Support Scouting

 

What does the Potomac Council do for the Leader and Scouting Unit.

To help the leader with administration of the unit, the council maintains a Service Center with clerical staff to:

• Handle registrations, Boy's Life subscriptions, and special requests to the National Office and other organizations.
• Maintain a supply of literature, insignia, forms, certificates, etc., needed by the leader to carry on the unit's program.
• Keeps records of advancement, membership, training, etc., necessary to unit operations.
• Produces notices, minutes, agendas, etc., for district and council committees that are developing programs for leader and unit benefit.
• Handles phone calls and visitors for information related to unit operation and Scouting procedures.
• Provides without charge dozens of regular and special forms, applications, scoreboards, and literature, helpful in unit program.
• Produces district and council calendars and schedules, programs, kits, and special aids to assist leaders and their committees.
• Makes reservations for films, equipment, long-term camping, short-term camps, camporees, jamborees, high-adventure bases, training courses, meetings, Cub Scout leader Pow Wows, annual council and district meetings, troop leader and den chief events.

To assist leaders, the council employs a trained, full-time staff who counsel, guide, and inspire:

• Through informal training in unit operations
• Through person-to-person counseling on unit relationships, administrative, and operational problems.
• Through guidance of all committees, commissioners, roundtables, meetings, conferences, courses, and disitrict and council activities in the development of programs that directly benefit leaders and units.
• Through contacts with community resources (clubs, churches, government, etc.) secures help for all units that they alone could not obtain.  The use of parks, recreational areas, use of buildings for special affairs, picnic areas, campsites, and swimming facilities, are a few examples.
• Maintenance of the Scout reservation for the convenience of units using the facilities.  They keep these facilities available at all times.
• Provides Unit leaders' guidebooks, campe slides, literature, and other aids to help units with their outdoor program.
• Provides "camperships" for scouts who need help to have a summertime camp experience.
• Offers units the high adventure of Philmont Scout Ranch, high-adventure bases, National Jamborees, field days, camporees, and other special events. These would not exist without the council giving leadership and coordination.

To help the leader develop the unit's program, the council provides without charge:

• Program helps, program planning charts and calendars of activities, meetings, and special events.
• Awards, such as ribbons, certificates, roundup awards, etc.
• Materials, books, pamphlets, folders, videos, and special helps from the National Council and cooperating magazines.
• Roundup, camporee, and other materials
• Sample song sheets, ceremonies, parent's night program outlines, training aides, etc.

To protect the unit leader, the council:

• Screens requests for services, money-earning proposals, guarding against improper use of Scouting and exploitation.
• Maintain both liability and accident insurance for the protection of all leaders.
• Has staff members available on what is practically an around-the-clock, around-the-calendar basis to meet any ermegency needed.

To protect the scout, the council:

• Screens adult volunteer service requests through background checks to guard against individuals who may be trying to use scouting to gain access to youth.
• Provide safety guidelines and training to ensure safe unit activities.

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