Promoting Religious Emblems:
A Council/District Training
(50-Minute Presentation)
Resources
Welcome! Our training today is
called “Promoting Religious Emblems”. My name is __________
[give brief introduction of each trainer]
Slide 2:
Objectives
We have three objectives for
you today.
First, we are going to help
you to “understand the religious emblems programs.” We’ll
give you the “what, why, and how” of religious emblems so that you
will know how to promote Duty to God
Second, we are going to help
you to “become familiar with presentation materials and
resources.” It’s not enough to know about religious emblems.
We want you to know about the materials and free resources that
are available to you.
Third, we are going to help
you to “understand your role in promoting religious emblems.”
The unit leader is critical in getting information to youth
members and their families. We hope to encourage you to make a
presentation on the religious emblems to your unit.
Let’s begin.
Slide 3:
Brief History
First, a brief history:
The first awards were the
“Ad Altare Dei” emblem for Catholics in
1939, the “Pro Deo Et Patria” emblem for Lutherans in 1943,
the “Ner Tamid” emblem for Jews in 1944, and the “God
and Country” emblem for Protestants in 1945. These original
emblems were created at the Boy Scout level only.
Today there are more than 75
emblems approved by BSA representing more than 35 religious
groups.
What exactly are religious emblems?
Slide 4:
What are Religious Emblems Programs?
The first and most important
thing you need to remember about religious emblems, is that
“they are programs that are created by national religious
organizations.” I repeat, these are programs that are created
by national religious organizations, not by the BSA. In
other words, each faith creates its own program. The religious
organizations create their curriculum, establish the guidelines,
and administer their programs. Which brings us to our second
point:
The religious emblems programs
“provide specific religious instruction.” Since the
curriculum is designed by the religious organization, these
programs are religious education materials to encourage the
spiritual development of their young people who are also members
of the BSA.
Slide 5: What are Religious Emblems Programs? Continued
Now that you know that these
programs are created by the national religious organizations,
we’re going to continue by saying the religious emblems programs
“are recognized by BSA” and “the medals are approved for
wear on the official uniform.” This is one way that BSA
promotes Duty to God. As you can see, the religious emblems
are cooperative ventures between the religious organizations and
the BSA.
Slide 6:
Why Promote Religious Emblems?
“Duty to God
is at the heart of the Scouting movement.”
Every Scout professes a Duty to God in the
Cub Scout Promise, Boy Scout Oath, and Venturing Oath. Everyone
knows that “A Scout is Reverent.”
“Religious emblems provide
a spiritual component to the Scouting program.”
Religious emblems promote the same values found in Scouting. They
also help develop positive assets in youth members. Religious
emblems go hand-in-hand with Scouting, and that’s why we promote
them.
Slide 7: Why Promote Them? (cont.)
One last point about promoting
religious emblems: “Scouting is nonsectarian and promotes
religious emblems for ALL faiths.” Scouting supports no creed
and favors no religious faith over another. When promoting
religious emblems, it is important to promote the emblems for ALL
faiths.
Slide 8:
Video: “Promoting Duty to God
(Religious Emblems)”
We’re going to show you a
video called “Promoting Duty to God (Religious Emblems)”
This is a seven-minute video which includes testimonials from
Scouts, parents, leaders and clergy. Many religious groups are
represented in this video. As you watch it, keep in mind that this
is a video you could show to your unit.
Slide 9:
Video: Obtaining a Copy
Most of you would agree that
this video is an excellent promotional tool. How can you get a
copy? The video is “available from your council library.”
You can also download it or purchase it from
www.praypub.org.
Please note that the DVD
version also contains other promotional resources and handouts
from P.R.A.Y. In fact, most of the
resources that will be mentioned throughout this workshop are
included on this DVD.
Slide 10:
How do we get started on these
programs?
In the video, someone
mentioned how easy it was to get started on the religious emblems.
It’s true. There are four basic steps to get started. These
are the steps that you would share with your Scouts and parents.
Step 1: Youth members must obtain the specific
booklet for their religion.
-
Use
the “Duty to God” brochure to identify the program for your faith
-
Check with your council store or contact the religious
organization directly.
-
Each
Scout needs his own booklet to document progress.
-
Some
religions offer adult manuals for counselors and mentors.
Step 2: Parents must review the program guidelines.
-
Some
programs require participants to be official “members” of the
religious institution.
-
Age/grade requirements vary from program to program.
-
Each
program 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.
Slide 11:
Step 3: Families should talk to their religious
leaders and show them the booklet before beginning any program
Step 4: The youth member needs to complete the
requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the
instructions to order the emblem.
-
These emblems are not available from your local council store
(follow instructions in your booklet).
-
The
emblem should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in
the member’s religious institution.
-
The
award can be presented at anytime of the year. Boy Scout
Sunday/Sabbath in February is a perfect time to recognize
recipients.
Slide 12:
Religious Emblems Square Knots
When a young person earns a
religious emblem, they have earned the right to wear the universal
religious square knot. This is a silver knot on a purple
background. This knot will always be on their uniform (it even
carries up to the adult uniform). An adult who receives an adult
award wears the square knot with the purple knot on the silver
background.
Slide 13:
Religious Emblems Square Knot with 1,
2, and 3 devices
Most religious emblems
programs have more than one level. Young people are encouraged to
continue with the religious emblems programs and earn awards at
each level. Even though a Scout can only wear one square knot on
the uniform, there are “devices” that are pinned in the square
knot to show that awards were earned at different levels.
