PTC Courses

2008 Conferences For Council and District Operations
Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico

NEED A VACATION? Bring your family. Want to get away next summer for a week of fun and learning? Begin now by making your plans for the summer of 2008 at the Philmont Training Center. A DVD is available from your council office, giving you details of what is offered and the opportunities provided to your families.

Scouters at all levels reap big rewards at Philmont — great training, rich Scouting fellowship, family programs for all ages, and the inspiring ambiance of a big sky sunset over a working ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The rich history and natural beauty provide an ideal setting for a learning experience, as well as a vacation for the entire family.

Each conference spotlights the latest techniques, audiovisuals and literature, and current policies. An outstanding faculty of experienced volunteers and professionals leads each conference.

Family programs are planned for all ages, from infants to adult spouses. Family members of conference participants will enjoy a staff-led program of hiking, tours, crafts, games, cookouts, horseback riding, campfires, and outdoor activities.

Meals are provided in a cafeteria-style dining hall. Housing for conference participants and their families is in a tent city with modern conveniences provided — electricity, bedding, showers, and restrooms. A medical facility, chapels, public laundry, trading posts, and a handicraft lodge provide support services. Complete information on programs, facilities, and services will be sent to conference participants upon registration. Register early before they fill up.

Course Schhedule

Week 2 — June 8 - 14, 2008

  • District Key 3 — A Leadership Team
  • Commissioner Administration for Quality Scouting
  • The Unit Commissioner — Meeting Unit Needs
  • District Committees That Work
  • Training Management Seminar
  • Membership Growth Ideas for Districts & Councils
  • Special Needs Scouting
  • Advanced Unit Commissioner - NEW

Week 8 — July 20 - 26, 2008

  • District Key 3 — A Leadership Team
  • Council Key 3 — Lead Scouting into the Future
  • Advanced Administration of Commissioner Service
  • The Unit Commissioner — Meeting Unit Needs
  • Becoming a Stronger Executive Board Member - NEW
  • District Committees That Work

Week 9 — July 27 - August 2, 2008

  • District Key 3 — A Leadership Team
  • Council Key 3 — Lead Scouting into the Future

Week 10 — August 3 - 9, 2008

  • Council & District Activities Leadership
  • The Unit Commissioner-Meeting Unit Needs

Course Descriptions

See the course list below for more details on courses provided by the Leadership Support Service

