PLANNING CALENDAR 2012 2013 Building the Council Annual Plan
100% BOYS LIFE FOR ALL SCOUTS Boys Life promotes literacy as an essential part of the personal fitness development of its readers. Boys Life helps boys to discover the joy of good reading and to develop their reading skills. Teachers will tell you that good readers are better students. Parents know that Boys Life provides interesting, wholesome reading that will help their sons to grow in Scouting and in life.
September 2012 August BOYS LIFE features September activities: Cooperation 1 Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Fitness/Athlete (1) Family Member (1) Forester/Naturalist (2) Aquanaut (2) Make BOYS'LIFE a feature of every roundtable. Safety 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Labor Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 30 24 25 26 27 28 29
October 2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 BOYS LIFE is essential. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Columbus Day (observed) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 September BOYS LIFE features October activities: Responsibility Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Forester/Naturalist (3) Outdoorsman (3) Traveler/Fitness (4) Sportsman (4) Nature
November 2012 October BOYS LIFE features November activities: 1 2 3 Citizenship Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Citizen (5) Scientist (5) Citizen (6) Scientist (6) BOYS LIFE is essential. Read to lead. Business 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Election Day 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Veterans Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Thanksgiving Day 25 26 27 28 29 30 Pedro delivers.
December 2012 November BOYS LIFE features December activities: Respect Start council program planning process. 1 Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Citizen (7) Readyman (7) Makeup Makeup Pedro delivers. BOYS LIFE subscribers stay in Scouting longer. First Aid 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 30 24 31 25 26 27 28 29 Christmas Day
January 2013 December BOYS LIFE features January activities: Positive Attitude Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Citizen/Artist (8) Readyman (8) Makeup Readyman (9) 1 2 3 4 5 Winter Camping New Year s Day 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Martin Luther King Jr. Day 27 28 29 30 31 BOYS LIFE tells our youth that life is good and that America is a neat place to live. Readers are leaders. Use the budget plan for 100% BOYS LIFE.
February 2013 January BOYS LIFE features February activities: 1 2 Resourcefulness Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Geologist (9) Arrow of Light (10) Geologist (10) Handyman (11) BOYS LIFE subscribers stay in Scouting longer. Make BOYS LIFE a feature of every roundtable. Citizenship 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Scouting Anniversary Week begins. Scout Sunday Scouting Anniversary Day Scouting Anniversary Week ends. Scout Sabbath 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Valentine s Day 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Presidents Day 24 25 26 27 28 Give your Scouts the BOYS LIFE advantage.
March 2013 February BOYS LIFE features March activities: 1 2 Compassion Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Engineer (11) Sportsman (12) Engineer (12) Communicator (13) Physical Fitness Readers are leaders. Use the budget plan for 100% BOYS' LIFE. BOYS LIFE Anniversary Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 St. Patrick s Day 24 31 25 26 27 28 29 30
April 2013 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pedro delivers. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 March BOYS LIFE features April activities: Faith Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Craftsman (13) Sportsman (14) Craftsman (14) Sportsman (15) Forestry Target completion of council/district program plan and calendar. BOYS LIFE subscribers stay in Scouting longer. BOYS LIFE is essential.
MAY 2013 April BOYS LIFE features May activities: 1 2 3 4 Health and Fitness Webelos (Year 1) Scholar/Artist (15) Makeup Set dates for all unit program planning conferences and give units resources. Leadership 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Mother s Day 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Read to lead. Memorial Day
June 2013 May BOYS LIFE features June activities: Perseverance Units conduct their annual program planning conferences. 1 Outdoor activities supporting activity badges and Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements Special Cooking Pedro delivers. Readers are leaders. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Flag Day 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Father s Day 23 30 24 25 26 27 28 29
July 2013 1 2 3 4 5 6 Read to lead. Independence Day 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 June BOYS LIFE features July activities: Courage Outdoor activities supporting activity badges and Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements BOYS LIFE is essential. Backpacking
August 2013 July BOYS LIFE features August activities: 1 2 3 Honesty Outdoor activities supporting activity badges and Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements Use the budget plan for 100% BOYS' LIFE. Aquatics 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
September 2013 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Labor Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 August BOYS LIFE features September activities: Cooperation Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Fitness/Athlete (1) Family Member (1) Forester/Naturalist (2) Aquanaut (2) Make BOYS LIFE a feature of every roundtable. Fishing
October 2013 September BOYS LIFE features October activities: Responsibility Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Forester/Naturalist (3) Outdoorsman (3) Traveler/Fitness (4) Sportsman (4) Athletics 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Columbus Day (observed) 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 BOYS LIFE subscribers stay in Scouting longer.
