Cub Scout Recruitment and Retention

1. Cub Scout Recruitment and Retention Session 116 Scott Segalewitz

2. Visit the Pack 148 Website for this presentation and other related materials CubPack148.Scoutlander.com

3. Recruiting

4. Recruiting – What Works?

5. Cub Scouts and Leaders “Sport" your uniform often • Show the presence of Cub Scouts in your community • Wear uniform to school • Recruitment night • Pack meetings • Den meetings • Be knowledgeable about what all of the patches mean

6. Encourage Cub Scouts to talk about Scouting with their friends • Word of mouth is a powerful forms of advertising. • Use the recruiter patch to reward Scouts • Families are involved in lots of activities • Use activities to interact with parents and share Cub Scout stories.

7. Peer to Peer Programs • School “show and tell” programs • Distribute stickers or handouts at the conclusion of their presentation • “My Best Friend is a Cub Scout” program

8. Develop a Pack Information Sheet • Include: • Time, date, and location of pack meetings • List of upcoming events • Den Leader and Committee Member names and phone numbers • Provide copies to: • Charter organization • Pack committee and parents • District Executive.

9. Recruitment Night Information Flyer • School Recruiting Night • First few weeks of the school year • End of academic year (Tigers) • Create Flyers • Check school district policies • Include date, time, and location of meeting; contact name and phone number. • Distribute to classes • Provide assistance to office staff • Peer to peer invitations

10. Display Cases and Bulletin Boards • Seek permission from the Chartered Organization to use a display case • Display should be fun and informative – create excitement • Change monthly • Assign responsibility for maintaining currency

11. School, Church, Community, or Business Newsletters and Websites • Promote programs and accolades in Newsletter/Website • Maintain contact information • Submission deadlines • Preferred format

12. School, Church, and Civic Functions • Set-up display at • School open houses • Back-To-School nights • Curriculum nights • Carnivals • Parent/Teacher conferences • Other church or civic events. • Seek permission • Set-up in a visible location • Set-up early • Uniformed leaders and Scouts staff displays. • Make follow-up calls with families that expressed interest

13. News Releases to Local Newspapers • Know deadlines • Be aware of publication dates • How to Write a Great Press Release: A Sample Press Release Templatehttp://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp • The release can be used to: • Promote recruitment night • Feature a community service project, awards, blue and gold, pinewood derby, etc.

14. Beavercreek News-Current Extra • Centerville Bellbrook Times • Englewood Independent • Enon Messenger • Huber Heights Courier • Kettering Oakwood Times • New Carlisle Sun • Springboro Sun • Times Weekend • Tipp City Herald • Vandalia Drummer News • West Milton Record

15. Pack Website • Include pertinent information regarding your Cub Scout Pack including: • How to join • Benefits and excitement of Cub Scouting • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) • Obtain links from other sites: • Chartered Organization • Chamber of Commerce • United Way • Etc.

16. Public Website

17. Frequently Asked Questions • What is Cub Scouting? • What are the requirements to join Cub Scouts? • What does Cub Scouting offer my son? • How does participation in Cub Scouting affect participation other activities? • What are the responsibilities of a parent? • Do Cub Scouts go camping? • What other activities are available to Cub Scouts and their families? • How much is it going to cost? • Where can I buy uniforms, pack and den number patches? • How can I save money on the cost of uniforms? • Etc.

18. Announcement • Possibilities • Church • Neighborhood • Subdivision • Company • City • School district • Recreation center • Create something that is interesting to read • Make people want to join Scouting • Be sure to thank the organization for its support.

19. Special Events • Plan a special event that you can invite families to attend. • Host a pinewood derby at the shopping mall and invite families from your school and neighborhood to participate using "experienced" derby cars. • Host a booth or activity at community fairs, festivals or other events.

20. Personalized invitation or letter • Personalize a letter or card including a description of Cub Scouting, date, time, and location of your recruitment night, and contact name and information. • Cards or letters individually addressed to each boy. • Secure your list of names and addresses • Chartered organization • PTO's • Sport teams • Church directories • etc.

21. Invite a friend activities • Host events where friends are explicitly invited. • Where appropriate, include tagalongs: • Tour Permit • Medical forms

22. Retention

23. Why do boys (families) leave Scouting?

24. Why do boys (families) stay in Scouting?

25. Retention – What Works

26. www.sccc-scouting.org Additional recruiting ideas can be found on the Website of the Santa Clara County Council

27. Questions/Comments Scott Segalewitz Cubmaster Pack 148 Centerville, OH segalewitz@udayton.edu www.CubPack148.org