided that service at a 2016 political event in Cleveland. (Nice job, Nick S., Tristan A., Grayson N. and Erik H.! The troop served as color guard and then immediately left the stage and the premises. They provided a patriotic service and departed before things got political.
Q: Could a pack, troop or crew provide a color guard flag ceremony for a candidate’s public speaking event or rally?
A: Yes. But, BSA Policy requires our adult and youth members in uniform to leave immediately after the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Should they want to stay they must do so as individuals, not Scouting representatives. That means they would have to change out of their uniforms.
Q: So Scouts and Scouters can’t stand on the platform for the remainder of the speech or presentation?
A: No, they should not remain on the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location where media could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support.
Q: Why is this the rule?
A: The policy is meant to prevent someone from using our brand to convey support of a candidate or ideology. This prevents Scouts from being used by any party in campaign advertisements or materials.
Q: So then why is it OK to even present the colors or lead the Pledge of Allegiance at all?
A: Those are displays of loyalty to the nation, something the BSA has always endorsed. Regardless of the outcome of the political race, the candidate and supporters pledge allegiance to the U.S. Because of this, it is always acceptable and deemed to be a part of the civic process. Also, this “service” is offered to any party, regardless of political affiliation.
Q: Can Scouts and Scouters pose for photos with political candidates at these events?
A: Yes. But photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.
Q: Can adult leaders or Venturers who are 18 or older vote in elections?
A: Not only can they — they should! This policy isn’t meant to limit the freedom of thought or action of any official or member acting as an individual. Scouters and Venturers shouldn’t wear their uniform to the polling place, but they should vote for whichever candidate they prefer. That’s all part of being a good citizen — something the BSA has taught for more than a century.
Q: What can Scout leaders do to support this policy?
A: Volunteers (and professionals) must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate or party over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory.
Q: Does Scouting still teach patriotism and citizenship?
A: Yes! The BSA teaches the ideals of patriotism and good citizenship as required to fulfill its purpose.
Editor’s note: This post was originally posted in March 2012 and was updated in 2016 and 2018.
1. Is the BSA doing credit checks on volunteers?
No. The BSA will only use these signed authorization forms for approval to obtain a criminal background check. State and federal laws regulating background checks and consumer credit checks require that both items be mentioned on the form since a full background check includes both parts. Again, the BSA is only using this form for authorization to obtain a criminal background check.
2. Why is this being done now?
Starting in 2020, rechecks will be performed every five years, but it will take several years to recheck all leaders. Unfortunately, technical limitations and changes in the law over the last five years prevent us from using existing authorizations from older applications. As such, new disclosure had to be sent and new signed authorization forms obtained. Rechartering provides the best window to collect and verify they have been received before the council processes the recharter application.
3. What about volunteers that are not registered with units?
All currently registered adults and employees who have not had a criminal background check in the last five years will be rechecked. Council registrars will individually track district and council registered employees and leaders. (That should also include merit badge counselors). Those registered only at the National Council level will receive instructions on where to submit their authorization forms.
4. What about those who did not get the forms by e-mail?
Scout executives were provided with advance instructions on how to ensure every volunteer receives this information. They have the forms, which should be printed and passed out at roundtables or other meetings. It is important that each volunteer receives both the disclosure form as well as the authorization form. However, only the authorization must be turned in with the charter renewal form for units. District and council volunteers should submit the authorization to the council service center unless the council issues other instructions.
5. What about those with multiple registrations?
Only one authorization form per person needs to be collected and retained by the council.
6. What happens if a unit leader does not provide an authorization?
Leaders who do not provide new authorization will not be able to renew their registration. Council registrars should be instructed not to renew any adult without first confirming that a new signed authorization form is on file at the council service center.
7. Why can’t the volunteer just reply to the original e-mail and attach their signed authorization form?
The best way for us to ensure compliance is to require that the council registrar verify that a signed authorization form is physically in hand before processing a unit’s recharter. This removes much of the potential error and associated penalties that could result from other methods. We recommend that the registrar retains background check authorizations forms in a separate straight alphabetical file separate from your current background authorization file. This will facilitate the process of ensuring that a current form is on file at the council service center before posting their registration.
