WELCOME TO THE 2008 WELCOME TO THE 2008 CUB SCOUTING CUB SCOUTING

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH MEMBERSHIP GROWTH SEMINARSEMINAR

Agenda for this EveningAgenda for this Evening

2007 Statistics2007 Statistics

2008 Fall Recruitment Incentives2008 Fall Recruitment Incentives

Keys to SuccessKeys to Success– Where to StartWhere to Start– AdditionalAdditional

TestimonialsTestimonials

Recruitment Night & Follow upRecruitment Night & Follow up

Year Round RecruitmentYear Round Recruitment

QuestionsQuestions

GROWING THE SCOUTING GROWING THE SCOUTING PROGRAM THROUGH PROGRAM THROUGH

MEMBERSHIP GROWTHMEMBERSHIP GROWTH

Fall 2007 Council Recruitment Fall 2007 Council Recruitment ResultsResults

1221 Cub Scouts Recruited August – Dec1221 Cub Scouts Recruited August – Dec– 261 took place October – December261 took place October – December– This means that boys can and will join on a This means that boys can and will join on a

continual basis.continual basis.

126 Boy Scouts Recruited August – Dec.126 Boy Scouts Recruited August – Dec.

All numbers adjust to exclude Scout Reach.

Fall 2007 District Recruitment Fall 2007 District Recruitment ResultsResults

Cub ScoutsCub Scouts Boy ScoutsBoy Scouts

(Aug – Dec.)(Aug – Dec.) (Aug – Dec.)(Aug – Dec.)

Buffalo Ridge:Buffalo Ridge: 216 216 23 23

Five Rivers:Five Rivers: 88 88 2 2

Pheasant:Pheasant: 66 66 6 6

Prairie Hills:Prairie Hills: 555 555 63 63

Lewis and Clark:Lewis and Clark: 132 132 15 15

North Star:North Star: 163 163 12 12

All numbers adjust to exclude Scout Reach.

2008 Recruitment Incentives:2008 Recruitment Incentives:The New Cub ScoutThe New Cub Scout

Free Fall Fun Day:Free Fall Fun Day: any boy that joins Cub any boy that joins Cub Scouts by September 19Scouts by September 19thth will be able to will be able to attend this event on Sat., Sept. 20 or Sun., attend this event on Sat., Sept. 20 or Sun., Sept. 21 for FREE (Sept. 21 for FREE (date varies by districtdate varies by district).).– A promotional flier will be included with the A promotional flier will be included with the

recruitment flier (recruitment flier (attached or on the backattached or on the back))

2008 Recruitment Incentives: 2008 Recruitment Incentives: The Cub Scout PackThe Cub Scout Pack

Earn Free Pinewood Derby Kits for your entire Earn Free Pinewood Derby Kits for your entire Pack:Pack: Any Pack that completes the following Any Pack that completes the following requirements will earn a free pinewood derby kit requirements will earn a free pinewood derby kit for each boy in the Pack:for each boy in the Pack:– Have an increase in Cub Scout Membership by the Have an increase in Cub Scout Membership by the

end of October 2008 vs. Jan. 2008end of October 2008 vs. Jan. 2008– Attend the District Fall Recruitment Training Seminar Attend the District Fall Recruitment Training Seminar

in August (in August (TonightTonight))– Conduct a 1Conduct a 1stst and 2 and 2ndnd “opportunity” to join event. “opportunity” to join event.– Turn in a Membership Inventory Roster (youth Turn in a Membership Inventory Roster (youth

involved & not involved) by Oct. 31, 2008.involved & not involved) by Oct. 31, 2008.– Unit is actively involved in recruitment plan Unit is actively involved in recruitment plan

development and implementation.development and implementation.

Keys to Success: Where to StartKeys to Success: Where to Start

Set your date(s)Set your date(s)::–This includes securing your This includes securing your

recruitment locationrecruitment location

–Tip: Set your 2Tip: Set your 2ndnd opportunity to join opportunity to join at the same time.at the same time.

