Recruiting

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<center><big>[[Recruiting]] goes on every day, not just at a one-night meeting.<br>Your recruiting today determines the health of your unit tomorrow.</big></center><br>
<center><big>[[Recruiting]] goes on every day, not just at a one-night meeting.<br>Your recruiting today determines the health of your unit tomorrow.</big></center><br>
-
While recruiting should happen every day, your spring recruiting event is very important. By joining in the spring, new Scouts will be able to go to [[Summer Camp|Camp]] '''''this''''' year. Your summertime calendar is packed full of trips, events, and camping. The spring roundup invariably is when you will also find some of your best new leaders.
+
While recruiting should happen every day, your spring recruiting event is very important. By joining in the spring, new Scouts will be able to go to [[Summer Camp|Camp]] '''''this''''' year. Your summertime calendar is packed full with the trips, events, and camping they want. The spring roundup invariably is when you will also find some of your best new leaders.
Your fall recruiting event is just as important. This is when you get another chance to recruit the ones you missed in the spring.
Your fall recruiting event is just as important. This is when you get another chance to recruit the ones you missed in the spring.
-
It is your program and your upcoming calendar that will sell them on Scouting. Make sure that your calendar is planned months or ideally a year in advance and stocked full of great events. Make sure to include all of the [[council]] and district events you can. Prepare a simplified, one-page calendar for recruiting. The most important sales flier you have is your busy calendar.
+
Your program and your upcoming calendar will sell them on Scouting. Make sure that your calendar is planned months or a year in advance and stocked full of great events. Make sure to include all of the [[council]] and district events you can. Prepare a simplified, one-page calendar for recruiting. The most important sales flier you have is your busy calendar.
Your other tool will be a good recruiting flier. Your district executive can provide the recruitment fliers and posters.
Your other tool will be a good recruiting flier. Your district executive can provide the recruitment fliers and posters.
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Don't forget how flexible we are. If they miss a sports practice, they may not be able to play in the game. But in Scouts you can miss meetings or even a season and still be welcome.
Don't forget how flexible we are. If they miss a sports practice, they may not be able to play in the game. But in Scouts you can miss meetings or even a season and still be welcome.
-
==Purpose==
+
==The Six P's of Recruiting==
 +
 
 +
===Purpose===
 +
Have a clear purpose:
* To ensure that every boy has a chance to be in Scouts
* To ensure that every boy has a chance to be in Scouts
-
* To sign up Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos into existing packs to help keep them strong
+
* To sign up Cub Scouts and Webelos into existing packs as well as Boy Scouts and Ventures
-
* To involve every parent parent participation as unit leaders and committee members; and
+
* To recruit parents to be unit leaders and committee members
* To organize new units in areas we are not currently serving.
* To organize new units in areas we are not currently serving.
-
==Plan==
+
-
* Choose one night for your spring roundup and one night for your fall round-up.
+
===Plan===
-
· Flyer every school (where permitted) to extend an invitation to boys
+
* '''''Ask''''' every leader to attend. You will need their help plus the more people the new families know, the more likely they are to join.
-
· Provide information to every religious affiliation to extend an invitation to boys
+
* '''''Ask''''' your district for help with Informational fliers and posters.
-
· Encourage Chartered Partners to assist in the recruitment of youth for their programs
+
* '''''Ask''''' other units to buddy up with you. Share recruiting, don't compete.
-
· Encourage current members to promote Scouting by providing “tools” for recruitment
+
-
· Attend School Open Houses/Meet the Teacher events to provide Scouting information
+
-
· Arrange for classroom, lunchroom or playground visits to promote Scouting
+
-
· Units and District Volunteers work together to conduct roundup programs
+
-
++Promotion==
 
-
· Every registered Cub Scouting family will receive a special “Join the Team” mailing this
 
-
summer which will include a static sticker for their car window with special instructions for
 
-
Peer-to-Peer Recruiting.
 
