School-Night-to-Join-Scouting-Leader ... - Sagamore Council

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Our goal is to serve 1,447 NEW Cub Scouts with the Scouting program in the months of August and September!

IT IS TIME TO DELIVER THE PROMISE!!

Additional support materials and resources can be found at www.sagamorebsa.org

Boy Scouts of America-Sagamore Council School Night to Join Scouting Leader’s Guide

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Packs Need to “Be Prepared” for New Cub Scouts by embracing the Ideal Year of Scouting:

PLAN. FUND. GROW. TRAIN. School Night to Join Scouting, SNJS, as it will be referred to, is a recruiting event held at every elementary school to give the youth served by that school an opportunity to join Cub Scouts. It is a cooperative effort between our district membership teams and our pack leadership. Join Scouting Night should be a fun informative night for prospective families. The goal for the evening is to register youth in Cub Scouts. SNJS can occur throughout the year particularly in the spring and the fall.

SNJS should not take place on the same night as “Back to School Night", otherwise known as open house or meet the teacher night, or the monthly pack meeting. For many parents, this is the first experience they have with Scouting, so their initial impression is crucial. If parents leave with a bad experience they may never give scouts another chance. For this reason, we all need to work hard to ensure that the new families feel welcomed and informed. Remember, parents trust us with their most precious treasures- their children. We must always do our best to meet their highest expectations. A national survey of parents who attended a School Night to Join Scouting was conducted and sheds light on some reasons why parents who come may choose not to enroll their child in Scouting, or claim to be dissatisfied. In the majority of instances where parents were unhappy with their Scouting experience, they felt that the join Scouting night lacked organization, offered a poor program, the organizers were not prepared, or there was no follow up to ensure the child was placed in a functioning den. Packs with an excellent track record of recruiting and retaining members have one thing in common –they are prepared to receive youth into their program. What does this mean? A pack is prepared to receive youth when the leaders have:

• Created a program calendar for the next year with input from youth and families.

• Created a reasonable unit budget and are good at explaining how much Scouting costs and how the parents can

help pay for the program.

• Prepared a well-planned Sign-Up meeting that sells the benefits of Scouting.

• Evaluate your pack’s succession plan to determine the leadership positions that need to be filled and have a game

plan for recruiting parents to fill those vacancies.

• Identify current pack leadership that will serve as immediate new-leader mentor(s). Mentoring helps provide support

to new leaders to include, but is not limited to: den organization, meeting location and time arrangements, training,

resources, information regarding district and council events, as well as encouragement and advice.

• Developed a plan to contact each of the families after the Sign-Up meeting to remind them about the Parent

Orientation meeting. When the new parents attend the orientation meeting, the pack program can be explained in

more detail in terminology that is easily understood by the parents.

• Scheduled den and pack meetings to start right away. Youth that don’t attend the first few meetings are

contacted to make sure they knew when and where the meetings are held.

• Invited families to participate in a fun outdoor activity. The Cub Haunted Weekend and Welcome to Scouting can

meet this objective.

• Identified any problems that may make members leave and find solutions as quickly as possible.

• The ability to be flexible, outgoing, be able to follow through a developed plan.

This plan is designed to limit these common pitfalls by providing easy to follow steps in preparation for, conducting, and follow up for our recruitment nights. This will make it easier for pack, district, and council membership teams to accomplish their mission of ensuring that every youth has an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of Scouting. Thank you for all you do for the youth of our community!

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Your unit will hold a “sign-up” night at a prominent location in the community, preferably a school but a church or community center will suffice. At this sign-up night, you will provide basic information about what Scouting offers youth and families in the area. The important thing is to get the family’s attention and let them see what Scouting is all about. This playbook will act as your guide for planning, promoting, and carrying out a sign-up event in your area

GET HELP! Many hands make light work, so if you haven’t done so already, assigning a unit membership chair and pack sign-up Coordinator is a great first step to a successful recruiting season.

