A Pathway to Stabilize and Sustain New and Struggling Units
This guide outlines how commissioners and other district volunteers can support new units as they form and in their first 30, 60, 90 days, and beyond.
The guide offers practical ways to help new and struggling units become stable and sustainable over the long term. The goal is for units to keep youth involved, support their leaders, and build lasting Scouting experiences. The guide explains what support is needed, not who must give it.
Introduction
New units need more direct and practical support than other units.
New unit leaders need steady support and time to grow.
Building and maintaining a stable unit requires sustained effort from unit leaders and the support team.
Commissioner and other district volunteers are empowered to do whatever it takes to provide needed help, working in close partnership with the unit’s leaders, volunteers, and Scout parents.
- Progression Timeline:
- Within Year 1: High Support – Coaching, frequent check-ins, practical help.
- Beyond Year 1: Growing Confidence – Leaders start to take charge. They still get help and know when to ask for it.
- Continuing: Steady Progress–The unit can run on its own. Mentoring continues as needed and wanted.
Stabilizing Scouting Units
It is important to start strong, but it is just the beginning. Helping a new unit, especially in its first few months or years, requires commitment, teamwork, and active support.
Even well-prepared units might face challenges without continued help.
The commissioner or support team is the best resource for stabilizing and sustaining the units they serve.
- District and Council Support
- Tailoring Unit Support
- The First and Best Resource
- Other District Committee Members
- Training
- Recruitment
- Activities
- Program Support Resources
Before Formation of a New Unit
Building relationships and trust with new Scout parents creates a strong foundation for the new unit.
Without “mutual respect, candor, and trust . . . the communication and collaboration required to effectively support units is impossible.”
Commissioner Culture: Be the Heart; Build Relationships; Change Lives.
- Identify unit key leaders
- Secure unit meeting location
- Begin orientation
- Establish communication
The First Three Months: 30-60-90 Day Plan for Unit Stability
The first few months are important for a new unit. While they can be exciting, they may also present challenges.
Commissioners, district volunteers, and nearby units must offer support to help the unit.
Each unit will need different types of support. Give clear and simple support so the unit can run a safe and strong Scouting program.
- First 30 Days – Connect and Develop the Foundation
- By 60 Days – Planning and Engagement
- By 90 Days – Implement and Build for the Future
- After 90 Days and Beyond – Short-Term Stability and Long -Term Sustainability
First 30 Days – Connect and Develop the Foundation
Indicators: Introduce fun activities; establish structure; build relationships
The commissioner or district support team should mentor the adult unit leadership team to prepare for the opening of the unit.
- Recruit and Organize
- Train and Prepare
- ️Hold Meetings and Establish Unit Communication
- Plan Program Kickoff
- Unit Support
By 60 Days – Planning and Engagement
Indicators: Develop a calendar, start advancement, service, and outdoor activity.
The commissioner and district support team should mentor the adult unit leadership team to accomplish the indicators.
- Develop Youth Leadership and Culture
- Develop the Unit’s Scouting Program (calendar; resources; advancement; training)
- Organize and Hold Events and Activities
- Develop Family Engagement
- Unit Growth (Recruitment)
By 90 Days – Implement and Build for the Future
Indicators: Celebrate successes. Share progress. Prepare for sustained growth.
Opportunities are plentiful for the commissioner and support team to strengthen and grow the unit by sharing information and mentoring unit leaders.
Unit leaders and other volunteers should feel welcome in the district. Parents and youth should feel valued and essential to the unit.
- Conduct Recognitions and Celebrations
- Develop a Unit Leadership Plan
- ️Encourage the Unit Key 3 to Focus on Goal Setting and Progress, Soliciting Feedback, and Completing Unit Self-Assessment (as available)
- Encourage Unit Growth
- Continue Developing the Unit’s Program
- Plan for Sustainability
After 90 Days and Beyond – Short-term Stability with Long-term Sustainability
The following steps connect short-term stability to long-term sustainability.
The commissioner and support team aim to help the unit achieve long-term sustainability.
A new unit usually goes through four stages as it learns to work together. Units that change leaders often go through these stages too.
With support from a commissioner, support team, and mentors, the unit can become strong. Using EDGE skills helps the commissioner and support team guide the unit through these stages.
- Succession Planning
- Annual Budgeting & Program Planning
- Fundraising
- ️Unit Traditions
- Peer-to-Peer Recruitment
- Marketing
- Social Media
- ️EDGE
Sustaining Scouting Units
A strong unit does not happen by accident; it grows through intentional leadership and consistent support.
When meetings feel chaotic, participation declines, or outdoor adventure is missing, the unit might need additional guidance.
The goal is for a new unit to become independent and high-performing, delivering an excellent Scouting program
- Meaningful Unit Meetings
- ️Outdoor Adventures
- Important Areas
- Program Activities
- Advancement
- Communication
- Budgeting
- Fundraising
- BeAScout Pin
- Social Media
- Unit Renewal
- Sustaining the Unit for the Long Term
Progression to a Self-Sufficient Unit
The worksheet brings together key tasks to help units, the unit commissioner, the support team, and the district commissioner see how far a unit has progressed toward stability and sustainability.
A district commissioner might use it to decide whether additional district resources are still needed or should be reallocated to other units.
The items on this worksheet are not goals and are not to be measured against any standards. They are simply tools for understanding the unit’s progression and helping them become stable, sustainable, and actively serving Scouts.
- Succession plan
- Trained adult unit leaders; trained youth unit leaders (as applicable)
- Functioning unit committee
- Annual budget
- Annual program planning and calendar
- Scout advancement; advancement recognition ceremonies
- Outdoor activities planned
- Unit renewal completed
- Recruitment and retention plans
Thriving Units Resources
This comprehensive resource guide serves as a centralized toolkit for commissioners and the support team to help new and struggling units thrive.
Its purpose is to simplify unit operations, support the safety and growth of all participants, and provide easy access to valuable documents, training modules, and program materials necessary for a vibrant unit experience.
- ️Unit Operations
- Registration and Renewal
- ️Health, Safety, and Risk Management
- Scouting Programs
- Recruitment and Retention
- Training and Advancement
- Awards
- Quick Reference Guides
For more information on Thriving Units, view the User Guide.
