Annual Report Jan. - Jun. 2018

JAN - JUN 2018

Annual Report ADVENTURE > CHARACTER > LEADERSHIP W W W . T R A I L L I F E U S A . C O M

WALK WORTHY! OUR MISSION To guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure

OUR VISION To be the premier national character development organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens.

OUR VALUES Purity > Service > Stewardship > Integritiy

For more information about us, please visit www.TrailLifeUSA.com

TrailLifeUSA

@TrailLifeUSA

@traillife

FROM THE BOARD Dear Trailman, We are excited to present this Annual Report on Trail Life USA. This document is intended to give a brief snapshot or overview of the organization’s health and standing for the first six months of 2018, an abbreviated year because of our transfer to a fiscal calendar.

Trail Life USA is committed to good governance and transparency in all areas of TLUSA. This report is designed with that end in mind.

Under the excellent leadership of our CEO Mark Hancock, the organization is utilizing state-of-the-art technology, creative solutions, and strategic planning as we grow into the future. The TLUSA staff is highly committed to the mission and to serving our members and volunteers who are the real backbone of Trail Life USA. When I am in the field our adult leaders are always thanking me for my participation in Trail Life USA. But I then want to very quickly turn around and thank them because YOU are the ones who give life to the program for the boys. I say this a lot, but it’s true … without your help as volunteer adult leaders, Trail Life USA is nothing.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you again for what you do. You ARE Trail Life USA. I love the way you own the program and make it personal for boys all across America. Any success or advancement in our mission expressed in this Report is simply a reflection of your commitment on behalf of the boys and young men of Trail Life USA. Thank you for “Walking Worthy” on this great narrow trail and journey that God has given to all of us.

Sincerely,

John Stemberger Chairman of the Board Trail Life USA

JOHN STEMBERGER

FROM THE Dear Trailman, It is a pleasure to provide this update on the status, financial and otherwise, of Trail Life USA. We continue to see growth in membership and an impact of our movement, as thousands of volunteers and tens of thousands of boys are enjoying the character growth, leadership opportunities, and outdoor challenging adventure of Trail Life USA. The unique position we stand in today with our unapologetically Christcentered and confidently boy-focused emphases offers both opportunity and challenge. We welcome the opportunity and believe we are up for the challenge.

Transition at this time includes upcoming improvements to internal processes and structure as well as field/program elements.

INTERNAL PROCESSES AND STRUCTURE Reincorporation in South Carolina, location of Camp Aiken Formal name change from ‘Youth Adventure Program, Inc.’ to ‘Trail Life USA, Inc.' Securing tested Membership Standards in protected areas of Bylaws (including 80% approval of Charter Organizations, fulfillment of a Core Values promise) Shift to fiscal year accounting (July-June)

Improvements to Chartering processes

FIELD AND PROGRAM ELEMENTS New public-facing website Continued development of online Chartering/Member system* New online store Trail Life-specific Child Safety and Youth Protection Training Addition of second Regional Field Service Coordinator (Southern Plains region)

CEO

MARK HANCOCK

FIELD AND PROGRAM ELEMENTS CONT. 2019 National Summer Adventure and Family Convention Revisions to Handbooks for Boys and Guides for Leaders

When it comes to membership we like to talk about numbers because numbers

Addition of Field Guides Addition of alternative Troop Uniform pant - Troop Chino Pants Continued integration of Christian Worldview throughout the program 7+ Trail-Ready Learner Conferences*

represent people.

These are real people who are participating in the mission of Trail Life USA. As of June

Streamline and simplify the Freedom Award

30, 2018 we had:

application process*

8,045

Provide New Troop Organizer packets to assist these valued volunteers in starting new Troops*

Active Adult Members

Provide Welcome packets to new Troops*

6,541

The shift to a fiscal year necessitates a change in our annual reporting. This 2018 Annual report includes

Paid, but Pending

Form 990 financials for calendar year 2017. You will

Adult Members

see an issuance of the Form 990 for 2018 (January through June 2018) once the formal review is complete and the documents prepared (expected January 2019). The next complete Annual Report will be on the release of the 2019 financials, which will include reporting from July 2018 through June 2019.

Pending the accountant’s scheduling our formal

15,495 Youth

750

Chartered Troops

review or audit and completion of the 2019 Form 990, we would hope to release the 2019 report in or around September 2019.