Slide 14:
Role of the Leader
We want to spend just a minute
talking about your role as a leader. Some leaders avoid anything
to do with religion for fear of offending somebody. But it doesn’t
have to be that way. The first thing is to realize that the role
of the leader is to provide information, not religious
instruction. Your role as a leader is to simply inform your
Scouts and parents that these programs exist. You provide the
information; the instruction should come from the home and the
religious leaders. And that is why we encourage you to make a
presentation on the religious emblems to Scouts and families.
Slide 15:
Duty to God Promotion Patch
This is called the Duty to God
Promotion Patch. The whole idea of this patch is to promote
religious emblems. Both youth and adults may earn this patch. The
requirements are simple: Attend a presentation on the religious
emblems. Make a commitment to Duty to God. For example,
adults can commit to having 50% of families participate in the
religious emblems programs, nominating a worthy adult to be
recognized with an adult religious award, serving as counselor in
their local congregation, etc. Youth can commit to earning
the religious emblem of their faith at an appropriate time, making
a presentation on religious emblems to another unit, helping
younger Scouts earn their religious emblem, helping to establish a
religious emblems program in their local congregation, etc.
Slide 16:
Duty to God Promotion Patch (cont.)
This patch is a
four-segment puzzle patch. Only one segment is available
per year. You are encouraged to make a presentation on
religious emblems every year. Patches are
available on-line at
www.praypub.org. Patches may be preordered for distribution
at your presentation.
Now that you’re excited and
can hardly wait to make a presentation, what are some of the
resources that you can use?
Slide 17:
Presentation Resources
The Duty to God brochure
– the cover of this brochure is in full color and includes all the
different emblems recognized by BSA. Show your Scouts what the
medals look like. The medals themselves are a strong incentive to
Scouts.
The inside has a chart or grid
listing the religious organizations and their programs. It
provides contact information including web sites and email
addresses.
The back page has Frequently
Asked Questions.
This brochure is essential to
your presentation. You will need it as a reference tool. If
possible, you may want to get copies to distribute at your
presentation. Your council can order this brochure from the
Relationships Division. The order number is 5-879. A
printable form is also available on line
at
www.praypub.org.
Slide 18: Presentation Resources (cont.)
This is a handout. Your Scouts
can take it home to their parents. It provides a short summary of
how to get started on the programs. It also provides space for
Scouts to copy the contact information for their specific
religious program.
Slide 19: Presentation
Resources (cont.)
You’ll want to have a sample
script when you make a presentation to your unit. Separate
scripts are available for presentations to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts
and Venturers. These scripts use interfaith language and
promote the religious emblems of all faiths. They are very
helpful. In fact, I’m going to distribute a copy to everybody, and
we’re going to take the time to read through one.
Slide 20:
Activity: Reading the Script
Here’s your assignment.
Find a partner. Take turns (maybe alternate every other
paragraph), but read through the entire script. You will
be pleased to learn how easy it is to make a presentation.
[After
a reasonable amount of time, announce that time is up.]
You’ve just read the script.
It’s like you’ve made a presentation on religious emblems. Now you
don’t have the excuse that “you’ve never done it.” You’re ready to
make a presentation to your unit.
Slide 21:
Adult Recognitions
A training on religious
emblems isn’t complete without mentioning the adult awards. The
adult recognitions are different from the youth adults.
Adult recognitions are by
nomination only. Adult recognitions are
not work/study programs like the youth awards. They are by
nomination only.
A minimum number of years
of service is required. Recipients must
have served both their Boy Scout Council and their local
congregation.
Slide 22: Adult Recognitions (cont.)
The adult nominations require
several documents:
Completed application form
(most of these application/nomination forms are available online)
Resume of candidate’s
qualifications
Letters of recommendation
(from the Boy Scout Council and the religious institution)
Slide 23: Adult Recognitions (cont.)
Each adult recognition is
different. Please check specific eligibility requirements for a
particular award.
Why aren’t the adult awards
all the same? Can anybody tell me why? [Your participants should
answer that the religious emblems are created by the national
religious organizations, not by BSA, and that is why the
requirements and guidelines will differ from program to program.]
Slide 24: Game!
[Note: the questions for this
game as well as the cards for the game board are available at
www.praypub.org.]
It’s time to find out how much
you have learned today. We’re going to play a game to test your
knowledge of religious emblems. We’re going to divide into teams.
You may use any resource in answering questions. The questions
will fall in the following categories: religious emblems,
resources, scripts, responsibilities of the leader, and the
grid/chart. We have ___ minutes to play. I’ll announce when we run
out of time. Let’s begin.
Slide 25:
Questions
We have ____ minutes for
questions. Any questions on the material covered? Any questions
on making a presentation?
[Note: If you run out of time,
or if someone asks a detailed question about a specific situation
that doesn’t necessarily apply to the group, offer to stay after
the workshop and answer their questions.]
Slide 26:
For More Information
[Note: If you are comfortable
giving out your phone number and/or email address, this would be
the time to do so.]
Visit P.R.A.Y.’s web site
at
www.praypub.org. Or
call P.R.A.Y. at 1-800-933-7729.
Slide 27: Final Thoughts
I want to thank you for coming
today. I want to leave you with two final thoughts:
1. As the unit leader, YOU
are the key person in getting information about these programs to
your youth members and families.
2. You now have the
knowledge and resources to make a presentation.
I hope you do so!
Slide 28:
Thank you for promoting religious emblems! |
