The Religious Emblems Program Can Create Stonger Units

Today, Dr. Geoffrey Zoeller, Patriots' Path Council vice president for membership and relations, reminds us about the importance of the Duty to God component of Scouting.  "So many of our chartered organizations are religiously-based, and yet so few of our Scouts earn the religious awards available to them.  Participation in these programs could create an even stronger bond between the unit, families, and their chartered organization."

Youth members and families must obtain the specific set of materials for their religion.  These materials will contain all of the information, lessons, and/or service projects that scouts will need to complete.  Some religions also provide adult manuals for counselors and mentors.  Check with your local council Scout Shop to see if your booklets are in stock or contact your religious organization directly.

Below are links to a series of webinars to help instruct unit leaders, clergy, and families about the various offerings available to our youth.  Others can assist district and council leaders in creating large-scale programming.  In addition, you may wish to visit the main P.R.A.Y. website for further information at http://www.praypub.org/main_frameset.htm

Past Webinar Recordings and Other Resources
THE P.R.A.Y. PROGRAM for Protestant and Independent Christian Churches
Audience:	Anyone interested in the Protestant Christian program (i.e. clergy, lay people, Scout leaders, parents!)
Presenter:	Deb Hazlewood (P.R.A.Y. curriculum writer)
Description:	Thinking about offering a P.R.A.Y. class? Find out how easy it is! More importantly, discover how the P.R.A.Y. program can grow your church membership!  An Overview of the P.R.A.Y. Program
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	Download PowerPoint Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
Religious Emblems Coordinator – Overview of the R.E.C. Position (Boy Scouts of America)
Audience:	For members of BSA (staff and volunteers)
Presenter:	R. Chip Turner, P.R.A.Y. Director of Communication and Training
Description:	Learn how the new Religious Emblems Coordinator position can be a tool for Council growth and retention! An overview of the rationale, duties, and resources available to Council and District R.E.C.’s Click here for more R.E.C. Resources.
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	PowerPoint of REC Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
Religious Emblems Coordinator – Best Practices (Boy Scouts of America)
Audience:	For members of BSA (staff and volunteers)
Presenter:	R. Chip Turner, P.R.A.Y. Director of Communication and Training
Guests:	Steve Bays,  John Lyon, Atlanta Area Council, BSA
Description:	Updates and presentation of best practices by guest panelists
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	View PDF of PowerPoint Slides (PowerPoint coming soon.)
So You’re A Unit REC! Now What?
Audience:	For members of Boy Scouts of America (staff and volunteers)
Presenter:	R. Chip Turner, P.R.A.Y. Director of Communication and Training
Description:	Basic Orientation for Religious Emblems Coordinators at the Unit Level
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	Download PowerPoint Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
Coordinating Council / District / Unit REC’s
Audience:	For members of Boy Scouts of America (staff and volunteers)
Presenter:	R. Chip Turner, P.R.A.Y. Director of Communication and Training
Description:	How All REC’s Can Work Together to Achieve the Ultimate Goal of Greater Emblems Usage
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	Download PowerPoint Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES (F.B.I.) for Boy Scouts of America
Audience:	For members of BSA, clergy, church lay leaders
Presenter:	Mark Hazlewood, P.R.A.Y. CEO
Description:	Learn what BSA and faith communities have in common and how the religious emblems programs can be the LINCHPIN for membership growth. Learn the rationale and benefits for collaborating with the faith community.   This “mini session” is a teaser for the weeklong workshops offered at Philmont and the Seabase. Click here for more FBI Resources.
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	Download PowerPoint Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
Teaching God and Me
Audience:	For people who want to teach a God and Me class
Presenter:	Deb Hazlewood (P.R.A.Y. curriculum writer)
Description:	Walk through lesson plans, see props and finished projects, gain valuable teaching experience.  NOTE: Participants should purchase a copy of the Student, Counselor and Mentor books for this webinar. Books can be purchased from PRAY's online store atwww.praypub.org/store.
Resources:	PDF of PowerPoint to follow along God and Me Lesson Plan Grid
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view) Note: There is a long pause at the beginning of the recording, please wait until the presenter begins.
PowerPoint:	Download PowerPoint Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
Teaching God and Family
Audience:	For people who want to teach a God and Family class
Presenter:	Deb Hazlewood (P.R.A.Y. curriculum writer)
Description:	Walk through lesson plans, see props and finished projects, gain valuable teaching experience.  NOTE: Participants should purchase a copy of the Student, Counselor and Mentor books for this webinar. Books can be purchased from PRAY's online store atwww.praypub.org/store.
Resources:	PDF of PowerPoint to follow along
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	Download PowerPoint Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
REC’s Leading Religious Emblems/Duty to God Courses for  University of Scouting / Pow Wow, etc.
Audience:	For members of Boy Scouts of America (staff and volunteers)
Presenter:	R. Chip Turner, P.R.A.Y. Director of Communication and Training
Description:	The How To’s and Content for Leading An Hour-Long Session at Council and District Training Events
Resources:	PDF of PowerPoint for making notes
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	Download PowerPoint Presentation (Right Click, Save As)
Planning and Conducting a Duty to God Encampment  (Including On-line Planning Tools and Templates)
Audience:	For members of Boy Scouts of America (staff and volunteers)
Presenter:	John Lyon, Council Religious Emblems Coordinator and Experienced Leader of Atlanta Area Council Duty to God Encampment
Description:
Recording:	View Recorded Webinar (Requires name and email address to view)
PowerPoint:	PDF of PowerPoint to follow along, Full PowerPoint Presentation (Right-Click, Save As)
Resources:	Other resources for webinar (Zipped File, Right-Click, Save As)
FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES (F.B.I.) for Boy Scouts of America
Audience:	For members of GSUSA, clergy, church lay leaders
Presenter:	Mark Hazlewood, P.R.A.Y. CEO
Description:	Learn what BSA and faith communities have in common and how the religious emblems programs can be the LINCHPIN for membership growth. Learn the rationale and benefits for collaborating with the faith community.   This “mini session” is a teaser for the F.B.I. workshops offered by P.R.A.Y. in May and November 2013. Click here for more FBI Resources.

 

 

Unit Membership and Marketing Chairperson

Patriots' Path Council's vice president for membership and relations, Dr. Geoffrey Zoeller, points out that with "over a hundred years of documented proof that Scouting has a beneficial and ongoing positive impact on the lives of our youth, you would think that this would be reason enough for parents to want to have their children become Scouts."  Unfortunately, without a strong and visible unit-level marketing strategy, hundred of boys in every community miss out on the opportunity to join this most-successful of youth movements. This is where the Unit Membership and Marketing Chairperson comes into play.

 

Area 2 of the Northeast Region has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive overview of this critical Pack Committee position.  The chairperson is charged with the responsibility of educating available youth and parents in a given community and making sure that they are aware of the benefits of the Scouting program.

 

To view the complete Position Overview as developed by NER Area 2, please go to:  http://ner-area2.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Unit-MM-Chair-Overview-3-20-13.pdf

Ultimately, every leadership position in a unit needs to be concerned with membership.  The new Unit M&M Chairperson, is a great way to keep everyone focused on the "Main Thing".