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