Becoming a Stronger Executive Board MemberNEW COURSE FOR 2008
This new conference is provided for any council level volunteer who serves on the board — officers, executive board members, council chairpersons, advisory council members. Learn about your job and the four functions of council operations — program, membership, finance and unit service. Understand how they all work together to bring Scouting to life in your community. Discover ways to help your council move from being just good to becoming great. Don't settle for anything less! You will see how you can make a difference in helping your council reach new pinnacles of success.
July 20-26
Advanced Unit CommissionerNEW COURSE FOR 2008
This conference is for experienced unit commissioners prepared to set the example in quality service to chartered organizations and Scouting units. Discover how gender, generational and ethnic differences requires a different communication style in order to be most effective. Learn leadership and communication skills that will give you the edge when working with unit leaders. Understand the importance of unit visitation and reporting. Get ideas on ways to help your units achieve the Centennial Quality Unit Award and to provide an outstanding program to their youth. This conference will provide you with the latest information and resources from national - you may be the first to hear about it! There will be lots of breakout sessions for problem solving and some role playing. Don't miss this opportunity to develop your life skills and realize your full potential as a commissioner!
June 8-14
District Key 3 - A Leadership Team
Don't just be a good district - be a GREAT district! Take this conference to learn ways to make that happen. This is a great team-building opportunity for district chair, district commissioner, and district executive teams. It features the role of the district Key 3 and how its members relate in operating a successful district. Explore volunteer and professional relationships and see how each of you enhances the other. There will be idea sharing and problem solving. Discover successful district operation techniques, effective ways to recruit district volunteers, and how to ensure that your district achieves the National Centennial Quality Award. See the purpose of Key 3 meetings as well as district committee meetings. Learn techniques that work with rural and low-income urban communities. This is your opportunity to grow as a district and leap into greatness! Key 3's will look at self evaluations, setting objectives and will develop personal action plans. Take this important step to ensure the success of your district! A scholarship is available for district executives attending this conference with both their district chairman and district commissioner. (Course participants are encouraged to attend as complete district Key 3 teams.)
June 8-14, July 20-26, July 27-Aug 2
Commissioner Administration for Quality Scouting
This conference is for council and district commissioners and their assistants who want to get the latest information from national to make your commissioner staff the best. It includes the role of key volunteers in building and operating a successful commissioner staff dedicated to helping units succeed. Learn how to recruit, train, assign, and coach other commissioners. Discuss techniques for commissioner lifesaving, administering the annual service plan, and how to remove a volunteer. Discover how Boys' Life helps with youth retention. Topics will include charter renewal, roundtables, commissioner meetings and helping your staff develop priorities. Learn about how to be more involved in ensuring that units and your district achieve the National Centennial Quality Award. Discuss worksheets, self-assessment forms, and tracking unit visits. Become familiar with the national parent initiative and how it will help units. Get the latest information on how to relate to younger generations and different ethnic groups and see how you can better meet their needs. Individual breakout sessions will be held for council commissioners. Guide your commissioners to become outstanding and to make your district and council great!
June 8-14
Special Needs Scouting
This conference offers ideas for supporting programs that can meet the needs of all youth who have various disabilities. The conferees will learn how to use these ideas to help their council and districts develop programs serving those youth with special needs. Bring your ideas and resources used to administer your program locally to share with others.
June 8-14
The Unit Commissioner - Meeting Unit Needs
This is the conference for unit commissioners who want the opportunity to become outstanding unit commissioners. Obtain the latest information from national to help you serve your units better. Topics include internet advancement, effective monthly unit visits, unit self-assessment and action-planning process, membership validation, counseling/coaching skills, charter renewal, annual service plan, commissioner priorities, unit problem solving, leader development, the National Centennial Quality Unit and District Award, and commissioner lifesaving techniques. Learn how Boys' Life will improve retention and advancement. Discover new ways to work with younger generations and different ethnic groups and see how you can better meet their needs. Get the latest information on tracking monthly unit visits. Find out what makes a good unit, and, what can go wrong. Breakout sessions allow you the time to interact with other councils. Don't miss this opportunity to be on the cutting edge!
June 8-14, July 20-26, Aug 3-9
Council and District Activities Leadership
This conference is for all members of council and district activities committees, Good Turn for America chairpersons, and event chairpersons that want tips and techniques for producing show-stopping events and activities. Discover new ideas for Scout shows, recognition dinners, civic service projects, Scouting anniversary week and camporees. Learn how to develop a budget, how to prepare for emergencies and effective A/V techniques to make your events outstanding. See how you can get the media to cover your event and tips on effective promotion. Groups will have the opportunity to plan an event during the week to showcase what they have learned. Don't miss this chance to discover the secrets to having an outstanding calendar of activities and events for your district or council!
Aug 3-9
District Committees That Work
This conference is for district chairs, district vice chairs, operating committee chairs, and district committee members. Take an in-depth look at the latest tools and techniques for successful district operations including membership, training, camping, activities, advancement, and finance operating committees. It features coordinated district committee meetings, volunteer recruiting, district planning and personal action plans for participants. The conference will cover how to ensure that units and districts earn the National Centennial Quality Award. Understand the relationship of the district committee to the commissioner staff. Learn options for rural and low-income urban communities. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the latest information from national to help your district become outstanding!
June 8-14, July 20-26
Training Management Seminar
Members of district and council training committees will learn how to plan, promote, and administer programs so that unit leaders have the best training opportunities. Discover the difference between training leaders versus running training courses. This conference features the eight parts of a district/council training plan, provides profiles of all unit program-level courses, and tells you how to recruit and train good trainers. Learn about publicity, budgets, recognition and record keeping that will help your committee stay on top. Discover all the new training opportunities through the Online Learning Center. Lots of problem-solving and training lab experiences. Don't settle for being good - discover how to be Great!
June 8-14
Membership Growth Ideas for Districts & Councils
Involving more youth in BSA is the reason we exist! This conference is specially designed for district and council membership committees, commissioners, unit leaders, and others who are responsible for membership growth in the district or council. Learn about growth from new units, youth recruitment, program transition ideas, stopping dropped units, and increasing tenure. Discover how to use Boys' Life as a tool for retention and how to develop a membership growth plan. There is a special emphasis on school access, ScoutReach, and sharing creative ideas for involving more youth in the Scouting program. All members will develop personal action plans - this is the first step toward developing an outstanding district and council!
June 8-14
Advanced Administration of Commissioner Service
Experienced administrative commissioners will want to take this conference to make that leap from being good into becoming great. This conference will give you the information and teach you the skills to make that happen. Understand communication skills including diplomacy and conflict resolution. Discover how gender, generational and ethnic differences requires a different communication style in order to be most effective. Learn techniques for recruiting commissioners and increasing accountability. Get information on roundtables and running a college of commissioner science. Discover how to develop an outstanding staff of commissioners who are highly motivated and love their jobs! Breakout sessions and problem solving will provide the opportunity to learn from other councils. Participants will develop personal action plans to get you started on the road to greatness!
July 20-26
Council Key 3 - Lead Scouting into the Future
This conference provides a great team-building experience for council presidents, council commissioners, and Scout executives. Don't settle for being a good council. Discover how to lead your council to new heights and become a great council. Topics include board management, building effective districts, quality program, membership growth, volunteer/professional relationships, compensation and benefits, long-range strategic planning, council and district operations, commissioner service, endowment, council fund-raising, and asset management. Learn how to develop an active and thriving ScoutReach emphasis. Get the latest information from national on working with younger generations and on the expectations of different ethnic groups to see how you can better meet their needs. Take a look at risk management and health and safety issues. This conference provides individual breakout sessions for council presidents, council commissioners, and Scout executives, and will include developing council Key 3 action plans and how to earn the National Centennial Quality Council Award. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about how to help your council make it to the top. (Course participants are encouraged to attend as council Key 3 teams.)
July 20-26, July 27-Aug 2

For more information, contact your local and visit the Philmont Training Center Web Site.