NCAC Communications Plan

Have You Subscribed?
Visit BOTH the NCAC Website and any district Website and select “Newsletter.”  You can Subscribe to the new NCAC E-source Newsletter and any number of growing district and council committee newsletters.  Don't miss the next issue and subscribe right away. 

The NCAC Communications Plan
This new plan coordinates council and district communications - both printed and electronic.  Please note that one result of this plan is the change in the number of  The Scouter Digest issues annually from bi-monthly issues to quarterly issues.  The new schedule for this publication will now be January/February/March, April/May/June, July/August/September, and October/November/December.  Look for numerous changes in the Jan/Feb/Mar 2006 issue.

The addition of monthly council and district E-newsletters will increase the timely and accurate information volunteers receive.  It will also help ensure that late-breaking news and changes get out promptly.  It is VERY IMPORTANT that everyone "Subscribe" for these electronic newsletters.  Simply click “Subscribe” for the NCAC E-source, and visit your district's homepage to Subscribe to the district E-newsletter.  This same process is used to “Unsubscribe.”

Doubleknot, Inc. Joins the NCAC
The recent partnership with the California-based Web services team of Doubleknot, Inc. is allowing the NCAC Website to offer online registration AND payment for events and activities - both council and district. (as quickly as they can be set up)  At last count Doubleknot was assisting over 60 of the country's 300 BSA councils.

Doubleknot's program also allows for user selection of course classes and times, and will create “wait lists” when any specific class or course is full.  The 2005 Cub Scout Leaders Pow Wow will be the first event using this feature.

To ensure a successful integration of this feature, during October, November, and December, selected events will be established to introduce this program.  Each “service area” will select an event, followed by each district selecting and event.  Please note that districts are not required to offer this function.  However, every NCAC event and activity will move toward this option as soon as possible.  Also note that the majority of upcoming events will offer a discount for signing up online!

Online registration and/or payment will help ensure the following:

• Accurate Information:  The user enters information directly into the online database
• No Re-entry of Information:  Both accuracy of information is improved AND office staff time is better utilized since the information will not have to be re-entered (and handwritten text will not have to be deciphered)
• Immediate Confirmations:  As soon as a registration is submitted, an online confirmation is posted on-screen. (please print out and keep for your records)
• Follow-up Confirmations and Late Breaking Updates:  For many of these online registrations there will also be a follow-up email confirmation which may include late breaking updates, additional information for the registrant, links, and attachments.
• Immediate Confirmation of Class Registrations:  Since those events with individual classes process registration in real-time, users will know “as they register” whether or not they are registered for that specific class.
• Discounts for Online Registrations/Payments:  Since less office time will be required to process online registrations with payments, it only makes sense to offer discounts for those choosing to register online. And sense the user enters the text, and no “rekeying” is needed it will be more accurate and faster!
• Additional Savings & Convenience:  Online service is available 24/7 and there is no need to buy postage for mail-ins or gas for walk-ins.
• Instant Updates to Event's Registration Chair:  Each registration can be set up to send an email notification of each participant's registration to the event's registration chair or other event staff member.
• Note:  For events and activities not requiring a payment, all Websites will continue to use our pre-existing “Form Builder” program to develop online registration forms (non-payment)

Online Registration and Payment
Several events have been posted already with more going up weekly.  Current events include Adventure Days at Camp William B. Snyder, and the Woman of the Year Dinner.

On or before October 7th, the Parent/Son Weekends, and the Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow will be online.  For Pow Wow you will be able to confirm your class selections as you sign up.  You can also save money by signing up online, and ensure accurate information is being processed.

District activites may be posted as training occurs and online forms are developed.