With simple modifications, the sample script can be used with two different audiences: 

• Adult leaders
• Youth members and their families.

(The presentation manuscript includes instructions indicating which sections are appropriate for certain audiences.) The complete presentation starts with an explanation of WHY Scouting should promote religious emblems, outlines the steps that a youth member would take to participate in these programs, and concludes by emphasizing the leader’s role in passing this information on to every member in the unit. When making presentations to adult leaders, it is not enough to explain the religious emblems programs: you must distribute the Interfaith Quick Reference Chart and explain the importance of the leader’s role in providing this information to the young people and their families.

Script

Thank you for allowing us to speak at your meeting. Helping me is _____, and I am _____.

We represent the _____ district Religious Emblem Display Team. Or the “RED Team” for short. We believe that all Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts/Venturers should have the opportunity to earn the religious emblem of their own faith, and we are here to talk about these programs.

Unit Presentations - add the following section:

We would like to ask all the Cub Scouts (or Boy Scouts or Venturers) to stand and slowly repeat the Cub Scout Promise (or Boy Scout Oath and Law or Venturer Code). Parents, please listen very carefully to what they are saying.

[Cub Scout Promise: “I promise to do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, and to obey the Law of the pack.” 

Now that you have heard the promise, we want you to ask yourself this question: What have you done to show your duty to God?]

[Boy Scout Oath: “On my honor I will do my best: to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” 

Boy Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” 

Now that you have heard the Scout Oath and Law, we want you to ask yourself these questions: What have you done to show your duty to God? How have you shown that you are “reverent” as stated in the 12th point of the Scout Law?]

[Venturer Code: As a Venturer, I promise to help strengthen America, to be faithful in my religious duties, to help others, and to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world. 

We believe that one way you can show your duty to God is to proudly wear the religious emblem you have earned. ]

Our role today is to give you and your family information so that you may decide whether to participate in the religious emblems program of your faith. We provide information, not religious instruction. Scouting recognizes that religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and religious leaders. But parents first have to know that these programs exist.

[This paragraph is for District presentations only] 

Our role today is to provide information that you can pass on to your unit members and their families so that they may decide whether or not to participate in the religious emblems program of their faith. We provide information, not religious instruction. Scouting recognizes that religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and religious leaders. But parents first have to know that these programs exist. And as unit leaders, you are critical in getting information about religious emblems to your members and their families.

What exactly are “religious emblems programs?” They are programs that have been created by the various religious organizations/committees, not by the Boy Scouts of America. These programs encourage members to become more active in their own faith groups, and they encourage spiritual development by providing specific religious instruction. These programs offer emblems that are approved for wear on the official uniform of the Boy Scouts of America.

For over 85 years, “Duty to God” has been a fundamental precept of the Scouting movement. Religious emblems help introduce and reinforce this spiritual component. Religious emblems also promote many of the same values that are the basis of the Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing programs. They help develop wholesome lifestyles in youth members. Research shows that young people who are members of both a Scouting unit and a religious institution made better moral decisions than those who are members of only one organization. 

Participating in the religious emblems programs will involve four basic steps for youth members and their families.

First, youth members must obtain the specific booklet for their religion. This booklet contains information on all the lessons and service projects that they will need to complete. Each youth member needs a personal booklet to document progress. Some religious emblems programs also offer adult manuals for counselors and mentors.

Some of these booklets are available in our local Scout Service Center. Here’s the phone number [phone number]. If they are not available in the Service Center, parents will need to purchase booklets directly from the sponsoring religious organization. The “Interfaith Quick Reference Chart” lists the addresses and phone numbers for the various religious organizations. We will provide you with enough charts to distribute to your families so that they will know whom to contact.

Second, parents must review the specific guidelines for their particular program. Some programs require that the young person be an official “member” of the local religious institution; other programs may not. Age/grade requirements also vary from program to program. In addition, each program sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as a counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors, other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselors. Parents must check the specific guidelines for their particular program.

Third, families should talk to their religious leaders and, if possible, show them the booklet before beginning a program. Many of the programs require that they be completed under the auspices of that religious organization, and require the signature of the local religious leader. 

