What Does the Council Do for the Leader and Unit?

From time to time this question is asked of district and council staff or volunteers. Most often this request is heard in conjunction when a unit leader is asked to schedule their annual Friends of Scouting presentation. So here are the answers to that inquiry.

(This is part 1 of a 4 part series.) To help the leader with administration of the unit the Council maintains a service center with clerical staff to:

1. Handle registrations, Boy's Life subscriptions, and special requests to the National office and other organizations.

2. Maintain a supply of literature, insignia, forms, certificates, etc., needed by the leader to carry on the unit's program.

3. Keep records of advancement, membership, training, etc., necessary to unit operations.

4. Produce this council newsletter and special council bulletins to keep leaders informed of the latest local and national Scouting news, and coming events.

5. Produce notices, minutes, agendas, etc., for district and council committees that are developing programs for leader and unit benefit.

6. Handle phone calls, e-mails and visitors for information related to unit operation and Scouting procedure.

7. Provide, without charge, dozens of regular and special forms, applications, certificates, and literature, helpful to the unit.

8.Produce district and council calendars and schedules, program kits, and special aids to assist leaders and their committees.

9. Make reservations for videos, equipment, long camps, camporees, jamborees, high-adventure bases, training courses, meetings, Venturing activities, annual council and district meetings, troop leader and den chief events.

10. Manage online resources including: Council Website, mass e-mails lists, "Virtual Scout Shop", online Rechartering, Internet Advancement and MyScouting resources.