Sometimes BUT is the Greatest Gift to Scouting!
Well, we made it through another round of charter renewal. Many of our units relied upon the help and good graces of our Bay Lakes registrar and the rest of the staff in the Center for Scouting. I think we owe them big time! As we reconciled our unit rosters in each unit, many of us were caught off guard when families decided not to renew their registration. Somehow, we often miss the clues that might alert us to a Scout or family in need of more attention. That is where the BUT comes in!
Retention is essential to the success of the Scouting program. We all work hard to recruit new members and their families, make efforts to support and nurture them through their Scouting experience, and seek their meaningful engagement with our unit programming. Retention begins with the first interactions we have with new members and continues throughout their period of membership. Several retention strategies are important to consider.
- Each unit really must designate an adult leader to pay attention to the family and Scout experience. A new member coordinator can offer a thorough orientation to new families so they understand the unit, its traditions and quirks, its program, procedures, and how to get the most out of their membership.
- Regular and engaging parent communication is also important. Technology has provided many ways to relay messages and share information about unit plans and activities, and the unit should be in the habit of sending out posts regularly. It is equally important to respond to questions and use those questions as a way to enlighten everyone with the responses. However, nothing substitutes for face-to-face meetings. Monthly parent meetings provide opportunities for information sharing and clarification, BUT more importantly, families can get to know one another. There’s that first BUT. Our Scouting unit is more than a place to drop our Scout for an hour or two; it can and should be a place for people with similar interests to find fellowship and friendship.
- Nothing substitutes for a robust, exciting and fun program of activities. Scouts need to find Scouting enjoyable, meetings worth attending, outings that meet their interests. Planning should include them and their parents in order to better meet their needs. It is not just about what we offer, but when, what it costs, and whether the Scout is prepared to participate. Listening to the Scout who thinks an activity sounds fun, BUT cannot participate offers the second BUT. We need to better understand those time constraints, family plans, and competing activities that interfere with our planning if we are to engage our Scouts more fully.
- Then there is that third BUT. We need to regularly check in with our families and our Scouts to ask how they are enjoying their Scouting experience. Are they making progress toward advancement? Are they making friends in the unit? Do they feel included and like they are a part of the group? Do they have interests they want to explore that are not a part of the unit plan? It can be scary to ask for feedback; you never know what you will receive. Often you will hear positive comments and come away feeling good about your hard work in planning and delivery. Sometimes, Scouting is not a good fit for a family or youth and they may make a good decision to step away. It is those folks who honestly share both the positive and constructive feedback who give you a real gift. They generally like how things are going, BUT there is one thing that concerns them. That BUT gives you an opportunity to consider new ways of operating, new programming to offer. It also gives you a chance to ask for their involvement in helping to address their concern, perhaps to join in the work of strengthening the experience for the benefit of their Scout and the rest of the unit.
Four simple steps to consider as you work to retain those families in your unit, BUT they only work if you take the time to consider and implement them. Unfortunately, many people will remain silent and hold their concerns, frustrations or disappointments inside electing to step away rather than bring them up. They know how hard our leadership is working and don’t want to appear like they are critical of the work, so it can be easier to find excuses to stop coming to meetings, fail to attend outings, or renew when their renewal notice comes in the email. If we take the time to talk with them, listen to all of the verbal and non-verbal cues, we can retain many if not most of them. The real benefit is not that our units will have more Scouts, but that our Scouts will have a better Scouting experience.
Don’t fall into the last BUT trap! It is really easy to say that something makes sense or looks promising BUT I just don’t have time for it right now. As someone said to me recently, if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Take a stab at considering retention strategies with fellow leaders the next time you gather for a planning session or sit around a campfire. It can make a meaningful diffrerence for your unit.
Once again, thank you for your commitment to Scouting, for the faith and trust you place in your leaders and units every day throughout the year. I’m looking forward to seeing you down the trail as together we build and grow Scouting to serve the youth throughout the Bay-Lakes Council.
Paul Shrode
psshrode@aol.com