Fourth, youth members need to complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the emblem. These emblems are not available in the local council store. The emblem should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the young person’s religious institution. The emblems can be presented at any time of the year. Scout Sunday/Sabbath, in February, is a perfect time to recognize youth members who have earned their religious emblems during the past year.

Before we go any further, are there any questions on the religious programs for youth members?

Adult recognitions are entirely different. Whereas youth members “earn” their emblems by working on specific requirements, adults are nominated to receive a religious award. Adult recognitions are honors that are given to adults for outstanding service to youth through both a religious institution and the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of these awards are unaware that they are being nominated. If you know of an adult Scouter who also is active in a religious institution, you could nominate that person for an adult award. Most awards require a completed application form, a resume of the candidate’s qualifications and letters of recommendation from the religious leader and from the local council executive. Many of these awards also require a minimum number of years of service before a person can be considered, so please check eligibility requirements for specific awards. Again, Scout Sunday/Scout Sabbath is an appropriate time to present an adult recognition. Plan accordingly: these awards usually go through a review committee and require extra time for processing.

Unit Presentations only- add the following section:

Are there any questions? Here are our names and telephone numbers. Feel free to contact us with any questions that you have. In closing, you have heard all about the religious emblems programs. And you have made a promise to do your “duty to God” and your country. Now it is up to you. We encourage you to complete the requirements for your religious emblem. Thank you for allowing time to share these important programs with you.

[The following section is for District presentations only]

We believe that all youth members should have the opportunity to earn the religious emblem of their faith. Our biggest roadblock is the lack of information about these programs at the unit level. That is why you, as unit leaders, are so important. What can you do?

First, you can distribute the “Interfaith Quick Reference Chart” to every youth member in your unit. This brochure includes a chart of all the different religious emblems, lists the addresses, phone numbers and web pages for the religious organizations, and explains how to get started on these programs. We will provide whatever quantity you need in order to distribute one brochure to every member. 

Second, please read the “Frequently Asked Questions about Religious Emblems Programs.” This brochure will help you answer some of the basic questions that parents might ask you about these programs. We have enough copies to give to everyone here today.

Third, you can keep a record of all youth members who have completed a religious emblem and notify the council of these recipients by filling out the form “Notification of Religious Emblem Completed” (see appendix). Our council tries to recognize all recipients by publishing their names in our newsletter

Fourth, you can nominate other Scout leaders who are active in their religious institutions to receive an Adult Religious Recognition.

Fifth, you can invite the RED Team to speak at special events. We would be happy to speak to your unit, especially at meetings when both youth members and their parents will be present. Here are the names and addresses of the RED Team members. Please keep in mind that we are here to serve as a resource for you. Give us a call to schedule a time when the RED Team can visit (e.g., Pack meeting/Troop court of honor/Venturing parents program). The presentation will only last [15] minutes. The team can stay afterwards to answer other questions about the program. We’re here to help!

Are there any questions?

Before we close, we would like to leave you with two key thoughts: First, religious emblems can have a positive impact on your youth members; and second, as the unit leader, YOU are the key person in getting information about these programs to your members and families. Thank you for allowing us to speak to you today. 

Please duplicate. Also available at www.praypub.org. 

RED Team Presentation Outline

Introduction of the RED Team and its objectives:

• Promote religious emblems programs 
• Provide information, not religious instruction 
• Serve as a resource to adult leaders 
• Encourage adult leaders to promote the use of religious emblems programs among their youth members and their families

What are “religious emblems programs?”

• They are programs created by national religious organizations/committees.
• They are recognized by BSA.
• They include emblems that are approved for wear on BSA uniforms.
• They are programs that encourage members to become more active in their own faith group, and encourage spiritual development by providing specific religious instruction

Why promote Religious emblems Programs?

• At the heart of the Scouting movement is “Duty to God.” The Cub Scout Promise, Boy Scout Oath, and Venture Code all stress the importance of reverence toward God.
• Religious emblems programs can help provide a spiritual component to the Scouting program.
• Religious emblems programs promote many of the same values that are integral to the Scouting program.
• Religious emblems programs help develop wholesome attributes in youth members.

