1. 5/16/2018

2. Welcome Scouters! “PackMaster & TroopMaster”
Class #77: an Introduction to
“PackMaster & TroopMaster”
Chief Seattle Council PTC 2010 Class #77
Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Instructor: John Dietz, Alpine District – Contact me via our Council Website
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

3. What We’ll Cover Today Scope of this Class
What Are These Products Anyhow?
Who Makes Them?
Why Use These Products?
Some of the Features
Installation
Access
Keys to Success
Technology Help
What are the Rules?
How It Works
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

4. Scope of this Class Scope of this Class This is an entry-level Class
The focus is on learning how to get started
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

5. Important Note
Beyond the expressed Policies & Guidelines of the BSA and Chief Seattle Council…
This Class represents the Views & Opinions
of the Instructor & not official BSA or Council
Policy.
I’d like to further add: I hope to help
those of you struggling with getting started
using PackMaster or TroopMaster in your Unit.
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

6. What Are These Products Anyhow?
Unit Information Management Tools
PackMaster for Cub Scout Packs
TroopMaster for Boy Scout Troops
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

7. What Are These Products Anyhow?
They consist of…
A PC Application
A Local Data Base (DB)
Optional Applications with DB’s
“DotNet”
“Web”
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

8. Who Makes Them? Manufacturer: TroopMaster Software
Founded by Scout Leaders
Led by an Eagle Scout
23-Year Old Company
Products Summarized in this Class
PackMaster & TroopMaster
DotNet (add-on)
Web (add-on)
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

9. Why Use These Products? Keep your Unit Organized
Maintain a Good Unit History
Easier Access to Centralized Records
Control Who Has Access to Data
Easier Re-chartering Process
They are Popular (Export/Import is handy)
Extensive Reporting Features
Most Units Stick with Them
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

10. Some of the Features Directories of Scouts, Parents, Leaders
Training History
Leadership History
Scout Awards & Advancement History
Calendar items: Events, Camping, Meetings, etc
Fundraising activity (ie. Popcorn sales)
Many useful Reports (can send via )
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

11. PackMaster/TroopMaster Installation
Full Installation requires…
Unit Number
License Key
Expiration Date
Keep this info in a secure place
You may have to reference it
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

12. PackMaster/TroopMaster Installation (cont)
DotNet Installation requires additional:
User ID
Password
Plus, for each Leader’s Account:
Data Encryption Password (same for all)
Data Access Password (different for ea)
Keep a printed report in a secure place
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

13. PackMaster/TroopMaster Installation (cont)
Web Installation requires additional:
Administrator
User ID
Password
Plus, for each Scouter:
User Name
Keep a printed report in a secure place
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

14. Restricting Access PackMaster Data Base Administrators
Set access levels for individuals
Manage all Passwords
Data Access Passwords
Determine what is visible to user
And determine what is editable
Encryption Password
Same for everyone
Used in Backups and by DotNet
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

15. Keys to Success Obtain Your Committee Approval Good Unit Leadership
Unit Leaders agree it’s a Good Idea
Volunteers committed to content & maintenance
Obtain Your Committee Approval
Data Management is Serious Business
Understand COPPA
Data is the most Important yet Scary thing you will probably ever manage as a Scout Leader.
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

16. Keys to Success (cont) Purchase the Software
There are options
Understand what you need
Calculate the Cost
Seek Approval
Define the Responsibilities
Committee Chair
Data Base Administrator
Membership Chair
Advancement Chair
Training Chair
Treasurer
Popcorn Kernel
Unit Leader plus:
Packs: Den Leaders
Troops: Youth Leaders(?) and/or ASMs
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

17. Technology Help Seek a Technology-savvy Volunteer
Built-in Help within the Programs
Use the TroopMaster Software website
FAQ Lists ***
DotNet Getting Started Tutorial ***
Web Products Instructional Videos ***
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

18. Technology Help (cont)
TroopMaster Technical Support
Via Phone ( )
On-hours Free, Off-hours for a Fee
24x7 Via form ***
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

19. What are the Rules? Do: Follow the Rules of your Charted Organization
Remember the Scout Oath & Law
Protect the Privacy of our Scouts & Volunteers
Password protection
Control data access
Consider NOT collecting some data
Only Print when necessary
Protecting our Youth
Protecting our Volunteers
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
COPPA is the Standard for BSA National
Unit-level publishers should review them
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

20. BSA National’s Concern #1 Protection of Personal Information
Protecting our Youth
Protecting our Volunteers
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
COPPA is the Standard for BSA National
Unit-level [data managers] should review them
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

21. BSA National’s Guideline #7 Protect privacy of Scouters
Unit sites must consider the safety and privacy of their members and participants by obtaining the necessary permissions to release information about or images of any individual.
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

22. How It Works There are 3 Primary Configurations Single User
PackMaster or TroopMaster
Bound to a single PC
Multiple Users
Typically only Leaders have access
Shared Data Base
Requires DotNet add-on for your Product
Many Users
Another Shared Edit Data Base
Requires Web add-on for your Product
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

23. How It Works For a Unit Option #1: One User
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

24. How It Works For a Unit Option #2: Access for Leaders
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

25. How It Works For a Unit Option #3: Access for Everyone
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

26. Demo Time
PackMaster demo install:
TroopMaster demo install:
Without setting up a dedicated Administrator for your Unit’s Database, you will not be able to setup other accounts for Scouters.
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010

27. Thank You Volunteers Thank you for your Time today!
If you are interested in ongoing information sharing about PackMaster or TroopMaster, please contact the instructor:
John Dietz
Class #77: Using PackMaster and TroopMaster
Saturday, October 16th, 2010