Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Miami Valley Council
Family Friends of Scouting
Campaign Resource Guide for Presenters
to Assist in Planning and Conducting
Friends of Scouting Unit Presentations
2017 Family FOS Chair &
Staff Contact Information
Sunwatch District Chairman:
Kirk Perkins
(937) 233-2612
Sunwatch District Professional:
Doug Nelson
(937) 665-1064
Two Rivers Family FOS Chairman:
Jay Scharenberg
(937) 726-0044
Two Rivers District Executive:
Matt Gettys
(937) 665-1068
Wayne Trace Family FOS Chairperson:
Dan Groth
(937) 665-1062
Wayne Trace District Executive:
Dan Groth
(937) 665-1062
Wright Brothers District Chairman:
Rob Jacques
(937) 776-7026
Wright Brothers District Director:
Jeanne Lawrie
(937) 665-1071
Council Friends of Scouting Chairman
Eric Flasher
(937) 291-1412
2017 Family Friends of Scouting Fact Sheet
What is Family Friends of Scouting? Family Friends of Scouting (FOS) is an annual, council-wide appeal conducted in every pack and troop be-
tween the months of November and April. The Family FOS Campaign asks parents and families to consider
financially supporting the Scouting program in an effort to offset the cost of providing Scouting to their child.
Why is Family Friends of Scouting important? The true cost of Scouting is greater than the registration fee, greater than the dues your pack or troop may re-
quire, and even greater than the fee charged for camp. Family FOS support ensures quality Scouting can hap-
pen by supporting the cost of camp upkeep and improvements, training of adult leaders, advancement record
keeping, registration, camp scholarships, professional staff guidance and support, and more!
Should every family in my unit give to FOS? Every family should be given the opportunity to experience an FOS presentation, learn more about the ways in
which FOS benefits the program their child enjoys, and consider making a donation dependent on their giving
ability. The true cost of support the council provides for each child is about $240 annually.
But I’m a leader and give my time, why should I support FOS, too? As a leader, you’ve dedicated a lot of time and energy to the Scouting program and you believe it can make a
positive impact on young people. Family FOS helps make the following resources possible: quality camp
property, training for leaders, monthly roundtables, professional support and guidance, and a council service
center with resources. When compared with the cost of many other programs young people join, Scouting is
relatively inexpensive. Your participation in the Family FOS program is critical for the continued success of
Scouting.
I pay dues to my unit. Doesn’t that cover the council too?
No, the council does not receive any funds from your unit dues or registration fees.
We pay for summer camp. Why do I need to donate further? The fees charged for council camps are only a fraction of the total annual cost of owning and maintaining the
properties and running programs. Your usage fees are subsidized by Friends of Scouting donations, so when
you donate you are just paying back for benefits you already received.
How do we conduct a successful Family FOS program? It’s simple. Follow the steps of the presentation preparation within this booklet. Setting a presentation date/
time/location is the first step! Upon completion of the presentation, forward the results to the District FOS
Chair or your District Director within THREE BUSINESS DAYS.
I give through the United Way/Combined Federal Campaign at work and check the
box specifically for Boy Scouts. That counts the same as Friends of Scouting, right? No, the allocation to the council from the United Way/CFC is budgeted annually and is not increased by a di-
rected donation. If you put your dollars toward Scouts, the corresponding amount of others’ dollars is sub-
tracted. The net benefit to the local council is the same either way.
Where do my employer’s matching gift or payroll deductions monies go? All matching gift monies from dollar match or volunteer hour grant programs go directly to Friends of Scout-
ing.
Key Steps to Success
Be personally committed to the campaign's success.
Conduct kickoff at district committee meeting (include commissioners).
Conduct presenter training.
Recruit at least one presenter for each three active units.
Schedule presentation for ALL active units by February 1.
Unit coordinators should send enthusiastic "warm-up" letters before presentation.
Presenter should tell their personal Scouting story, along with the reasons for Friends of
Scouting. Be concise but be sure to cover key items:
True cost of Scouting—In the Miami Valley Council, this is $240 per Scout for one
year.
What the council provides to each unit and Scout—camping facilities, activities and
programs, such as day camps, camporees, Ski Day, etc., training and full-time profes-
sional support.
Make the ask! People give because they are asked and the best ask includes a sug-
gested gift.
Secure a pledge card from every family even if it is a zero. We understand that every family
cannot afford to make a donation, but by telling us that at the presentation we won’t bother
them by asking again.
Unit coordinator and presenters should begin follow up with any families who missed the
presentation.
2017 Campaign Strategy & Report Meetings
All meetings will be held as phone conferences beginning at 5:15 p.m.
January 10 Family Campaign to be at 30%
Community Campaign to be at 10%
February 15 Family Campaign to be at 60%
Community Campaign to be at 50%
March 14 Family Campaign to be at 90%
Community Campaign to be at 80%
April 11 Family Campaign to be at 100%
Community Campaign to be at 90%
May 9 Final Report Meeting
All Campaigns to be at 100%
Thank you for your willingness to serve as a volunteer in the Family Friends of
Scouting campaign. Your involvement ensures funds are available to continue
quality programs in the Miami Valley Council. This packet is designed to help you
be successful.
