Outreach Committee
About the Outreach Committee
Mission and Vision
The mission of the Northern Star Scouting Outreach Committee is to provide training, resources, and support to build community relationships in an effort to achieve the goals described in the Northern Star Scouting Mission Statement and the Northern Star Scouting Diversity Statement.
When successful, the committee's vision of "Diversity will help membership growth and strengthen retention!" will come true and play a key role in every unit's recruiting and retention plan.
Committee Plan of Operations
Plan of Operation
Resources for Outreach
Diversity Award
The Diversity Award was created to strengthen inclusiveness and create cultural awareness and understanding. There are six different program levels of the Diversity Award, and each has its own application:
Note: Participants may earn the award at each level as they proceed through the Scouting program. Each level of the award requires that you submit a journal of the activities you did to earn this award, as well as a summary of what you learned while earning this award. If you have questions, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Diversity Facets and Inclusion Barriers
- Race & Ethnicity: Scouting welcomes people of ALL races & ethnicities in our programs.
- Age: People of ALL ages are allowed join the Scouting program as long as they meet the physical requirements of the activities.
- Religion & Worship Schedule: People of any religion, including no religion, can join the Scouting program.
- Language: People who speak any language can join the Scouting program.
- Family Structure: Unit Committees are encouraged to work with families of diverse family structures to encourage scouting event participation.
- Gender & Identity: Youth are encouraged to join the unit that they feel comfortable with regarding their gender identity.
- Sexual Orientation: BSA welcomes youth and adults regardless of their sexual orientation.
- Social-Economic: People of any social-economic backgrounds are welcomed in Scouting. Financial Assistance for registration is available. “No child will be turned away for inability to pay”.
- Accessibility & Mobility: Event planners are encouraged to make provisions for participants regarding accessibility & mobility.
- Dietary Restriction: Event planners are recommended to work with member families regarding dietary restrictions for trips & events.
- Political Belief: ALL who accept Scouting’s values and meet other requirements of membership can join Scouting.
- Digital Media Inclusion: Information in alternate format should be provided to members to address digital and online accessibility & readability concerns.
- Mental & Physical Health Challenges: Resources and support for anyone with mental and physical health challenges who want to be a part of Scouting.
- Physical Size & Ability: Event planners are encouraged to make provisions for participants regarding physical size (e.g., height, weight) and ability (e.g., strength, stamina.)
- Special Needs: Resources and support are in place for anyone with special needs to be a part of Scouting.
Training Materials
DEI Quick Introduction Slides
DEI 101 Presentation Slides
Action Planning Resources
The following document contains event dates for cultural events, local organizations that you could work with, background information, stategies, and more to enable your unit to be a part of local events and activities to invite and welcome others to Scouting.
Diversity Program Planning Supplement
Other Resources