SERVICE HOURS

CIMARRON DISTRICT

ALAMO AREA COUNCIL

July 14, 2011

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SERVICE HOURS

What is the Journey to Excellence Service Project?

Recording Service Hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

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SERVICE HOURS

WHO: All Scouting groups are encouraged to participate in this service project initiative.

WHAT: This is a time for all Scouting groups to conduct meaningful, visible service projects of their choice in their communities.

WHERE: Service projects can be done for your chartered organization or for the cause of the unit’s choice. Projects done in collaboration with other organizations are highly recommended.

WHEN: Projects may be conducted at any time.

WHY: Scouting was founded on the premise of doing a Good Turn daily. Community service is very important in the character-building process and, as Scouts, we have made the commitment to give back to our communities.

HOW: Help units select service project coordinator. After making the commitment to participate, your units should decide on and begin planning their projects.

3What is the Journey to Excellence Service Project?

SERVICE HOURS

The Scout Oath includes the phrase “to help other people at all times,” which reminds us to always be of service to others. Planning should begin with your units. Adult leaders, chartered organizations, and the local government are also good resources for ideas. Projects will be more meaningful and fun if they are well-planned.

4What is the Journey to Excellence Service Project?

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Projects should:

Be significant. The project should be something important. When it’s done, everyone should be able to look back with satisfaction on an effort that has made a difference in your community.

Be democratic. Scouts are more likely to buy into the project if they have taken an active part in selecting, planning, and organizing it.

Be clearly defined. A project must have definite beginning and end points, with logical steps in between. A clear goal allows everyone to measure the progress along the way, and increases everyone’s sense of participation and pride in a job well done.

5What is the Journey to Excellence Service Project?

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Projects should (continued):

Be well-prepared. This begins long before the project starts. Ask these questions: What is the project’s purpose? Who should be contacted as resources? How many Scouts must be involved to complete the work in the allotted time? What tools or resources are needed? What safety issues must be addressed?

Be promoted. Promote your project within your community. This will not only provide additional workers, but will increase the visibility of Scouting and the impact it has on your community. Create a yard sign that says “Pack/Troop/Team/Post/Group No. ___ Service Project” or “Scouting Supports Our Community.”

Include reflection and recognition. When the project is complete, spend 10 or 15 minutes discussing it.

6What is the Journey to Excellence Service Project?

SERVICE HOURS

You will need a unit ID (five to 11 digits) and your unit number (four digits, no letters). You can get this information by calling your council service center.

Go to our website at www.scouting.org/Awards/JourneyToExcellence. Look for the “Service Project” area of the screen. Click on “Enter service hours here.” Choose “Click here to log in or create an account.” Volunteers with a MyScouting account can also reach the Journey to Excellence service hour website by clicking on the service hours link on the left side of the screen in the “Unit Tools” section.

7Recording Service Hours

SERVICE HOURS

8Recording Service Hours

First-Time Users

Select “New Users Click Here” to register. Complete your information and create a user name and password. The user name must be unique (you may have to try again). Your e-mail address will be used only if you forget your password.

Returning Users

Enter your user name and password, then click “Login.” Select an option.

SERVICE HOURS

9Recording Service Hours

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Select one service project type that best describes your project. Input the data requested:

Date of the project Number of registered Scouts participating Number of non-Scouts (brothers, sisters, friends) Number of adult leaders participating Number of other adults participating Total hours worked (number of people times the length of time they worked) Organizations that joined you on the project Who or what organization benefited from the project Number of items collected (if applicable)

Click on “Submit.” When you submit your information, you will be asked whether you have any additional projects to record. To print a certificate, press “Print Certificate.”

10Recording Service Hours

SERVICE HOURS

Select one service project type that best describes your project. Input the data requested:

Date of the project Number of registered Scouts participating Number of non-Scouts (brothers, sisters, friends) Number of adult leaders participating Number of other adults participating Total hours worked (number of people times the length of time they worked) Organizations that joined you on the project Who or what organization benefited from the project Number of items collected (if applicable)

Click on “Submit.” When you submit your information, you will be asked whether you have any additional projects to record. To print a certificate, press “Print Certificate.”

11Recording Service Hours

SERVICE HOURS

How can an Eagle Scout record his service hours?

You will need to have the Eagle Scout project workbook handy. Input the data requested:

The applicant’s full name The project completion date Number of Scouts working on the project Number of non-Scout youth working on the project Number of leaders working on the project Number of other adults working on the project Total hours worked on the project (number of people x the length of time they worked) Cost of materials required to complete the project Project category (selected from the drop-down box) Type of group benefiting from the project The specific group that benefited from the project

12Frequently Asked Questions

SERVICE HOURS

How does an Order of the Arrow lodge record their service hours?

Each local council has an OA lodge ID that can be used to log Order of the Arrow service hours. The unit_id of OA units begin with 200 and a 3 digit council number. The OA lodge for council 583 is 200583. (The 3 digit council number for the Alamo Area Council is 583). Anyone from the lodge can create an account and record hours with that unit it.

All OA units are "troop" unit type.

13Frequently Asked Questions

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How does a Journey to Excellence service project benefit the community?

Meeting the substantial needs of every community is dependent on its citizens to answer the call of volunteerism. There is a natural fit between the Boy Scouts of America and other community organizations, and service learning is an integral part of the Scouting program. As a result, youth and adults seek opportunities to volunteer. Community organizations need volunteers to help them fulfill their missions, and working with these organizations creates a win/win situation for everyone.

14Frequently Asked Questions

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Do volunteers have to be a member of the Boy Scouts of America to participate in the service project?

No. In order to fight hunger, provide shelter, and teach the habits of healthy living, we need the assistance of everyone in the community.

15Frequently Asked Questions

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How is this different from Scouting for Food?

Scouting for Food is a once-a-year effort focusing on one area of need. Good Journey to Excellence service projects should be conducted year-round.

16Frequently Asked Questions

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http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence/unit_tips.aspx

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence.aspx

https://scoutnet.scouting.org/gtfa/ui/security/login.aspx

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence/sample_reports.aspx

17Resources