GENERAL INFORMATION

The Far East Council (FEC) Leadership Seminar (formerly the University of Scouting) is a fun-filled training program designed to help develop scouts' and scouters' excellence in the Far East Council.  Scouts will have the opportunity to take merit badges (and some general interest classes, too), and all registered scouts are encouraged to attend to understand better the critical role and function of their position in the scouting program.

Welcome to a unique opportunity for you to learn how to be a better trainer (via Fundamentals of Training) and become a better leader.  This Virtual Training event is approximately 4.0 - 8.0 hours over two days ‘virtually’ through ZOOM.

This Scouter training experience is planned to:

• PROVIDE Scouters with a full understanding of their mission

• OBTAIN a commitment to the success of the mission

• HELP develop techniques

• SUPPLY information necessary to carry out assignments

• BUILD morale and fellowship in the Scouting community

These results are achieved through a broad curriculum of instruction and recognition of achievement by a series of awards.

This year's Leadership Seminar will be held over the course of two days:  Saturday, December 14 & Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 7:30AM-1:30PM (Japan/Korea Time).  We strongly recommend that participants, faculty, and/or staff register before the event to ensure you can select the classes you want to attend. Classes will fill up, and limited openings will be available on the morning of the FEC Leadership Seminar.

Adult Registration Fee: $14

Youth (14-21) Registration Fee: $14

Faculty/Staff Registration Fee: No Charge (Unless taking courses, in which case a registration fee is required)

Previous year UofS Patch: $5:00

Online registration will close on November 25th, 2024

Registration and Check-in: 7:30am – 7:45am and Welcome/Opening Ceremony begins promptly at 8:00 am

PROGRAM DEPARTMENTS

The curriculum is divided into four program departments:

1. College of Continued Education Dean: Mike Lewis

2. College of Cub Scouts Dean: Earl Jackson

3. College of Scouts BSA Dean: Larry Wasylin

4. College of Youth Leadership Dean: Rob Keister

5. Merit Badge Coordinator: Kitty Tam

Youth Merit Badge (MB) Protocol

Below are the merit badge guidelines for youth:

• Youth are Limited to two MB.

• Youth must take one non-MB Leadership class to enroll in an MB class.

• Youth are NOT awarded Leadership Seminar patches for MB-only participation.  The unit should award Merit Badges upon completion.

• MB sign-ups are proportional to the number of MB counselors that volunteer.

RECOGNITION

Each new participant will receive a FEC Leadership Seminar patch. Participants who complete the degree requirements will be recognized with an appropriate patch segment for that degree and a diploma. Class sizes are limited – register early!!  Once a class is full, it will not be available.

TRAINING - DEGREE PROGRESS

The Leadership Seminar offers the following Degrees:

1. Associates

2. Bachelor

3. Master

4. Doctoral

5. Continued Education

The above degree programs have separate requirements for obtaining them. Leadership Seminar courses will not be accepted outside the Far East Council degree program. For more information, please read about the degree program via the guide listed below:

WHAT TO BRING AND WHAT TO WEAR

Each participant should bring a pencil/pen and paper. THIS IS A UNIFORMED EVENT, and Scouting is a uniform organization. All participants should be in their field (class A) uniform to maintain a proper uniform throughout the entire day.

 Youth participants, before the day of the courses, must complete all required prerequisites for the Merit Badge they signed up for. Also, be sure to connect with the counselor prior to and connect in Scoutbook.

ZOOM ETIQUETTE

While Zoom will work with many devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, you will have the best experience using a computer. The computer must have a webcam, microphone, and be running MacOS, Windows, or Linux. Please go to https://zoom.us before the meeting to download and install the Zoom app on your device. You can try out Zoom on a test meeting by going to https://zoom.us/test. This will allow you to test both your camera and microphone before the course director conference starts.

• Only use a computer that has a camera (integrated or external) in a well-lit room. We want to see what you look like!

• If you have a headset – please use it. You will sound better to others.

• If you do not have a headset, try to use headphones like earbuds or air pods. This will prevent echoes from your microphone picking up the speakers on your device.

• If you are not talking, mute yourself to prevent extra background noise.

• If you have the choice between a wired computer network and a wireless computer network, choose a wired network. It will generally be faster than a wireless network.

• You will be streaming video from your computer’s camera – this can consume a lot of network bandwidth. It may adversely affect other people on your wireless network. Likewise, what they are doing may adversely affect your experience in Zoom.

• The main Zoom meeting will be where we hold our opening/closing and will also serve as our main meeting room between classes.  Classes will be held in breakout rooms. Please make sure to bring your class schedule so you can find the class you signed up for.  You can see the breakout rooms using the breakout rooms button at the bottom of the screen.  If you don't see it there, choose the three dots "more" button then choose breakout rooms.

POLICY STATEMENT

To maintain the stature of the training program of the University and to give a sense of accomplishment to the recipients, the following policies will govern the event:

• Any registered Scouter may attend any course of instruction as long as they meet any pre-requisites or other requirements noted in the course description.

• Any registrant for a degree program should have had some orientation at the District level.

• To receive credit for a course, a Scout/Scouter must attend the entire course and ensure the instructor has your name and recognizes you as attending.

• Degrees will be acknowledged by appropriate patches and certificates. Such awards will be made upon verification of completion of the program requirements.

• Any patches or awards other than an earned Leadership Seminar patch or segment will be up to the individual or unit to purchase on their own.

• Upon completion of a National Standard Class a participant's record will be updated by the Council Training Team.

• When a Scouter completes the Bachelor level, your certificate and segment will be available to pick after session seven has concluded. When a Scouter completes the Master level, their District leadership must verify all non-course requirements. Once verified, your certificate and segment will be available to pick after session seven has concluded.

• Credits for courses completed in other Councils or at a National training center will not be given.

• Scouters who complete the Bachelor's program may take courses required for the Master's program. Similarly, Scouters who complete the Masters program may take courses as are necessary for the Doctoral program.

2024 Leadership Seminar Overall Schedule

Day 1: December 14, 2024

08:00 AM - 08:15 AM: Opening Ceremony & Welcome
08:15 AM - 09:45 AM: Period 1 - Classes/Workshops
09:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Break & Networking
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Period 2 - Classes/Workshops
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Break & Networking
11:45 AM - 13:15 PM: Period 3 - Option - Breakout Workshops
13:15 PM - 13:30 PM: Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks

Day 2: December 15, 2024

08:00 AM - 08:15 AM: Day 1 Recap
08:15 AM - 09:45 AM: Period 4 - Classes/Workshops
09:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Break & Networking
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Period 5 - Classes/Workshops
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Break & Networking
11:45 AM - 13:15 PM: Period 6 - Option - Final Breakout Workshops
13:15 PM - 13:30 PM: Closing Ceremony & Final Remarks