May 2011

May 2011: Recruiting New Scouts 

Steve Mehl
Asst. Council Commissioner for Training

A steady flow of new youth into Scouting is important to unit health. New members bring energy and enthusiasm to the unit. To avoid shrinking membership, a unit should add at least 10 new members every year. Having a year-round membership plan will help attract new members.

The first step for any new membership program is to have a committee member to serve as the membership chair. This person will, with help of all the adult members, develop and put into place a  year-round recruiting plan that incorporates all methods of recruitment.  The Unit Commissioner along with the District membership committee can help with this.  As a wise Old Scouter once stated    “Everyone is a member of the Membership Committee”.

There are numerous methods of recruiting new members into Packs, Troops and Crews:

*   1.  Boy - to - Boy Recruiting
*   2.  Host open houses
*   3.  WEBELOS to Scout Transition
*   4.  Participate in the Spring and Fall recruiting emphasis

1.     The most effective recruiter in Scouting is a youth member who is enthusiastic about his unit. Youth to youth recruiting goes back since the beginning of Scouting.  When the unit has a great program, good adult and youth leadership, proper equipment and good meeting facilities, this makes the recruiting efforts much easier.  The scouts can recruit friends, schoolmates, relatives, neighbors and members of their church.  This is extremely important in Venturing as this is the number one method of recruiting.  Offering incentives for each Scout who recruits a new member, as well as an overall prize for the top recruiter encourages the recruiting.

Key members:               Cub Scout 
                                      Boy Scout
                                     Venturer
                                     Patrol Leaders council / Senior Patrol leader
                                     Den Leaders
                                     Unit Leaders 
                                     Unit committees

2.     Open houses are a great way to get the community in to see your unit and an effective tool to recruit new Scouts into your unit.   Having two open houses a year, early spring and late fall, will help emphasize your outdoors programs, in the spring when outdoor activities are on the horizon and the fall when you have completed a lot of your outdoor program.  Ensure you have your unit’s yearly calendar available.  Food and drink are always welcome.

Key members:              Cub Scout 
                                     Boy Scout
                                      Venturer
                                     Patrol Leaders council / Senior Patrol leaders
                                      Crew Officers
                                     Unit Committe
                                      Unit Leaders

3.     The WEBELOS to Scout transition is crucial part of the year-round growth plan. At the beginning of the transition process, the troop should align with a Cub Scout pack in their area. The troop Membership coordinator should play a large part in this process.  Having Den Chiefs working with the pack, gives the troop some in-house recruiters. If more than one troop draws its new Boy Scouts from this pack, contact the leadership of the other troop and design a plan to work together with the pack. Offer the use of troop equipment and expertise, and work with them to establish a good transition program, within their yearly calendar.  The ideal situation is to have the WEBELOS 2 den leader, complete the Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster training.  When the WEBELOS 2 den then transitions to a troop, the Den Leader can then become the fully trained Assistant Scoutmaster for the new scout patrol and give the new scouts a familiar face in the troop.  It is also important for the troop to make new Scouts and their parents feel welcome.

Key members:              WEBELOS 2 Den Leader 
                                      WEBELOS 2 Den parents
                                     Den Chiefs 
                                     Patrol Leaders council / Senior Patrol leader 
                                     Unit Committees
                                     Unit Leaders

4.     Spring and Fall recruiting emphasis is usually conducted with the District Membership committee.  This includes school open houses, boy talks in schools and District recruiting rallies.  Units should take every opportunity to participate in every event offered.  The unit membership coordinator should arrange for speakers from the units to help with the school boy talks.  These programs are nor restricted to packs, but also should involve troops in elementary and middle schools.  Venturing crews can usually participate at school open houses in middle and high schools. 

Key members:               Unit Committees 
                                      Unit Leaders

In conclusion, there is nothing “magic” about year round recruiting, just a little effort by a lot of dedicated scouts and scouters.