Northern Lights Council Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scout Leader’s Guide to

Recruiting

All recruiting materials are also available at www.nlcbsa.org/resources

2018 Edition

3

Scout Leaders,

Thank you for volunteering as a leader and providing activities where Scouts build character, improve physical fitness, learn practical skills, develop a spirit of community service, and have tons of fun! Scouting programs have been a value based, fun and educational experience for young boys for over 100 years.

The Northern Lights Council membership committee is excited to provide you with this guide to the 2018 Fall Recruitment campaign. A variety of resources are available to you provided by the Northern Lights Council and the Boy Scouts of America.

We encourage you to work in cooperation with the Cub Scout packs near you when they conduct their sign up meetings. We want to ensure that older boys that attend the meetings with their younger siblings are given the opportunity to join a Boy Scout troop.

Materials for Boy Scout recruiting include:

• Boy Scout Recruiting guide • Recruitment flyers - two different versions (council will print at no charge) • Attendance rosters • Troop Resource Surveys • Boys’ Life magazine samples • Youth applications • Adult leader applications • “Join Scouts” yard signs • And more!

The council also makes available “JJoin Scouts” yard signs, wristbands, radio and TV PSA’s and more! Many of the resources are also available at wwww.nlcbsa.org and at your local council service center.

Let’s give every youth an opportunity to join this fall. We hope you utilize these resources to help your troop grow in youth members and adult leadership!

Mark Zimmerman Vice-President of Membership Northern Lights Council

Work with Local Cub Scout Packs (or host Troop Open House) ……… 5

Seven Points of Contact - Promotion is the Key ...………….…………… 6

New Member Coordinators ……………….……………...………..….……... 7

Parent Orientation Meeting ………………...……………………….……….. 8

Getting Parents Involved ……….………….....……………………………… 9-11

Appendix • Troop Resource Survey • What’s the Secret to Recruiting Boy Scouts? • Year-Round Guide to Scout Recruiting • Help Scouts Change the Perception that Scouting’s Not “Cool”

Webelos to Scout Transition In the past, most troops would get enough boys crossing over from Cub Scouts to keep their membership at a good level. That was the only recruiting they needed to do. Times have changed. There is more competition for their time now than there ever has been in the past. This is still the best method for recruiting Boy Scouts, but it doesn’t automatically happen like it used to. It takes coordination, actively meeting with the potential Boy Scouts early in the fall when the start the fifth grade, and continuing to show them what Boy Scouting has to offer throughout the winter and early spring. Getting these boys to summer camp their first year in Boy Scouts is critical.

School Night for Scouting For many parents, “back to school” time is when they really think about getting their children involved in after-school activities. And often times, they think that if they miss out on the “sign-up” night, they have to wait until next fall to join. That’s the way sports works, but not Scouting - youth can join at any time during the year.

Every Cub Scout pack in the council will be doing some type of recruiting meeting in late August through September. But not many of our Boy Scout troops do anything to let parents know that their son can join Boy Scouts during this time. Let’s change that this year.

Challenge to Boy Scout Troops We hope that you will talk with the pack leaders in your area and the district membership team to find out when the pack(s) will be doing their sign-up meeting. When families bring their younger children to join Cub Scouts, they sometimes bring along older children. Having a troop representative there to talk to the older boys about Boy Scouts is a great idea. In fact, the district executive can make sure that the 6-7th grade boys get information flyers in school, directing them to the sign-up meeting. If that date the pack has picked doesn’t work, the troop could do a Troop Open House.

We hope that the contents of this guide will help you with ideas for successful recruiting!

Table of Contents

Overview

4

Before School Starts

School “Meet the Teacher” or “Back to School” nights happen in many elementary and middle schools prior to the first day of classes. Find out if the Cub Scout Pack in your area will be having a ta-ble set up at one of these events and ask them if they meet any families with older boys, to give them information about how to join the Boy Scout Troop.

If the local middle school also has a similar event, set up a display to promote your troop.

Work with Local Cub Scout Packs and/or

Host a Troop Open House

5

Cub Scout Sign-up Meeting

Ask the local Cub Scout Pack if your troop can have a representative at their sign-up meeting to talk to any families that have older boys that might be interested in joining your troop.

