Who?

What?

How?

 1.

Coaches, Quorum Advisor (with Bishopric First Counselor)

Organize the Team

After identifying/calling a team coach (ideally the Teachers quorum adviser) and assistant coaches (also assistant quorum advisors), assign the Teachers Quorum President to be Varsity Captain (the ideal), or call another youth as Captain. (SH, 3)

 2.

Captain and Coaches

Make Program Manager Assignments

Appoint members of the Team to manage the five fields of emphasis (Program Managers for High Adventure, Advancement, Service, Personal Development, and Special Programs and Events).  If there are large numbers in the Quorum/Team, divide into squads, designate squad leaders, and use youth in other positions such as Co-Captains and Assistant Program Managers.  If very small team, double up assignments.  Make sure that any youths needing leadership time for scouting rank advancement have applicable leader assignments. (VSG, 19-25, A-9)

 3.

Team Committee Chairman (Bishopric First Counselor)

Organize Team Committee

Call/identify 5 adults to be Program Advisors and other persons as needed.  Use fathers as much as possible. The committee should meet monthly. Conduct Team Resource Survey (boys can help). (VSG, 156-159, A-15)

 4.

Captain and Coaches

Conduct Interest Survey

Obtain input on Team members' interests and preferences for Team activities or program features, by conducting a Varsity Scout Individual Interest Survey (VIS). (VSG, A-14)

 5.

Coaches

Conduct Annual Program Planning Clinic

Generally done as an overnight retreat.  Typically will cover: (1) duties of officers; (2) leadership skills: (3) preparation of yearly program plan (annual calendar). Each quarter has a specific program feature and includes activities in each field of emphasis (except perhaps Advancement--see #14).  Personal Development sub-area activities may be included, as desired.  Publish and distribute annual calendar to all varsity scouts and their families.  (VSG, 181-189)

 6.

Team leaders and members

Decide on Team Uniform

While the scout uniform with orange tabs is the official Varsity uniform, the Team may choose a separate acitivity uniform: knit Venturing polo shirt, or t-shirt of the Team's own design.  (VSG, 149-153)

 7.

Captain and Team Leaders

Conduct Parents/Awards Nights

Do at least quarterly. Invite Team members' parents.  Introduce and gain support for Team's yearly program plan and calendar.  Make awards.  Report on activities.  Have fun. (VSG, 125)

 8.

Team Leaders and Coaches

Hold Team Leaders Meetings

Meet regularly (at least monthly) to develop detailed plans for next 3 months' program. Revise the annual calendar as needed and redistribute to all varsity scouts and their families. At succeeding Team Leader meetings extend the plan so that there is always 2-3 months' detail calendar ahead. Make sure Team is operating effectively. LDS Varsity Teams may use one of their Teachers Quorum presidency meeting as their Team Leader meeting.  (VSG, 125, 188)

 9.

Captain (with help from Scribe)

Get Program Managers Started on their Activity Plans

Fill out top part of Varsity Scout Team Activity Planning Worksheet for each activity on the calendar for the next 3  months and give these to pertinent Program Managers.  These activities may include combined YM-YW activities (Pesonal Development Social) and team participation in stake athletics (Personal Development Physical Fitness).  (VSG, A-4)

 10.

Coach and Team Committee Chairman

Inform Program Supervisors about Coming Activities

In Team Committee meeting or elsewhere, inform Program Advisors of coming activities on the calendar assigned to their Program Managers.

 11.

Program Managers (with Program Advisors)

Plan Activities

Individual Program Manager meets with his Program Advisor, to create plan for an assigned activity.  Advisor helps the young man use the Activity Planning Worksheet to document a plan.  The Advisor's job is to make sure that the youth succeeds in his leader assignment.  (VSG, 157-158, A-4)

 12.

Captain

Conduct Team Meetings 

Use Team Meeting Plan worksheet  (VSG, 120-122, A-3) to plan and conduct the Team Meeting (monthly or more often).  Have Program Managers report on plans for coming activities and have team members evaluate completed activities.  Report on advancement progress (See #14).

 13.

Program Managers (with help from Progam Advisors)

Conduct Activities

Prepare plans, with help of from Program Advisor, using Activity Planning Worksheet.  Present plan in Team business meeting for suggestions and approval.  Carry out planned activities.  Evaluate. Turn in completed Activity Planning Worksheet to Team Scribe for retention.  (VSG, 157-158, A-4)

 14.

Advancement Program Manager (with Advancement Program Advisor and Coach)

Help Team Members Establish Individual Advancement Inventory

Interview each member of the Team (along with Coach and Captain) to help them create their own individual Advancement Inventory (IAI). (Include focus on scouting rank advancement, Duty to God, Varsity Letter, and Denali award.) Keep track of and report members' progress in team meetings.  Conduct Boards of Review and Courts of Honor (Parents/Awards Night) to give recognition.  Keep advancement progress records. (VSG, 39-49, 157)

 15.

Team Leaders (with Coaches/High Adventure Program Advisor)

Plan and Conduct Yearly Team High Adventure

Generally a week-long outdoor experience which challenges team members and is the yearly culmination of the entire program calendar.  Largely under the High Adventure Manager, but should include all 5 fields of emphasis, so that each Program Manager has responsibility to lead in some part of the experience. (This event is in addition to shorter term high-adventure activities in connection with each quarterly program feature.)