The American Legion & Boy Scouts of America: Approaching 100 years of Partnership How American Legion Posts can grow in membership and fulfilling their mission by chartering Boy Scout units. Florida Depart Fall Conference November 4, 2017 BRIEFER: Mr. Rick Hewett; Scouting Chair, Department of Florida
BIG IDEAS American Legion benefits greatly from chartering Boy Scout (BSA) units. Sponsoring BSA units does not provide the benefit to the Post/Department. BSA/Legion were both chartered by Congress: Near identical purpose organized national service. Natural service transitions: BSA to military Military to American Legion Children of military/veterans may join SAL continuous cycle
United in Birth and Purpose; Shared History of National Security Service 1900s Pre World War I Germany & UK security dilemma 1908 Scouting movement began in UK 1910 BSA incorporated in USA 1914 World War I begins 1916 Congress charters BSA 1918 World War I ends 1919 Congress charters the American Legion; Legion s 1 st national convention; Legion resolved to charter BSA units as part of mission 1922 Legion adopted the Scouting program under the Americanism Commission 1930s Pre World War II security dilemma 1939 World War II 1945 Cold War and beyond. To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;. To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars;.To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
Origins in Civil Defense, Duty, and Organized National Service 1956 1955 Serving YOU. Distributed as a public service by the Boy Scouts Of America WE TOO HAVE A JOB TO DO Community Service. Conservation Projects. Food, clothing, supply drives. Education, skills, self reliance, helping others. Contemporary National Service 1924 1942
BSA Support to the National Security Pillar Fundraising: War Bonds & War Stamp Sales Scrap Metal Drives Victory Gardens
Overlapping Organizational Aims Boy Scouts of America * Personal fitness * Character development * Citizenship training * Mentoring youth * Promote strong * Sponsoring community national security programs * Devotion to Servicemembers * Advocating patriotism & veterans & honor METHODS OF CUB SCOUTS Living the ideals Belonging to a Den Using advancement Involving family & home Participation in activities Serving the neighborhood & community Wearing the uniform American Legion METHODS OF BOY SCOUTS Patrol method Ideals Outdoor programs Advancement Associations with adults Personal growth Leadership development Uniform
BSA Supports the American Legion Pillars Veteran Service & Rehabilitation Participate in veteran activities: Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Patriot Day ceremonies, Officer Installments, official ceremonies, VA Center and Old Soldiers Home visits Ability to integrate the Scouting program into nearly any Legion event Service to VA Hospital residents National Security Historical examples: War Bond Drives, Scrap Metal Drives, Victory Gardens Contemporary examples: Food drives, disaster preparedness, individual skills and resiliency Youth fitness to prepare for military service Natural transition: serving as Boy Scout youth to serving as adult military to serving in the Legion post military service Americanism Respect for the military, first responders, government institutions, and duty to God; instills leadership, teamwork, and personal drive Emphasize citizenship in the community and nation Flag etiquette: color guard ceremonies and flag retirements Children & Youth Core focus of Boy Scouts Strengthens family units Provides positive adult role models especially when Veteran led!
Legion Resources for Scouting American Legion National American Legion Square Knot Award for Legion adult volunteers $10,000 Legion National Eagle Scout Scholarship Florida Department $2,500, $1,500, $1,000, and $500 Eagle Scout Scholarships Post Boy Scout Chair Manual American Legion Florida Department Boy Scout Unit Policy Templates Legal opinions Public Speaking Merit Badge (Annual Legion Oratorical Contest) Future Initiatives 100 th Anniversary Celebration Scouting activities Amend resolution verbiage to conform to current statutes Eagle Scout Pin Operation EAGLE AID for TAL Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
Alafia Post 148: A Tale of Two Posts Post 148 has chartered Cub Scout Pack 606 for over 10 years. Completely hands off until December 2015. Sponsor in name only. No mutual benefit. Major changes for 2016 program year New American Legion guidance: Key Leaders filled with Legionnaires (OCT 2015) New American Legion driven Cub Scout unit level By Laws and SOPs Curve Ball: New IRS tax laws affecting relationship to chartered non profit activities Post Membership Increase 4 Active Duty 9 Veterans 5 Veteran descendants 18 Spouses 34 Children of Veterans American Legion Consolidated Post Report (CPR) Increased points in nearly every category
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION