row the boat - a unit recogition program

Row the Boat is Mount Baker Council's recognition program that provides incentives for the Scouting units that are considered “team players.” In other words, these units that reach set goals and objectives that the Council defines as key to delivering the promise of Scouting in a quality-driven and growth-focused manner within our boundaries will be recognized immediately and annually.

The Row the Boat theme is based on a popular team-building program based on Football College Coach P.J. Fleck. His analogy of using a rowing concept for the team helps define that we need everyone on the boat helping us paddle and in the same direction. As the rowing team does not see the destination, they need to pull together to get to their destination in a straight of a line as possible. If team members don’t pull together with the same speed or cadence, the boat will go off course. We want our Scouting units and volunteers to be in the boat, representing our program and mission with us as we move ahead to our destination and focused on meeting the same common goal for Scouting and the Council , providing the energy through their paddles, hence the need for this unit recognition program.

This unit recognition program can be considered a type of Quality Unit Award, similar to National BSA’s current Journey to Excellence award, but focused on actions and objectives that will drive the Scouting program in our own Council. Selected actions for units will focus on their participation and achievements in Council/District programs for membership growth, funding their programs, providing quality programs for their Scouts, utilizing Council and District activities as part of their unit programs, and participating in Council outdoor adventures. Unit participation and achievements will result in obtaining immediate recognition and annual unit recognition level incentives.