SET GOALS Work with your chartered organization to discuss Cub Scout sign-up plans and set goals for your pack. How many youth and families do you want to sign up for Scouting? How will you do that? This step was done if you went to the Unit Kickoff Meeting.

GET TRAINED Many councils and districts offer training for Cub Scout sign-up nights. If you went to the Unit Kickoff Meetings in July, that was the training!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT Sign-up events typically take place during the back-to-school recruiting season. For that reason, holding the event at a school is usually the best option. Typically, the school’s scheduled back to school night is where you will be able to meet with the most families.

These are great venues to PROMOTE your SNJS not to have your SNJS. You should set up a booth or display at the “back to school/meet the teacher nights” to promote your SNJS to take place on a different day. Contact your local school principals or superintendents to discuss your Cub Scout sign-up event and get permission to attend the meet the teacher/back to school night that the schools hold. Get permission to post meeting signs around your event days or even weeks in advance.

CHOOSE A PLAY Having a theme and incentive for a sign-up event is a great way to capture the attention of parents and incentivize them to sign up on the spot. These programs typically take form as a separate event to be held several weeks after the sign-up event. During fall sign-ups, your

council or district may have an event/play so your pack won’t have to worry about this. But if you are holding a sign-up event at another time a play is the way to go.

ORGANIZE VOLUNTEERS Your pack sign-up coordinator should organize the sign-up event team for your unit, usually five to six people to act as “station chiefs.” These are simple jobs that anyone can fill, but it’s best to use parents of current Cub Scouts who can talk from the heart about what Cub

Scouting means to their family and their kids.

HAVE FUN Keep the event fun and exciting. This not only makes it better for the parents attending, but also will make it easier for you, the organizer. Speak from the heart, don’t stress, and just enjoy the opportunity to introduce new parents to Cub Scouting.

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There are key individuals who play an important role in the success of your sign-up events, and they are:

• Pack sign-up coordinator – responsible for the pack sign-up event

• Station chiefs responsible for the five stations of the event. (These should be seasoned scout parents or leaders)

Responsibilities: The pack sign-up night coordinator makes sure the pack is focused on registering new Cub Scouts and helps orchestrate the event. Here is an overview. Note: The dates may change depending on your schedule. It’s important to start planning early.

• Have your pack calendar, fee schedule, leaders’ list and meeting times/dates/locations prepared.

• Provide information to your unit commissioner, district sign-up chair, or district executive.

• Meet with five station chiefs (who are outgoing, knowledgeable, organized, friendly, and responsible).

• Coordinate with district sign-up night chair and district executive.

• Review responsibilities with each station chief.

• Deliver first set of flyers

• Arrive one hour early.

• Make sure station chiefs have their stations set up.

• Act as a “greeter and floater” during sign-up night window.

• Be available to answer questions.

• Play traffic cop –direct families to next available station.

• If back-up occurs, use your best judgment.

• Coach station chiefs if they are keeping families at their stations too long – process is meant to be completed in 30 minutes or less.

• Make sure station 4 (Check Out) does not get backed up.

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Units in a district that are operating a SNJS Headquarters on the night of their SNJS should turn in their paperwork and fees to the HQ after the SNJS. Those that cannot make that trip, should call their results

into the HQ.

• Help Station 4 chief get Cubmaster signature on all applications.

• Assist Station 4 chief in separating “Local Council Copy” from applications and record dollar amount for fees and form of payment on each application (check #, etc.).

• Gather sign-up night materials. • Make sure room is left better than you found it. • Contact district membership chair and district executive

immediately following sign-up night to report your success and make arrangements for pickup of applications and fees.

• Make sure EVERY FAMILY receives a welcoming phone call from their den leader, Cubmaster, committee chair, or your unit membership chair.

• Remind parents of new Scouts of any upcoming council wide activities

If you use online registration in your

pack you can cut out sign in sheets,

paper applications, money, and

dropping off paperwork at the

office!!!