Keys to Success: Where to StartKeys to Success: Where to StartPlan your Recruitment EventPlan your Recruitment Event – Conduct a FUN & EXCITING Recruitment Event. Remember… Conduct a FUN & EXCITING Recruitment Event. Remember…

Boys join Scouting for FUN. Sample Ideas…Boys join Scouting for FUN. Sample Ideas…Portable Climbing WallPortable Climbing WallMiniature GolfMiniature GolfBowling PartyBowling PartySwimming PartySwimming PartyScavenger HuntScavenger Hunt

Building Wood Duck Building Wood Duck HousesHousesCampfire with Food, Games Campfire with Food, Games and FUN in the Parkand FUN in the ParkOthers???Others???

((Open DiscussionOpen Discussion))– TIPS:TIPS:

If you conduct an “outside” event, make sure you have a back up plan! This should also be If you conduct an “outside” event, make sure you have a back up plan! This should also be promoted on the recruitment fliers.promoted on the recruitment fliers.

Whatever you decide to do, just conduct it “in your community / back yard!” Traditionally, Whatever you decide to do, just conduct it “in your community / back yard!” Traditionally, people will not drive long distances and in some of the larger communities, they will not people will not drive long distances and in some of the larger communities, they will not drive across town.drive across town.

Keys to Success: Where to StartKeys to Success: Where to Start

Get your date promotedGet your date promoted::– Provide Your date, time, location, program event, cost Provide Your date, time, location, program event, cost

to join scouting (to join scouting (if any, what cost coversif any, what cost covers) and local ) and local contact name & phone # to your local professional or contact name & phone # to your local professional or District Membership Chair no later than District Membership Chair no later than 3 Weeks 3 Weeks prior.prior. ( (A flier order form is in your packet for your A flier order form is in your packet for your convenienceconvenience).).

– The Sioux Council will print your fliers.The Sioux Council will print your fliers.– You will work out distribution with your Executive.You will work out distribution with your Executive.– Fliers should be made and delivered for all First Fliers should be made and delivered for all First

through Fifth Grades!through Fifth Grades!

ADDITIONALADDITIONAL KEYS TO SUCCESS KEYS TO SUCCESSPROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTEPROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTERecruitment Fliers:Recruitment Fliers: The Sioux Council will take The Sioux Council will take care of all your printing needs. Recruitment care of all your printing needs. Recruitment Fliers should be placed into school “Take Home Fliers should be placed into school “Take Home Folders” to promote your event.Folders” to promote your event.Personal Phone Calls:Personal Phone Calls: to prospective scouting to prospective scouting families result in a “Significantly Higher” families result in a “Significantly Higher” Recruitment. This has been shown over and Recruitment. This has been shown over and over. It provides “the” personal touch. It gives over. It provides “the” personal touch. It gives parents the opportunity to ask questions – Fliers parents the opportunity to ask questions – Fliers can’t do that.can’t do that.Peer to Peer:Peer to Peer: boys inviting their friends to join boys inviting their friends to join scouting with them.scouting with them.

ADDITIONALADDITIONAL KEYS TO SUCCESS KEYS TO SUCCESSBoy Talks: Boy Talks: talking to boys in a school classroom, talking to boys in a school classroom, lunchroom or on the playground results in “excited boys” lunchroom or on the playground results in “excited boys” which then excites the parents. which then excites the parents. – These would usually be conducted 1-2 days prior to your event.These would usually be conducted 1-2 days prior to your event.– Be mindful of classroom time. If you are allowed 5 minutes, only Be mindful of classroom time. If you are allowed 5 minutes, only

use 5 minutes!!use 5 minutes!!– If you need help with Boy Talks, visit with your local District If you need help with Boy Talks, visit with your local District

Executive. This is what we are here for. However, just keep in Executive. This is what we are here for. However, just keep in mind that they can’t do all of them within your district in a short mind that they can’t do all of them within your district in a short amount of time.amount of time.

