Back-to-School Bonanza 2016 Fall Recruiting Four Rivers District / Baltimore Area Council John J. Boia District Vice Chair / Membership jboia@comcast.net

Fall Recruiting Sneak-Peek Events – late August Back-to-School Nights – throughout September Join Scouting Night – before September 30 New Member Packets Incentive Program – “Rocket Into Scouting” Cub Scout Adventure Day – Saturday, October 22 Fees and Dues Turning in Registrations Closing The Deal

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Sneak-Peek Events Some schools have a special event in August where parents get an early chance to see the school, meet teachers, and get ready for the school year. Find out WHEN and ask for PERMISSION to be there! Ask if you can set up a tent or display area. Be prepared to give out fliers, stickers, bracelets. Ask current Cub Scouts to help as recruiters. GOAL: Awareness

School Night Arrange to have a table at your local elementary school on the night(s) when parents and children come in to meet the teachers. You do not need a Rec & Parks school use form. Just get permission from the principal/staff. Ask current Cub Scouts to come in uniform and show off their Scouting pride! GOALS INVITE people to visit your Pack for a “Join Scouting” event. EXCHANGE contact information

School Night Staff Display items Giveaway items Male and female adult leaders and helpful parents Cub Scouts in uniform Display items Poster Board, Pictures, or Scrapbook Video or Slideshow Pack flag Patches!!! Pinewood Derby cars and other sample craft projects Giveaway items Recruiting flyers – point out meeting time/place and leader contacts Be-A-Scout bracelets, stickers, business cards

School Night Exchange contact information! Collect sign-up information for contacting parents. Child’s name, grade, parent name, phone, email Give them a flier with contact info for your Pack. Leaders info, email, website, meeting time/place Follow-up! Remind them about your upcoming meetings.

Join Scouting Night Official sign-up night for Pack (or Troop) PLAN and PREPARE. Who is helping you? Who is bringing materials? Who is planning activities for the kids? If you aren’t organized, FAKE IT. Distribute the “New Member Packets”. Set up a “Sports-style” signup process. GOAL: Completed and paid youth applications

New Member Packets National items Unit-specific Items BSA Youth Application “Welcome to our Pack” letter Annual Health & Med. Record (Search “Scouting Forms” or 680-001_AB.pdf) Meeting times and places Leaders contact info. Fees and dues structure Email, website, social media Council-supplied items Pack Calendar Suitable for framing ? “So You’re the Parent of a New Cub Scout” booklet Extra recruiting fliers to pass along to friends and neighbors Scout Shop information Sheet Parent & Family Talent Survey

New Member Packets Optional Contents Permission slips for fall campout, Webelos Woodsmoke, etc. Popcorn take-order sheet and custom instruction sheet Uniform inspection sheet (patch placement) Stuff the envelopes WELL IN ADVANCE Or... use it to collect paperwork during sports-style signup Not organized? FAKE IT.

Rocket into Scouting Membership incentive program New Cub Scouts get a free rocket kit upon joining. When they turn in an application and payment Packs can make rocket building an early activity. Scouts are invited to register for Adventure Day.

Cub Scout Adventure Day Saturday, October 22, 2016 Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds Crownsville, MD Online registration Rockets and engines will be available there Other activities planned Stay tuned!

Fees and Dues BSA Member Fee is $24 per year. BAC Insurance Fee is $4 per year. How much do we pay for new members? MONTH Mem. Ins. Total August $10 $1.70 $11.70 September $ 8 $1.36 $ 9.36 October $ 6 $1.02 $ 7.02 November $ 4 $0.68 $ 4.68 Boys’ Life magazine – add extra $1 per month. www.baltimorebsa.org --> Resources --> Registration

Turn-in Registrations Youth Applications Is it complete with grade, school, phone, email? Signed by parent and unit leader (Cubmaster or Cmte Chair)? Boy’s Life checked? Proper payment??? Adult Applications Complete information? Including self-reported background? Background check page signed? Signed by volunteer, Cmte Chair, and Exec. Or COR ??? YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING certificate? Where to turn-in? Scout Shop (courier); BAC HQ; Your UC; District or Roundtable meetings

Closing the Deal Recruiting new Scouts and families means… A promise to deliver a quality program Open and transparent finances and event planning Managing expectations Adherence to BSA policies Guide to Safe Scouting A standing invitation for parents to get involved and help Recruiting new Scout leaders means… Getting them the help and resources they need Explaining to Scouts and parents how the program works Trusting them to do their jobs but always offering help Following any additional requirements from your Chartered Org.

Questions?