-
· Flyers, posters, council-wide, district-wide and unit promotions.
 
-
==Find Your Prospect==
+
===Promote===
-
A prospect will rarely find you. You have to be pro-active and invite them, often several times.
+
A new Scout will rarely find you. You have to be pro-active and invite them, often several times.
-
# The first group to invite are the friends of your existing Scouts. Ask each Scout to invite at least two friends and their families to the orientation meeting. Referrals are your best prospects. If his buddies join, your existing Scout is more likely to stay in too. Especially for younger Scouts, show them the [[Recruiter Strip]] they can earn.
+
# '''''Ask''''' each Scout to invite two friends. Referrals are your best prospects. If his buddies join, your existing Scout is more likely to stay in too. Show them the [[Recruiter Strip]] they can earn.
-
# Also ask your chartered organization to take your fliers to youth that they know. Have your Scouts go to their meeting and show your charter organization all that you will be doing. Make sure to include your community service.
+
# '''''Ask''''' your [[chartered organization]] to distribute your fliers. Go to their meeting and show them all you do.
-
# Ask your committee to each take recruiting fliers to their other organizations including: PTO, Religious Organizations, Sunday Schools, confirmation classes, sports teams, Lions Clubs, Rotary, etc.
+
# '''''Ask''''' your committee to take recruiting fliers to PTO, Religious Organizations, Sunday Schools, sports teams, clubs, etc.
-
# Articles in your local paper about activities can be a great sales tool. A paper may let you include details of you upcoming orientation at the end of the article.
+
# '''''Ask''''' your paper to run an article about a recent include details of you upcoming orientation at the end of the article.
-
# Finally, youth from the community can sometimes be reached by announcements through area schools. Your district executive should have contacts with school administrators.
+
# '''''Ask''''' radio & TV stations to run Public Service Announcements you can get from your district.
 +
# '''''Ask''''' if you can do fliers, boy talks, and an open house in areas school. Your district executive should have contacts with school administrators.
 +
# '''''Ask''''' your prospects past who have not signed up yet to come this time. You may need to invite them different several times.
 +
Use all ''seven'' ways to promote your unit. Note that the key word is '''''Ask'''''. Use your resources. Brainstorm other ideas.
-
==Promoting the Orientation==
 
-
Attendance at the orientation meeting is very important. Don't use jargon like DE, FOS, OA, or SPL as this can scare off prospects. Some ideas for promoting the orientation include:
 
-
* Your district will help you with Informational flayers. You have to have something to send home.
 
-
* Ask each Scout to give fliers to two friends and their families to the orientation meeting.
 
-
* Have Boy Talks in the schools on the day of the meeting, school open houses, and posters in schools.
 
-
* Your District has Radio & TV Public Service Announcements you can use.
 
-
* Call your list of prospects who have not joined in the past.
 
-
* Promote the orientation at area churches, playgrounds, and parks
 
-
Use your resources and brainstorm other ideas.
 
