“Duty to God” has been a fundamental precept of the Scouting movement, for 90 years. 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. 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 afterward 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.
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