Troop Open House

Ask the district executive to print information flyers, inviting boys 11 years and older to at-tend a Troop Open House. These flyers can be distributed to 6-8 grade students.

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Seven Points of Contact - Promotion is the Key! Research has shown that a person needs to be invited to do something an average of seven times before they are likely to act on the invitation. How does that apply to joining Scouting? It’s important that parents are invited to your Troop Open House at least seven times.

Here are some ways to do this:

� Flyers distributed at “Back to School” or “Meet the Teacher” nights at elementary or middle schools

� Flyers distributed at school to youth in grades 6-8. � Boy Talks - Don’t forget the wristbands! (classroom talks or lunchroom talks is a great

way tell boys about the fun things your troop does throughout the year) � Peer to peer recruiting:

• Parent to Parent - Parents tell other parents about joining Boy Scouts. • Peer to Peer - Your troop members tell their friends about joining Boy Scouts • Direct mail - personalized invitation to join the troop. Reference school directory

for contact list. � Telephone calls to prospective families. � Follow-up join night for those who missed the first one. An October troop meeting works

great for this. � Social media blitz: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, etc. � Yard signs at high traffic areas and lawns of parents � News releases to local newspapers and cable stations � Door hangers and postcards in target communities � Display cases and bulletin boards at schools, library, etc. � Public announcements at school and churches. Church bulletin inserts are great! � Community newsletters and website postings (city, employer, school, church, etc.) � Business window/counter displays and marquees � Ask grocery store to insert flyers in bags

New Member Coordinators Sustaining strong membership in a unit depends not only on having new members join the unit but also on engaging youth and their families in the unit experience so that they stay. The role of the New Member Coordinators is to ensure that both keys to success take place.

Appointment and Support:

� The New Member Coordinators are appointed by and report to the Unit Committee Chair. � The New Member Coordinators work with and are supported by the District Membership Chair as well asby

unit leadership, the sponsoring organization, and commissioners.

Responsibilities:

� Serve as welcoming ambassadors for the unit. � Work with the unit committee in developing and implementing the Unit Membership Plan. � Participate in New Member Coordinator training and collaborate with the district membership team.

Specific responsibilities for each New Member Coordinator should be determined by the unit’s New Member team depending on individual interests and the needs of the unit. The tasks and opportunities listed below should help to guide the planning for individual and shared responsibilities. Each of the three action elements listed should be included in the Unit Membership Plan developed with the leadership of New Member Coordinators:

1. Share the benefits of Scouting • Develop and share your own Scouting story, showing the impact of Scouting on your family. • Identify and access research data and local examples confirming the fun and value of

Scouting to youth, families, and the community. • Promote Scouting benefits through social media and other avenues of communication. • Showcase Scouting through engagement in local community events and service.

2. Coordinate unit recruitment • Oversee unit recruitment efforts such as joining events, informational presentations, and

peer-to-peer initiatives. • Appeal to potential youth members and their families through well-designed and widely

distributed invitations shared through electronic media, handouts, and personal contacts. • Ensure that the unit’s BeAScout pin is up-to-date, and that prompt follow-through takes

place. • Collaborate with local school representatives and community leaders, particularly in the

chartered organization, to foster promotion of Scouting opportunities.

3. Guide the joining and welcoming process for youth and their families. • Help youth and adults to greet newcomers warmly and to establish friendly, enjoyable

relationships so that new members form a strong sense of belonging. • Develop a unit welcome packet, electronically and/or in print, to answer frequently asked

questions and to provide resource and contact information. • Ensure that youth and adult applications, transfers, and payments are promptly submitted to

the council service center. • Build fun and excitement about the unit program and encourage youth and their families to

take pride in Scouting accomplishments. • Promote feedback and sharing of ideas through customer satisfaction surveys and other

means.

7

8

Parent Orientation Meeting

This meeting should be held no more than one week after a new Scout joins.

1. Welcome & Introductions - New Member Coordinator, Scoutmaster or Asst. Scoutmaster

2. Training: • Explain that Youth Protection Training is required for all registered leaders and is strongly rec-

ommended for all parents.• Explain how to complete YPT • Direct new leaders to the appropriate basic leader training courses offered online.

3. Volunteer Opportunities - Troop Committee Chair • Ask each parent to complete a Troop Resource Survey (see appendix) • Tell the “Yard Stick Story” and distribute the infographic (see appendix) • Talk about the troop leadership needs. • Review job descriptions for needed positions. • Fill the positions and complete adult applications. • Try to have every family help with some type of volunteer activity throughout the year.

It may be helpful to have a large poster showing the troop organization and current positions that are needed. Fill in the poster as new volunteers commit.

4. Troop Committee - Committee Chair • Share committee needs with parents, ask where they are best suited to help. • Let parents know of committee meeting times and places. • Share troop “Orientation” handout

5. Troop Meetings - Scoutmaster • Confirm troop meeting time, dates, and location. • Handout & review requirements for the Scout badge. Set a goal as a troop to present each new

youth member with their Scout badge no later than one month after they join.

Weekend Campouts & Summer Camp - Scoutmaster or Troop Outdoor Program Coordinator

• Review plans for upcoming weekend campouts or outings and explain what is expected of the parents.

• Talk about summer camp plans and how Scouts can earn their own way.

6. Closing

Getting Parents Involved The following article was posted on cubscoutsideas.com, but it just as applicably for Boy Scout parents:

Recently, one of our readers asked for suggestions on how to get Cub Scout parents more involved in helping. That is something that many packs struggle with. How do we get parents to help out so that the burden isn’t all on the den leaders or committee members?

We all are busy, but I’m a big believer that we make time for what’s important to us. Scouting isn’t like soccer or baseball where we’re on the sidelines cheering our child on. Cub Scouting is hands on. Whether you’re helping them learn how to tie knots or showing them how to use a hammer or teaching them how to cook their own breakfast, parents will definitely need to be involved.

I did some research and found 14 ideas that may be helpful. Not all of the suggestions will be appropriate for your pack or den, but I hope that some of these will be beneficial for you.

1. Explain the benefits. The number one thing that we need to stress to parents is that they will get to interact with their child in a way that they wouldn’t otherwise. A great (albeit a bit guilt-laden) appeal you can use with your parents is the Yardstick Presentation. I like this because it drives home the point that we really don’t have a lot of time with our child before they’re off to live their own lives.

2. Set expectations. In our pack, we tell all new families (and remind the current ones) that Cub Scouting is a family event. It is run by volunteers, and we need every family to participate in order to make it successful. We expect each family to volunteer in some way during the year.

3. Ask personally. While talking to or emailing your entire pack is efficient, it’s pretty easy for everyone to have the “someone else will volunteer” attitude. Personal appeals usually work better. Asking an individual to do a specific job makes it a lot harder for them to say no! Start with the pack approach, then talk to parents individually for any jobs that aren’t filled yet.

4. Start early. When the youth are Lions, parents must attend with them, so use this opportunity to get them involved. For example, ask a parent to lead the gathering activity for a particular meeting. When you first arrive, ask a parent to help you get everything set up. One mom of a Tiger said she couldn’t be the leader, but she would plan all of the Go-See-Its. We told my Tiger families that they would each be responsible for leading one meeting.

5. Break up jobs. No one wants to be the “fund-raising committee chairman”, but they might be willing to coordinate popcorn sales or organize the lemonade stand at the local festival. Splittingup responsibilities could allow some parents to get involved who might not otherwise be able to.

6. Share roles. Dens can have co-leaders who take turns with the meetings. One leader is responsible for one meeting; the other is responsible for the next meeting. My husband is the den leader for our Webelos 2’s den, and I’m the assistant leader. I plan the meetings, and he runs them.

7. Know your parents. You may find out that one parent is reserved and introverted. Don’t ask that person to lead a meeting or head up a committee. Instead, ask him if he would be responsible for keeping track of advancements and awards for your den. Jobs that are more “behind-the-scenes” will be better suited for this type of parent. Leading songs or teaching skits are good jobs for the parents who are outgoing. Matching the job with the parent’s personality will make them feel more comfortable accepting the job.

9

Getting Parents Involved 8. Discover talents. Many packs have parents fill out a talent sheet . It’s a lot easier to ask someone

who is an avid tennis player to teach your Webelos how to play than to ask a person who has never played tennis before. Parents will have hobbies and interests that you never expected.

9. Have clear expectations. People want to know what they’re getting into before they agree to do something. We all know what it’s like to be told “all you have to do is…” only to find out later that there’s a lot more to it than that.

10. Define responsibilities for your specific pack or den. It’s easy to simply point someone to a generic position description online, but that might not be how your pack operates. For example, your secretary may be the one who is responsible for any required tour permits, but that isn’t on the generic pack secretary job description provided by BSA. Ensure that the job description matches the pack’s expectations.

11. Provide training. While the BSA required training is good, it isn’t enough, especially for new den leaders. Your pack should have additional, practical training. Parents who have never been involved in Scouting are especially hesitant to volunteer. We owe it to our youth and our parents to ensure they are spending their volunteer time actually planning activities–not researching what goes into a den meeting.

12. Plan den meetings. Planning is now easier than ever, thanks to the new Cub Scout Den Leader Guides! If your pack can afford it, purchase one of the leader guides for each rank. They can be passed down at the end of the year. (there are similar printed materials for Boy Scout Troops)

13. Mentor new leaders. New leaders need to know there’s help available. A casual “call me if you need anything” isn’t good enough. The Cubmaster, Committee Chairperson or an experienced Den Leader should run the first two meetings for the new den leader so that they can get the hang of the meetings. At a minimum, they should attend the first den meetings with the new leader. After that, call or email the new leader to ask what questions they have.

14. Use drastic measures. In my research for this article, I discovered one Scouter’s extreme method.He says, “I have always promoted the ‘if-the-program-is-important,-here’s-what-needs-to-be-done’ approach. … I never had to cajole, beg, plead, guilt, people into doing something they didn’t think all that important.” Here’s how it works:

At a pack meeting, have an individual sign up sheet for each event/activity during the year. Ask parents to sign up as they come in the building. After the meeting starts, collect the sign up sheets. Pick up a sheet that doesn’t have a volunteer and hold it up. Say, “here’s the fall camporee flyer, who wants to take charge?” If no one raises their hand, crumple up the paper and throw it in the trash. Move on to the next sheet with no volunteers.

I like the concept but not necessarily the approach. I’m not sure I would crumple the paper and throw it away. I would, however, say that since we can’t get a volunteer, we’ll need to cancel the event. “Itwas so popular with the youth last year, and I hate that we aren’t going to be able to do it this year”would be my approach.

Yours in Scouting, Sherry

10

You will need a standard yardstick with colored marks at the 3.5 inch, 5.5 inch, 9 inch, and 11 inch marks. These correspond to the ages of seven, eleven, eighteen, and twenty-two.

[STAND HOLDING THE YARDSTICK ABOUT CHEST HIGH]

Look at this yardstick as your child’s life. Each inch represents 2 years of their precious life, transforming this 36 inch yardstick into 72 years—the average person's lifespan. At 0.5 inches, they are cruising the carpet and furniture, getting into all kinds of things they should-n't. At about 3.5 inches, they are seven and is in first grade, and are excited about school. At 5.5 inches, They are eleven, and moving on to middle school or junior high. At 9 inches, they are eight-een and graduating high school. You're busting your buttons with pride for them in there cap and gown. At 11 inches, they are graduating college and has moved on to their own life and family. But, let’s focus back on the 2 inches between seven and eleven years old (3.5 and 5.5 inch marks).

[HOLD YOUR FINGERS AT THESE TWO MARKED LINES]

These 2 inches, or four years, are critical years in your child’s development. Many of his decision-making skills, ethics, and morals will be established and reinforced during this time. A recent study showed that young people who were close to a caring adult in these early years were less likely to get into trouble with drugs, crime, etc., and were more likely to continue in school.

These four years are the years of the Cub Scout—Tiger through Webelos Scout.

[AT THIS POINT DROP THE YARDSTICK, BUT KEEP YOUR FINGER SPACED 2 INCHES APART]

In Cub Scouting we need every family to get involved THIS MUCH—(referring to the distance between your fingers). THIS MUCH might be different for everybody. Your THIS MUCH might be as a committee member or a den leader for your child or others. It might be organizing an outing or assisting with a special event or unit activity. No matter how you choose to define your THIS MUCH, every little bit helps.

