Commissioner Corner

It's Almost Time for Annual Planning!

As a Scout, I remember joining my patrol leaders council on a weekend camping trip for what was then known as the Junior Leader Training Conference. This also served as our annual planning conference where Scouts planned out the year’s trips: 1) the mainstay opener of traveling to the US Naval Academy for a football game in September, 2) a camping trip with Webelos/Arrow of Light Scouts in late fall, 3) our January trip to Camp Brulé for wilderness survival merit badge, 4) a weekend-long inter-patrol competition that culminated in a capture the flag-type game, and 5) even a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown! We’d also build in district and council activities like Klondike Derby, Ordeal weekends, camporees, and more.

Annual planning is something that every unit should do. April’s Roundtable will focus on building your calendar so I don’t want to take too much wind out of its sails. It's important to get your plan in place before summer particularly if your unit takes a pause to enjoy activities like Summer Camp, Day Camp, high adventure, or the Jamboree. Here are a few things to consider as you begin your annual planning journey:

Take a calendar and block off all of the meeting dates you will have, as well as key membership moments like your Back to Pack, recruitment nights, etc.

Grab the district and council calendar, which is on our website, wccscouting.org. Note the events that you’ll want to make sure that your unit participates in, and the recurring events you want Scouting families to be aware (like Roundtable).

Work with local community organizations, governments, and event planners to see if there are any community events your unit should participate You know your communities better than we do, but reach out if you need help.

Consider a theme for each month of the year for your programming.

For Troops, decide how to involve your youth. One of the most important skills a youth leader should learn is how to plan, and thinking about how they want the year to go.

For packs, while the planning will be done by adults, remember that you’re putting on the program for youth and the activities should be fun for them first.

Set a goal to have your calendar ready to go for Scouting families to have next year’s calendar before you wrap up the current Scouting year.

More to come at Roundtable, but if you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to your commissioner team for assistance!

As always, thank you for all you do for Scouting!

Yours in Scouting,

Joe Donahue

Tamanend District Commissioner

District Executive Minute

Musical Chairs!

We all have seen the game musical chairs where when the music stops, someone is left out because there are not enough seats. In scouting, it often feels like the reverse is true in that there are unfilled seats when the music stops. Units and Districts alike often push their programs forward relying on the same handful of key members, year after year. We need to realize burn-out is real and shifting volunteers between roles helps keep the program fresh.

In a healthy Scouting organization, the ideal length of time for volunteer to be in a given position is four years. Year 1 is a combination of training and assisting the current volunteer in a particular role. In Years 2 and 3, the volunteer owns their role while keeping their eyes open for a potential replacement. Year 4 is selecting and training your replacement while preparing for a new role.

For Packs and Troops alike, it is an important priority to get to know the parents of your new Cubs and Scouts . Parents can help their youth become engaged in your unit activities, and they can become interested in the activities themselves If you see an adult who can assist with a particular need, it is best to ask them directly to volunteer rather than make a general podium announcement. For example, we are requesting each unit to select a New Member Coordinator as part of the Washington Crossing Council Membership Plan.

Who are you going to ask to join your team?

Thanks,

Greg House | Tamanend District Executive

greg.house@scouting.org

C: 267.393.4139

Roundtable Roundup

As Springtime nears, there is more opportunity to go outside and enjoy iconic outdoor activities. This month's Roundtable went through the ins and outs of fishing, including where to go, and how to keep Cubs and Scouts alike engaged. Don't miss more great topics at our upcoming meetings!

Roundtable Calendar @ St John's:

April 8 (Annual Unit Planning)
May 13 (How to Market Your Unit)
June 10 (Annual District Social)

Membership Update

New Member Coordinators: The Role that Changes Everything!

Every unit should have a New Member Coordinator, and right now, many still don’t. This role is the key to turning interested families into engaged, long-term Scouts by making sure new parents are welcomed, informed, and connected from day one. Units with a strong New Member Coordinator see better retention, smoother onboarding, and stronger family involvement. If your unit doesn’t have one yet, now is the time to identify someone who can own that experience and help your program grow. Reach out to your District Executive for guidance on getting started.

Time to Fill Den Gaps!

Spring is prime time to strengthen Packs. Identify missing den levels and plan targeted Den Gap Fill efforts now so you head into summer strong. A simple spring join night, bring-a-friend activity, or focused outreach can close gaps quickly. Growth now sets you up for success at the June 30 benchmark, positioning you to be ready for the fall.

Roster Checks!

Every unit must conduct a roster check to ensure all active youth and adults are properly registered. Scouts and Scouters may have unintentionally dropped during renewal. This is an insurance and safety priority so correct discrepancies immediately Contact your Unit Commissioner or District Executive if you need assistance.

TAM District Dinner

The May 1st dinner is just around the corner, giving us the chance to celebrate the past year and the people who made it possible. This is the time to recognize the leaders who go above and beyond in your den, unit, and district. Thoughtful recognition matters—and it starts at the unit level. Please submit your nominations via the link below.

Nomination Form

Annual AdventureCon

Join leaders from across Washington Crossing Council at our 3rd Annual AdventureCon and discover where the adventure awaits your Scouts! From outdoor experiences to local programs and partners, you’ll see just how much fun—and opportunity—we have right in our own backyard. AdventureCon connects units with businesses and organizations ready to help you deliver unforgettable experiences all year long.

Mark your calendar to get inspired!

May 5 from 6 - 8:30pm

Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA