Conducting a Parent Orientation

Opening Comments Brett Montich Rocket Into Scouting Chair

Campaign Objectives Simplify the sign-up process for families and leaders. Develop and implement a balanced approach to membership and marketing. Provide consistency in programming across the council. Build excitement in healthy units to drive retention. 3

Timeline Spring Summer – Start of School Year September 30 Approx. 1 Week after Sign-Up October – November Pack assessments Identify unit needs & develop a plan to address Secure unit coordinator Meet with schools Secure sign- up location “Sports style” sign-up nights throughout the council, preferably in schools or other highly- visible locations Provide families with next steps Applications & national fees submitted at county turn-in locations Yard signs, newspapers, billboards, marquees, bulletins, posters, ads, PSAs (focus on chartered partners!) School talks & fliers Establish expectations Provide program overview Review financial commitment and collect unit dues Identify youth not registered Continue recruiting Encourage new recruits to attend first outdoor activity Training sessions and webinars held

Webinar Objectives Understand where the Parent Orientation fits in to the overall plan timeline. Understand some recruitment principles. Review best practices about running the orientation. Know where to get additional resources. 5

Housekeeping We’ll open it up for questions and comments at the end of the presentation. As you think of questions/comments during the presentation, write them down or use the chat box. When we unmute participants for questions, please mute your phones unless you’re talking. 6

Effective Recruiting Greg Osborn Director of Field Service

The Six P’s of Recruiting 1.Purpose 2.Plan 3.Promote 4.Present 5.Parents 6.Persistence 8

The Six P’s of Recruiting (cont.) Purpose – Have a clear purpose: Every boy deserves the chance to be a Scout. Sign up Cub Scouts and Webelos into existing packs. Recruit parents to be unit leaders and committee members. Identify areas we are not currently serving. You are "Here for the boys.” Help every boy succeed, not just your own. Help every unit succeed, not just your own. Plan – Involve everyone in the plan: Ask every leader to participate. You need everyone's help that night and as you publicize the event. Ask your district for help with informational fliers and posters. Ask other units to buddy up with you. "A Scout is Helpful.” Work with each other. 9

The Six P’s of Recruiting (cont.) 10 Promote – A new Scout will rarely find you: Ask each Scout to invite two friends. Referrals are your best prospects. If their buddies join, your Scouts are more likely to stay in too. Show them the Recruiter Strip they can earn. Ask your chartered organization to distribute your fliers. Go to their meeting and show them all you do. Ask your committee to take recruiting fliers to PTO, Religious Organizations, Sunday Schools, sports teams, clubs, etc. Ask local newspapers to run an article about a recent event and include details of your upcoming orientation. Ask local radio, TV stations, and cable providers to run Public Service Announcements you can get from your district. Ask if you can do fliers, boy talks, and an open house in area schools. Your district executive should have contacts with school administrators. Ask your past prospects who have not signed up yet to come this time. You may need to invite them several times.

The Six P’s of Recruiting (cont.) 11 Present – The Parent Orientation Parents – Scouts with involved parents are more likely to stay in Scouts. Scouts with “drive-by” parents won’t last. Pack Family Talent Survey Sheet – Give one to every adult at your Parent Orientation. Adult Application – Give one to every adult at your Parent Orientation. 100 Points of Scouting – Give one to every adult at your Parent Orientation. Persistence Call everyone who signed up to again welcome them and confirm information. Do not rely just on . Call everyone who didn't sign up in a few days and see if they have any questions. Call your prospects again in a week. People often need to be asked several times.

The Parent Orientation Meeting Dave Bryan Senior District Executive

When? 13 Approx. one week after the September 30 Sign-Up Night. Why? Establish expectations and communicate the program plan and financial commitment.

Keys to Success Get there early Start & end on time Be energetic Be organized Have plenty of help

Who Should Attend? Parent Orientation Coordinator Cubmaster Committee Chair Den Leaders Charter Organization Representative Den Chiefs Troop support 15

What Should You Bring? Pack Info Kits (to hand out to each family) –New Cub Scout Family Orientation Guide –Pack calendar –Pack budget –Pack leadership roster –100-Point Parent Participation/Family Talent Survey Sheet Pack Display Items –Pictures/video/slide show –Pinewood Derby cars –Patches, shirts, event souvenirs –Sample handbooks –Sample uniform Other Possible Items –Fliers for upcoming events/activities –Popcorn order/prize forms –Boy’s Life mini magazines –Unit handbook (if any) –Adult & youth BSA applications 16

Parent Orientation Agenda Gathering & Greeting (20-30 minutes prior to opening) –Plenty of greeters to welcome new families; Sign-in; Pass-out name badges –Gathering activity for youth Opening (10 minutes) –Opening Flag Ceremony –Very brief remarks; leader introductions Cub Activity Breakout (30 minutes) –Held during Parent Presentation –Distribute & build rockets and/or STEM activity 17

Parent Orientation Agenda (cont’d) Parent Presentation (30 minutes during Cub Activity) –Benefits of Cub Scouts/“Adding Machine Tape” or similar –Pack organization –Pack activity overview –Benefits of parent participation –Financial commitment: dues, uniforms, activity fees, fundraising –Q&A Regroup & Closing (20 minutes) –Collect dues and Parent Participation/Talent Survey sheets from each family –Thank families for attending –Announce next meeting/activity –Closing Flag Ceremony –Light refreshments/one-on-one with families 18

After the Meeting Den leader phone calls to all new families Follow-up with electronic versions of handouts Submit any new applications to your district executive Follow-up phone calls to prospective leaders next meeting reminders Rocket Launch Event! 19

Resources Parent Orientation Guide template Parent Orientation slideshow & discussion guide Calendar template Family Talent Survey Envelopes for each family Mini Boy’s Life mags Pens Rockets! STEM meeting plans colbsa.org/rocket 20

ROCKET INTO SCOUTING Feedback & Questions

Closing Comments Brett Montich Rocket Into Scouting Chair

THANK YOU! colbsa.org/rocket