Preparing to be a Friend of Scouting
BEFORE the presentation
Attend presenter training.
Review Materials (The support materials below are available for presentations.)
Contact the Unit
FOS Presentation Packet:
Blank FOS brochures with attached
pledge cards
FOS participation ribbon
Blank audit sheet
Presenter guide with Sample Script
Council Fact Sheets
Presenter Tote with Ropes
Matching gift cards
Pens
Confirm the date, time and location of presentation with unit contact.
Ask to make your presentation first on the unit agenda, just after the flag
ceremony.
Encourage unit to send out letter or email blast before event sample included in
this packet
Check in advance to make sure physical arrangements are adequate (PA,
electrical, etc.)
Check all equipment before starting for proper operation
If you have questions, call your FOS Chair or your District Executive
at 937-278-4825.
AFTER the presentation
What is next? Turn in at the Miami Valley Council Service Center Please make sure donations from the initial presentation are turned in to the District FOS
Chair or your District Executive within THREE BUSINESS DAYS. (Your District Execu-
tive will gladly arrange to pick up your packet if needed.)
To prevent delays, please DO NOT HOLD your packet until all monies are collected. Do-
nors expect their checks to be cashed or their credit cards to be billed in a timely manner.
On pledge cards, make sure:
Your district’s name, unit type and number are on each pledge card.
We need the parents’, guardian’s or donor’s name, not just the Scout.
The address on the pledge card should be the home address.
If applicable, record your and/or spouse’s employer on the pledge card for matching
gift programs.
Unit FOS coordinators should follow-up with everyone else within two weeks of the
presentation. Additional cards should be turned in, in the white envelope.
Record all donations on the audit sheet, noting payment info where needed.
Utilize the unit roster and contact families that did not return a pledge card. Ask
for their support.
Have den leaders, Assistant Scoutmasters or committee members help in follow-
up efforts.
Subsequent collections are encouraged to be turned in regularly throughout the
campaign.
Sample Warm-Up Letter to Unit Donors
(Date)
Dear Parent:
You and your family are invited to join us at our (Blue & Gold/Court of Honor) scheduled on (Date, Time, and
Location). We are very proud of the boys’ achievements and extremely appreciative of all the parental in-
volvement.
During the (Blue & Gold/Court of Honor) a volunteer from (enter community) will briefly discuss the annual
Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign which helps underwrite the cost of Scouting for all involved. We thought
it might be beneficial to send out this letter in advance so you are aware and will give some thought into your
course of action.
Each year, our Scout unit is asked to support the administrative side of Scouting. The Miami Valley Council
currently supports over 2,000 volunteers who develop and enrich the lives of more than 7,500 boys and girls,
ages 6 through 20, from across the council. The council provides numerous benefits to all of our youth and
adult volunteers. A few of these benefits include:
Operation of an excellent camp with consistent top accredited ratings which provides
outstanding activities and programs to our youth
Professional guidance and support which mobilizes several hundred volunteers in our
immediate area who work with the children from our community
Supplemental accident insurance for all registered youth and adults
Primary liability insurance for all registered volunteers
Camp scholarships and uniform assistance to families in need of assistance
Friends of Scouting provide these benefits and many more to our children, as well as numerous at-risk youth
throughout our service area.
The Scouting organization annually spends in excess of $240 per youth. Compared to most activities like
hockey, basketball and even piano lessons, Scouting is a great investment and truly a bargain. Following the
FOS presentation, you will be asked to financially support Scouting.
We hope all parents will consider a gift and turn in their pledge form during our (Blue & Gold/Court of Hon-
or). Please remember any gift is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your support of Scouting.
Sincerely,
Pack/Troop Committee
Sample Script ―Working Together
Good evening, I’m _____________, a volunteer, from the Miami Valley Council to present our
Friends of Scouting Program for 2017. The Friends of Scouting is the annual fund raising
campaign to support Scouting in the Miami Valley to achieve the Scouting mission: to prepare
young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the
values of the Scout Oath and Law.
To start our program I need four Scout volunteers who can tie at least a square knot. (Select
four Scouts and have them come forward…hand each a short rope section. If Cubs, lean to-
ward the oldest as they are more likely to be able to tie knots quickly.)
As I hand these four Scouts ropes, we are going to set up a scene to highlight the importance of
Scouting—not just in your son’s life—but in the communities of the Miami Valley served by
our Council. Imagine this box needs rescuing. Perhaps—heaven forbid—it’s you in a car ac-
cident in a nearby city. Think of two cars driving by. One is full of Scouts or former Scouts
trained in leadership, first aid, emergency preparedness; the other, just young people. Who
would you rather have come to your rescue? Fortunately, for our rescue we have these fine
Scouts.
