Successful Recruitment Events Purpose, Plan, Promotion & Program Successful Recruitment Events

OVERVIEW Purpose of Recruiting Events Plan Promotion Program

PURPOSE of recruiting event To give every boy the opportunity to join Recruit new leadership Start new units Increase community awareness Strengthen relations with our schools

PLAN (checklist for success!) Coordinate recruitment dates and times with principals Order Flyers, Stickers & Promotional Items Attend District Kick-off and pick up supplies Organize volunteer manpower Identify leadership vacancies needed (Den Leaders, Committee Members etc.)

PLAN (checklist for success!) Execute Promotion (7 Points of contact) Hold Recruitment Event Recruit Parents Follow up with everyone who attends Turn in applications & money

How to execute the plan: 4 STEPS to a Successful Recruitment Event Organize Manpower Promotion & Boy Talks Execute Recruitment Event Tally Results and Celebrate!

STEP 1: Organize Manpower Unit Recruitment Event Coordinator Organizes and runs the recruitment event with the support of your District Facilitator Works with school to set date and reserve the facility Boy Talk Person(s) Coordinates with school, sets boy talk dates and times & does boy talks Activity Leaders Take youth to another location and do an activity (Example: Bobcat Badge) Extra Help Greeters, Helpers, Paperwork & Payment Coordinators

STEP 2: PROMOTION (7 points of contact) Posters (2 at each school) Flyers (2 rounds of flyers, 1st week of school & day of rally) Stickers (with Boy Talk) Back to school nights Call parents from PTA/PTO List Yard Signs & Road Banners

PROMOTION (7 points of contact) Radio Direct Mail (Council) TV (Council) School Marquees & Cafeteria Banners Morning Announcements PTA Meetings Have the boys make posters in den meeting Scout Uniform Day or T-shirt Day Sidewalk Chalk Local Newspapers Church Bulletins

Make every Cub Scout a recruiter PROMOTION Peer to Peer! Make every Cub Scout a recruiter with buddy cards Recruiter patch – Offer a Pack prize to the boy that is the top recruiter

Facebook PROMOTION Budget funds ($25-$75) to purchase advertising Ads show up directly in newsfeed Ads should focus on mothers spending time with their kids

PROMOTION – Boy Talks Most effective promotion Room to room = best results Assembly = good results Lunch room / Bus Stop = Ok results Rule #1 – Exude Excitement!!!

HOW TO DO A BOY TALK Hey everyone, I’m __________ with Pack ___ and I’m hear to invite all of you to join Cub Scouts! We’re going to play a little game to help teach you what activities Cub Scouts do! This game requires no talking. Everyone ready? Raise your hand if you like to _______. Ok Put your hands down. Raise your hand if you like to….. (Go swimming, go camping, shoot bb-guns, shoot bows and arrows, rock climb, go fishing, etc.) Do 4-5 of them Those are all thing that we do in Cub Scouts! And we want each of you to come and join Cub Scouts! So, tonight at 7:00pm, right here in your school cafeteria you can sign up to join Cub Scouts! And I’m going to give each of you a sticker that has all the information on it. Once again it’s tonight at 7:00pm, right here in your school cafeteria. So when you get home, show your parents this sticker and say I want to Join Cub Scouts! Thanks guys, see you tonight!

Tonight packs will receive: Step 3: PROGRAM Tonight packs will receive: Flyers (if pre-ordered) Stickers (if pre-ordered) Yard Signs Posters Membership recruitment pack presentation to parents Handout: 4 steps to a successful recruitment event

PROGRAM Your District Facilitator will bring to your recruitment event the following: Applications (Youth & Adult) Den Attendance Rosters Table Tents Boys Life Mini-Mags Pinewood Derby Cars Popcorn Sales Sheets Parent Information Guide with: Overview of Cub Scouts Bobcat Requirements Upcoming Cub Events Upcoming Trainings Scout Shop Info

PROGRAM – Agenda Gathering and Greeting Opening Ceremony Greeters meet boys and adults at the door and hand each family: Attendance Cards, Youth & Adult Applications, Boy’s Life Mini-Mag, Parent Guidebook Parents receive paperwork and sit with their prospective den (Table-Tent) Opening Ceremony Start on time & Conduct short flag ceremony Start membership recruitment event unit presentation PowerPoint, Ensure the PowerPoint has been updated with your pack’s information including pictures! Follow PowerPoint until slide #6 Cub Activity - Bobcat Badge / Other All new and current Cubs Scouts are taken to other location to work on Bobcat Badge You’ll need at least 2 adults Continue Presentation Presentation reviews: Pack Organization, parent involvement, training, Boys Life and registration fee’s, uniforms and fundraising Recruit pack vacancies using the Magic Circle

The Magic Circle Be sure that the group is divided into Dens: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light Appoint someone in the Den to take notes / be the scribe Ask him/her to write down the vacant positions needing filled List a position for all the adults at the table (nobody gets left out) Positions can be: Assistant Den Leader, Den Helper, Committee Member, Den Leader, etc. Inform the group that they must decide who will do each job. Leave the room Just say “We’ll let you talk amongst yourselves and will be back in a second.” You and the other people helping must leave the room or area at this time. Stay away at least five minutes Upon returning Provide adult applications for the new leaders If they haven’t made a decision or have questions. Answer their questions as simply as possible and then move on to the next table. Keep encouraging the parents to make a decision until you have a complete team. Don’t stand around the Den!

PROGRAM – Agenda Answer Questions, close meeting and collect paperwork Have youth recite Cub Scouts Promise and Sign Make sure everyone leaves with contact information and next meeting date Check all applications for parent signature, birth date and grade Verify parents contact information Collect all applications and money Ensure All Cub Scouts (who paid) receive their Pinewood Derby Car!

STEP 4: Tally Results and Celebrate Check applications against new den membership rosters & attendance cards, follow up with any missed Remove all extra copies and sort boy’s applications by grade Arrange payment with your District facilitator District facilitator will turn in applications and money

FOLLOW UP Reminders: Schedule second recruitment event if needed Follow up with families that left and didn’t pay, sign-up or have application problems Thank you cards to principals and key volunteers Reminders: Start and end on time. Recruitment event should be no more than 60 minutes. Involve everyone! Keep things simple, lively and moving! Make sure every one leaves with contact information for Pack leadership