BE PREPARED as a good Scout

would, with paper apps and sign in

sheets just in case there is an issue

with the online registration system

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Families today are overwhelmed with advertising and marketing messages. To ensure families get the message that it’s time to sign up, use various methods of communication throughout this playbook and be sure to have a plan. You should start to build the buzz at least six weeks out from your sign-up event(s). Your council or district will help get the word out, but the majority of your success will come from unit marketing.

How much access you have to promote Scouting in your schools will help you decide the best ways to market your sign-up event. Here are some suggestions – but these are just thought-starters. Don’t limit yourself. The more ways you reach parents, the more success you’ll have.

In-School Promotion If you have full access to promoting your event at the schools, you can employ any of the following best practices.

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• Distribute sign-up event fliers the week before the sign-up event

• Posters and yard signs around school

• School rallies or Scout talks at the school

• Back-to-school open house events, school carnivals, and conferences

• Electronic/Virtual backpacks

• Invite current youth and parents to attend lunch at school in uniform

• Videos on in-school video networks

• School newsletter or website

• School marquee signs

• Principal Email Communications to the parents

• School Newsletters

Scout Talks Scout talks can make a huge difference when signing up new Cub Scouts! Schools that provide access to Scout talks are the way to go. A Scout Talk is simply visiting each classroom and getting the kids excited about Scouting.

Scout talks work best by going class-to-class and giving a five-minute promotion on the fun that Scouting has to offer. If this scenario is not feasible then a school assembly will work; however, classroom talks are best. A BSA Field Staff Member should do the Scout Talk. These energetic in-school presentations will dramatically increase the success of your recruitment! Work with your DE to set up the Scout Talk at the appropriate time.

Out-of-School Promotion (August 15-September 30 is the suggested timeframe to market this campaign)

Here are several ideas for promoting the event outside of the schools. These tactics can be done either in tandem with your in-school promotions or on their own if you are not able to get full access to the schools.

• Ask current members to use social media to let their friends and family know about sign-up event nights

• Personalized invitations, emails, and personal phone calls to prospective parents

• Door hangers and door-to-door invitations

• Recruit-a-friend and other peer-to-peer recruiting initiatives

• Fliers and Scout talks at after-school programs or churches in the community

• Church and community websites, calendars, and bulletins

• Press releases

• Billboards, posters, and yard signs in the community (businesses, churches, etc.)

• Community fairs, parades, and other events

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Units should hold a come-and-go type SNJS, which are strictly sign-up events. These are faster for today’s busy parents. The key to making them successful is pre-planning. The following is an outline of how to execute this type of event. This model features five stations that give parents information about Cub Scouting, get them signed up, and provide everything they need to know, including when the first meeting is, who the leaders are, and more. *There is an alternative method with additional stations that are designed to be used for recruitments that have a large influx of people at the beginning of the recruitment night which often times creates a bottle neck. See Page 13. Sign-Up Night Stations Station 1: Welcome/Sign In Station 2: What We Do Station 3: Registration Form Station 4: Check out (complete applications) Station 5: Den Leader Q&A Below is an outline of what happens at each station. Note: Make sure that each station sign is clearly visible to help make sure things go smoothly!

This is the first place potential Cub Scouts and their parents will stop. Here they sign in while the greeter provides a brief overview of the process. • Greet every family that comes to your station and ask them to

sign in. Provide them with the “Parent Orientation Guide” brochure

• Tell each family that there are five stations that they will visit to complete the sign-up process and that it will take 20-30 minutes

Materials: • Station 1 sign and “Welcome” sign • “Parent Orientation Guide” brochure • Sign-in sheets, pens or computer(s) for electronic check-in and

invitations

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This is where you will share the excitement of Cub Scouting and your pack activities. Introduce the leaders and talk about what makes your pack special. Leave plenty of time and be prepared to answer any questions. Materials • Station 2 sign • Pack calendar and event fliers • Handout with meeting times and locations • Listing of pack and den leaders with contact email and phone

numbers. • Boys’ Life mini magazines

This is the sign-up station where the station chief helps parents complete the actual application. • Have BSA Youth Application forms ready to be completed and

have pens available. Online registration can take place here as well.