[NOW WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO REFER TO THE SURVEY FOUND IN THE PARENT ORIENTATION GUIDE]

[LIFT THE YARDSTICK AGAIN]

If one person tries to do THIS MUCH, the program will surely fail. However, if everyone chips in and does just THIS MUCH in your child’s Scouting career, both them and you will have a wonderful, ful-filling experience!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s work together to make your child's Scouting experience some-thing they will remember for a lifetime!

Yardstick Presentation

11

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What’s the Secret to Recruiting Boy Scouts? May 17, 2016 Bryan Wendell Boy Scouts (Scouts BSA)

There’s plenty of great material out there to help Cub Scouters recruit boys into their pack and den. Focusing on Cub Scouts makes sense. Why not introduce families to the adventure of Scouting as early as possible?

But less is said about another important aspect of strengthening the Scouting movement: recruiting Boy Scouts. What are some proven ways to grow the number of Scouts in your troop?

First, though, a quick three-part overview of Boy Scout recruiting.

1. Remember that Boy Scout recruiting happens all year.

I don’t like to think of Boy Scout recruiting as having a “season.” You can add new Scouts to your troop all year long.

And doing so helps maintain your troop’s health and bring in new energy and enthusiasm.

One good goal is to add at least 10 new Scouts every year. That way your troop grows without ever growing stagnant.

2. Appoint a troop membership chairperson.

Every successful recruiting effort needs a strong leader.

Find a committee member who can take the lead on growing troop membership.

This person develops and implements a year-round growth plan. He or she should work closely with Cub Scout packs in the community, the district membership committee and the unit commissioner.

3. Use all three methods of growing your troop.

There are three primary ways to get new Scouts into your troop:

1. Graduate Webelos from Cub Scouting into Boy Scouting. 2. Host a troop open house. 3. Encourage peer-to-peer recruiting.

If you use just one or two of these recruiting methods, you’re likely missing out on adding new Scouts to your troop. For best results, use all three.

Replies from Scout leaders:

There are a lot of great ideas and having a good relationship with a pack is #1, boy to boy recruiting is high on the list as 11-13 or 14-year-old boys need a personal invitation. You must provide a great program and include some 'high adventure' type activities. In the spring, don't just get Webelos but go to the local 5th and 6th grades and invite them for a day hike or even a weekend camping trip to 'try your troop out'. Also, focus on parents. You need a strong group of adult leaders to have a successful troop.

The year after my son joined the troop in 2003, we had 0 visitors and 0 new scouts, so we put together a plan which included an annual Webelos campout, an Open House, and pushed for Den chiefs-- we also more than doubled our annual camping (from 12 to 26 campouts/year) -- the troop has grown from 19 to 65 scouts and has been at the 60+ number since 2011

1) You have to have the program- boys don't join to go to meetings- 2) You have to be visible- wearing the uniform on outings is a must - great advertising 3) We had carabiner key rings made with the troop number on it (great handout items to cub scouts or interested boys) 4) MOST importantly, when boys visit your troop, your scouts have to be friendly and welcome them :)

The secret to recruiting scouts is to run a great program. We started a brand-new troop four years ago with 7 scouts. We now have 20. Word of mouth keeps bringing in boys - that and all the photos of our scouts rappelling, kayaking, camping, rock climbing, canoeing, swimming and more camping. Boys want to have fun and do stuff outdoors. We do that. Simple.

Year-Round Guide to Scout Recruiting A steady flow of youth into a Boy Scout troop is essential to maintaining the troop’s health. New Scouts bring energy and enthusiasm to the troop program.

To avoid the pitfall of shrinking membership, a troop should add at least 10 new Scouts every year. Having a year-round growth plan in place will help attract new Scouts.

The first step for any recruitment effort is to appoint a troop committee member to serve as the troop membership chair. This person will develop and implement a year-round growth plan that incorporates all methods of recruitment, working closely with Cub Scout packs in the community, the district membership committee, and the unit commissioner.

There are three methods of recruiting new Scouts into troops:

Graduate Webelos Scouts into a Boy Scout troop. Host a troop open house. Encourage boy-to-boy recruiting.