Scout 1, (you can, of course call Scouts by their names) you represent our endowment, corpo-
rations and foundations. Would you please tie your rope to the box? As he starts our rescue
you’ll all see the rope becomes shorter just like these funds can fall short if the business cli-
mate is poor or if businesses move or close.
Scout 2, you represent camping and activity fees. Again, the rope is shorter with a knot tied
much like our funds to maintain our two camps and other act ivies may come up short if units
select out-of-Council camps or don’t attend Day Camps or other activities.
Scout 3, you represent popcorn sales. This year, we are about $20,000 behind in our sales. Be-
cause the sale happens so late in the year, shortfalls here can be very difficult to recover from.
As you can see, our rope is short of our goal. That’s why we are here today. This young man
represents the Friends of Scouting Family giving. It is families like you than can help us
achieve our goal and ensure Scouting continues in the Miami Valley. Working together we
can make that extra rope available to Scout 4. Scout 4, use your rope to complete the rescue
and drag the box to me. (Cheers…Box rescued!)
Because we were successful in rescuing the box, we get a special treat! As a special bonus,
any Scout whose family turns in a card—regardless of the pledge amount—will be able to take
home one of these ropes. If you have two sons, you only have to turn in one pledge card and
both will get ropes. I’m asking my four excellent knot tiers to hand out Friends of Scouting do-
nation cards and pens if needed. By the way, as a special thank-you to our volunteers, they get
to keep the rope they tied in addition to one they’ll get with a family pledge card returned.
We’ll take a minute so you all have the opportunity to fill them out. Remember, it takes
volunteer time and money to achieve the mission of Scouting. This is an opportunity to pro-
vide Scouting’s benefits to a Scout you may never see.
You have the option to use a credit card and can spread the payment amounts over time if it is
more convenient. The Council fund raising committee has requested you consider a tax de-
ductible pledge of $240… ($20 a month) as the First Class donation level. If you contribute at
this level, in addition to the useful rope, you’ll get a shoulder rocker as you see at the bottom
of the pledge card. If you wish to give more—GREAT. If conditions prevent you from giving
that amount, consider half the amount. If you are unable to give any amount, please complete
the card and indicate a $0 pledge. This does two things, first, you save Council mailing costs
trying to contact you, and it allows your Scout to get a useful rope.
We want everyone to have an opportunity to help support the Scouting movement. Let’s take a
few minutes and complete the cards now even if you only have a few dollars to donate. By
filling out the pledge card—even if you don’t have cash or a check on you right now—you can
make a difference. Every bit helps the Scouting movement stay strong for you, your families,
and your community.
I’ll collect them in a moment. If you pledge at the $240 First Class level, let me know by ei-
ther telling me or folding the corner of the pledge card and I’ll make sure you get the shoulder
rocker patch. If you’d like the center patch or prior year rockers to complete the set, they can
be purchased at $75 each, once you make the First class level donation.
If you have friends, co-workers, or other family members you think are willing to help Scout-
ing, please direct them to miamivalleybsa.org where they’ll see a DONATE button and can
give used cars, stocks, or credit card or check donations.
The Miami Valley Council has been a good steward of earlier donations and will work hard to
make the best Scouting experience for your Scouts. Please help us ensure Scouting goes for-
ward for years. Let’s fill out the cards now and I’ll answer any questions as I walk around col-
lecting completed cards and passing out ropes to the families turning in cards. (Give the rope
to the adult handing in the card.) Raise your hand if you need a pen to complete the form.
WAIT FOR MAJORITY OF CARDS TO BE COMPLETED. (Once all cards collect-
ed…) Thanks for your time. I’m going to add up the pledged amounts and we’ll announce
what we’ve done together later in the evening. (This can be done by you or by giving the total
report to the Scout leader at the event.)
Matching Gift Information
Increase the power of your dollars and volunteer hours through Matching Gift
programs at your place of work.
Not sure if your company participates?
Check with your company Human Resources Department.
Online or paper applications accepted.
Matching Gift General Information cards are available in FOS Unit Presentation
Packet or at the council service center.
Questions about Matching Gifts?
Jeanne Lawrie
937-665-1071
Working Together—Family Friends of Scouting
Hello
FOS annual campaign
Get 4 knot tying scouts
Rescue story: 2 cars—trained scouts vs others
Scout 1 Endowment, Corporations Foundations—rope shorter if busi-
nesses close or move
Scout 2 Camping and Activity fees—shorter if units don’t attend
Woodland or Cricket
Scout 3 Popcorn sales—not always the same, for example, sales were
down this year
When any category is short—FAMILY giving ensure Scouting contin-
ues in the Miami Valley
Cheers! Give ropes & ask for help passing out cards … Thanks with
Ropes and give ropes for all cards (even 0) credit cards( and smaller
over time payments), cash check ANY AMOUNT pass out cards and
pens
WAIT FOR CARDS TO BE COMPLETED!!!
$240 level patch & other patch options THAKS for helping continue
Scouting in Miami Valley Council