• Have copies of “What Other Costs Are There?” and give these out.

• Be prepared to answer questions about pack fee payment plans and/or financial assistance.

Materials: • Station 3 sign • BSA Youth Applications and pen • Pack leadership handout

• “What Other Costs Are There?” discussion topics (pack specific)

Leaders at this station are responsible for final “check out,” including payment. • Make sure the applications are properly completed. • Collect the proper fee amount for BSA membership fee and

Boys’ Life • Forms and payments should be collected, signed by the Cubmaster, and put in the envelope. Materials: • Station 4 sign • Calculator • Envelope for applications and fees

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Leaders at this station make sure parents know when and where the first meeting is and answer any other questions parents may have. • Make an effort to have as many den leaders and assistant den

leaders on hand to talk about their dens and give families a chance to get to know them.

• Answer questions about the type of activities their child will be doing.

Materials: • Station 5 sign

After the Sign-Up Event Is Over Turn in the applications, money, and a copy of the sign in sheet: Unit leaders and the Join Scouting coordinators should review and complete applications after the Join Scouting event. Applications, registration fees, and one copy of the attendance roster are to be turned in at the district headquarters that night OR to the district executive within 24 hours of the event if there is no HQ. Those that choose this option should only be the units that need to travel more than 20 minutes or so from the headquarters. Those that do, please call into your headquarters to the phone number provided before the recruitment to report your results. NOTE: While you collected dues for the remainder of this year and next year for registration and the same thing for Boys’ Life, the unit should be prepared to cut a check to turn in with registrations at the headquarters or within 24 hours for the remainder of this current charter cycle, which would be $11 for registration and $4 for Boys’ Life (if registering in September). The pack holds on to the remainder of the registration money to be turned in at re-charter time (due December 15th).

Those that register online will only pay the prorated amount for the rest of the calendar/charter year ($2 per month for registration and $1 per month for Boys’ Life Magazine. Make sure that you communicate to parents that you will be collecting the remainder of the registration/Boys’ Life dues at a later date for 2018.

Welcome your new families and members: Don’t wait! Be sure to invite all families to first-night den and pack events the very next week. These meetings are a chance to make a great first impression, have fun, and involve new parents in the life of the pack. Den leaders should make welcome phone calls to the parents of the new Cub Scouts and/or send welcome email messages with meeting dates, location, pack calendars, and any other important information. (You never have a second chance at a FIRST IMPRESSION.)

Follow up with those families who did not sign up: This is where the sign-in sheet comes in handy or the log that is available in Invitation Manager in My.Scouting. Check your applications against the sign-in sheet/log and call those families that did not join. Address any concerns the person may have and offer to drop an application by their home, or invite them to the first meeting or your council’s recruiting event so they can see Cub Scouting for themselves.

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Running the Play!

July and Early August

Attend Unit School Night to Join Scouting Kickoff

Confirm station 5 station leaders, floater, and greeter

Confirm with District Executive that your SNJS location has/has not been confirmed

Ensure your www.BeAScout.org PIN is updated-instructions at http://www.bsa-grc.org/membership/school-night-to-join-scouting/

Develop Unit SNJS Marketing Plan

Secure a date and time for a Scout Talk to be completed at your school(s) if applicable

Secure principal/superintendent approval for flyers to be sent home, posters hung in high visibility areas, and yard signs on the school lawn in high visibility areas. NOTE: some District Executives may have done this already. Discuss with them before visiting school districts.

