Volunteer Meeting Survey Results
Here is a summary of the survey conducted by the Scout Executive during a recent series of meeting with vounteers across the council. Links to the results of each specific meeting are at the bottom of this page:
Spring 2010 Volunteer Survey
Greater Alabama Council/Boy Scouts of America
-Readiness Meetings-
Combined – 8 Meetings
Please take a few minutes and fill out this survey and turn it in at the end of tonight’s meeting. Your input will be tabulated and shared with the executive board of the Greater Alabama Council along with our working committees.
Thank you in advance for your time and for filling out this survey.
1. Communication Section
a. Do you use or receive the weekly Digital Eagle?
Yes 86.9% No 13.1%
b. Does your unit share the weekly Digital Eagle with others in your unit?
Yes 49.6% No 50.4%
c. Have you gone to the GAC website lately?
Yes 84.6% No 15.4%
d. If yes, how often do you go to our website on a monthly basis?
Daily 13.3%
Weekly 42.6%
Twice a month 22.0%
Once a month 14.8%
Other 7.3%
e. How can we make the Digital Eagle more effective for your use?
Expand District Information
Reduce Size, make tabs to click open your district
Tabs to certain areas and back to top
Information good but too much
Cut down on clutter
Tab of contents/links
So much information stays the same from week to week, it is hard to read and find what you need to see
Sort by Cub, Boy, Venturing, general
Compile events from each district into a master list
Consolidated calendar section – 3 months out
Push all districts to keep updated information, especially training opportunities
Keep it current
More Talakto information
Talakto district needs more information
Facebook and Email would help a lot.
The easier the better.
Button at top to skip directly to own district.
Update calendar. Keep current.
A way to pinpoint “new” information in foreground.
Archiving “old” copies for reference. Such as listing merit badge day classes to anticipate future offerings.
Sent to more Scout volunteers through sign-ups at Roundtables, Camporee, etc.
New information at top. Repetitive may lead to overlooking information
I would do every other week instead of once a week
More local interest stories about local units
Get. Mt. Lake’s information into it
Ask our DE (Lookout Mtn) to put upcoming events on it in a timely manner
Calendar is not very detailed
It is a little difficult to navigate at times. Depending on what you are looking for, it was easier with the old system, but everything thing looks better.
Drop boxes for the districts
f. Did you know about the Digital Eagle service?
Yes 90.6% No 9.4%
g. Do you or someone from your Scout unit attend your district monthly roundtable?
Yes 97.5% No 2.5%
h. If no, why do you/your unit not participate in your monthly roundtable?
I am a new volunteer Cubmaster that will begin at next meeting
i. Other information you would like to share to better communicate to you and your units?
Standardize who is supposed to get what from whom and when!
Keep it simple, less duplication when possible
District activities and events
Use Turbo Tax like prompts on internet re-chartering to help avoid delays
Consolidated calendar on council website…especially training!
Only attend for Eagle updates- OA meetings
Proper planning on the district level makes it easier for volunteers to plan for our upcoming pack events without having conflicting dates which lead to cancelled or skipped events
Link calendar to event flyers/registrations
Training
I wish people/commissioners would visit DE, etc.
2. Youth Impact Section:
a. Before tonight, have you heard about the Youth Impact Plan?
Yes 60.3% No 39.7%
b. How do you feel about asking all registered volunteers to undergo BSA training?
Like it and agree . 86.7%
We might have some volunteers in our units who will not go to training. 13.3%
Do not like it. 0%
Other comments:
The more training the better; either as a trainee or trainer
In order to accomplish this, training needs to be available on multiple dates and locations
Training has to be there!
A lot of people do not want to put in the time necessary because of too many other commitments
It will give them a better understanding of Scouting
Improve success
Give discount to trained volunteer or charge extra if not trained
Training cannot be effective from a website. Websites are only for reference.
c. How do you feel about encouraging all Scouts to have one rank advancement annually?
Like it and agree. 95.2%
Do not like it. 4.8% Cubs good, Boy Scouts No.
Other comments:
Higher than star should be their decision
Advancement builds a boy’s confidence and self-esteem
Don’t agree with 13-14 year olds getting Eagle Rank. Most don’t realize the impact
Do not want 13 year old Eagles, no mature enough for what it means
There are some Boy Scouts that may not advance in a year’s time but do benefit from the program in developing some leadership skills and life experiences
Not necessarily appropriate for all Boy Scouts
Boys must progress at own pace
Should not be required, but Scouts should get a special pin or badge if they do achieve an annual advancement
Should not be forced by adult leadership
The Troop annual planning conference should be laying out the year so that advancement is almost automatic with attendance. Encourage, not require.
d. Does your unit participate in the following events (mark all that apply):
Cub Scout Packs Boy Scout Troops
Roundtable 73.2% Roundtable 95.1%
Cub Day Camp 80.8% Summer Camp 96.7%
District Pinewood Derby 76.7% District Camporees 88.7%
Cub Scout Adventure 32.2% Encampment 59.7%
Cub Haunted 69.8% Order of the Arrow Events 77.3%
Fishing Rodeo 67.4% Winter Blast 55.4% too long; too costly
Others Cub Luau Others BBA High Adventure Bases, Monthly
Campouts
Venture Crews
Monthly VOA meetings __7.1%___
Winter Fest __0%___
Others__7.1%___ NOAC, District Camporees, District Events
e. How do you feel about the Youth Impact Plan to help our local Scouting program improve its quality and better serve our Scouting units and serve the community?
Training new leaders is the key to a productive scout experience.
It is very good.
I think it will help- good guidelines.
We must have trained leaders if we want Boy Scouts to survive in the 21st century. Trained leaders will build leadership and character for our national future.
We already practice the points in the program.
Good plan.
I think it is an excellent opportunity to improve scouting as a whole.
I agree the goal to train all volunteers, but implementation will be difficult. Advancement – boys must progress at own pace.
Good
Like the concept. Want to learn more.
I really like the idea. It will help scouting become more integrated.
It will work! I support it!!
I feel it is a road in the right direction.
Good.
Agree with all volunteers trained, rank advancement, & fun. My only concern is growth goals. I support these goals, but not sure how we will reach the 5 year targets.
I love the plan. We need to try to go forward as soon as possible! The scouts need it.
Great idea to put something in writing for all to see.
I think it is good. Lays out a good blueprint for unit and districts.
3. Property Section
a. What is your general feeling about the master plan to improve all properties in the council and have high adventure activities in current camps?
Like it a lot. ___87.6%__
Am interested, but not sure._9.8%____
Not interested at all._.80%____
Other comments: 1.8% Not enough knowledge to judge!
Too many buildings hurt the wilderness experience
b. What is your personal main interest in the list of capital improvements?
I support making dining halls priority one.
The camps and High Adventure.
Bigger dining halls, sports complex.
Solar.
Location of proposed dining hall is in a VERY swampy area. We need to look at campsite 4 as the better location.
Camp Comer & Camp Sequoyah.
Aquatics.
Dining hall, program areas at Comer/Cub Resident Camp.
Keep our camps first rate
Kitchen and bath houses
Camp Jackson, Canoe Base
Comer
c. Do you know of anything that we have left out of our capital improvement list?
d. Other comments on your feedback on our current capital improvement plans:
4. Other comments to add to this survey:
LINKS TO SPECIFIC MEETING RESULTS:
