Starting a New Unit
If you are considering starting a new Scout unit - you are amazing! This is because anyone is is committed enough to giving youth Scouting opportunities through starting a new unit is amazing. This will be one of the most rewarding and also challenging things you may do, and take this from a new unit organizer. The good news is that there are resources to help you, so getting educated about the steps and forming your support team will help tremendously. Mountain Valley District Commissioner Staff (which includes the Training Team) and our District Executive are on your support team, so please keep us in the loop.
This is an excellent resource for you to review.
New Unit Process
This is a wonderful review of all the basic information for starting a new unit as long as you remember that you have options for some of these steps. For example, the Training Team can help you plan how to get your leaders trained through live classes. This web page does show the things that need to be done, but you may be able to change the order depending on who you know is interested already.
Form Your Team
The absolutely best way to proceed is to form a support team and plan your strategy. A successful team should have:
a. UNIT LEADER (Scoutmaster or Cubmaster)
b. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
c. UNIT COMMISSIONER
d. District Trainer
e. Charter Organizational Representative
If you are going to collaborate with an existing Troop, then it is also helpful to have a representative, either the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman, on your team. This team can meet and go over meeting planning steps such as:
1. Meeting logistics - when and where will you meet?
2. Resources - what is your budget or other resource needs?
3. Adult Recruitment - what people do you need?
4. Schedule - what is your schedule for recruitment and first meetings?
5. Communication - how will you communicate beyond Scoutbook? A website? Something else?
6. Charter Paperwork - review forms and finances needed for Charter submission.
7. Training Plan - how will you get everyone trained?
This is a good list to start with and certainly you will have questions along the way. Just keep in the forefront of everything you do, that Scouting is FUN WITH A PURPOSE for all, and for a unit the sooner you can get the youth involved in making decisions, the better your unit will be.
Betsy Eubanks
MVD Training Chair
This is an excellent resource for you to review.
New Unit Process
This is a wonderful review of all the basic information for starting a new unit as long as you remember that you have options for some of these steps. For example, the Training Team can help you plan how to get your leaders trained through live classes. This web page does show the things that need to be done, but you may be able to change the order depending on who you know is interested already.
Form Your Team
The absolutely best way to proceed is to form a support team and plan your strategy. A successful team should have:
a. UNIT LEADER (Scoutmaster or Cubmaster)
b. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
c. UNIT COMMISSIONER
d. District Trainer
e. Charter Organizational Representative
If you are going to collaborate with an existing Troop, then it is also helpful to have a representative, either the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman, on your team. This team can meet and go over meeting planning steps such as:
1. Meeting logistics - when and where will you meet?
2. Resources - what is your budget or other resource needs?
3. Adult Recruitment - what people do you need?
4. Schedule - what is your schedule for recruitment and first meetings?
5. Communication - how will you communicate beyond Scoutbook? A website? Something else?
6. Charter Paperwork - review forms and finances needed for Charter submission.
7. Training Plan - how will you get everyone trained?
This is a good list to start with and certainly you will have questions along the way. Just keep in the forefront of everything you do, that Scouting is FUN WITH A PURPOSE for all, and for a unit the sooner you can get the youth involved in making decisions, the better your unit will be.
Betsy Eubanks
MVD Training Chair