Catalina Council
Boy Scouts of America
Membership Recruitment Kickoff
July 25, 2012
Cub Scouting
• Cub Scouting is a fun and educational
experience with values
• Positive place for boys
• With safe, wholesome activities
Cub Scouting Focuses
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Building character
Improving physical fitness
Teaching practical skills
Develop spirit of community service
Importance of Recruiting
• We want to make Cub Scouting available to all
families with elementary school age boys!
• GOAL – Recruit 2,012 new families into Cub
Scouting in 2012!
Fall Recruitment Purpose
• ENROLL boys in Cub Scouting
• ENLIST parental participation in Cub Scouting
• ORGANIZE Cub Scout Packs to provide quality
Scouting programs
Cub Scout Recruitment Plan
• UNIT VOLUNTEERS set recruitment night
dates and promote within their assigned
schools. Attend recruitment night and
promote Pack
• DISTRICT AND COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS
conduct recruitment nights
• PROFESSIONAL STAFF assist and keep
everything on track for success
Goal of School Night for Scouting
• Set-up a single night where all interested youths are
presented info on scouting and the pack
• Get all youth to join Scouting that night
– They fill out an application and pay that night
• They meet their new unit and are given info on the next Pack
meeting and location
• When this method was used two years ago, we were getting
15 to 25 youths to register that night
Recruitment Timeline
• JULY – Set Recruitment Night dates
• AUGUST – Get promotional efforts approved
- Promote at Back to School Nights
- Conduct Boy Talks
- Flyers delivered to schools
- Conduct Recruitment Nights
• SEPTEMBER – Conduct
Recruitment Nights
Recruitment Night Locations
• Appendix A (2012 Fall Recruitment Guide)
shows the locations of the Recruitment Nights
• 70+ Recruitment Night locations around the
Council area
• Goal – Give every family the opportunity to
join Cub Scouting in their neighborhood
Recruitment Night Promotion
• Four Critical Steps
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Flyers
Boy Talks
Back to School Night / Open Houses
School Newsletter / Principal Email
Advertise on school marque
Yard signs
Flyers
• Need school district and principal approval
(DE’s can assist)
• Scout Office can produce
• Be distributed at least a week in advance
• Also handout at Boy Talks and Back to School
Nights
• Order at www.catalinacouncil.org
– Under Youth; Under Membership
Recruitment
Boy Talks
• Important to get the boys excited about
Scouting
• Goal – Get the flyer home to mom and dad
with the boy excited to join. Mom and dad
will be more likely to attend recruitment night
• Say the magic words – “BB Guns and Archery”
Back to School Night / Open House
• One of the most attended functions of the
school
• Have a table or booth at the Back to School
night promoting the Recruitment Night
• Hand out Recruitment Flyers
School Newsletter / Principal Email
• Ask the Principal to promote the Recruitment
Night in their electronic newsletter or email
blast
• Parents read communications from the school
and will make note of the opportunity to join
Cub Scouts
Other Promotional Efforts
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Yard signs
Emails to friends
Boys asking their friends to join
Advertise on school marque
…. Be creative
PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE
Other Promotional Efforts
• Statistics show that it takes 6-7 times to hear
or see something before it really sinks in….
• Our job is to really promote the Recruitment
Night.
• More promotion means more attendance!
