Merit Badge Counselor Orientation for the PPC Merit Badge Introduction Workshop

Thanks for volunteering!  Over the coming months, this page will continue to be updated with information and orientation for Counselors

  • During October we will be working on the following action items:

    • Zoom meeting information for each class will be distributed to the Counselors.
    • Parent Monitors or other volunteers will be recruited for the one-counselor classes to ensure that every class has two adults in the virtual room.
    • Class rosters will go out to the counselors.
      • Be prepared for minor changes as parents call Council in a panic over missing the deadline, or we have to move Scouts for other reasons.
    • There will be outreach to parents, troop leaders (the key 3 of every Troop with 2 or more registrants), and counselors to get Scouts and Counselors connected on Scoutbook.
      • If Troop leaders are unwilling or unable to connect Scouts and Counselors, after the Workshop, staff (initials MM) will mail you physical blue cards with pre-franked envelopes to forward to Scouts.
    • Once you have your roster and contact information, you can reach out to Scouts with information about how to prepare for your class, as well as encouraging them to have their unit leaders invite you to connect on Scoutbook.  (Giving them your zip code may help them find you faster.  Make sure they have the correct spelling of your first and last name in Scoutbook.)
    • NOTE: Unless your class has very few Scouts, PLEASE do not use significant class time to approve individual prerequisites.  (Just speaking to 20 scouts individually will fill an hour very fast.)  We want the Workshop experience to be as motivating and interesting as possible.  You can cover prerequisites before or after the Workshop by email, Zoom, or in-person, as works best.
  • IMPORTANT: set your Scoutbook entry to be visible Council-wide

    • Instructions:  [NOTE, the last two clicks are essential!]
      Login to Scoutbook.com.  (Same credentials as my.scouting.org.)
      Click on “My Dashboard”.
      If “My Account” is not visible, click on “Administration” to expand the options.
      Click on “My Account”.
      Click on “My Positions”.
      Click on “Merit Badge Counselor”.
      Select the radio button “Council List” under “Listing Preference”.
      Scroll down.
      Click the check box “I agree to be a merit badge counselor”.
      Click on “Update”. (Whew!)
  • Guidance for Merit Badge Counselors on Scoutbook
  • Counselor orientation sessions will be scheduled.
  • See the MBIWS Technology page for information about Zoom and Scoutbook.
  • Presenting and monitoring a class at the same time is tricky.  Some ideas:
    • Use two platforms if at all possible….use one for presenting, and the other to monitor and interact with the class.
      • This will let you know exactly how your presentation appears to others.
      • NOTE:  You will need to MUTE and TURN DOWN THE VOLUME ENTIRELY on one of the two platforms to avoid painful audio feedback  Muting the second platform alone is not enough…if you don’t turn down the volume, the audio from your second platform will get picked up by the first.
    • Present and share a window instead of an entire screen.  This will let you use another window to monitor and control the meeting.
  • Here is a pointer how to present in a window in Powerpoint.  (Note…this technique is not consistent with animations.  Given that, you might find it simpler to print your ppt to pdf and present in Adobe Reader.)
  • We are recruiting Parent Monitors to help with class participant monitoring, technology issues, and if needed, role call or requirement check-offs by Scout.
  • Please review the Parent and Scout orientation pages so you know what we are asking of them and what you can expect.

Michael Merritt MBIWS Volunteer Coordinator 973-568-7979 [email protected]
Brenda Sonzogni Registration Contact 973-765-9322 ext 253 [email protected]