The BSA is putting Scouting on the map!

 
BeAScout was officially launched to the public on July 23, 2010. That is when parents can start using the Google map tool at www.beascout.org to find Scouting units in their neighborhoods.

So what does this mean for your unit?
On July 23, any unit pin that has not yet been activated (that is, a unit leader has not personalized it with unit contact information) will be activated automatically with council information instead. That means the pin will display on the map with the unit name and meeting location; however, the bubble with more information will show the council address and phone number. Parent leads interested in these units will be directed via e-mail to the council system administrator until unit contacts are set up.

What is BeAScout?

BeAScout helps parents and volunteers locate the packs, troops, and crews nearest them and request information about Scouting opportunities in their area.  After entering their zip code a Google map will appear that has "pins" representing the closest units.  Unit leaders can update their unit's Google "pin" – the bubble you see on Google maps – through MyScouting.org. They can add their unit meeting time, location, phone number, unit Website address if they have one, as well as a contact name for the unit. It's easy!

The Google Pin The information in the "pins" will be tied to unit records in the BSA's database. Unit leaders and those designated as "contacts" will have the ability to update this information to keep it accurate and up to date. They will be able to edit it as often as they like.  This is done through MyScouting.org

"Ask Us! We can help." People interested in a particular unit can eâ€mail questions to the unit leaders. For instance, say a potential Scout parent wants to know, "What night does your den meet?" The parent would click on the "For More Information" link. The site will open up a blind" email window (the sender never sees the actual email address.) He or she types the question and presses Enter. The leader receives the question and can respond.

Tracking Leads BeAScout keeps a record of the question and the person requesting the information and whether or not they receive a response. Plus, unit leaders, district personnel, council staff, area, region, and nationalâ€level staff can run reports to see the requests coming in and whether or not responses are being sent.

The Unit Leader's Role

How to populate the pin

Unit leaders have a very important task. We want you to populate your unit pin so that useful information shows up on the Google map. So how does a unit leader place information about their unit on the Google pin?

Initially, the unit leaders who can access BeAScout to set up the pin are the Cubmaster, scoutmaster, or crew advisor along with the unit committee chairperson and the chartered organization representative.

1. They will log into MyScouting and select BeAScout from the Unit Tools section on the left. There are two options:

• Unit Pin Management: Unit Leaders use this to edit pin information.

• Unit Lead Management: Unit Leaders use this to manage incoming requests for information from parents interested in Scouting.

2. The unit leader should first complete the Unit Pin Management screen. They will notice two important items on this view.

• At the bottom right is a preview of the Google pin.

• At the bottom left is the "Fields Displayed on Google Pin" area. The Pin preview box will only display the information that the unit leader selects in this box.

Setting Contact Information:

Contact People are the Glue! Recruiting campaigns depend on personal contact for success. It's important to not only make the contact but to also follow up on all your leads. Contact people are the glue to keep the campaign cohesive and efficient!

A unit leader can set contact information using Pin Management (available from MyScouting > BeAScout link). Initially the Pin Management screen can be accessed by the:

• Top unit leader

• Unit committee chairperson

• Chartered organization representative

These leaders should change the pin from council information to (unit) contact person mode and designate unit leaders to be contacts â€â€ one primary and two alternate contacts (either themselves or other registered leaders of that unit). These primary and alternate contacts will also have access to Pin Management, and they will receive eâ€mails from leads.

More information

Complete details about the unit leader's role in Pin Management are explained in the webinar presentation.

Click Here!!

This presentation is posted on www.scouting.org, in the Volunteer tab; choose BeAScout Webinar Presentation in the Quick Links along the right side menu. We will also be posting updates on our website www.boyscouts-ncac.org

For questions, please e-mail myscouting@scouting.org