Presentation given at the 1st Annual Saudi Arabia Conference on Scouting and Volunteerism. Held Feb 28 - March 2, 2017 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

1. 1
The Value of
Volunteerism
within the Boy
Scouts of America
Presentation by:
J. Michael Isom, JD, PMP

2. One Volunteer Can Make A
Difference
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3. 3

4. Mission of the Boy Scouts of
America
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5. 5
Summary: Volunteering for the Boy
Scouts of America has helped people
become better citizens, better parents,
better managers/supervisors, and
better employees

6. BSA Volunteer Outcomes Study
Methodology
Conducted by Harris Interactive
16,124 Respondents from across U.S.
Additional Studies:
– Eagle Scouts: The Merit Behind the Badge (2012)
– The Values of Men and Boys in America (1995)
Findings: “Men and boys with strong Scouting experience often
demonstrate higher ethical and moral standards than non-Scouts.”
– A Year in the Life of a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturer (1998)
Findings: “Through weekly unit meetings and outdoor activities Scouts
gain strong personal values and a positive sense of self-worth, build
caring and nurturing relationships with adults and peers, spark a desire
to learn, use their time creatively, and gain social skills.”
6

7. BSA Volunteer Outcomes Study
Outcomes of Scouting on Volunteers
90% “Helps me be a better citizen”
88% “Helping me become a better parent”
66% “Helping me become a better employee”
74% “Helping me become a better manager/supervisor”
40% developed a “more personal relationship with Allah (God)”
Volunteers Commitment
288 million hours of service annually (20hrs/month avg)
96% say they recommend Scouting to other adult volunteers
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8. Personal Values and Traits
“Kids see a good
example of their
parents being
involved with the
community.”
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9. Conservation
“You learn to use
your resources to
the best of your
ability.”
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10. Ethical and Moral Character
“Hearing the
Scout Oath so
many times can
help you make
moral decisions.”
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11. Patience and Understanding
“I think I learned to
be more
understanding of
today’s youth.”
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12. Enjoyment and Self-Esteem
“You get to be a
kid again in a way.”
12

13. Communication Skills
“Volunteering
helped me be open
and more willing to
listen
to what other
people have
to say.”
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14. Teaching Skills
“It’s very
satisfying to see
the boys grow
up.”
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15. Relationship Skills (Parenting)
“Scout
volunteering
teaches you to
relate to your
kids better.”
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16. Relationship Skills (Youth)
“How to deal
with the boys
and get them
motivated
was part of
our…training.”
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17. Relationship Skills (Other
Adults)
“I enjoy
immensely the
bonding that
I’ve had with
other adult
leaders.”
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18. Outdoor Skills
“I camped every
now and then
before becoming a
Scout volunteer.
Now I camp at
least once a
month and really
enjoy it.”
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19. Survival Skills
“I feel confident I
could respond
quickly and
effectively in an
emergency
because of the
training I’ve
received.”
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20. Management and Leadership
Skills
“I learned some
great leadership
skills that I have
been able to
take from
Scouting to
work.”
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21. Management and Leadership
Skills
“Whether you’re
fund-raising or
organizing a
campout, you
have to
pull together the
resources and
people and make
it all work.”
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22. Scouts of Yesterday….
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23. ….Leaders of Today
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24. Scouts of Today become
Leaders of Tomorrow
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25. Riyadh Troop 257 at
Philmont High Adventure
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