I would like to remind you of two documents that speak to our financial posture: Principles of Stewardship

Statement of Financial Accountability

Thank you for your commitment to “ … build generations of courageous young men who honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure.” * Completed

"It is the scouting program delivered as it was originally intended to be and not only do the boys need this program but their adults do too. It helps build familial bonds that no other program can."

Trail Life Father

STRATEGIC

PLAN 2018-2019 In this Strategic Plan, we are confirming the four Primary Objectives developed in 2014 that encompass a multitude of supporting objective, individual tasks, projects, and action Items.

Enhance Program Train & Empower Leadership (Volunteers) Safeguard Treasures Expand & Strengthen Church Partnerships/Membership

Based on current staffing and workload, we are defining the strategic time focal points as:

"I have found myself more confident as I prepare to lead the young men. I have had

July 2018 - December 2019

to relearn so I can

January 2019 - June 2019

prepare them. I have

July 2019 and beyond

become more reliable."

This represents a shift to more frequent updating that

Trail Life Leader

matches on-the-go budget projections. Although the budget looks forward a full twelve months, it is adjusted continuously, visited quarterly by the Finance Committee, and in constant compliance with the annual Board-approved budget.

In order to maintain focus and flexibility, we are scheduling our Strategic Plan review/realignment for two times per year, rather than annually. We will look forward one year or more, but conduct the review every six months, allowing the plan and the budget to reflect the same objectives.

This plan also incorporates what we have learned from extensive research from the Thriving Troop Surveys and brand analysis and discovery. In general, the focus is accounting for Board initiatives, market changes, or survey-revealing emphases to include: Troop and Member numbers growth

Intentional vision and mission

Area Team development

language integrating the "why" into

Program alignment

all communications

Troopmaster engagement

Market position shift prompted by BSA departure from boy-only focus

“I believe that Trail Life is planting and fertilizing seeds for the future.�

STRATEGIC

Parent

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP (VOLUNTEERS)

TRAIN & EMPOWER

ENHANCE

July 2018 - Dec. 2018

Jan. 2019 - Jun. 2019

July 2019 and beyond

Woodlands Trail Printed Leader Guide Navigator/Adventurer Handbook Revisions (2019 Release) Field Guides (2019 release)

Preparations for 2019 Summer Adventure and Family Convention Finalize Navigator and Adventurer Handbook revisions Finalize Field Guides

Patrol Method Initiative More to come

Create materials and Training for NTOs and DSAs Define/Improve mission, program, and operational alignment at all levels Establish existence & ownership for Regions and Areas Develop CRM for volunteer administration Define roles for Troop level volunteers during chartering Implement volunteer referral campaigns

Implement Annual Troop Health Review Evaluate Field Exec.

Pilot; consider expanding to other regions Define roles and recruit Regional teams Expand Area teams to include four program committees Develop succession plan recommendations for all levels

NAC Training Committee develops new courses More to come

TREASURES

PARTNERSHIPS/MEMBERSHIPS

EXPAND & STRENGTHEN CHURCH

SAFEGUARD

PLAN 2018-2019 July 2018 - Dec. 2018

Jan. 2019 - Jun. 2019

July 2019 and beyond

Trail Life USA digital Annual Report Troop Management System training and testing Enhanced Trail Life USA specific Child Safety and Youth Protection Training released SC reincorporation of Trail Life USA, Inc.

International Troop pilot program evaluated Release of the new Troop Management System

More to come

Develop specific denominational relationships through convention and pastors conferences Design retention strategies for Troops; track and communicate successes Communicate retention strategies to Troops

Expand and deepen faith tradition relationships (MOUs and materials) Institutional Head and Charter Organization Representatives present "State of our Troop Ministry" to their congregations.

Implement annual growth plan

Mission emphasis: Serve Others campaign More to come

“Dedicated men serving kids following a Christian lifestyle - it is just great.�

Parent

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

"TLUSA makes a very real impact on not only the youth we serve but also their families."

Trail Life Leader

The membership team focused its efforts in 2018 on maximizing efficiency through improved processes and procedures for staff and volunteers. We were able to register an increased amount of new members and start/recharter Troops without significantly increasing staffing.