August 10-September 10

Execute SNJS Unit Marketing Plan

Posters

Yard Signs

Marquee Message

Virtual Backpacks

School Newsletters

Local news coverage (print, tv, and radio

Blitz social media channels

Place Ethan in prominent places in your community

2 weeks before your SNJS

Contact the school principal/office staff to confirm details regarding:

Facility usage is in order; access, lights, custodians

Ensure posters and yard signs are displayed in a highly visible area

Confirm plan for Scout talk and flyer distribution

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Week of SNJS

Complete Scout Talk, Distribute Flyers, have lunch with Scouts

in Uniform, pass out bracelets/stickers.

Send out press release to local media

Print unit calendars, bylaws, and invitation to Parent Orientation

Meetings

Day Before SNJS

Gather necessary materials

Confirm Station Coordinators attendance

Confirm Scout Troop/District Helpers

Confirm flyers went home to the kids

Final building usage confirmation

Review Plan

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Being Prepared Preparation: What to bring:

Sign-in attendance sheets

Den Rosters

Applications o Youth o Adult Leader

Parent Orientation Guides

Boys’ Life Magazine “Mini-Mag”-while supplies last.

Games and activities for kids (great Scout activity)

American and Pack Flag

Signs to direct parents to the right room

Pens

Change (Currency)

Pack checkbook (to turn-in registration fees with youth applications)

Invitation to Parent Orientation Mtg.

Pack annual activity calendar

Sample youth and leader books

Calculator

Tape

Pack displays

Building use Permit

Contact of custodial staff or someone to call if building is locked

Table tents (Station 1, Station 2, etc.)

Pack Leader Role Info sheet

Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos Books

Sample Cub Scout uniform

Pictures, crafts, decorations to make room look good and demonstrate pack activities

Computers for online registration (check in and youth/adult registration)

BE PREPARED!!

This will be a great recruitment if

you make sure all of your Ethan’s

are in a row, I mean ducks!

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How to Organize your SNJS Location (Option 1) This option is best if you have a true window for people to attend without a high

influx of people at the beginning of your time block. Parents rotate from Station 1 through Station 5 in order.

Be sure all tables are clearly marked. As parents and kids enter the room, have them sign in at the welcome table and begin their rotation. Keep the flow moving and try not to get bogged down.

Station 1: Welcome/Sign In Station 2: What We Do Station 3: Registration Form Station 4: Check out (complete applications) Station 5: Den Leader Q&A SPECIAL LION NOTE: If your Pack is recruiting Lions at your SNJS please make sure that you have a designated area or room for those Lion parents to go to for registration/education/Q and A. They should not be included in the regular rotation.

Station 1 Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

Station 5

Un

it D

isp

lay

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How to Organize your SNJS Location (Option 2) This option will allow you to greet people at the door and hand them some paperwork without a

bottleneck. NO SEATING AT STATION 1. This “station” can truly be a door greeter. After greeting, send them to either Station 2 or 5 (which you will have two stations of) and then filter them to stations 3 and 4 in either a separate or combined station depending on anticipated group size.

This method will thin out any high influx bottlenecks. This method will require a few more station chiefs but it will allow for a large group of parents to filter through 4 stations (2 sets of 2 and 5) as opposed to 2 to get information and ask questions before completing and turning in apps. Make sure you have sign in sheets at the first set of stations 2 and 5 so there is no bottleneck at the

door to sign in.

Be sure all tables are clearly marked, colors work best. Station 1: Welcome/Sign In Station 2: What We Do Station 3: Registration Form

Station 4: Check out (complete applications) Station 5: Den Leader Q&A

Station 2 Station 5

Station 2

Station 3 and 4

Station 5

Un

it D

isp

lay

Station 1-

Door Greeter

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Online Registration Quick Tips All resources for online registration can be found at http://www.scouting.org/onlineregistration.aspx

Step 1: Make sure your Unit PIN has accurate information. This can be updated by going to your Legacy Web

Tools in My.Scouting and clicking Be A Scout. There are also additional instructions at the link above should

you need them.

Step 2. Go to Organization Manager,

and in the Settings section answer the

following questions. Do this at the same

time as you edit your BeAScout Unit PIN

to allow Online Registrations. Some are

already defaulted for the Council and you

will not be able to change those answers.