-
==Conducting the Orientation==
+
===Present===
-
Hold the sign-up at the location where the unit will meet or at their school. Make it a brief, upbeat, and well-planned rally. The group presentation should take no more than a few minutes. Don't talk about the past.<br>
+
Hold the sign-up event at the location where the unit will meet or at their school. Make it a brief, upbeat, and well-planned rally. The group presentation should take no more than a few minutes. Don't talk about the past or use jargon like ''DE, FOS, OA, or SPL'' as this can scare off new families.<br>
-
As they come in, pass out applications, fliers, and your calendar. Ask everyone to fill out the forms. Have plenty of pens.
+
;Gathering
 +
* As they come in, pass out applications, fliers, and your calendar. Ask everyone to fill out the forms. Have plenty of pens.
* Have them sign a sheet with Name & Phone information for everyone who attends.
* Have them sign a sheet with Name & Phone information for everyone who attends.
* Don't be talking in a click among yourselves. Have a leader walk each prospect to a table and help them.
* Don't be talking in a click among yourselves. Have a leader walk each prospect to a table and help them.
-
Open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and very BRIEF remarks.
+
;Opening
 +
* Open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and very BRIEF remarks.
* Introduce your leaders.
* Introduce your leaders.
-
* Let the Scouts tell about what they have coming up on their calendars: trips, camping, Summer Camp, etc.
+
;Presentation
-
* End the group meeting in a few minutes.
+
* Let the '''''Scouts''''' tell about what they have coming up on their calendars: trips, camping, [[Summer Camp]], etc.
-
Unit leaders now fan out to meet with families one-on-one to answer questions.
+
* End the group meeting in no more than a few minutes.
-
* Register new youth members. Explain what they need to know one-on-one. ''Don't overwhelm them. "Do you have any questions?"''
+
;Register
 +
* Unit leaders now fan out to meet with families one-on-one to answer questions.
 +
* Register new youth members. Explain what they need to know one-on-one. ''Don't overwhelm them. Ask, "Do you have any questions?"''
* Have unit t-shirts available as a gift or at a small cost. If they leave in your t-shirt, they will come back.
* Have unit t-shirts available as a gift or at a small cost. If they leave in your t-shirt, they will come back.
-
* Scouts with involved parents stay in Scouts. As you meet one-on-one with families, you need to recruit adults to at least help.
 
* Provide light refreshments such as punch and granola bars.
* Provide light refreshments such as punch and granola bars.
-
* Announce the unit's next meeting date. Better still have an orientation event already scheduled.
+
* Announce the unit's next meeting date. Better still have an New Scout event already scheduled.
-
Make follow-up calls:
+
 
-
* Call everyone who signed up to again welcome them and confirm information.
+
===Parents===
-
* Call everyone who did not sign up in a few days and see if they have any questions. If they are not ready can you call them again in a week?
+
Scouts with involved parents stay in Scouts. Recruit adults to at least help if not the be leaders. These are great tools to help find out what parents can offer. Involve everyone. Scouts with "drive-by" parents won't last.
 +
* [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34437.pdf Troop Resource Survey 34437]
 +
* [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/FamilyTalentSurveySheet2008.pdf Pack Family Talent Survey Sheet]
 +
*[http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/02-822.pdf Become a Scout Volunteer!] - is a good resource to show potential leaders
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Persistence===
 +
* Call everyone who signed up to again welcome them and confirm information. Do not rely just on email.
 +
* Call everyone who ''didn't'' sign up in a few days and see if they have any questions. Can you call them again in a week?
* Call your prospects again in a week. People often need to be asked several times.
* Call your prospects again in a week. People often need to be asked several times.
-
* Call prospect again just before your next orientation. The ones you missed last time are the best prospects next time.
+
* Call your prospect again just before your next orientation. The ones you missed last time are some of the best prospects next time.
 +
 
==Venturing==
==Venturing==
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;General
;General
* [http://www.scouting.org/media/relationships/thenew-unitprocess/09.aspx Recruit Youth Members and Orient Parents]
* [http://www.scouting.org/media/relationships/thenew-unitprocess/09.aspx Recruit Youth Members and Orient Parents]
-
*[http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-558.aspx Astronauts And The BSA]
+
* [http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-558.aspx Astronauts And The BSA]
-
[http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-516.aspx Eagle Scouts]
+
* [http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-516.aspx Eagle Scouts]
-
''A Presentation That Will Enable You To Effectively Talk About How Scouting Can Help Schools Achieve Their Goals. Potential Audience: PTA, PTO; Educational Support Groups; Community In Schools Organizations.''
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* [http://old.scouting.org/relationships/ppt/csa.ppt The Case For School Access PowerPoint Presentation]
-
* [http://old.scouting.org/relationships/ppt/csa.ppt The Case For School Access Powerpoint Presentation] - ''Information Specifically About How Scouting Supports Academic Success. Potential Audience: PTA; PTO; Educational Support Groups; Community In Schools Organizations.''
+
* [http://old.scouting.org/relationships/ppt/sas.ppt Schools And Scouting: Working Together For Youth (PowerPoint Presentation)] -
-
* [http://old.scouting.org/relationships/ppt/sas.ppt Schools And Scouting: Working Together For Youth (Powerpoint Presentation)] -
+
;Advertising
;Advertising
Line 93: Line 92:
* [http://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/PSAS.aspx Public Service Announcements] - PSA's in a variety of formats.
* [http://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/PSAS.aspx Public Service Announcements] - PSA's in a variety of formats.
* [http://www.scouting.org/FILESTORE/marketing/doc/APrelease.doc News Release Sample] - annotated word file provides a model for news releases in the style used by the Associated Press (AP).
* [http://www.scouting.org/FILESTORE/marketing/doc/APrelease.doc News Release Sample] - annotated word file provides a model for news releases in the style used by the Associated Press (AP).
-
* [http://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/PowerPoint.aspx Powerpoint Presentation Templates]
+
* [http://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/PowerPoint.aspx PowerPoint Presentation Templates]
* [http://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/Presentations.aspx Sample Presentations] PPT's that you can tailor
* [http://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/Presentations.aspx Sample Presentations] PPT's that you can tailor
-
 
-
;Recruiting Leaders
 
-
*[http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/02-822.pdf Become a Scout Volunteer!]
 
;Cub Scouting
;Cub Scouting
Line 111: Line 107:
;Help finding chartering organizations
;Help finding chartering organizations
-
* [http://www.scouting.org/FILESTORE/marketing/pdf/02-835.pdf Be Prepared/I Am Prepared] - an eleven-page brochure that provides information about each of the BSA's programs and their relationship to chartered organization
+
* [http://www.scouting.org/FILESTORE/marketing/pdf/02-835.pdf Be Prepared/I Am Prepared] - information about each of the BSA's programs and their relationship to chartered organization.
* [http://www.scouting.org/media/relationships/letters.aspx Letters Of Endorsement] - Agreements Between Many National Organizations And The Boy Scouts Of America to have local units.
* [http://www.scouting.org/media/relationships/letters.aspx Letters Of Endorsement] - Agreements Between Many National Organizations And The Boy Scouts Of America to have local units.
* [http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-507.aspx Community Organizations And The Boy Scouts Of America]
* [http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-507.aspx Community Organizations And The Boy Scouts Of America]
* [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/03-233.pdf Rotary International and Scouting]
* [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/03-233.pdf Rotary International and Scouting]
-
* [http://old.scouting.org/relationships/ppt/da.ppt 40 Developmental Assets] [Powerpoint] - how the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs support the developmental assets.
+
* [http://old.scouting.org/relationships/ppt/da.ppt 40 Developmental Assets] [PowerPoint] - how the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs support the developmental assets.

Revision as of 15:33, February 20, 2009

Recruiting goes on every day, not just at a one-night meeting.
Your recruiting today determines the health of your unit tomorrow.

While recruiting should happen every day, your spring recruiting event is very important. By joining in the spring, new Scouts will be able to go to Camp this year. Your summertime calendar is packed full with the trips, events, and camping they want. The spring roundup invariably is when you will also find some of your best new leaders.

Your fall recruiting event is just as important. This is when you get another chance to recruit the ones you missed in the spring.

Your program and your upcoming calendar will sell them on Scouting. Make sure that your calendar is planned months or a year in advance and stocked full of great events. Make sure to include all of the council and district events you can. Prepare a simplified, one-page calendar for recruiting. The most important sales flier you have is your busy calendar.

Your other tool will be a good recruiting flier. Your district executive can provide the recruitment fliers and posters.

