Effective Unit Service In

EFFECTIVE UNIT SERVICE IN

REMOTE RURAL AREAS

(MCS 406)

Obtain copies of Best Methods for District Volunteers Serving Rural Communities, No. 7-504, one for each participant.

I.INTRODUCTION

A.Definition: Today there is a great variety of rural communities. Some are stable, high-growth areas, or otherwise responsive to conventional Scouting methods.The rural areas that pose the greatest challenge to normal Scouting operation are those characterized by poverty or isolation from urban areas.These areas are the special focus of this session.

B.Tailoring Scouting to rural areas is a part of our Scouting heritage. Baden-Powell taught that “what suits one particular troop or one kind of boy, in one kind of place, will not suit another within a mile of it. much less those scattered over the world and existing under totally different conditions!’

C.Distribute Best Methods kits.

II.“BOTTOM LINE” SUCCESS STORIES

A.Have each person pull the “Bottom Line” folder out of the Best Methods kit.

B.Review the success stories.

1. Have each participant read one of the stories aloud

or

2.Divide into three teams, assign each team one page, and have them select one story to share with the overall group.

Ill.RECRUITING UNITADULTS

Use the “Recruiting Adults” folder from the Best Methods kit to help participants learn how to involve rural adults in unit leadership.

IV.SHOWTHE AUDIOVISUAL

Scouting in RuralAmerica. Discuss how commissioners might use this slide/cassette show.

V.PEOPLE CONSIDERATIONS IN COMMISSIONER SERVICE WITH RURAL UNITS

Use the “Unit Service” folder from the Best Methods kit. Develop an effective classroom technique or visual method for sharing the 20 statements.

VI.RURAL OPTIONS

Present a variety of refinements for adapting Scouting to sparsely populated rural areas.

A.Den aides instead of den chiefs

B.Lone Cub Scouts/Lone Boy Scouts

C.Wagon-wheel troops—weekly patrol meetings and monthly troop meetings (extended Saturday or Sunday meeting which includes an outdoor activity, community GoodTurn, or family activity)

D.Schoolbus dens/schoolbus patrols

E.Unit “mailboxes” at roundtables (folders or envelopes for each unit in milk crates)

F“Circuit riders”—using people who travel throughout a remote rural area on a regular basis, usually because of their job, to perform selected unit service tasks