Transcript Course Overview

Generations in scouting
Randy Smith
ASM Program
N5-347-11-1
Learning Objectives
As a result of this session, you will:
 Understand generational differences as another aspect
of diversity.
 Consider how these differences impact each group.
 Understand the “adult led, youth run” aspect of a unit.
 Learn ways to work together across generations for a
better future.
2
Let’s Play a Game!
3
Rules of Play
 You have the name of a well known
person placed on your back.
 You must figure out who you are.
 You may ask 1 person up to 20
questions to assist you.
 Oh….and by the way……you have 5
minutes!
4
What is a
Generation?
5
A group of people who were
born in approximately the
same time frame who share
common cultural icons and
attitudes.
6
Scouting is over 100 years
old now. Much is the
same. But much has
changed. Just think of the
last 30 years!
7
Then (34 years ago)
8
1977
 Newspaper drives
 High attrition in Boy Scouts (mostly high
school)
 Parents stood behind Scoutmasters (and
teachers) on matters of discipline.
 “left handed smoke shifters” were a part of
every new Scouts experience!
 Sports programs co-existed with Scouting
9
Now
10
2010




High attrition rate in Cub Scout years.
Tiger program
Mandatory training of leaders
Lack of knowledge by parents & new leaders
on BSA mission & values.
 Scouting often takes a “backseat” to sports
programs.
 The BSA has gone “Co-Ed”!
11
The Greatest Generation
Born Between 1925 - 1945
12
Events & Experiences








World War II
The Great Depression
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Roosevelt’s New Deal
GI Bill
Korean War
The Transistor Radio
Telephone
13
Baby Boomer Generation
Born Between 1946 - 1964
14
Events & Experiences







Race Riots, Civil Rights, Kent State
Watergate
Woodstock
Space Travel
Assassinations (JFK, RFK, MLK…..)
Scientific Advances
Television
15
Generation X
Born Between 1965 - 1981
16
Events & Experiences








The Internet
Cell Phones & Video Gaming
Working Moms
MTV
Desert Storm
Challenger Disaster
Fall of the Berlin Wall
AIDS
17
Millennials
Born Between 1982 - 2000
18
Events & Experiences








School Shootings
Social Networking
September 11th
Enron, World Com etc…
Iraq & Afghanistan
Oklahoma City Bombing
Continual Feedback
Peer / Social pressures !
19
WWYD ??







( What Would You Do)
Your unit is conducting a Youth Leadership Training.
The older youth are running / staffing the program
Adult leadership is multigenerational
Youth leadership has 15 teens (millennials)
Youth staff wants to run everything without adult help.
You’re responsible for safety, budget and final result.
It’s the last staff development and the youth staff is still a
little rough around the edges but wants to kick back & chill.
20
WWYD ??



Who runs the show……you or the youth staff?
How do you react when the youth makes a decision that
you don’t agree with?
How can the expectations & characteristics of each of the
four generations factor into this conflict?
21
22
2010 BSA Annual Meeting
Let’s take a look at a discussion that took
place between our Chief Scout Executive,
Bob Mazzuca (baby boomer) and National
OA Chief, Brad Lichota (millennial).
23
Summary
As a result of this session, do you now:
 View generational differences as another dimension of
diversity?
 Understand how these differences might impact each
group?
 Understand the “adult led, youth run” aspect of a unit?
 Have a foundation for working together across
generations for a better future?
24
Thank you.
25