How to Operate a Council International Committee 2016 International Conference Philmont Scout Ranch

Purposes of the Council International Committee To encourage world friendship and Scout fellowship activities within the Council To promote contact with foreign Scouting To offer programs to educate Scouts about WOSM To keep Council leadership informed of International activities and opportunities.

How is the Council International Committee Organized? The Council International Committee is organized like any Council-level committee It serves at the discretion of the Council Executive Board and with the support of the Council leadership Members should have extensive Scouting experience and an understanding of international cultures.

Membership of the Council International Committee Members should represent all areas of Scouting in the Council - Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing and Sea Scouting Members should demonstrate active participation in meetings and programs of the Committee The Council International Representative may serve as the Chairman.

How Big Should the International Committee Be? Big enough to get the job done but not overly large There is no fixed size for a Council Committee The Committee is not a “parking place” for people who just want a title or position.

Prerequisites in Organizing the International Committee Define the mission of the Committee - develop a mission statement Establish goals - What do you want to accomplish and how do you plan to do it?

The Mission Statement: An Example The purpose of the Council International Committee shall be to encourage world friendship and Scouting fellowship within our Council by promoting contact with foreign Scouting and by offering programs that educate our Scouts about the World Organization of the Scout Movement, its programs, history, future, and their place in it.

Committee Goals and Objectives:An Example Start or Continue Council participation in the International Camp Staff program Start or Continue Council participation in the European Scout Voluntary program Present an International Scouting elective at the annual Commissioner College Introduce and promote the Messenger of Peace initiative

Committee Goals and Objectives:An Example Prepare an International Scouting display for Council-wide events Promote the World Friendship Fund at all Council training and camping events Present International Scouting program features at District Cub, Boy Scout and Venturing Roundtables

Committee Goals and Objectives:An Example Actively assist in participant recruitment and preparation for World Jamborees and World Scout Moots Ensure that Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Counselors are active in all Districts Provide Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Counselors for Council and District Merit Badge University events

Committee Goals and Objectives:An Example Actively promote Jamboree-On-The-Air Actively promote Jamboree-On-the-Internet Publish regular articles about International Scouting in the Council newsletter and on the Council website

Council Newsletter Articles: Recent Examples International Spirit Award Requirements World Scout Emblem - Its meaning WOSM Membership Statistics World Jamboree promotion JOTA/JOTI

Council Newsletter Articles: Recent Examples International Scouter’s Award What country has the most Scouts? Promoting International Scouting International activities at the unit level The World Friendship Fund

Council International Committee Meetings Plan meetings one year in advance Meet regularly, preferable at least quarterly Meet at a convenient time, perhaps at a local restaurant or at the Council Service center with a light dinner Have a prepared agenda and stick to it. Keep meetings short and to the point

Suggested Task Forces and/or Subcommittees Council and District Promotion International Camp Staff Promotion and Hospitality International Scouting Event Promotion Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Counseling

Suggested Task Forces and/or Subcommittees Membership on Council Executive Board and Boy Scout & Venturing Activity Committees Participation in Council Events and District/Council Scout Shows Council Newsletter

Resources Sister City programs Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions International, and other international service organizations Foreign language and international business departments at local colleges and universities Roster of Scouts and Scouters who speak foreign languages

Resources BSA International Department ( Experienced International Committees in other Councils Units with international experience World Organization of the Scout Movement (

Conclusion Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy- stick to your Scout Promise always when you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it. --- B-P