Promotional Materials
• Promotional materials available include:
– Flyers
– Yard Signs
– Bookmarks
– Postcards
– Boy’s Life Mini Magazines
• Order at www.catalinacouncil.org
– Under Youth; Under Membership
Recruitment
Principal Visit
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Thank them for supporting Scouting
Review Recruitment Night Plan
Set Recruitment Night Date
Permission for table at Back to School Night
Discuss Promotional strategies
Confirm decisions made
Thank them again
Recruitment Night Checklist
• BEFORE the Recruitment Night
– Take all the materials
– Confirm participation from Pack volunteers
– Pack leadership has activity list and meeting
schedule
– Wear your uniform
– Review agenda and talking points
School Night Materials
PROVIDED BY COUNCIL
PROVIDED BY PACK
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30 Family Packets including
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Youth application
Adult application
Mini Boys Life Magazine
Parent Information guide
Bobcat Book
Receipt book
Sign-in Sheets
Cub Scout Handbook Vouchers
Pens
Stapler
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Presentation Materials: bring flip
charts of talking points
Pack Information
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Pack Brochure
Pack Displays
Activity for Youth
Bring Change
Recruitment Night Checklist
• AT THE Recruitment Night
– Arrive early
– Arrange your materials
– Review expectations with Pack volunteers
– Set up welcoming table with handouts
– Set up room
– Begin promptly
School Night Agenda
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Sign in all guests
Introduction of Scouting by volunteer
Pack presentation by Unit
Youth activity
Registration
– Fill out application
– Pay fees
Conducting the Recruitment Night
• PEOPLE ARRIVE
– Sign in on roster
– Take Youth and Adult Application
– Parent’s Guide
– Pack Activity Calendar, Meeting Schedule and
Contact List
– Pen
Conducting the Recruiting Night Pack
• Pack leader will present info
– Pack activities throughout year
– Meeting Locations and times
– Show photos of pack activities and bring examples of cub
projects
• Have an activity for youth
– Scout song
– Scout game
– Have earn their first belt loop that night
by playing marbles or some other activity
Pack Brochure
Den Leader Contacts (2007-08):
ADD CLIP ART AND
PHOTO’S HERE
Tigers
XXXXX
Tel:
Email:
Wolves
XXXXX
Tel:
Email:
Bears
XXXXX
Tel:
Email:
CUB SCOUT PACK XX
LOS ALAMOS, NM
2007-2008
th
Blue Webelos (4 Grade)
XXXXX
Tel:
Email:
Where Do We Meet ?
XXXX Elementary Gym
(Summer- see schedule)
th
Gold Webelos (5 Grade)
XXXXX
Tel:
Email:
When Do We Meet ?
Every Xrd Weekday
(during the school year)
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Pack Events Calendar:
May XX: Pack Meeting
June: TBD
July: TBD
August: TBD
September XX: Pack Meeting
October XX: Pack Meeting
November XX: Pack Meeting
December XX: Pack Meeting
Who Can Join?
Boys in 1st through 5th grades
(including boys graduating from
Kindergarten during April Fire-up
recruitment). Older boys join Boy
Scout Troops.
How Much Does It Cost?
$XX per year
(Note: April Fire-up fees of $14.80
includes National BSA registration
and a subscription to Boy’s Life
Magazine only).
What Do Cub Scouts Do?
We learn new Skills !
We try new Activities !
We play Games !
We go on Trips !
We play Sports !
We do Community Service !
We explore Nature !
We go Hiking !
We enjoy the Outdoors !
We make cool Stuff !
We earn Awards !
We make new Friends !
The Pack Organization:
Cub Scout Packs are
organized into a number of
Dens by age group and are
Pack Brochures should
contain the following
Pack XX Contacts:
XXXXX, Cubmaster
Tel: 672-yyyy
Email: zzzzz@vla.com
XXXXX, Committee Chair
Tel:
Email:
lead by one or more parents (Den
or Webelos Leaders). Dens
typically meet once a week and
work on various skills and activities.
The entire Pack meets monthly
typically at the sponsoring school or
church. Packs also participate in
larger District activities such as
Pushmobile races, Pinewood
Derbies, or Sledding Parties.
Dens are organized by school
grade:
 1st Grade: Tiger Cubs
 2nd Grade: Wolves
 3rd Grade: Bears
 4th Grade: Blue Webelos
 5th Grade: Gold Webelos
behavior
Offers many opportunities for
self-advancement and
learning
 Provides outdoor
experiences with an
emphasis on safety
Parent(s) or Guardians must
participate in all Tiger Cub activities
and Pack meetings. All parents are
encouraged to participate in or lead
Den and Pack activities. Each Den
and Pack must also provide
registered adult leaders. The
Northern New Mexico District and
Great Southwest Council provide
basic-to-advanced adult leader
training at little or no cost.
Parents:
Advancement:
As a parent, you can be assured
that Boys Scouting
As boys complete requirements,
perform service projects, and
participate in activities they earn
badges, belt loops, pins, and
beads.
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Encourages good citizenship
Teaches useful skills and
physical fitness
Supports moral and ethical
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The highest award in Cub
Scouts is the Arrow of Light.
This award satisfies all the
joining requirements for the
transition to Boy Scouting.