The year-round growth plan addresses all three methods.

Graduate Webelos Scouts into a Troop The year-round growth plan is designed to facilitate Scout recruitment and pack-troop relations. To carry out the plan, the troop membership chair will need to remember some important guidelines:

1. Work closely with a nearby Cub Scout pack. 2. Prepare an effective Webelos-to-Scout plan. 3. Make new Scouts and their parents feel welcome.

At the beginning of the recruitment process, the troop should align with a Cub Scout pack in the community. If more than one troop draws its new Boy Scouts from this pack, contact the leadership of the other troops and design a plan to work together with the pack. Offer the use of your troop’s equipment and expertise to the Cubmaster and the Webelos den leaders, and work with them to develop an effective Webelos-to-Scout plan, following the year-round calendar provided on this Web site.

Use the Second-Year Webelos Scout Tracking form to collect information on each second-year Webelos Scout. The information will be invaluable as the year-round plan is implemented. The form helps track the Webelos Scouts’ progress toward becoming Boy Scouts.

Lastly, ensure that the Scouts and their parents have a smooth transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. Make the Scouts and their parents feel welcome and at ease in the new

troop environment, and recruit parents of the new Boy Scouts to become assistant Scoutmasters and troop committee members.

The activities recommended in this plan will help stimulate youth interest in the Boy Scout program. Implementing the plan involves the active involvement of adult and youth leaders of the Boy Scout troop as well as the leadership of the Cub Scout pack.

For more information on graduating Webelos Scouts into a troop, see the Webelos-to-Scout Transition DVD and brochure, No. AV-02V012.

For more information about joining Scouting, see http://www.thescoutzone.org .

Webelos-to-Scout Plan

Key:

CM-Cubmaster PLC-Patrol leaders’ council SM-Scoutmaster SPL-Senior patrol leader TCC-Troop committee chair TG-Troop guide TMC-Troop membership chair WDL-Webelos den leader

August Person Responsible 1 Get names, addresses, and telephone

numbers of second-year Webelos Scouts. Record the information on the Webelos Scout Tracking form.

TMC, WDL, CM

2 Plan a joint Boy Scout troop/Webelos den camping trip for October.

SM, PLC, CM, WDL

3 Plan a program of upcoming events to present at a Webelos den meeting visit in November.

TMC

4 Select a den chief for each Webelos den. SM, SPL, CM

September Person Responsible 1 Mail a letter of introduction from the Boy

Scout troop to second-year Webelos Scouts to introduce them to the troop.

TMC, SM

2 Put second-year Webelos Scouts on the mailing list to receive the troop newsletter.

TMC

3 Continue planning the joint camping trip for October.

SM, PLC, CM, WDL

October Person Responsible

1 Conduct the joint camping trip with the Webelos den.

SM, TMC, SPL, CM

November Person Responsible 1 Attend a Webelos den meeting to teach

the Webelos Scouts how the Boy Scout troop works.

SM, TMC, SPL

2 Have den chiefs attend a local council or district training course.

SM

December Person Responsible 1 Set a date for Webelos Scouts and their

parents to visit a Boy Scout troop meeting in January.

SM, WDL

2 If desired, send a small holiday gift to each Webelos Scout.

SM, TMC

January Person Responsible 1 Host Webelos Scouts and their parents at

a Boy Scout troop meeting. SM, SPL

2 Plan a bridging ceremony for the blue and gold banquet in February to welcome graduating Webelos Scouts to their new troop.

SM, CM, TMC, SPL

3 Attend a meeting of first-year Webelos Scouts to introduce them to Boy Scouting.

SM, TMC, CM

February Person Responsible 1 Hold the bridging ceremony at the blue

and gold banquet. SM, CM, SPL, TMC

2 Get new Scouts actively involved with the troop through troop activities.

TMC, SM, CM

3 Recruit parents of new Scouts to become assistant Scoutmasters or troop committee members.

TCC, SM

March Person Responsible 1 Plan a troop activity for new Scouts to get

them involved with their new troop. PLC, SM, TMC, TG

April Person Responsible 1 Conduct summer camp orientation to

encourage troop involvement. SM

2 Attend a meeting of Bear Cub Scouts to introduce them to Boy Scouting.

SM, TMC, CM

3 Sponsor a troop activity for the new Scouts.

SM, TMC, TG, PLC

May Person Responsible 1 Work closely with new Scouts and parents

during their transition to the Boy Scout troop, ensuring their needs are met and that their move has been natural and fun.