You will answer:

1. Who can accept adult applications in

your unit

2. You can opt in or out of Fees/Fees Explanations (this means you can communicate to the parents the

additional fees your unit will be collecting and why, but the system will not charge them when they

register.

3. Opt in or out of sending a welcome email to the parent once they have signed up. We strongly suggest

you opt in so you can have an immediate communication to the parents. They will automatically get a

message from the Chief Scout Executive of the BSA, Mike Surbaugh along with an immediate

confirmation email welcoming them to Scouting.

You will want to ensure that

the Unit Pin Mode is set to

Unit, that the Pin Status is

set to Active so it shows up

on BeAScout and Apply

Status is set to Active to

allow online registrations.

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The Chartered Organization Representative needs to be the one to initiate the Family Scouting

answers and then the Unit Leader or Committee Chair should be able to make the rest of the selections

for their unit PIN.

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Step 3. Most day to day actions take place in either the Invitation Manager or Application Manager.

Invitation Manager is used to create leads, invite leads, or see leads that have reached out to your unit.

Application Manager is used to approve, disapprove, or reassign an application that has been submitted

online.

Families have three ways to get to a place to register for Scouts online.

1. BEASCOUT.ORG: They can go to BeAScout.org and request more info (as they have always been

able to do-it will create a lead) or, if your Unit PIN is set to accept online applications, they can apply

from there as well. The lead can be followed up from Invitation Manager; an application to join will be

managed at Application Manager

2. UNIT URL (web link): You can send them a unit specific link (find in the URLs section of Invitation

Manager, shown below). If they sign up from here, you will manage that application in Application

Manager.

3. QR CODE: They click use a unit specific QR code that they scanned from their phone off of a poster or

flyer. The QR code is also in the URLs section if Invitation Manager

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You can use Invitation Manager as a sign in sheet and/or to send families invitations to join.

1. If you are checking on leads from BeAScout.org go to Invitation Manager (you can sort in the By

Source section…you will have joining night, individual lead, and other options as well to sort by.)

a. Any actions you need to take are listed in the My Actions section. You complete action by

clicking on the individual lead.

2. If you are at a sign-up night and you want to use Invitation Manager as a sign in sheet (by adding new

leads) click the +New Lead button and put in the name, email, and phone number and then save and

it will add that parent/child in as a new lead. This will allow you to manage the list of potential new

families without a physical sign in sheet and send them an invitation to join Scouting to their email

which gives them a link tied to your unit.

Invitation Manager Application Manager

Once a lead signs up online you will go to Application Manager to approve them for your unit and move them

from “pending acceptance” to completed. You do this by clicking on that person and then clicking accept. You

do the same for youth and adults. Adults will have to be assigned a position in the unit. Note: Committee Chair

and Charter Rep/Institutional Heads or just the Charter Rep are the only ones that can approve adults. A Unit

Leader, Committee Chair, Charter Rep, or Institutional Head can approve a youth.

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Cub Scout Parent Participation Form For over 75 years parents have made Cub Scouting an enriching experience for their kids. The Cub Scouting

Program has strengthened families, provided adventure and diversity, created fellowship, and instilled ideals in

young men. By volunteering to contribute 100 points (or more) of participation to your son’s Pack, you will help

ensure that we can provide the best possible Cub Scout Program for your son. Thank you for your support!

Points & Position Descriptions ____ 100 Cubmaster or Assistant – complete online training, attend monthly committee meeting, lead

monthly Pack meeting and oversee weekly Den meetings.

____ 100 Den Leader or Assistant – complete online training, attend monthly committee meeting, monthly Pack meeting and run weekly Den meetings.

____ 100 Titled Committee Person - complete online training, attend monthly committee meeting, monthly Pack meeting and perform titled Pack function (Treasurer, Advancement Coordinator, New Member Coordinator, Pack Trainer, etc).

