100% Direct Contact Leaders Trained by December 31, 2011 
In September 2009, the executive board of the Heart of Virginia Council voted to make training mandatory for all top leaders for the 2010 charter renewall. At the same time, they voted to make training mandatory for all direct contact leaders for the 2011 charter renewall. To be considered trained, each leader is required to complete the following:
• This is Scouting
• Youth Protection Training (Every 2 years)
• Position Specific Training
• Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (Boy Scout Leaders Only)
In response to these requirements and several updates from the Council Training Committee, many leaders have updated their training records or have taken the necessary training to be in compliance.
As units work through the recharter process, we want to remind all leaders of this requirement, and the importance of having trained leadership to improve our programs for the benefit of all scouts. All unit recharters received by the Council will go through a screening process to ensure that every direct contact leader has indeed been trained. Units that do not meet this requirement will be placed on hold, and will have 60 days to pursue one of the following options:
• Ensure that the direct contact leaders who have been flagged as untrained, complete the required courses that are available during the 60 day holding period and get registerd for any required trainings not offered during that 60 days (All leader specific trainings will be available on February 11th at Commissioner College and many trainings are available online at myscouting.org.)
• Change the registration for those flagged as untrained, to a position not designated as direct contact (i.e. Committee Member or Unit College Scouter Reserve) until such time as these individuals have taken the mandatory trainings for their position. It is important to note however that we cannot charter units without the minimum requisite leadership positions for each program, so be sure you understand these requirements before pursuing this option.
At the end of the 60 day holding period, units which are still not in compliance will expire from registration, and their youth and adult members will no longer hold active registration with the Boy Scouts of America.
By living up to this important goal and policy we have committed to having trained leaders deliver the Scouting program to our youth. The program will get stronger and parents will appreciate that their children are in the care of adult volunteers who value training and are up to date on the latest safety concerns and procedures. Thank you for your help in making this important step toward ensuring that all youth in our programs and their parents can expect 100% trained leadership.
FAQ
Will my registration drop if I am not Trained by the end of 2011?
Your unit can register you as a committee member if you have not completed the position specific training. Please note that Cub Scout leaders of all types can complete all position specific training online at www.myscouting.org.
What if our unit does not have a Trained Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster by the end of 2011?
The council will hold your charter until February 28th or until leaders complete training (whichever comes first.)
What about our young Assistant Scoutmasters away at college or in the military?
Young men 18-20 can be registered at “College Scouter Reserve” position code 92 and not have to have completed required training.
I have completed training but it is not showing up in council’s records.
If you have completed all of the required training just let us know what was the month and year you completed the training and we’ll correct our records. Let office manager Robin Rush know or your district executive at 804-355-4306. Click here to download the Training records update form.
Please note that Youth Protection Training needs to be completed every two years and can be done online or with a dvd.
How am I just now hearing about this?
This goal has actually been publicized several times through the council’s monthly newsletter the Courier, through leader Roundtable meetings and other meetings and a letter from the Scout Executive to unit leaders.
We have several Assistant Scoutmasters that just cannot take a weekend to attend the outdoor skills training.
All leaders working with boys on skills development as a Scoutmaster or as an Assistant Scoutmaster need to complete position specific training. This is too important to put off. Training is available across several districts at different times of the year. We appreciate the commitment volunteers have made to Scouting and we trust they will commit to completing training for their position.