November 2013 October BOYS LIFE features November activities: Citizenship BOYS LIFE is essential. 1 2 Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Citizen (5) Scientist (5) Citizen (6) Scientist (6) Read to lead. BOYS LIFE subscribers stay in Scouting longer. Science 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Election Day 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Veterans Day 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Thanksgiving Day
December 2013 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Christmas Day 29 30 31 November BOYS LIFE features December activities: Respect Webelos (Year 1) Arrow of Light (Year 2) Citizen (7) Readyman (7) Makeup Makeup Cooking Start 2014 council program planning process. Pedro delivers. BOYS LIFE subscribers stay in Scouting longer.
2014 New Year s Day Wednesday, January 1 January February 2014 March April 2015 New Year s Day Thursday, January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, January 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, January 19 Presidents Day Monday, February 17 Ash Wednesday Wednesday, March 5 St. Patrick s Day Monday, March 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Presidents Day Monday, February 16 Ash Wednesday Wednesday, February 18 St. Patrick s Day Tuesday, March 17 Passover Begins Tuesday, April 15 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Good Friday Friday, April 3 Good Friday Friday, April 18 Easter Sunday, April 20 September 1 2 3 4 5 6 October 1 2 3 4 November 1 31 December 1 2 3 4 5 6 Passover Begins Saturday, April 4 Easter Sunday, April 5 Mother s Day Sunday, May 11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Mother s Day Sunday, May 10 Memorial Day Monday, May 26 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 Memorial Day Monday, May 25 Flag Day Saturday, June 14 Father s Day Sunday, June 15 Independence Day Friday, July 4 January 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 February 2015 March 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 April 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Flag Day Sunday, June 14 Father s Day Sunday, June 21 Independence Day Saturday, July 4 Labor Day Monday, September 1 Rosh Hashanah Thursday, September 25 Friday, September 26 Yom Kippur Saturday, October 4 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Labor Day Monday, September 7 Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 14 Tuesday, September 15 Yom Kippur Wednesday, September 23 Columbus Day (observed) Monday, October 13 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Columbus Day (observed) Monday, October 12 Election Day Tuesday, November 4 Veterans Day Tuesday, November 11 Thanksgiving Thursday, November 27 31 September 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 October 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 November 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Election Day Tuesday, November 3 Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11 Thanksgiving Thursday, November 26 Christmas Thursday, December 25 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 Christmas Friday, December 25
2016 2016 2017 New Year s Day Friday, January 1 January February March April New Year s Day Sunday, January 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, January 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, January 16 Ash Wednesday Wednesday, February 10 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Presidents Day Monday, February 20 Presidents Day Monday, February 15 St. Patrick s Day Thursday, March 17 31 May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Ash Wednesday Wednesday, March 1 St. Patrick s Day Friday, March 17 Good Friday Friday, March 25 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Passover Begins Tuesday, April 11 Easter Sunday, March 27 Passover Begins Saturday, April 23 September 1 2 3 October 1 31 November 1 2 3 4 5 December 1 2 3 Good Friday Friday, April 14 Easter Sunday, April 16 Mother s Day Sunday, May 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Mother s Day Sunday, May 14 Memorial Day Monday, May 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Memorial Day Monday, May 29 Flag Day Tuesday, June 14 Father s Day Sunday, June 19 Independence Day Monday, July 4 January 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 February 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2017 March 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 April 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Flag Day Wednesday, June 14 Father s Day Sunday, June 18 Independence Day Tuesday, July 4 Labor Day Monday, September 5 Rosh Hashanah Monday, October 3 Tuesday, October 4 Columbus Day (observed) Monday, October 10 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Labor Day Monday, September 4 Rosh Hashanah Thursday, September 21 Friday, September 22 Yom Kippur Saturday, September 30 Yom Kippur Wednesday, October 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Columbus Day (observed) Monday, October 9 Election Day Tuesday, November 8 Veterans Day Friday, November 11 September 1 2 October 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 30 31 November 1 2 3 4 December 1 2 Election Day Tuesday, November 7 Veterans Day Saturday, November 11 Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Thanksgiving Thursday, November 23 Christmas Sunday, December 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Christmas Monday, December 25