TMC

2 Work on rank advancement with new Scouts.

SM, SPL, TG

June Person Responsible 1 Ensure that all new Scouts attend summer

camp. TMC, SM

July Person Responsible 1 Work closely with new Scouts and parents

during their transition to the Boy Scout troop, ensuring their needs are met and that their move has been natural and fun.

TMC

2 Work on rank advancement with new Scouts.

SM, SPL, TG

Troop Open House A troop open house can be an effective tool to recruit new Scouts into a troop, especially in the spring when outdoor activities are on the horizon. Select a date, set up a school rally, and make a presentation to the fifth- and sixth-grade boys to spark their interest, then follow up with an invitation to visit the troop.

Follow the Troop Open House calendar below for specific suggestions for this recruitment plan. For more details on how to conduct a troop open house, see The Boy Scout Troop Open House, No. 18-706, and the Troop Open House video, No. AV-02V018.

Key:

CM-Cubmaster PLC-Patrol leaders’ council SM-Scoutmaster SPL-Senior patrol leader TCC-Troop committee chair

TG-Troop guide TMC-Troop membership chair WDL-Webelos den leader

February Person Responsible 1 Set a date and plan a troop open house for

March. SM, TMC, SPL

March Person Responsible 1 Conduct a school rally introducing fifth- and

sixth-grade boys to Scouting. Have them complete the High-Adventure Survey, No. 34241.

SM, TMC, SPL

2 Follow up with interested youth by sending a personal invitation to the troop open house and making a personal telephone call to their parents.

SM

3 Hold the troop open house to welcome potential Boy Scouts and their parents.

SM, TMC, SPL

4 Plan a troop activity to get new Scouts involved with the troop shortly after they join.

SM, TMC, TG, PLC

April Person Responsible 1 Sponsor a troop activity for new Scouts. SM, TMC, TG, PLC 2 Encourage each troop member to attend

summer camp. Conduct summer camp orientation to encourage full troop involvement.

SM, TMC

May Person Responsible 1 Work closely with new Scouts and parents

during their transition to the Boy Scout troop, ensuring their needs are met and that their move has been natural and fun.

TMC

2 Work on rank advancement with new Scouts. SM, SPL, TG

Youth and Recruitment The most effective recruiter in Scouting is a Scout who is enthusiastic about his troop. To make recruiting a year-round plan, consider having a fall recruitment campaign within the troop. Offer incentives for each Scout who recruits one of his friends to join the troop, as well as an overall prize for the top recruiter. End the campaign after a few months so there is a definite starting and ending point to the emphasis.

A candidate for First Class Scout must invite a boy to attend a troop meeting or activity. Recruiter patches are available to Scouts who recruit a friend to join his troop.

Key:

CM-Cubmaster PLC-Patrol leaders’ council SM-Scoutmaster SPL-Senior patrol leader TCC-Troop committee chair TG-Troop guide TMC-Troop membership chair WDL-Webelos den leader

September Person Responsible 1 Announce a recruitment drive in the troop.

Display awards and incentives for the top recruiters.

SM, TMC

2 Ask Scouts to list non-Scout friends they would like to invite to the next troop meeting as part of their recruitment drive.

SM, TMC

October Person Responsible 1 Monitor the troop’s recruitment efforts and

present incentive awards to those who have recruited a new Scout.

SM, TMC

November Person Responsible 1 Continue to monitor progress and recognize

top recruiters. SM, TMC

December Person Responsible 1 End the recruitment drive and honor the new

Scouts and top recruiters. SM, TMC

Help Scouts Change the Perception that Scouting’s Not ‘Cool’

By Mark Ray Illustrations by Darren Thompson From the September-October 2012 issue of Scouting magazine

Scouts in assistant Scoutmaster J.P.’s troop enjoy awesome adventures, yet they still get teased for being in Scouting. She asked how leaders can help change Scouting’s uncool perception.