Don't forget how flexible we are. If they miss a sports practice, they may not be able to play in the game. But in Scouts you can miss meetings or even a season and still be welcome.

Contents

The Six P's of Recruiting

Purpose

Have a clear purpose:

  • To ensure that every boy has a chance to be in Scouts
  • To sign up Cub Scouts and Webelos into existing packs as well as Boy Scouts and Ventures
  • To recruit parents to be unit leaders and committee members
  • To organize new units in areas we are not currently serving.


Plan

  • Ask every leader to attend. You will need their help plus the more people the new families know, the more likely they are to join.
  • Ask your district for help with Informational fliers and posters.
  • Ask other units to buddy up with you. Share recruiting, don't compete.


Promote

A new Scout will rarely find you. You have to be pro-active and invite them, often several times.

  1. Ask each Scout to invite two friends. Referrals are your best prospects. If his buddies join, your existing Scout is more likely to stay in too. Show them the Recruiter Strip they can earn.
  2. Ask your chartered organization to distribute your fliers. Go to their meeting and show them all you do.
  3. Ask your committee to take recruiting fliers to PTO, Religious Organizations, Sunday Schools, sports teams, clubs, etc.
  4. Ask your paper to run an article about a recent include details of you upcoming orientation at the end of the article.
  5. Ask radio & TV stations to run Public Service Announcements you can get from your district.
  6. Ask if you can do fliers, boy talks, and an open house in areas school. Your district executive should have contacts with school administrators.
  7. Ask your prospects past who have not signed up yet to come this time. You may need to invite them different several times.

Use all seven ways to promote your unit. Note that the key word is Ask. Use your resources. Brainstorm other ideas.


Present

Hold the sign-up event at the location where the unit will meet or at their school. Make it a brief, upbeat, and well-planned rally. The group presentation should take no more than a few minutes. Don't talk about the past or use jargon like DE, FOS, OA, or SPL as this can scare off new families.

Gathering
  • As they come in, pass out applications, fliers, and your calendar. Ask everyone to fill out the forms. Have plenty of pens.
  • Have them sign a sheet with Name & Phone information for everyone who attends.
  • Don't be talking in a click among yourselves. Have a leader walk each prospect to a table and help them.
Opening
  • Open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and very BRIEF remarks.
  • Introduce your leaders.
Presentation
  • Let the Scouts tell about what they have coming up on their calendars: trips, camping, Summer Camp, etc.
  • End the group meeting in no more than a few minutes.
Register
  • Unit leaders now fan out to meet with families one-on-one to answer questions.
  • Register new youth members. Explain what they need to know one-on-one. Don't overwhelm them. Ask, "Do you have any questions?"
  • Have unit t-shirts available as a gift or at a small cost. If they leave in your t-shirt, they will come back.
  • Provide light refreshments such as punch and granola bars.
  • Announce the unit's next meeting date. Better still have an New Scout event already scheduled.


Parents

Scouts with involved parents stay in Scouts. Recruit adults to at least help if not the be leaders. These are great tools to help find out what parents can offer. Involve everyone. Scouts with "drive-by" parents won't last.


Persistence

  • Call everyone who signed up to again welcome them and confirm information. Do not rely just on email.
  • Call everyone who didn't sign up in a few days and see if they have any questions. Can you call them again in a week?
  • Call your prospects again in a week. People often need to be asked several times.
  • Call your prospect again just before your next orientation. The ones you missed last time are some of the best prospects next time.


Venturing

In the case of Venturing-age youth

  • Have each youth complete the Venturing Activity Interest Survey.
  • Brainstorm with youth their ideas that might not be on the survey.
  • Review the potential for crew program based on the Program Capability Inventory and the chartered organization.

Resources

General
Advertising
Cub Scouting

Northern Star Council's Version of Cub Scout Round Up Campaign Guidebook #13-253.

Organizing a new unit
Help finding chartering organizations
Retrieved from "http://www.meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Recruiting"
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