NCAC Required Training FAQs

Q. Define top leaders.
A. The top leaders are Scoutmasters, Varsity Scout Coaches, Cubmasters, Venturing Crew Advisors, and Sea Scout Skippers.
 
Q. The pilot year begins January 1, 2010. Do untrained leaders have all year to complete training?
A. Yes.
 
Q. What is the next phase of the pilot program?
A. Beginning January 1, 2011, all direct-contact leaders will be required to complete training. Direct-contact leaders are anyone who comes into direct contact with youth members, and includes assistants to the top leaders and all den leaders.
 
Q. What is being done to help us meet the goals of the Top Leader Trained program?
A. We hope to help unit leaders in three important ways:

1.       We are expanding our training teams so that we can schedule additional leader position-specific training and outdoor skills courses.

2.       We are coordinating training schedules within each service area so that the number of course deliveries is maximized and encouraging Districts to invite participation of Scouters from other Districts.

3.       We will continue to offer training at Camp Goshen summer camp. .

 
Q. What about the tenured leader who has never completed training?
A. While they have probably been trained while performing their roles, it is important for them to participate in the current training so that they and the new leaders entering their unit will have a common language and perspective. There is more than one way to participate in training – every district training team is looking for experienced Scouters willing to help deliver the training. 

  
Q. What about the person who refuses to take training?
A. Since the unit belongs to the chartering organization, dealing with Scouters who refuse to take the required training is the responsibility of that organization. They’ve already accepted that responsibility when they signed the Annual Charter Agreement. In that agreement the organization agrees to screen and select leaders that meet the leadership standards of the BSA.  
 
Q. What about the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills?
A. All Scoutmasters and Varsity Scout Coaches must complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills to be considered trained. Also, all Advisors of Venturing crews that have an outdoor program must complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills.   Here again, while they may have been trained while performing their roles, it is important for them to participate in the current training so that they and the new leaders entering their unit have will have a common language and perspective There is more than one way to participate in training – every district training team is looking for experienced Scouters willing to help deliver the training. 

Q. Many of the training courses are online, but everyone does not have access to a computer. How do we handle this?
A. All of the online courses are also available as a DVD to allow for group training. In a worst-case scenario, volunteers can go to the council office or their local library to complete online training.
 
Q. How will we know that required training will make a difference?
A. A process to measure success is being developed. History has shown that  where there have been increases in the number of trained top leaders there has been improved retention, improved advancement and camp attendance, and even improved participation in council fundraising efforts!

Q. How do we update our training records?
A. The NCAC Training Committee, working with NCAC staff, will send existing training information to each   District Training Chairman. The districts will validate the training information with each unit, gather any updated information, and send back to NCAC for input back into the ScoutNet database. 

Q. How will the District Training Chairman provide the Unit with their data?
A. Even though this will be specific to each District, the District Training Chairman will provide each Unit with a data file (in various formats) that will have training information for the Unit Leader    Unit Leaders then provide updates as needed to ensure their records are update to date. The NCAC Training Update form provided by the District Training Chairman can be used to update training records.     Copies of training cards can also be provided, but are not required.

Q. How long will the Unit have to return this data to District Training Chairman?
A. This segment of the Pilot program will run for one year. Units should return their data to the District Training Chairman as soon as feasibly possible. This way the Unit and Leaders of that Unit will be ahead of the requirements and can possibly move to the next segment of this Pilot to validate the remaining direct contact leader’s training data. 

Q. Even if I know that the Leaders in a Unit have been fully trained, do I still need to fill out the paper work?
A. Short answer, YES. It is essential that all the verifiable evidence be provided to the District and Council and then to National, via ScoutNet, so that all layers of the BSA Leadership know that the NCAC has fully trained Leadership.

Q. When should the Unit start seeing the data the Unit needs to fill out?
A. District Training Chairman should have the data that the Unit will be addressing. The Unit should see this information in the near future, if you don’t see this data by the end of February, please contact your District Training Chairman or District Executive.