Participating in the religious emblems programs will involve four basic steps for youth members and their families:

1. Youth members must obtain the specific booklet for their religion.

• Youth members need their own booklet to document progress.
• Some religions offer adult manuals for counselors and mentors.
• Booklets may be obtained from your local council service center or contact directly the religious organization/committee. Their addresses and phone numbers are listed on the “Interfaith Quick Reference” chart. 

2. Parents should review the program guidelines.

• Some programs require that the youth be an official “member” of the religious institution.
• Age/grade requirements vary from program to program.
• Each faith group sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors, other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselors.

3. Families should talk to their religious leaders and, if possible, show them the booklet before beginning any program.

• Most programs require that they be completed under the auspices of that religious organization.
• Many programs require the signature of the local religious leader.

4. The youth member must complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the emblem.

• These emblems are not available in the council service center.
• The emblem should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the youth member’s religious institution.
• The emblem can be presented at anytime of the year. Scout Sunday/Sabbath, in February, is a perfect time to recognize recipients. 

Are there any questions about the religious emblems programs for youth members?

Adult Religious emblems are entirely different from the youth programs:

• Adult emblems are by nomination only: they are honors given to adults for outstanding service to youth through both a religious institution and the Boy Scouts of America. 
• Recipients are unaware of their nomination.
• These emblems usually are submitted to a review committee; extra time is needed for processing.
• Many adult recognition emblems require a minimum number of years of service; check eligibility requirements for specific emblems.
• Most emblems require the following:
• Completed application form
• Resume of the candidate’s activities
• Letter of recommendation from the local council
• Letter of recommendation from the religious institution

We believe that every youth member (Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturer) should have the opportunity to earn the religious emblem of his or her faith. Our biggest roadblock is the lack of information about these programs at the unit level. That is why you, as unit leaders, are so important. What can you do? 

• Distribute the “Interfaith Quick Reference Chart” to every youth member in the unit.
• Use the “FAQ” brochure as a resource to answer parents’ questions. 
• Keep a record of all unit members who have received a religious emblem.
• Notify the council of all recipients.
• Nominate other Scouters who also are active in their faith community to receive an Adult Religious Recognition
• Invite the RED Team to speak to your group (district, pack/troop/crew meeting)

Closing

• Questions?
• RED Team members’ names and phone numbers
• We would like to leave you with two key thoughts:
• Religious emblems can have a positive impact on your youth members.
• As the unit leader, YOU are the key person in getting information about these programs to your youth members and families.

Please duplicate. Also available at www.praypub.org.

Presentation Worksheet

In scheduling presentations for different groups, be very clear about the purpose of your presentation. Explain that the Religious Emblems Display Team will be presenting information about religious emblems, not teaching a religious class. Always stress the fact that the presentation will be about religious emblems, not teaching or starting to work on a specific emblem. 

To ensure the success of your presentation, please take the time to answer the following questions. 

Name of group: 
Contact name and title: 
Phone number of contact: 
Location of meeting: 
Directions to location: 
Date of meeting: 
Time of meeting: 
How much time RED Team will be allowed to speak: 
Meeting agenda: Check what other events are on the agenda for that meeting. (If it is Pinewood Derby Day or a special party day, you may want to reschedule your presentation.)
Space: If your council has a display of religious emblems, will you need an extra table or space to set up your display? _____
Size of group (number of participants) _____
Checklist:
___ Presentation (sample script)
___ Frequently Asked Questions (one per participant = _____)
___ Religious Emblems Quick Reference Chart/Poster (one per unit = _____)
___ Interfaith Quick Reference Chart (single sheet handout)
(one for each member of the unit = _____)
___ Notification of Religious Emblem Earned Form
(one per participant = _____) 
___ Adult Recognition nomination forms
___ Sample curriculum books
___ Sample emblems/awards
___ Verify whether your council service center stocks any of the religious emblem booklets

Please duplicate. Also available at www.praypub.org.