Good Turn for America
http://www.goodturnforamerica.org/
&
Scouting Anniversary Planning Information

Scouts and Scouting volunteers make a difference in their neighborhoods and communities every day. To help shine a spotlight on these ongoing efforts, the Boy Scouts of America officially launched Good Turn for America in February 2004. This national effort allows councils to track the service their Scouts and volunteers are providing to their communities.

Good Turn for America will provide an avenue for councils to highlight the service that's going on right now. This includes individual service projects and efforts conducted with organizations such as the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, the American Heart Association, and many others.

Good Turn for America is an opportunity to join a nationwide reporting of the great work that happens in Scouting. Each year following the launch, the Boy Scouts of America will sponsor a national reporting day. On this day, the Boy Scouts of America and its local councils will have the opportunity to report their service successes back to their communities.

How to Make the Most of Good Turn for America

Use Scouting Anniversary Week as a kickoff for Good Turn for America in your community. For the initial launch at your anniversary celebration, highlight the results of your Scouting for Food drives, coat drives, trash collection—any service projects that happened during the past year. At the same time, kick off a new year of service by pledging to do a Good Turn for America. As part of the effort, have each unit pledge a certain number of community service hours, or announce a joint service effort with a chartering organization or community service organization such as the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. On reporting day, calculate the number of hours and share it with your local media and community.

For more information about Good Turn for America, visit  http://www.goodturnforamerica.org/

Scouting Anniversary Planning Information

The anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America is an excellent opportunity to talk to communities about the contributions the Boy Scouts of America has made to our nation throughout its 94-year history. When used as a component of a comprehensive marketing campaign, promotions like Scouting Anniversary Week can provide a foundation on which councils and districts can build awareness, launch financial campaigns, and support membership growth, volunteer recruiting, and fund-raising.

Ideas for Observing Scouting Anniversary Week

Scouting IS service! Scouting Anniversary Week is an excellent opportunity to highlight the many ways Scouting benefits the community. The following are ways to maximize your efforts at the council, district, and unit levels.

Scouting Anniversary Week Ideas for Councils

Your marketing committee should develop ways to promote Scouting Anniversary Week across the council. Suggestions include collaborating with businesses and organizations in your council to create radio spots, place newspaper ads, work with local television stations, publicize uniform day, etc.

Scouting Anniversary Week Ideas for Districts and Units

• Conduct a special districtwide service project during Scouting Anniversary Week to demonstrate both pride in America and pride in community.

• Conduct a service project for a chartered organization as a way of thanking them for their support of Scouting.

• Hold a special flag-raising ceremony at a high-profile location in the community, or make a special presentation to the local school board, mayor, or city council. Invite chartered organizations, supporters, police, fire and rescue personnel, and government officials to participate.

• Have dens create birthday cards or handicraft items to display in store windows, school trophy cases, etc.

• Make public appearances at worship services, service club programs, chartered organization events, parades, etc.

• Conduct unit family events such as blue and gold banquets, courts of honor, parents' nights, alumni recognitions, etc.

• Plant a tree in honor of the anniversary.

• Use this opportunity for packs and troops to work together. This will also provide Webelos Scouts with the opportunity to work with the troop they will be moving into.

• MORE Great Ideas

• Press Releases

  • Boy Scouts of America Celebrates 94 Years of Serving Youth [Word]

  • Strong Values, Strong Leaders: Boy Scouts Still Going Strong After 94 Years [Word]

  • Council Celebrates Boy Scouts of America's 94th Anniversary [Word]
     

• Editorials

Most people overlook editorials as communication tools. The truth is, however, most newspapers have opinion and editorial sections that address areas of importance and concern in communities. Many newspapers accept editorials and opinion pieces from individuals and organizations and consider them for placement. Use the following editorials as foundations to develop your own opinion pieces for local newspapers.

Scouting Is Fun With a Purpose [Word]

Thank You, Volunteers! [Word]

The Responsibility for Tomorrow Is Ours [Word]

• Radio PSA Scripts

  Radio public service announcements can be an effective way to communicate with your target audiences. The following scripts are designed to provide you with ideas for PSAs. They can be modified to fit the needs of your audiences.
   

  • 30-Second Spot
    Ninety-four years ago, an idea came to America. It was called Scouting. It was a simple concept that used a fun and exciting outdoor program to teach important lessons about life and leadership. Today, thanks to more than 1.2 million dedicated volunteers, the Boy Scouts of America is still teaching those important ideas to young people. And those young people are making a difference in their communities. To find out how you can support Scouting—or to learn how your child can join—call (phone number).

  • 30-Second Spot
    As a parent or grandparent, you not only make a difference, you make the difference in the lives of your children. Invest in their future by getting a child you love involved in Scouting. Call the Boy Scouts of America at (phone number) to find the community Scouting group that is best for you.

  • 30-Second Spot
    On my honor I will do my best
    To do my duty to God and my country
    and to obey the Scout Law;
    To help other people at all times;
    To keep myself physically strong,
    mentally awake, and morally straight.

    That is the Scout Oath, and it has served as a guide for more than 110 million people since 1910. As the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 94th birthday on February 8, we at radio station (call letters) wish the organization many more years to come.

     

  • 30-Second Spot
    If you are a parent or grandparent, you may recall a time when some adult made a difference in your life. Now, it is your time and your turn to make a difference in the life of a child. While today's youth may have different needs than you had as a child, one thing remains true: they need time with you. Call the Boy Scouts of America at (phone number) today to make a difference.

  • 30-Second Spot
    A wise man once said "A nation owes its success not so much to its strength in armaments as to the amount of character in its citizens." This is Scouting Anniversary Week. For 94 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been building character and good citizenship. Station (call letters) joins the 4.5 million members of this great organization in celebrating the anniversary of its founding.

   

• Proclamations

  • Sample One [Word]

  • Sample Two [Word]

  • Sample Three [Word]

   

• Program Inserts [PDF]