– Tips:Tips:Have something to remind the youth of the date, time and location Have something to remind the youth of the date, time and location to sign upto sign upKeep it short, repeat important informationKeep it short, repeat important informationMake it Crazy and fun (get and keep their attention)Make it Crazy and fun (get and keep their attention)Be in Full UniformBe in Full UniformKeep it Age Specific … What excites a First Grader won’t excite a Keep it Age Specific … What excites a First Grader won’t excite a Fifth GraderFifth Grader

– Sample Boy TalkSample Boy Talk

ADDITIONALADDITIONAL KEYS TO SUCCESS KEYS TO SUCCESS

Utilize your school newsletter to promote your Utilize your school newsletter to promote your event.event.Place posters and yard signs around town and in Place posters and yard signs around town and in your school (your school (these are available tonightthese are available tonight!)!)Contact your local newspaper to promote your Contact your local newspaper to promote your event.event.Scouts wear their uniforms to schoolScouts wear their uniforms to schoolSet up a booth at your school Open HouseSet up a booth at your school Open HousePromote your event in church through the Promote your event in church through the church bulletin and Sunday School.church bulletin and Sunday School.

Recruitment TestimonialsRecruitment Testimonials -What has worked for them!- -What has worked for them!-

Night of Sign UpNight of Sign UpEvery familyEvery family that shows up should that shows up should sign insign in on the on the “Round-up Attendance Roster” “Round-up Attendance Roster” right awayright away..– This gives you a means of follow-up in the event that a This gives you a means of follow-up in the event that a

family has to leave, or walks out with the applicationfamily has to leave, or walks out with the application

Give them the Application to Join and all handout Give them the Application to Join and all handout information right after they sign in.information right after they sign in.– Tell them to start filling out the application to join. Even Tell them to start filling out the application to join. Even

if they say “I am just here for info…” Ask them to start if they say “I am just here for info…” Ask them to start filling it out.filling it out.

– Show them what information goes where on the Show them what information goes where on the application: “This is your son’s information, this is your application: “This is your son’s information, this is your information, and don’t forget to sign here.”information, and don’t forget to sign here.”

– Handout info: Parent Orientation Guide, Mini Boy’s Life Handout info: Parent Orientation Guide, Mini Boy’s Life Magazine, Parent Talent Survey, Pack Calendar, and Magazine, Parent Talent Survey, Pack Calendar, and Pack Leadership Roster.Pack Leadership Roster.

Night of Sign UpNight of Sign UpBoys should be separated from the adults Boys should be separated from the adults ((participating participating in the special program eventin the special program event))– So that you can visit with the parents about your pack and So that you can visit with the parents about your pack and

what scouting is.what scouting is.– TIPS:TIPS:

DON’T OVERSELL! If they are there that night that means you DON’T OVERSELL! If they are there that night that means you have them at 85% of joining. Getting them to fill out the have them at 85% of joining. Getting them to fill out the application will get them to 90%.application will get them to 90%.The last 10% is the 2 basic questions:The last 10% is the 2 basic questions:

– How much will it cost?How much will it cost?Talk about cost for that nightTalk about cost for that nightTalk about the popcorn sale, how it funds the unit & how boys Talk about the popcorn sale, how it funds the unit & how boys can earn their entire waycan earn their entire way

– How much time will it involve?How much time will it involve?Talk about Den Meetings and Pack MeetingsTalk about Den Meetings and Pack MeetingsMost requirements can be done at home, if needed.Most requirements can be done at home, if needed.Point out the pack’s calendar of eventsPoint out the pack’s calendar of eventsTalk about how they don’t need to be at EVERY meeting; and Talk about how they don’t need to be at EVERY meeting; and we DON’T EXPECT them to. (unlike sports and other activities.) we DON’T EXPECT them to. (unlike sports and other activities.) Just don’t sell the BSA as the Babysitters of America.Just don’t sell the BSA as the Babysitters of America.

Night of Sign UpNight of Sign Up– TIPS (Continued):TIPS (Continued):

You should also review your unit’s Volunteer You should also review your unit’s Volunteer Needs. Needs.

