Many lodge leaders have been informed about the benefits of setting lodge goals. Many lodges make the unfortunate mistake of writing goals each year, only to have them sit, untouched, for the entire year. This mistake makes the process entirely meaningless. Instead, lodge leaders should create specific, measurable, and actionable goals. Lodges can make goals that are closely tied to the Performance Measurement Program (PMP), that is geared towards lodge success.

Lodge leaders who have attended programs like ILST or NYLT can recall the process for making specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely goals, also known as SMART goals. Goals should be quantifiable, using something like a percentage during a time period.

For example, a lodge may set a goal as follows:

• Increase the lodge’s participation at the section seminar by 3% of our registered membership from the previous year.

A lodge should not make a goal like:

• Emphasize Brotherhood conversion at our Fall Fellowship.

Lodges can choose to create yearly goals in many different ways. They can be developed at the first lodge executive committee meeting as the first order of business. Secondarily, a lodge can choose to draft a set of goals at the annual Lodge Leadership Development, with approval of the LEC later on. This option is what most lodges favor. A successful lodge chief will also include their adult leadership in this process, seeking their wisdom in practical applications of the goals.

Some examples of goals that one lodge has established throughout the years follow. These goals are simple one-liners:

1. The lodge will host three lodge Induction weekends per year.
2. The lodge will conduct a unit election in every unit that requests a unit election.
3. The lodge will increase participation in the national program of emphasis by 3% from the previous event.
4. The lodge will increase participation at the section conclave by 3% from last year’s participation.
   1. Each lodge committee will provide leadership to at least one section competition.
   2. The lodge will contribute to the section campership scholarship with at least $1.00 donated per person in attendance.
5. The lodge will contribute $1.50 per registered Arrowman to the council’s Friends of Scouting campaign.
6. The lodge will secure funding of $1000.00 to recognize one recipient for the James E. West Fellowship Award.
7. The lodge will contribute $20,000.00 to the council for Scouts who attend summer camp.

When goals are created, they should be mapped further to allow the steps to feel tangible and possible.  Consider our first goal above.  We can map out further steps:

1. Develop the lodge’s ordeal committee so that they can plan and develop at least one additional service project at ordeals compared to the previous year.
2. By the first induction weekend, recruit and train five more ceremonialists through our vice chief of ceremonies by making a special lodge award for people who participate in five ceremonies.
3. During the induction season, send at least one communication every 14 days to candidates about upcoming induction opportunities.
4. Improve the registration portal for inductions to make clear what staffing roles are open for each induction weekend.

Over time, the list of lodge goals will grow and change as the lodge year progresses. The objective of the goals is to target what is important with the lodge, the chapters, the council, and the units. The lodge should be in contact with the council to ensure that the goals are consistent with the council’s overall objectives. As the lodge year progress, set regular officer meetings to evaluate progress and further map pathways to success!

After their creation, the goals should be published to the lodge membership, either online or in other content. Periodically, republish and emphasize goals that are upcoming. Lodge membership should focus on aiding in the process to achieve the goals and ensure the lodge leadership is held accountable to complete them by delegating clear responsibility and unambiguous timelines. The process of creating goals should be made fun and motivational!

The above resource was originally submitted by O-Shot-Caw Lodge in Miami Lakes, Florida, which has used a similar method to establish strong lodge goals. The lodge has experienced tremendous success with that method and continues to achieve great things with its implementation.