COMEBACK KIDS We teach our Scouts how to respond when someone makes a negative comment. Examples: “Scouting is for wusses? When was the last time you hiked 63 miles, rappelled 40 feet, biked 60 miles, climbed a 12,000-foot peak, or canoed 60 miles?” “If there were an emergency, you could trust me to be able to take care of you. Would you be able to take care of me?” “Where do you think I learned the leadership skills to be the captain of the track (or cross-country, tennis, wrestling, football, basketball, or soccer) team?” “At least I’m able to put achieving Eagle Scout on my résumé/college application. What are you putting on yours?” “Are you part of anything that you and others our age plan and lead? I am. We plan and lead our meetings and activities. It’s not like everything else

where the adults are in charge.”

When Scouts respond in such a manner, it usually shuts off the negative comments and often recruits the one making the comment about Scouting.

Scoutmaster B.W.-F. Twentynine Palms, Calif.

STAY RELEVANT Since entertainment is so immersive today, we have to step up our efforts to keep up. For example, I’m currently working on a “Zombie Survival Edition” of the Emergency Preparedness merit badge. The requirements are the same, but the instruction is delivered in a theatrical and imaginative way. I’m pretty sure that earning that badge will be memorable, effective, and comment-worthy. Measuring the effectiveness of our program by boys’ willingness to tell others about it will keep us adults heading in the right direction.

Unit Commissioner M.G. Lehi, Utah

ROCKS, NOT SOCKS Many people choose not to join Scouting because the uniform is all they see. More attention must be shifted away from what we wear to what we do: going on great trips, making amazing

friends, and learning leadership, service, and new skills. We must change the image of Scouting from a tan shirt and green pants to one of rock climbing and backpacking.

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster J.O. Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

GO TECH Have the unit purchase some of the cool tech shirts that Scout Shops have been selling and let your guys wear them from time to time as a uniform alternative. You still look uniform as a group and increase the coolness factor a bit.

Take action shots of your boys doing the fun and cool stuff that Boy Scouts do, and try to get those photos into the local paper. Scouting is a year-round sport; market it as such.

Scoutmaster J.P. Loganville, Wis.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE Packs and troops need to start working together to show the community how cool it is to be a Scout, not just because you get to go whitewater rafting or shoot a gun, but because you serve your community and make a difference. We need to do a better job making sure the community knows who we are and what impact we have; then the boys will find it cool whether they are cleaning up a park or hiking a mountain trail.

Pack Committee Chairman M.L. Wayzata, Minn.

STRESS THE SUCCESS Ask your Scouts, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Executives, public leaders, military officers, and athletes were all Scouts. We need to give some examples and demonstrate how the life lessons and skills learned in Scouting contribute to future success. Plus, who doesn’t think knives and fire are cool?

H.C. Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Join Boy Scout Troop 15

When: Tuesday, August 25th, 7:00 pm For more information: Where: First Lutheran Church (basement) John Smith, Scoutmaster Who: Boys 11-17 years of age & their parent (701) 555-1212

Join Boy Scout Troop 15When: Tuesday, August 25th, 7:00 pm For more information: Where: First Lutheran Church (basement) John Smith, Scoutmaster Who: Boys 11-17 years of age & their parent (701) 555-1212

12

Northern Lights Council Offices

Center for Scouting

4200 19th Ave South Fargo, ND 58103

Phone: (701) 293-5011 Fax: (701) 293-5653

Toll Free: (877) 293-5011 Email: fargo@nlcbsa.org

Standard Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Summer Hours (Jun/Jul/Aug)

Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday 8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Bismarck Service Center

1929 N Washington St, Suite AA Bismarck, ND 58501

Phone: (701) 223-7204 Fax: (701) 223-7205

Email: bismarck@nlcbsa.org

Office Hours

Tuesday / Wednesday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Thursday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Grand Forks Service Center

1701 Cherry Street Grand Forks, ND 58201

Phone: (701) 775-3189 Fax: (701) 775-0862

Office Hours

Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Minot Office

615 South Broadway, Suite L7 Minot, ND 58701

Phone: (701) 839-2260 Fax: (701) 839-3053

Office Hours

By appointment only