2012-2013 Calendar of Religious Dates There are certain dates and religious observances that must be adhered to by the individual. Arrangements must be made for participation in special services. The Islamic (Muslim) year begins with Muharram. All Islamic dates are subject to sighting of the moon; an event may be one day earlier or later than the date listed. According to the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar, the day begins after evening vespers at sunset and concludes with vespers on the following day. For this reason, the observance of all Eastern Orthodox holy days begins at sunset on the evening before the holy day. Jewish holidays begin at sundown of the first date listed and end at nightfall of the last date listed. A religious institution has the option of celebrating Scout Sunday/ Scout Sabbath at its discretion. For example, the United Methodist Church always celebrates Scout Sunday on the second Sunday in February. Note: * Usually begins at sundown the day before this date. ** Local customs may vary this date. 2012 January 1 Mary, Mother of God, Catholic Christian Feast of St. Basil, Orthodox Christian Gantan-sai (New Years), Shinto 5 Twelfth Night, Christian 6 Epiphany, Christian 13 Maghi, Sikh 15 World Religion Day, Baha i 20 Tu B'shvat, Jewish February 4 Mawlid an Nabi, Islam 5 Scout Sunday 11 Scout Sabbath 15 Nirvana Day, Buddhist March 8 Purim, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 9 Ash Wednesday, Christian 17 St. Patrick s Day, Christian 21 Norouz (The New Day), Zoroastrian 28 Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra), Zoroastrian April 6 Good Friday, Christian 7-14 Pesach (Passover), Jewish (no activities on 7, 8, 13, 14) 8 Easter, Christian 14 Baisakhi, Sikh 15 Easter/Pesach, Orthodox Christian 17 Palm Sunday, Christian 30 St. James the Great Day, Orthodox Christian May 6 Buddha Day - Visakha Puja, Buddhist 10 Lag Ba'Omer, Jewish 27 Pentecost, Christian 29 Ascension of Baha u llah, Baha i June 2 Ascension of Christ, Christian 3 Trinity Sunday, Christian 8-9 Shavot, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 10 Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian 15 Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Christian July 9 Martyrdom of the B ab, Baha i 11 St. Benedict Day, Catholic Christian 20 Ramadan Begins, Islam 24 Pioneer Day, Mormon Christian 25 St. James the Great Day, Christian 29 Tisha B Aviv, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) August 10 Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian Dormition of the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian September 17-18 Rosh Hashanah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 26 Yom Kippur, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) October 1-7 Sukkot, Jewish (No Scouting activities on first, second, eighth, or ninth days) 4 St. Francis Day, Catholic Christian 9 Simhat Torah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 16-23 Navratri, Hindu 20 Birth of the B ab, Baha i 28 Reformation Day, Protestant Christian 31 All Hallows Eve, Christian November 1 All Saints Day, Christian 2 All Souls Day, Catholic Christian 12 Birth of Baha u llah, Baha i 13 Diwali, Hindu, Jain, Sikh 22 Thanksgiving, Interfaith 26 Day of Covenant, Baha i December 2 First Sunday of Advent, Christian 8 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu), Buddhist Immaculate Conception, Catholic Christian 12 Feast Day - Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholic Christian 9-16 Hanukkah, Jewish 25 Christmas, Christian 26 Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra), Zoroastrian 26 - Jan. 1 Kwanzaa, Interfaith (continued on back)
January May 2013 October 1 Mary, Mother of God, Catholic Christian Feast of St. Basil, Orthodox Christian Gantan-sai (New Years), Shinto 5 Twelfth Night, Christian 6 Epiphany, Christian 13 Maghi, Sikh 15 World Religion Day, Baha i 24 Mawlid an Nabi, Islam 26 Tu B'shvat, Jewish February 3 Scout Sunday 9 Scout Sabbath 13 Ash Wednesday, Christian 14 Nirvana Day, Buddhist 24 Purim, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) March 17 St. Patrick s Day, Christian 21 Norouz (The New Day), Zoroastrian 26-Apr. 2 Pesach (Passover), Jewish (No activities on 26, 27, 1, 2) 26 Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra), Zoroastrian 29 Good Friday, Christian 31 Easter, Christian April 14 Baisakhi, Sikh 28 Lag Ba Omer, Jewish 30 St. James the Great Day, Orthodox Christian 9 Ascension of Christ, Christian 15-16 Shavot, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 19 Pentecost, Christian 25 Buddha Day - Visakha Puja, Buddhist 26 Trinity Sunday, Christian 29 Ascension of Baha u llah, Baha i 30 Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian June 7 Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Christian July 9 Ramadan Begins, Islam Martyrdom of the B ab, Baha i 11 St. Benedict Day, Catholic Christian 24 Pioneer Day, Mormon Christian 30 St. James the Great Day, Christian August 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian Dormition of the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian 28 Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu September 5-6 Rosh Hashanah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 14 Yom Kippur, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 16 Tisha B Aviv, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 19-25 Sukkot, Jewish (No Scouting activities on first, second, eighth, or ninth days) 27 Simhat Torah, Jewish (Precludes Scouting activities) 4 St. Francis Day, Catholic Christian 5-13 Navratri, Hindu 20 Birth of the B ab, Baha i 27 Reformation Day, Protestant Christian 31 All Hallows Eve, Christian November 1 All Saints Day, Christian 2 All Souls Day, Catholic Christian 3-7 Diwali, Hindu, Jain, Sikh 12 Birth of Baha u llah, Baha i 26 Day of Covenant, Baha i 28 Thanksgiving, Interfaith 28-Dec. 5 Hanukkah, Jewish December 1 First Sunday of Advent, Christian 8 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu), Buddhist Immaculate Conception, Catholic Christian 12 Feast Day - Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholic Christian 25 Christmas, Christian 26 Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra), Zoroastrian 26-Jan. 1 Kwanzaa, Interfaith
