The latest in a series designed to help Scout families, Scouts and those new to Scouting better understand what Scouting is, how it works,
and how to get the most out of the experience. For past articles, see back issues of The Guide.
Something Borrowed, Something Blue and Gold! (cont.)
‘Tis the season of membership recruiting and all through the Council, creatures are stirring, having fun and hopefully joining in America’s most venerable and successful youth development program – Scouting America! Each Pack, Troop, Crew and Ship has its own culture, history and traditions. Each provides a unique experience grounded in the common bonds of Scouting. Families and individual youth interested in what Scouting has to offer would do well to explore options before making decisions. They learn from every encounter with one of our units. Isn’t it time we learned from one another as well? It is certainly okay to borrow great ideas from other units, especially our Packs mired in blue and gold – something borrowed, something blue and gold.
The first best place to begin the new year lies in the rich resources made available to every unit through District Roundtables. These monthly meetings bring together Scout leaders and sometimes youth to share ideas, learn about resources, and keep up with the latest trends and changes in Scouting. These informative and enjoyable meetings are for any and all adult leaders or those interested in learning more and every unit should be sending representatives to their Roundtables. If you haven’t been attending, you are missing out on the most valuable part of the discussion, the opportunity to ask questions and gather ideas, new approaches, innovative suggestions from other units. We encourage units to work together, so you may find a project or activity that sounds fun and can talk with a unit about joining forces to share in the experience. Pack leadership can also get to know Troop leadership and vice versa, an invaluable way to begin the process of forging a relationship. Want a Den Chief, then connect with a Troop and make that known. Want to take your Arrow of Light Scouts to visit some Troops, Roundtable is the perfect moment to schedule visits and joint outings. Need help with training for your adult leaders, then Roundtable provides access to the District training folks. It may seem like just one more Scouting meeting or obligation, but I think you will find it well worth your time.
Speaking of borrowing good ideas from others, I thought it might be appropriate to share a few of the ideas I’ve heard this fall regarding recruiting.
- One unit is holding a join event with an outside presenter – the Snake Guy who presents an interactive program with reptiles and amphibians. The youth love it and it keeps them interested and busy while the adults can discuss the Scouting program and the process for joining.
- I have heard that many units are bringing several laptops to their join events to help new families complete applications online. With support from Pack leaders, they navigate through the process and are all set that night. At least one unit is providing incentives for completion that evening: a unit t-shirt coupled with a cool lantern and wrist band.
- Another unit I visited has recruiting down to a science. They have asked a nearby Scouts BSA troop to run activities with their Scouts and recruits while Pack leaders run the parents through several stations. They have an information station, application station, program explanation station, payment station, and even a small store with unit t-shirts and other items to purchase.
- Some Packs are banding together to hold joint joining events with activities like shooting off rockets, holding a Pinewood Derby, even building a campfire with s’mores and stories.
The point of all of this is that recruiting and a successful year for each Pack begins with bringing the Scouting experience to life for prospective new members while sharing that experience and the fun of Scouting with current members. Rather than simply describe Scouting, we must let prospective youth experience Scouting!
One more thing is important; we cannot let interested families disappear or ghost us! Cementing a new relationship is important. In many units, prospective members are provided with a calendar of unit meetings and activities for the year. The next unit meeting should be within a week or at the most two so a new member jumps right in. With the contact information gathered at a join event, you must follow up with those who apply as well as those who don’t. Find out what questions new families have, build a one-on-one relationship with them and introduce them to other families as soon as possible. Learn more about what motivates some to join and others to pass on the opportunity so you can improve next time. Be sure to hold an orientation for new families within the first two weeks of joining, and don’t forget to orient the new Scout! What better time to share not only what their Scout year will look like, but what the path to Eagle in Scouting looks like. They can each and all become Eagle Scouts if they understand the value, see the pathway as possible, and know they will have fun along the way as they meet new friends and have wonderful experiences. Again, bring Scouting to life for all new and continuing members.
Another way to borrow from others is to engage Scouts BSA troops in the area. Their leaders have mostly all come through the Pack experience and have a wealth of ideas to offer. They can and should be assisting you with recruiting, bringing their Scouts – especially their younger Scouts to your join events and meetings. Let them run one of your adventure programs for your Dens. It will help bridge the two levels of Scouting, provide Cub Scouts with something to which to look forward on their Scouting trail, and hopefully take a little pressure off Den Leaders to come up with the program each month.
Okay, a Scout is Trustworthy! I’m not really advocating “stealing” ideas from others, but rather encouraging collaboration and creativity. Put your own spin on someone’s good idea and make it your own. Share your successful ideas with others and offer help when you can. Attend Roundtable. Don’t be scared with an influx of new Scouts beyond your expectations, but embrace them. Thank you for all you do and will continue to do to share and reinforce the value of Scouting and the value of each member’s participation. Happy Scouting and may you have a successful year ahead. I’m looking forward to seeing you down the trail.
Paul Shrode
psshrode@aol.com