8. Are there different forms for different states?
Federal and state laws prescribe what must be in the disclosures and how they are to be provided. A form compliant with federal and various state laws was sent to all volunteer leaders except those in California. Leaders with a California home address or whose council territory includes California received California-specific forms due to the specific requirements of California law.
9. Can the council accept a faxed copy or scanned copy sent via email of the signed authorization?
Yes, so long as it is legible and is sent by the individual who signed it. It must be printed and saved the same as an original.
10. Can the council accept an electronic signature?
Digital signatures from third-party providers are acceptable. They must be printed and stored the same as the original. E-mail confirmations, permissions or typed names on the form are not acceptable substitutes for wet signatures.
11. What about unit renewals that have already been processed or will not recharter until after January 1?
For unit renewals that have already been posted because the unit renewal date was prior to the email notification or the unit renewal date is after January 1, authorization forms still need to be collected as soon as possible. All new authorization forms should be received by December 31, 2019.
12. Can the council require the forms be collected at the unit level and not sent to the council service center?
Yes. The council can require the forms be collected at the unit level or by a designated unit representative.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is committed first and foremost to keeping youth safe. Part of that commitment includes continually updating our youth protection policies to help ensure we are always on the forefront of youth safety.
As you know, one of the BSA’s many barriers to abuse is a mandatory criminal background check during the adult volunteer application process. The BSA will now also perform periodic rechecks of criminal backgrounds to support the continued safety of youth in our programs.
Please complete the process listed below at your earliest availability to help us continue to provide the safest environment possible for our Scouts and leaders. Please note that these steps must be completed before your 2020 annual registration can be processed.
1. Review the separate disclosure document linked below that is being provided to you separately for your review. It is titled “Background Check Disclosure.”
2. Once you have reviewed that, print the separate document titled “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization.” Review the additional disclosures on that form, then complete and sign the Authorization using an ink/wet signature. Note: A print signature is required for this document. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
3. Turn in the signed “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form promptly to your unit leader or local council service center.
If you choose to decline the background check, or if you do not complete the Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form and return it to your unit leader or local council service center, your 2020 annual registration will not be processed. We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to keeping youth safe and for helping them learn, grow, and thrive through Scouting programs.
Forms:
Additional_Disclosures__Background_Check_Authorization_NOT_CALIFORNIA_1.pdf
Background_Check_Disclosure__1_1.pdf
FAQs:
NATIONAL RESOURCES:
BSA’s national cub scout staff have put together some fun activity videos that can be useful Cub Scout recruiting tools. The YouTube videos are short, 2 to 5 minutes, with a purpose and an activity. Activities are all requirements found in our program. They are not branded as BSA or Cub Scouts. click here to find links and more information
An awesome array of resources for Cub Scout leaders is designed to help you welcome new families to your pack, learn more about the Cub Scout program and recruit new leaders.
Regularly refreshing resources is just one way the BSA has your back as you deliver an amazing program to your Cub Scouts.
Shouldn’t researching Cub Scouting be as easy as shopping for a new pair of shoes?
Now it is. When prospective Cub Scouting families are ready to take a deeper dive into this transformative program, send them to scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts.
There, in plain language, families can explore how the program works and why it works that way.
More experienced leaders will find plenty to interest them, as well. Look for information on the new Cub Scout Preview Adventures, as well as resources for den leaders, Cubmasters and members of the pack committee.
Don’t try to tackle everything yourself. By recruiting more adults to serve as leaders in your pack or den, you’ll ease the burden on yourself while also broadening the experience for your Cub Scouts.
At this site of resources, look for the PDF titled “Selecting Cub Scout Leadership.” Inside this free document, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to finding the best person for each position in your pack.
