MyScouting - A Great Scouting Resource The BSAfs new MyScouting portal provides an Internet gateway to a variety of programs and services for volunteer Scout leaders. The program was launched in August 2007 as a joint project of the BSA Information Systems Division and Custom Communication Division, located at the national office in Irving, Tex. MyScouting replaces the BSA online learning center with a new state-of-the-art e-learning center available to all BSA members. The portal is reached by clicking on the MyScouting link  at the top of the homepage on the Council web site. The following is a recent message from Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca concerning the MyScouting applications.
Options to connect online directly to our volunteers and youth through MyScouting have been available for nearly two years. Recently, though, new features have been added that will dramatically increase our ability to communicate with our volunteers and, more importantly, allow them to communicate with National and with each other.
Scouting Community
Scouting Community is perhaps the most useful tool we have ever rolled out to Scouting professionals and volunteers. Using tools familiar to visitors of social networks like Facebook and MySpace, Scouting Community finally gives us the ability to communicate online with our volunteer community. More importantly, it allows volunteers and youth to communicate with us and other volunteer Scouters in a secure online environment. Scouting Community is open to members 14 years and older with a valid BSA ID. Users can post blog entries, join virtual groups, follow online discussions on any topic, and even share photos and documents with other community members.
Electronic Tour Permits
The new Tour Permits tool uses four simple steps to guide volunteers through the process of applying for a tour permit for a local or national trip. This "smart" system remembers driver and training information, so it's easy to recall for subsequent permits. A council administrator approves or returns the application from MyBSA, and it's all saved in an electronic repository for easy retrieval. This means no more paperwork, and 24/7 availability.
Online Tracking of Commissioner Visits
Unit Visit Tracking was introduced a year ago and was so popular that it crashed the system. We have retooled it, made it more secure, and re-introduced it to unit commissioners through MyScouting. Unit commissioners can go online to track visits to their units, and district commissioners can view that information online as well. Commissioners can set up reminders and store visit details, including the type of visit and the number of youth and adults in attendance. Reports are available to the unit commissioner, district commissioner, and assistant district commissioners for the units in their service area.
Availability
Unit Visit Tracking and Scouting Community are now available on MyScouting. Tour Permits will be available soon. Go to www.scouting.org, select MyScouting, and enter (or create) your e-mail login and password. You must have a valid member ID for these services.
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