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In February 2004, as we celebrate
the BSA's 94th anniversary, we launched a new initiative titled Good
Turn for America to help us:
One Initiative, Three
Components, Many Benefits
Best of all, the initiative does
not require our volunteers to do more; it simply asks that we think
anew about our district's accomplishments. Plus, it is flexible,
allowing us to meet our district's needs by focusing on any or all of
the initiative's three components: the collection and serving of food
(Scouting for Food), assisting organizations that provide shelter
(Scouting for Shelter), and promoting healthy living (Scouting for
Healthy Living).
The idea that one initiative with
three components could result in numerous benefits without a great
deal of additional work is feasible because Good Turn for America
focuses on the service our units are already performing in your community.
The initiative will feature a Web
site for your units to enter information about any service project in
which they participate. The site will enable units to report details
such as
-
Type of service project
- Outcome of the project (for
example, the number or weight of items collected)
- Number of participants and
total service hours
- Name or type of collaborating organization
This information is accessible to
your council as well as the National Council. And it is this data as
well as the simple concept of service that will enable you to reap a
variety of benefits.
Promotional Benefit
With this data, you will have
access to statistics revealing the amount of community service taking
place today. We will be able to make presentations, distribute news
releases, and communicate the value of Scouting to your community
more effectively.
Collaboration Benefit
To learn citizenship, youth must
have an opportunity to serve. These opportunities can often be found
by simply helping another organization accomplish its mission. We are
developing a working relationship at a national level with three
organizations whose missions coincide with the three components of
Good Turn for America: The Salvation Army (food), Habitat for
Humanity (shelter), and the American Red Cross (healthy living).
However, we are not limited to
working with the local chapters of these three organizations. Our
volunteers likely know dozens of other community organizations whose
missions fall under food, shelter, and healthy living. Good Turn for
America provides you with a tool to begin working with these
organizations to serve your community more effectively.
Volunteer Benefit
As the opportunity for
collaboration increases, so will your access to a greater number of
potential volunteers. More important, Good Turn for America opens
doors with individuals with whom we may not have had a key to begin a conversation.
Perhaps an individual's passion
is meeting the needs of the homeless or elderly. Or you may know
someone who is too busy to serve as a unit leader or fulfill the
responsibilities of a district committee member, but is deeply
concerned about conservation. Good Turn for America offers
opportunities to introduce such people to Scouting while they
continue to be involved in their current activities and
organizations. And once introduced to Scouting, they may eventually
become valued members of our district leadership.
Impact Benefit
Finally, Good Turn for America
will help you establish the fact that Scouting is alive and continues
to meet the needs of youth, families, and the community. With the
data from the Web site, we will be able to accurately inform our
local decision makers and financial supporters how their support of
Scouting has, and will continue to, benefit the community.
INFO For more details, visit www.goodturnforamerica.org
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