How to Operate a Council International Committee

2012 International Conference

Philmont Scout RanchDave Shelburne

IR- Sam Houston Area Council

Purposes of the Council International Committee

• To encourage world friendship and Scout fellowship activities within the Council

Purposes of the Council International Committee

• To encourage world friendship and Scout fellowship activities within the Council

• To promote contact with foreign Scouting units

Purposes of the Council International Committee

• To encourage world friendship and Scout fellowship activities within the Council

• To promote contact with foreign Scouting units

• 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

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

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, Sea Scouting and Exploring

Membership of the Council International Committee

• Members should represent all areas of Scouting in the Council: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, Sea Scouting and Exploring

• Members should demonstrate active participation in meetings and programs of the Committee

Membership of the Council International Committee

• Members should represent all areas of Scouting in the Council: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, Sea Scouting and Exploring

• 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

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 International Committee

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 and develop a mission statement

Prerequisites in Organizing the International Committee

• Define the mission of the Committee and 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 units 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

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 Camp Staff program

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 Camp Staff 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

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

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

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

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 Activity Badge Requirements• World Scout Emblem - Its meaning• Michigan International Camporee• Advancement by Foreign Scouts• WOSM Membership Statistics• World Jamboree promotion• JOTA/JOTI

Council Newsletter Articles:Recent Examples

• International Scouter’s Award• What country has the most Scouts?• Korean National Jamboree• Ukrainian National Jamboree• Overseas unit visits• Promoting International Scouting• International activities at the unit level• The World Friendship Fund

Council International Committee Meetings

• Plan meetings one year in advance

Council International Committee Meetings

• Plan meetings one year in advance• Meet regularly, preferably at least quarterly

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

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

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 and Venturing Activity Committees

• Participation in Council Events and District/Council Scout Shows

• Council Newsletter

Resources

• Sister City programs

Resources

• Sister City programs• Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions International, and

other international service organizations

Resources

• Sister City programs• Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions International, and

other international service organizations• Foreign language and international business

departments at local colleges and universities

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 (http://www.scouting.org/international/)

• Other experienced Councils• Units with international experience• World Scout Resource Centre on the

Internet (http://www.scout.org/)

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