Download - Faith-Based Initiative (F.B.I.)
Faith-Based Initiative (F.B.I.)
Targeting the Faith Community
BSA Research
BSA research points to congregations as the BEST place to start new sustainable units.
Whose needs are these?
Membership growthMembership RetentionProgramMoneyTrained Volunteers
We Need Each Other
How do we do this?How can we help each other?
Show congregations WHY they need Scouting
Stop selling Packs, Troops, and CrewsStart selling SOLUTIONS to
congregations and their needs
Religious Organizations Benefit
Enrich current programProven youth program: citizenship training,
character development, fitnessOutdoor resources (local and national
facilities)Scouting has high brand recognitionMembership opportunities
Religious Organizations Benefit
Training LeadersReligious organizations select the
leadership that reflects their valuesProvides leadership training skillsPossibly open new leadership base (adults
may volunteer to be leaders because they see it as service to their religious organization)
Offer Solutions
Congregations needYoung families
Offer Solutions
The average size of a pack is 1050 to 60% of youth in a Pack, Troop or
Crew do not currently have a faith home
These parents are pre-qualified as looking for values for their children
5 pre-qualified families already in your building without a faith home
Offer Solutions
Introduce the congregation to RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS
Religious emblems are programs that are developed by the national religious organizations, not BSA
Religious Emblems = Linchpin
BSAReligious Emblems
Congregations
A Linchpin enables forward progress
Religious Emblems Coordinator (R.E.C.)
The R.E.C. position exists at the Council, District, and Unit levels
Religious emblems will be promoted like all other rank advancement
R.E.C. Resources
Duty to God Religious Emblems ChartDuty to God DVDR.E.C. webpage
http://www.praypub.org/REC
Religious Emblems
The unit leader makes a presentation on religious emblems using the R.E.C. / Duty to God resources.
Religious Emblems
The chartering congregation offers their religious emblems program for their youth members and extends an invitation to the Scouting unit, especially the 50% without a current congregational home.
Congregations need to invite the parents to the first class and start building relationships.
Congregations need:
Young families Retain members
What’s in it for Councils:Program
98% = the number of clergy who are unaware that religious emblems exist!
70% + 70% + 98% + 57 = 42%
Religious Emblems
“Foot in the door” versus “foot in your mouth”
Become familiar with the religious emblems program before visiting a congregation
Each religion creates its own programEligibility requirements will differ from
religion to religion
Do Your Homework!
Religious Emblems
Analysis Sheet
www.praypub.org
Do Your Homework!
Congregation
Questionnaire
Resources
Cultural Informants – Council Staff, Board, Religious Relationships Committee, your Key 3, Chartered Partners
To open doors, teach/speak the language
FBI Resources http://www.praypub.org/partnerships/FBI_resources.htm
Sponsor vs. Chartered Partner
The Chartered Partner Concept
offers a HUGE strategic tool when approaching religious organizations / congregations.
Ingredients for Success
Both sides must clearly understand the chartered organization agreement before it is signed.
BSA should use as many congregational volunteers as is feasible.
The congregation must “invest” their best kid person to be the leader
Ingredients for Success
All volunteers should be trained by the local council
Religious emblems must be promoted by the unit leader
Congregations must offer a religious emblems class
Religious Emblems = Linchpin
BSAReligious Emblems
Congregations
Wrap up: Why Collaborate?
Win-win-win situationCollaboration results in:
Stronger youth and familiesStronger congregationsStronger councils