____ 100 Popcorn Kernel - attend training session and coordinate your unit’s fall product sale of Trail’s End Popcorn & Burgers Smokehouse.

____ 60 Committee Member at Large - complete online training, attend monthly Pack meeting, at least four (4) monthly committee meetings, and serve on at least one Pack sub-committee (see below).

Pack Sub-Committee and support participation:

____ 40 Day/Resident Camp Leader – register for camp and help supervise one Den through a Day or Resident Camp Session (3-5 days in June or July).

____ 40 Pack Activities Coordinator – complete BALOO/SLOO training and coordinate and provide leadership to one or more Pack daytime or overnight activities.

____ 40 Roundtable or District Committee Liaison – Represent your unit at the monthly Leader Roundtable or District Committee meetings.

____ 40 Blue & Gold Banquet Committee – Provide leadership and support to the Pack Blue & Gold Banquet (springtime celebration/recognition event).

____ 40 Friends of Scouting Unit Coordinator – attend training and assist with the effort to make sure all families have been given the opportunity to support the annual Great Rivers Council fundraising campaign.

____ 40 Pinewood Derby Committee– Provide leadership and support to the Pack Pinewood Derby (model car race during 1st Quarter).

____ 20 Community Service Committee – Provide leadership and support to one or more Pack service project(s).

____ 20 Booths and Exhibits – Provide two (2) hours of support in a unit booth, concession stand or exhibit.

____ 20 Fitness Events – Organize and supervise one or more Pack athletic competitions or fitness programs.

_____________________________________Parent Signature

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CUB SCOUT FAMILY TALENT SURVEY

Each parent or adult family member should fill out a separate sheet and turn it in at this meeting.

Pack __________________ Chartered Organization __________________________________Date

________________

Welcome to the Cub Scout family of our pack. Cub Scouting is for parents as well as their Cub Scouts. We have

a wonderful group of families who have indicated a willingness to help, according to their abilities. We invite you

to add your talents and interests so that the best possible program can be developed for your Scout and their

friends.

Den leaders are always busy with den activities. Our pack leaders and committee members know you have

some talent that will help in the operation of our pack. Please complete this form and share with us areas where

you can/will help make our Pack stronger. Although your help may not be on a full-time basis, Your cooperation

and help are appreciated.

In making this survey, your pack committee wants to uncover ways you can enjoy giving assistance. Please be

sure to complete the Parent Participation Form on the reverse of this page and answer the following as

completely as possible:

1. My hobbies are:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

2. I can play and/or teach these sports:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

3. My job, business, or profession would be of interest to Cub Scouts: _____________________________________

My Scouting experience: Cub Scout __________________ Boy Scout _______________ Girl Scout _______

Explorer _______________ Rank attained ____________ Adult leader ______________

6. I can help in these areas:

General Activities

___ Bookkeeping

___ Camping

___ Carpentry

___ Computer skills

___ Cooking/banquets

___ Crafts

___ Dramatics

___ Drawing/art

___ First Aid

___ Fishing

___ Games

___ Health/Nutrition

___ Hiking

___ Leave No Trace

___ Map/Compass

___ Hiking

___ Leave No Trace

___ Map/Compass

___ Music/songs

___ Plants/Animals

___ Radio/Electricity

___ Sewing

___ Sports

___ Swimming

___ Transportation

___ Weather

___ Other:

______________

Special Program Assistance

___ I have an SUV or Van or Truck.

___ I have a workshop.

___ I have family camping gear.

___ I can make contacts for special trips and

activities.

___ I have access to a cottage or camping

property

___ I can help Webelos Scouts learn Scout skills

___ I can give other help___________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

__________

_______________________________________

_________

_______________________________________

_________

_______________________________________

_________

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Parent Orientation Meeting Agenda Topics to Cover Make sure all materials and equipment are on hand.