Building the Council Annual Plan Gearing Into the Council Strategic Plan Using the council s current strategic plan, the first step is the annual review and updating of the strategic plan. By this review, and the resulting action of the executive board to approve current objectives that are attainable and challenging, the parts of the strategic plan affecting the annual plan being prepared can become the groundwork for subsequent steps in making the annual plan. The process of building the annual plan should begin well in advance of the quarter in which the plan will take effect. Starting early allows the logical steps to be taken in order, makes it possible to involve many people in unhurried deliberation, and permits basing the annual budget on the resulting plan. Steps in building an annual plan vary somewhat with different councils. Flexibility is fine as long as the basic principles are thoroughly respected: 1. The planning process is begun early. 2. All key leaders are involved. 3. The council makes one united plan all for one and one for all in which each district has its share. 4. The plan is complete in all its parts: objectives, program, calendar, work schedule. In general, the steps in building an annual plan are as follows. See scouting.org for unit annual program planning guides as a resource. Staff Planning Conference The professional staff develops a proposed plan. This is called a pencil draft to emphasize the fact that while the staff suggests, the volunteers make the final decision. This planning should be based on a thorough knowledge of unit needs, district needs, and the desires of volunteer groups. Having the pencil draft prepared in advance conserves the time of many volunteers and provides them with a good starting point. District Officers Conferences A series of informal conferences follows the staff planning conference. The meeting of district officers, or the district executive committee, is to review the pencil draft and make any changes that seem desirable. The important thing is that this process gives each of these key leaders an opportunity to share in the thinking and to be prepared for the council planning conference that is to follow. Council Planning Conference This meeting, involving the key leaders of the council and its districts, is best held on an afternoon and an evening. The first part is devoted to group meetings that consider the plan for each operating committee. When this has been completed, the groups join to hear the presentation of each committee s plans. The plan refined in this meeting goes to the council executive board for its adoption. The Districts Detail and Define Their Share At the next regular meeting of the districts, the council s plan and the districts shares in it are reviewed. Each committee details and defines its program and calendar. The council program is broad and general, as it affects the program of the various functions. It may include a camporee in every district, but it does not specify either the date or the place. The council has established new-unit objectives, but it does not specify where or when these are to be organized. Thus, there remains to each district and each committee a considerable task of putting in the specifics and details. Unit Planning Conference After the commissioner staff reviews the plan and its part in it, the council prepares an annual program plan ning kit for each unit. The kits are distributed as part of a councilwide program kickoff or at a unit plan ning conference in each district. Unit program planning kits may be printed or provided in electronic format, or both. The goal should be for every unit to have an annual program plan.
Boys Life Is Quality Program Help Make All Units 100% Boys Life Units Scouting s Journey to Excellence (JTE) is the BSA s performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and to measure the performance of our units. JTE units that also qualify as a 100% Boys Life Unit may wear any of the three special Boys Life edition JTE emblems gold, silver, or bronze. Boys Life Is Good Scouting Leaders appreciate that Scouts who read Boys Life stay in Scouting longer and advance in rank faster and more often than Scout non-subscribers. They know that each issue of Boys Life covers monthly Cub Scout activities and a Boy Scout program feature. Boys Life Is Good Reading Parents like Boys Life because it encourages their sons to read. The articles and stories in Boys Life are wholesome and entertaining, and they help boys to grow up to be men of good character. Teachers know that in tomorrow s world good reading will be a survival skill. If our youth are to compete on a level playing field, they must be able to effectively understand the printed word. Boys Life encourages boys to practice reading. Two Editions One Great Magazine Boys Life publishes two editions each month to meet the reading level needs of young subscribers. The Cub Scout edition goes to all youth and adult subscribers in the Cub Scout program. It has more pictures, puzzles, comics, and word games than the Boy Scout edition, in which the reader will find more articles and stories geared to the older, Boy Scout-age youth. www.boyslife.org www.scouting.org/magazines 331-011 (A Boys Life Program Package item) 2012 Printing