1. Beyond Newsletters Jery Stedinger Scoutmaster, Troop 2 Ithaca, NY
Woodbadge NE-III-133, Beaver Patrol

2. Tips for Introductions
1. Set the tone
2. Establish credentials of the speaker
3. Motivate the topic
Mention speaker’s name several times.
Do not think of an introduction as a waste of time, any more than glue on a stamp is a waste of money. A pat on the back and a good start should always be appreciated.

3. What did it communicate?
Communication
What did we just do?
What did it communicate?

4. Outline Planning, Newsletters, Calendars, Communication is Skill #1
Covenant
Get the word out
Planning, Newsletters, Calendars,
Announcements, Web sites
Beyond Newsletters: What is your strategy?
Modes of communication
Scouting Goals & Types of Messages
Communication Matrix
Scouts, Parents, Leaders, Public
Thought to Go
Appendix: Effective

5. Elevens Skills of Leadership
Traditional Woodbadge,
Scoutmasters Handbook, (c) 1981
Skill # 1 Communicating

6. Skill # 1 Communicating
Communication involves several factors: receiving, storing, retrieving, giving, and interpreting information.
Clear communication is essential:
The success of establishing and maintaining a Troop depends on how well its members communicate.

7. Cubs, Scouts & Venture WELCOME
While examples are from the Boy Scout program, all of material and ideas are equally applicable to all 3 programs.

8. Skill # 1 Communicating
Think of the fast start video: the ideal scoutmaster stands on the sidelines
while everything important happens
during the troop meeting.
How did all those people know what to do?
How did they learn to do it?

9. Troop Leadership Requires
Communication
Who - What - Where - When
Training the Troop
The Goals of Scouting (Why)
Knowledge/skill for the job (How)

10. Resources

11. Participant Covenant We all sin and fall short of perfection.
During the presentation
we will consider what our units have done, and what they might do.
Leave the guilt for another time.
After we leave, we will all do our best.

12. Getting the Word Out BSA published first real Handbook in 1911.
In 1912 purchased
Boys Life, a magazine for young boys.
1913 published Scouting Magazine for Adults
How do we build on these resources?

13. Getting the Word Out Newsletters and Calendars Annual Fall and Spring
Monthly
Weekly s
What is the right frequency?

14. What will happen?

15. Newsletters

16. Activities+welcome
Lists of officers,
scoutmasters,
new members …

17. Troop Calendars
Troop Calendars

18. Calendars

19. Calendar Extras

20. Special Announcements

21. Recruiting, Information

22. BSA Recruiting Material

23. Troop Web Site
Come join us!

24. Web Site Goals Serve our troop with 2. Reach potential troop members
Newsletter, calendar, announcements
Pictures and records
Training resources
Links to other sites
2. Reach potential troop members
3. Share with scouters outside our troop
our own resources and ideas

25. Thinking Beyond Newsletters
What messages do we want to send,
and how should they be sent?

26. Have a Strategy Think about what you are doing.
What do we wish to communicate?
How can we best send the message?
How will we know we have been successful?

27. What people remember: 10 % of what they read 25 % of what they hear
30 % of what they see
50 % of what they see and hear
70 % of what they say
90 % of what they say as they do something
I hear and I forget.
I see .. and I remember.
I do .... and I understand.

28. Communication Process
Message -> Transmission -> Receipt
Information can be sent by:
Announcement at troop meeting
Flier distributed at troop meeting
Phone tree
Web posting
Newsletter or special mailing
With annual calendar

29. Communication Process
If our message is received:
Will they lose it or process it?
Will the message be understood?
Will it generate intended response?
How will we know?

30. Evaluation How do we find out if messages are effective?
Are people participating in program?
Ask scouts if they received information?
Ask for an RSVP?
Discuss the issue with PLC, troop committee, scoutmasters, and other groups when opportunities arise.

31. Types of Messages Who-What-Where-When
W-W-W-W is key
Also provide motivation
2. Scout Spirit is ... (What we are about.)
3. We care about YOU.
Who is WE? (friends, patrol, troop, scouting)
Who sends the message?
(friends, PL, SPL, ASM, SM, Committee)

32. What message is sent?

33. Scout Values

34. The Goal of Scouting Help boys grow into men who are:
Physically strong
Mentally awake, and
Morally straight.

35. Communication Matrix MESSAGE to be sent SCOUTS Who, What, Where, When
Scouting Spirit is …
We Care About YOU.

36. Communication Matrix Message Scouts Parents Who, What, Where, When
Get the information home.
Scouting
Spirit is …
Parents need to understand the goal.
We Care About YOU.
We all need support.

37. Leadership perspective
Communication Matrix
Message
Scouts
Parents
Leaders
Who, What, Where, When
Need agenda for events
Scouting
Spirit is …
Leadership perspective
We Care About You.
Leaders are people too

38. Communication Matrix Message Scouts Parents Leaders Public W-W-W-W
Invitations,
Announce-ments
Scouting Spirit is …
Who we are.
What we do.
We Care About You.
Helpful,
Friendly

39. Thoughts to Go Communication is Leadership Skill #1.
Have a strategy to achieve your goal.
Remember W-W-W-W, Scout-Spirit, and We-Care-About-YOU.
Fill in Communications Matrix.

40. And may the Great Scoutmaster of all scouts be with you, until we meet again.
Jery Stedinger

41. Effective Email Here are some tips for email announcements:
Get to the main point first
Use an informative subject line
Include W-W-W-W: who, what, where, when, date/time, and contact information
Separate explanations from announcements
Remember: not everyone reads the web

42. Eleven Skills of Leadership
Communicating
Knowing and using the RESOURCES of the group
Understanding the characteristics and needs of the group.
Representing the group
Effective Teaching
Evaluating – To learn and improve.
Counseling – First aid for problems.
Sharing Leadership
Planning: short and long-term planning makes it happen
Controlling group performance: influencing behavior
Setting the example: Most sincere instruction is by example
Woodbadge version, NE