– Whether you have them or not, Whether you have them or not, SET THE SET THE EXPECTATION THE FIRST NIGHTEXPECTATION THE FIRST NIGHT..

– Main reason why people don’t volunteer…They weren’t Main reason why people don’t volunteer…They weren’t asked.asked.

– Two Main Excuses/Resistance to volunteering:Two Main Excuses/Resistance to volunteering:I don’t have the time.I don’t have the time.I don’t know what to do.I don’t know what to do.

– Keep it simple, make it fun!Keep it simple, make it fun!

Items to be Turned InItems to be Turned In

Plan to meet with your local district Plan to meet with your local district executive the next day to turn in….executive the next day to turn in….– Copy of Attendance RosterCopy of Attendance Roster– Completed ApplicationsCompleted Applications

Make sure to check for signatures! Before they Make sure to check for signatures! Before they leave.leave.

– ONE UNIT CHECK to handle registration ONE UNIT CHECK to handle registration fees. It is much easier for the council and fees. It is much easier for the council and local professionals to handle 100 checks as local professionals to handle 100 checks as opposed to 500 checks / cash.opposed to 500 checks / cash.

Year Round RecruitmentYear Round RecruitmentRecruitment of youth is an ONGOING process. Recruitment of youth is an ONGOING process. As we mentioned earlier 261 new Cub Scouts As we mentioned earlier 261 new Cub Scouts were recruited between the months of October – were recruited between the months of October – December. And this doesn’t include all the December. And this doesn’t include all the youth recruited in the Spring.youth recruited in the Spring.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO JOIN SCOUTING?!?JOIN SCOUTING?!?

ANYTIMEANYTIME

Year Round RecruitmentYear Round RecruitmentNew families move in all the time.New families move in all the time.Family activity schedules change.Family activity schedules change.HELP DISPELL THE MYTHS:HELP DISPELL THE MYTHS:– He can’t join because he wasn’t a Tiger….MYTHHe can’t join because he wasn’t a Tiger….MYTH– He was a cub scout before, he can’t join again He was a cub scout before, he can’t join again

….MYTH….MYTH– He can’t join because, we didn’t join at the beginning He can’t join because, we didn’t join at the beginning

of the school year ….MYTHof the school year ….MYTH– Any Others?Any Others?

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO JOIN WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO JOIN SCOUTING?!?SCOUTING?!?

ANYTIMEANYTIME

Year Round RecruitmentYear Round RecruitmentSpring RecruitmentSpring Recruitment– Packs that hold a successful spring recruitment event:Packs that hold a successful spring recruitment event:

Have high retention of their scoutsHave high retention of their scouts

Have better summer programsHave better summer programs

Have better fall recruitmentsHave better fall recruitments

Results show that spring recruitments will NOT adversely Results show that spring recruitments will NOT adversely affect fall recruitments.affect fall recruitments.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO JOIN WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO JOIN SCOUTING?!?SCOUTING?!?

ANYTIMEANYTIME

Year Round RecruitmentYear Round Recruitment

We are not asking you to put together a We are not asking you to put together a special recruitment every month. We are special recruitment every month. We are just asking you to please work with us to just asking you to please work with us to promote the Quality Program which you promote the Quality Program which you already have scheduled, to prospective already have scheduled, to prospective new scouting families so they too can new scouting families so they too can receive the Values of Scouting! receive the Values of Scouting!

SummarySummary

Every Scouting Leader’s responsibilities Every Scouting Leader’s responsibilities can be broken down to 3 simple tasks:can be broken down to 3 simple tasks:– RECRUIT youth into Scouting.RECRUIT youth into Scouting.– RETAIN youth in Scouting.RETAIN youth in Scouting.– PROMOTE the youth on to their next level. PROMOTE the youth on to their next level.

And all of this is done For Kids’ Sake.And all of this is done For Kids’ Sake.

QUESTIONS / DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS / DISCUSSION