Empowering Cub Scout Leaders: Strategies for Recruitment and Retention

1. U of S - Class 205Recruiting and Retaining Cub Scout Leaders Thanks to www.scoutingbsa.org for the clipart

2. Agenda • Why Leadership? • The Tools of the Recruiting Trade • Pre-Planning is Important • How to Get Parents to Volunteer • How to Get Parents to Become Leaders • How to Get Parents to Become Tiger Den Leaders • How to Recruit a Cubmaster • It’s Only ONE Hour a Week • We Have a Leader – Now What? • Magical Tips • Final Thoughts

3. Why Leadership? • Because it provides a quality program for all Scouts •  Boys last longer, achieve more when a parent is involved •  Kids choose value paths between ages of 8-15 •  No second chance; must spend time helping them grow NOW • Good Cub Packs have Good Leaders • Every Den needs - a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader • Every Pack needs - a Cubmaster and an Assistant Cubmaster • All leaders should be:

4. The Tools of the Recruiting Trade • THE APPLICATION • PARENT TALENT SURVEY • MANY THANK YOU’S • TRAINING • PROMISES • KEEP IT SIMPLE • ENTHUSIASM

5. Pre-Planning is Important Need to get leaders in place BEFORE they get involved in other things • The Pack Program • Should be in place (Annual Pack Planning meeting) • Do this 2-4 weeks ahead of recruiting • Should be FUN!! • Use the plan to ATTRACT new people at recruitment • The Pack Schedule • Be sensitive to other conflicts (sports) • Fridays - good night for pack meetings • Registration / Recruitment Night • Schedule for early September (3rd week of school) • Get all current leaders involved • Get Cubs involved • Have materials ready • Handbooks, advancement plan, pictures, Fast Start CD

6. How to Get Parents to Volunteer • Let them know they are needed to make an activity successful • - May spark a desire to serve the pack/troop • Find out their interests, hobbies, field of study • - Invite them to share their talents: “Could you help us with….?” • - Wolf/Bear requirements • - Webelos activity pins • - Nature hike • - Service opportunities • - Use the “Parent and Family Talent Survey” form • - Helps identify future chair people and unique skills • Check out the neighborhood • - Someone may not have Scout-age sons… • …BUT may still be able to help you • - Grandparents, relatives, retirees, former Scouters

7. How to Get Parents to Volunteer • Make a rule - “Every family must volunteer for at least one job.” • - Have an annual parents' meeting with a sign up sheet • - Every pack needs chair people • Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold, Awards, Advancement, Popcorn, Treasurer, Training, etc. • - Every boy deserves to see his parent be a Cub Scouting Hero • Invite parents to attend committee meetings • - It demystifies the complexity. Scouting is SIMPLE! • - "We'd love to have your input." • Public recognition and thanks for helping (Certificate or other token) •  Most important – Your personal commitment and enthusiasm!! 

8. How to Get Parents to Become Leaders •  Recruitment Night – Bait and Hook • - The bait: sell the Pack, sell the Scouting program - Hook the boy, then the parent • ASK – don’t WAIT • - Very few adults volunteer to help; most wait to be asked • - Be positive, be sincere • “It’s clear that you are the best person for the job. Can your son and the other boys in this den count on your support as their leader?” • Look for new siblings - One Parent with 2 Cubs = Potential Leader •  “But I wasn’t a Scout as a kid…” • - “Some of the best leaders in our Council weren’t Scouts as kids” • - “We have training to make you successful”

9. How to Get Parents to Become Tiger Den Leaders • Sign up parents as adult partners at registration • Schedule a parent’s meeting in advance • 1st Sell - Scouting is a family program • 2nd Sell - Kids can’t start without leaders • Plan A-B-C •  Plan A – Solicit a leader •  Plan B – Solicit co-leaders • "If I get one other person to share the • responsibility, will you co-lead?" •  Plan C – Suggest a revolving role to start with • Make a final leader selection in Nov-Dec • Adjourn only when a Plan commitment is made • Get contact info from everyone – phone numbers, email

10. How to Recruit a Cubmaster •  The CM is the guiding hand and program advisor • - He/she is recruiter, supervisor, director, planner, and motivator • - When the son graduates, the leader usually graduates •  Recruited by the pack committee • - Select based on qualifications, not because no one else will do it • - Pick several candidates, then down select • - Previous Scouting experience is helpful • - Tenure should be 2 years minimum (continuity, CM award) • - The ACM is the logical successor • - Get 1-2 ACMs on board – look for a Wolf or Bear Cub parent •  Once recruited, help get them started! • - Fast Start Video, Program Helps • - Pamphlet - So You're a New Cubmaster • - Cub Scout Leader book (BSA No. 33221B) •  When all else fails • - Get help from the chartered organization or unit commissioner

11. “It’s Only 1 Hour a Week” Almost. (We all know it takes considerably longer.) But…a lot can be accomplished in an hour every week. During the next year (52 hours), a parent can: - Attend 12 pack meetings or activities with him, and - Help him through 12 achievements in his Wolf or Bear Book, or - Help him through the 5 Family and 5 Go See It Tiger requirements and - Help him earn 1 Gold Arrow Point and 10 Silver Arrow Points. The most precious gift a parent can give to their son is their  time  “Is your son worth one hour of your time each week?”

12. We Have a Leader! Now What? •  Follow-up!!!!!!! •  Welcome them to the Pack • - Formal induction ceremony • - Newsletter write-up or Web Page update •  Stage their training • - Immediate – Fast Start, Leader Specific • - Next – Get them to Roundtables • - Save advanced training for later (Baloo, U of S, Wood Badge) •  Reminder – “You only need to plan, not invent” • - Everything has already been solved • - Use the “Program Helps” •  Keep them “In the Loop” • - Make them feel a part of the team and appreciated • - Help them and keep in touch with them frequently

13. Magical Tips • ASK – don’t WAIT Making a general announcement may not get results… “We need an Assistant Cubmaster. Please see me if you are interested” …but tapping a specific person on the shoulder may “You know, you really work well with the boys. I think you’d make a wonderful leader and I’m sure the boys would like it. How about it?” •  Hang up the phone. Do it face-to-face • Ease them in Helper  Chairperson  Assistant Leader  Full registered Leader • Don’t overwhelm them - One step at a time on training and responsibilities •  Make the monthly “Pack Leader” meeting a “Pack Parent” meeting • - Gets more people involved • - Meetings are not just for pack leaders

14. Final Thoughts • Recruit Every Parent - Eliminate the “drop and runs” •  Encourage leaders to put on a uniform – They’ll feel more important •  Protect your Den Leaders - They are VERY important! • - The program runs on DLs • - Keep them happy and productive • Don't pile extra duties on them • Their only job is to lead the den • ALWAYS: Thank everyone who helps – Leaders and volunteers • “Scouting doesn’t take time from your son – It makes time with your son” • “If parents don’t run Scouting, Scouting doesn’t run”