Best Practices for Group growth

1. Best Practices for Group growth Slide Number

2. Introduction • Heather Lee • Area Support Manager • hlee@scouts.ca • Cell: 613-868-7229 • ASM Alex Aronec • Area Support Manager • alex.aronec@scouts.ca • Cell: 613-552-0367

3. Agenda • Growth Activities Brainstorm, Define, Adapt • How to recruit adults • Available resources • Successful Bring-a-Friend events

4. Growth Activities Slide Number

5. Successful Growth Activities: PLAN Identify desired outcomes • Ie, recruit 1 Colony Scouter and 1 Secretary • Community visibility to potential families • Obtain contact info for 3 families (call back)

6. Successful Growth Activities: PLAN Consider past activities. • How can you make them better? • How will we track and record our efforts?

7. Successful Growth Activities: • PLAN • What resources are needed? • Laptop to show pics • Area PR kit • Flyers/handouts • Fresh faces good at PR

8. Successful Growth Activities: DO • Make sure everyone knows the expectations • They have the tools they need • Everyone is thanked at the end

9. Successful Growth Activities: REVIEW Record details • Members participating • Scheduling • List resources used, cost • Did you achieve your goals?

10. Adapt Activities • How can we change a regular activity into a successful growth activity? • Info booth at Canada Day • Spaghetti dinner at Church/Sponsor • Float in Santa Parade • Scoutrees • popcorn

11. Best Practices: • Contact info on flyer vs sign-up list • Elevator Speech • Have a goal • Be positive (sinking ship) • Be efficient, delegate Plan the Work! Work the Plan!

12. Recruiting Adults Slide Number

13. Best Practices • Friend-Storming • Having/knowing job descriptions • Start with small tasks • Oreo Test • Be visible where like minded adults are • Ask the kids who they think would make good scouters • Always follow-up

14. Recruiting Adults • Always be on the look out for potential • Strong infrastructure to support program • Have FUN! There is no magic wand!

15. Resources Slide Number

16. http://voy.scouts.ca/ca/growth-resources

17. Area PR Kit

18. http://www.scouts.ca/js2g/

19. Give-aways

20. Growth Tools • School Flyers • Scouting Promotional Pamphlets, Give-Away materials • Area PR Kits • Professional Pop-Up Display • Scouting Life Magazines (past issues) • Awards and Honours (National, Council, Area and Group level) • School Talks & School Talk Manual • Parent Talks/Fun Nights & Parent Talk Manual • Adult Recruitment Manual • Volunteer Inventory Sheet • New Leader Welcome Kits • Media Resources – Customizable Press Release, PSA’s, Print Ads, Video • Working Smart to Grow: 5 goals • Strategic Directions for Scouts Canada 2006-2016, Nov. 2005 • Creating a Growth Strategy, Fall 2009 • Process for Joining Scouts Canada • Membership Reports • Retention and Growth Incentive Programs • Group Locator • Voyageur Council Web Page – (i.e., Growth Page) • Area Support Managers • Group Support Scouters

21. Resources • Create a Growth Strategy • Bring a Friend Meetings • Flag raising ceremony in the Community during BP week • Participate in Scoutree’s and Sears promotions • Sell Scout Popcorn! • Publish a Group Newsletter • Booths at community events (Canada Day, Community Association events, Winterlude, Festivals, Santa Parade) • Build Relationships with Parent/Teacher Councils and Schools • Do a Community Service Project and Recruit! • Meetings in high traffic areas (Kub Kars at a car dealer or mall, public parks) • Early Advancement Programs • Participate in Spring Registration (Retention) • Coordinate Section Nights • Wear Your Uniform to School Day! (Remembrance Day) • Door to Door Food Drive (leave flyers) • Call-Back Blitz for returning members • Open a new Section • Welcome Back postcard • Follow-up on School Flyers

22. On-line Resources Scouts.ca >media centre> request PSA time, press releases, Public Relations 101: A volunteers Guide and more media assistance. >foundation > info on donating, No One Left Behind, Scholarships, Scoutrees >For Scouters > Program Resources, Packaged Resources, New Leader Resources, Program Standards, Engaging Youth Voyageur.scouts.ca >Council Directory > Listing of council and area level volunteers and staff including their roles >PR/Communications > print, video, audio, flyers and photos are available for your promotions. Grizzly Creek Solution Adult Recruiting

23. Bring-a-Friend Slide Number

24. Average Bring-a-Friend Meeting • Put it on the calendar in at planning meeting • The week before, announce to youth and parents “Next week is BaF” • Had out one postcard to each youth • At meeting provide a special snack • Hope someone joins

25. BaF Best Practices • Get the youth to make their own invitations • Provide extra postcards so that everyone has several to take home. • Announce it widely 2 weeks in advance • Have a dedicated Scouter to network • Parents must stay • Get contact info • Plan open ended activities for any number of youth (flexibility) ie, Olympics

26. What does a Group need to grow? • Strong Infrastructure to support members and program (group committee) • Quality program for Retention. Know the Program Standards • Safe Program • Make sure it is Sustainable The program will sell itself