• Den rosters from recruiting meeting • Blank youth and adult registration applications (for any new families)

• Boy’s Life mini-magazines

• New Family Orientation Guides

• Parent Talent Survey Sheets

• Pack Calendar & Contact Information

• Ceremony and games equipment Discuss the pack’s plans for the future, mentioning some of the more exciting activities. Discuss the Cub Family Camp and distribute registration forms. Discuss parent involvement

• Explain that the Cub Scouting program is an all volunteer organization. Our pack is successful o because each parent volunteers in some way during the year to help the pack. Some people run the den

or pack meetings. Some people take a “behind the scenes” role on the pack committee and help with planning, paperwork or other administrative type duties. And some people are not available to help every month, so they volunteer for short term projects such as the Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold Banquet, outdoor events, field trips, etc.

• Introduce any people that were recruited since the first “recruiting” meeting. • Don’t ask for volunteers in this group setting yet (most people don’t volunteer when asked this way).

• Have the pack trainer or an experienced leader talk about helping new leaders get started – Youth Protection, Fast Start training, This is Scouting, Leader Specific, Roundtables, and monthly pack leaders’ meetings.

• Show how the Cub Scout den meeting plans and resource books are available online.

• Discuss adult registration fees and uniforms.

• For dens that already have a den leader:

• The den leader discusses den-meeting dates, times and locations.

• Recruits parents to assist with den meetings or serve on the pack committee.

• For dens that don’t have a den leader:

• Another pack leader will need to guide the discussion.

• Talk with individual parents to secure den leadership.

• Discuss possible meeting dates, times and locations. Adult Leader Registration

• Review the purpose of registration and answer any questions.

• Collect all applications and fees. Explain Cub Family Campout Options Make reminder announcements Next Pack meeting Upcoming training courses Popcorn sale dates

24 | P a g e

Principal Visits Building and maintaining a strong relationship with your pack’s elementary school is important to have and effective Cub

Scout recruitment effort. A meeting with the school principal will strengthen relationships and foster support for recruitment efforts. This meeting should happen in April/May and consist of key unit leadership and Scouting professional. Take no

more than 2 or 3 people into the meeting as to not overwhelm him/her. This meeting should last no longer than 20 minutes. Sample working agenda for the principal visit would be as follows:

1. Welcome and introductions Take a minute to introduce everyone to each other. Be sure to thank principal for taking time to meet with you. Find out if principal has any Scouting background either as youth or as an adult. 2. Update principal on pack

1. Share roster of pack so principal can see kids and parents that are involved in Scouting.

2. Share key program items that your pack. 3. Service projects 4. Field Trips and other learning opportunities

3. Service opportunities for School State that in the next school year, your pack would like to conduct 1-2 service projects for the school. Take a couple minutes to brainstorm ideas come to agreement of what that service project should be. Some suggestions include: Help with book fair; Help clean up after school carnival or other events/activities; Pick up trash on playground before start of school or other grounds beatification projects; or Cub Scout help mentor another student in reading. 4. Cub Scouting’s 12 Core Values

1. Citizenship: Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities. 2. Compassion: Being kind and considerate, and showing concern for the well-being of others. 3. Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal 4. Courage: Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears, the difficulties, or the

consequences. 5. Faith: Having inner strength and confidence based on our trust in God. 6. Health and Fitness: Being personally committed to keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit. 7. Honesty: Telling the truth and being worthy of trust. 8. Perseverance: Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult. 9. Positive Attitude: Being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations. 10. Resourcefulness: Using human and other resources to their fullest. 11. Respect: Showing regard for the worth of something or someone. 12. Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves.

5. Recruiting Pack

1. Ask when school open house is scheduled and secure permission to attend to promote school night. 2. Ask about possible dates to conduct school night after open house (usually the next week). 3. Ask about permission to hand out flyers, put up posters and conduct Scout talks.

a. Classroom, assembly, lunchroom, recess, closed circuit TV, morning announcements, etc. 6. Volunteer Recruitment Ask about Kindergarten parents that may make good Tiger Cub Den Leaders.