• Pack number
• Meeting locations and times
• Sample yearly activity
calendar
• Lots of pictures
• Phone numbers for those
interested to contact
Conducting the Recruitment Night
• WELCOMING COMMENTS
• OPENING FLAG CEREMONY
• INTRODUCE PACK VOLUNTEERS AND BOY
SCOUTS
• TONIGHT’S PURPOSE
– Provide information on Cub Scouting
– Get families involved in Cub Scout Pack
– Collect registration forms and fees
Conducting the Recruitment Night
• PURPOSES OF CUB SCOUTING
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Year-round, family oriented program for elementary school age boys
Character development
Spiritual growth
Good citizenship
Sportsmanship and fitness
Respectful relationships
Personal achievement
Friendly service
Fun and adventure
Preparation for Boy Scouts
Conducting the Recruitment Night
• METHODS OF CUB SCOUTING
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Ideals
Dens
Advancement
Family involvement
Activities
Home and neighborhood centered
Uniform
Making character connections
Conducting the Recruitment Night
• FUN OF CUB SCOUTING
– Activities
• WHAT CUB SCOUTING COSTS
– $20
– Covers youth and adult registration
– Boy’s Life Magazine
– First Handbook
– Bobcat Book
Conducting the Recruitment Night
• WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TONIGHT?
– Complete applications
– Turn in registration money
– Write down date, time, location of your son’s first
Den and Pack meetings
– Write down leader’s names and contact
information
• THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING
Recruitment Night Checklist
• AFTER Recruitment Night
– Turn in applications and money to the Scout Office
(top copy of application)
– Give Packs a copy of the completed applications
$20 Joining Fee
• $20 Joining Fee. Covers the following:
– Youth registration fee until the end of the year
– Adult registration fee until the end of the year
– Boy’s Life Magazine fee until the end of the year
– Voucher for your first Cub Scout Handbook
– Bobcat Book
Recruitment Night Materials
• Promotional Materials for Unit Volunteers
– Online order form to get materials
– Flyers
– Bookmarks
– Postcards
– Boy’s Life Mini Magazines
– Yard Signs
– Roster Forms & pens
Recruitment Night Materials
• Unit Recruitment Night Materials for
District/Council Volunteers
– Sign-in Rosters
– Money Envelope with Receipts and Stapler
– Directional Signs with Tape
– Applications – Youth and Adult with Pens
– Cub Scout Handbook Vouchers
– Parent’s Guides
– Bobcat Books
Recruitment Night Responsibilities
• District/Council Volunteers – RUN NIGHT
– Greet Families as they Arrive
– Introduce Pack Leadership
– Give Effective Cub Scouting Presentation
– Get Families to Complete Application Forms and
Pay Fees
– Turn in Completed Applications
and Fees
Recruitment Night Responsibilities
• Pack Volunteers – PROMOTE NIGHT
– Meet with Principal – gain approval
– Set Recruitment Night
– Promote at Back to School Night
– Conduct Boy Talks
– Arrange for flyer distribution
– Create list of Pack activities - Bring displays
– Assist at Recruitment Night
– Incorporate New Families
Recruitment Night Responsibilities
• Unit Commissioners – ENCOURAGE
– Encourage Packs to participate in Fall Recruitment
plan
– Encourage Packs to really promote Recruitment
Night in their schools
– Mentor Pack leadership to incorporate new
families into their unit
Recruitment Night Responsibilities
• Professional Staff – ORGANIZE & SUPPORT
– Recruit volunteers to run recruitment nights
– Assist in setting recruitment night dates
– Prepare promotional materials
– Help volunteers be successful
Recruitment Night Timeline
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Set Recruitment Night Dates
Determine Back to School Nights
Order Promotional Materials
Distribute Flyers to Schools
Other Promotional Strategies
Conduct Boy Talks
Conduct Recruitment Nights
Turn in Applications and Money
Recruitment Night Incentive
• Earn FREE Pinewood Derby Cars for all active
youth members by:
– Distributing Flyers in School(s)
– Promotional Table at Back to School Night(s)
– Conducting Boy Talks in School(s)
– Invite Boy Scouts to assist with Recruitment Night
presentation
– Recruit 18 new boys into your Pack
by October 31st
Next Steps
• Thank you for attending!
• PACK VOLUNTEERS - Set Recruitment Nights
and promote
• DISTRICT/COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS – Sign up to
run a Recruitment Night in your
neighborhood
• GOAL – Recruit 18+ new families into Cub
Scouting in each Pack