New Welcome Kit

Created a new Welcome Kit and increased Pre-Charter price to $99 Added Calendly software to streamline Institutional Head vetting calls Added InfusionSoft software to streamline the process of contacting/organizing new members, current members, and expired members Join the Trail refresh of all printed materials, new logo, refreshed website, new training videos, and social media campaigns Attended, analyzed, and drafted plan for maximizing impact as an exhibitor at conferences and conventions Reduced the Pre-Charter process to a single call with the IH and automating the rest of the process through software.Â

26.5 Days Average time from Pre-Charter approved to Chartered

"CHRIST-CENTERED CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THAT IS EFFECTIVE IN TAKING YOUNG MINDS OUT OF THEIR ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND INTO GOD'S CREATION." TRAIL LIFE LEADER

"I am a Grandmother raising my 10 year old grandson. I am glad to have some good Christian men that are willing to also spend time with my grandson."

Grandmother

FIELD

OPS UPDATE In 2018, Field Operations continued to provide vital support for Charter Organizations and their Troops.

Expanding the support network will assure sustainability for years to come. Here are a few notable recent accomplishments and things in process:

Completed six TRLCs Implemented Regional Summer Adventures Expanded National Advisory Committees Created a Troop Fundraising Pilot Project Connected the Annual Troop Health Review to re-chartering Realigned Regions for better service; Expanded to eight Hired a second Field Executive Launched a New Troop initiative Received over 100 Troop commitments to participate in the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox drives Designed retention, tracking, and communication strategies as best practices for Troops Growing Power Team 3s; Expanding Area Teams to include four main Program Committees Strengthening the COR role Creating legal entities for Regions Providing training courses and presenters for the 2019 National Convention

"Thank you so much for starting-up this program! As a mother of two BSA Eagle Scouts, and a 10 year Scout leader, I was happy to have someplace to take our younger son when the BSA went south!"

Trail Life Mother

PROGRAM The Trail Life USA Program and Compliance team has been very busy during this short year. Several new resources, policies, and programs have been created or enhanced so that Troops can better "guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure."

Resources

1-2-3 Youth Protection Posters Patrol Meeting Planner sheets Patrol Planner Freedom Award Procedure Guides and Freedom Experience Course Catalog Navigator/Adventurer Patrol Tracking Charts

“It has impacted us for the better. As a single mom, I really don’t know if my son would have been anywhere near as confident and grounded in his male identity if I had not had him in this program.”

Trail Life Mother

UPDATE Policies, Programs, and Other Updates “Being involved with

Orienteering Elective Trail Badge TLUSA & AHG Joint Camping Policy Personal Weapons Policy Update Trailman's Virtues Program Respect Life Step for Woodlands Trail Transition to Fiscal Year end June 30 Levels of Troop Support Infographic Revised Checklist for Preparing for an Outdoor Adventure Revised Tri-Fold and Pastor's Brochures Completed renovations to Camp Aiken's Leadership Lodge

Trail Life USA has been a blessing to my family.

It has improved my relationship with my son, and generally had a positive impact on our family.�

Trail Life Father

169

Youth Freedom

Rangemen as of June 30, 2018

25

States with Rangemen

“A DAD ... TOLD ME HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE OUTDOORS, BUT WAS CONFIDENT HIS BOY WAS LEARNING A LOT. HE GAVE ME A BIG HUG AND WITH TEARS ROLLING DOWN HIS FACE ASKED IF HE TOO COULD COME ALONG AND ME TEACH HIM SOME SKILLS.”

TRAIL LIFE LEADER

Looking Down the Road Reincorporation as Trail Life USA, Inc. (now Youth Adventure Program, Inc.) Trail Life USA Field Guides Second Edition of the Trailman’s Handbook for Navigators and Adventurers Annual Troop/Committee Planner Fundraising Planner Woodlands Trail Leader Guide published Elective Badges – Woodworking & Hammock Camping Releasing Three Peaks Training TLUSA specific Child Safety Youth Protection Training 2019 Summer Adventure and Family Convention TLUSA history project Updated Learning Management System New TLUSA website and store

THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD

JOHN STEMBERGER CHAIRMAN

STUART MICHELSON VICE-CHAIRMAN

HEZEKIAH BARGE DIRECTOR

ROB RYE SECRETARY

STUART NOLAN DIRECTOR

PAT GARIBAY TREASURER

JEFF HUDSON DIRECTOR

"... SO AS TO WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING TO HIM, BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK AND INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD." COL. 1:10 ESV W W W . T R A I L L I F E U S A . C O M

TrailLifeUSA

@TrailLifeUSA

@traillife