The process focuses on matching the skills of adults in your pack with the skills needed for each vacant position. Before you know it, your pack will have all the help it needs to continue delivering an exceptional program.
And that’s truly something to celebrate. With s’mores, of course.
Not every community, church, school, or organization has a Scouting pack, troop, or crew associated with it. Sometimes, starting a new group is the best way to bring Scouting to your community. With a willing group of volunteers and interested youth, it’s easy to get Scouting started near you.
Every Scouting unit requires adult leaders, youth, and a chartering organization. First the chartering organization agrees to adopt the Scouting program. Then you must recruit and train the leaders. Once you have trained leaders ready to start, recruit the youth. From there you can plan your program year, complete the paperwork, and hold your first meeting.
A chartering organization, such as a church, school, concerned citizen’s group, agrees to work with the specific pack, troop, or crew. They’ll provide meeting space, help find and approve adult leaders, and appoint an individual as the Chartered Organization Representative. This representative works as a liaison between the organization and the Scout group.
Any organization can be a chartering organization and there are no special qualifications. The chartering organization falls under the insurance of the Boy Scouts of America.
A minimum of 5 youth is required to start a new unit. the most successful units start with at least 10 youth.
There are different leader requirements for different types of Scouting units. All units must have a Chartered Organization Representative. If a single organization sponsors more than one unit (like a Pack and a Troop), that representative must be the same person for both units.
For a Pack you need:
Not required but recommended: Assistant Cubmaster(s), Assistant Den Leader(s), additional committee members
For a Troop you need:
Not required but recommended: Assistant Scoutmaster(s), additional committee members
For a Crew you need:
Not required but recommended: Assistant Scoutmaster(s), additional committee members
W** BSA ParentsWe all know how truly amazing our Scouting parents are. They go above and beyond, and they constantly ask what they can do and how they can help.
In many ways, they are our best asset to help demonstrate the value of the Boy Scouts of America and to talk about what this great organization means to American communities.
So, we want to make you all aware of a newly-formed group called “BSA Parents” that is forming and will launch on digital and social media this week.
The group was formed by and is run by parents of Scouts. The group came together so parents can use the Internet and social media to talk about what Scouting means to them. As I’m sure you can imagine, this is powerful stuff – I’m excited to share their launch video and site here https://www.bsaparents.com and on social media (please see bottom of this email).
I also want to let you know that while BSA helped with some seed funding to get them off the ground, this is an independent organization. They are not affiliated with BSA and they formed to help parents tell their stories. It has no dues, it offers no programs, and is not competitive in any way with our Councils. Their mission and stories are ones we want to support!
We are excited to see so many people taking up the message of Scouting. I am writing today with the hope that you will share this site and these videos with parents in your area. More people need to see and hear from the parents who are so involved with – and so passionate about – Scouting. The BSA’s character building programs are essential for our youth and we are excited for parents to help propel that message forward.
BSA Parents on social media:
Twitter: @BSAparents
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BSAparents
youtube: www.youtube.com/BSAParents
Instagram: @bsaparents
The BSA is committed to streamlining basic operations by putting tools in the hands of volunteers. For several years now, individuals and unit key 3 have had access to print membership cards through my.Scouting. In addition, functionality will be added to my.Scouting by January 1, 2019, to enable members of the unit key 3 to print their unit Charter Certificate.
This “self-service” functionality allows volunteers to print membership cards and the unit charter certificate in a timely manner and enhances the onboarding experience for new youth and adults.
Effective January 1, 2019, councils will no longer be required to print and mail membership cards to council and district volunteers and traditional Scouting units. This is a change to the council membership validation requirement. In addition, councils will no longer print and deliver unit charter certificates.
For Learning for Life groups, Exploring Posts and Clubs, as of January 1, 2019, this will no longer be a membership validation requirement.
Units should be prepared to print their unit membership cards and charter certificate for the current renewal period.
For those who have difficulty in printing membership cards and charter certificates, please contact the Midnight Sun Council Office at 907-452-1976 and we will assist you.
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