The Unit Membership Plan What is it and why have one?

Objectives The purpose of this training:  To reinforce why it is so important for a unit to have a membership plan  To encourage units to focus on the planning of membership recruitment and retention

Why do we need a unit membership plan?  Your unit membership plan will provide the framework to be engaged in your council’s strategic plan.  It should be a collaborative effort between the unit membership chair and district membership chair with support from the executive staff.

Do we really need a plan?  “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.” ― Yogi BerraYogi Berra  “Success doesn't just happen. It's planned for.” ― AnonymousAnonymous “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin

Unit membership plan elements 1.Identify and verify currently registered members 2.Unit membership analysis/goal 3.Plans for membership growth 4.Community partnership

Identify and verify currently registered members Review registration membership rosters from council office. Check unit attendance roster.

Unit membership analysis/goals Track three-year historical membership. Track three-year retention rate by name of registered youth. Track three-year advancement. Set a goal for the number of new youth who will join the unit in the next 3 years.

Unit membership analysis/ goals (cont.) Project the number of Tiger Cubs who will be recruited to start a new den (Cub Scouts). Project the number of Boy Scouts who will be recruited to start a new patrol (Boy Scouts). Project the number of new youth who will be recruited to replace members who have moved on (Venturing).

Plans for membership growth: Cub Scout packs Use Tiger Cub recruitment plan to recruit youth and leaders. Recruit new youth from first through fourth grades. Recruit and train a full pack committee. Conduct activity in the community to promote Scouting. Plan and conduct a sign-up rally.

Plans for membership growth: Cub Scout packs (cont.) Conduct a call night for youth who did not renew memberships. Plan and carry out Webelos-to-Scout transition. Take part in two activities with a troop. Recruit two or more Tiger Cub leaders.

Plans for membership growth: Boy Scout troop Schedule and conduct a troop open house. Schedule and conduct a peer-to-peer recruitment activity. Schedule and conduct a Webelos-to-Scout transition. Recruit new youth in the fifth through the eighth grades. Send a letter to the parents of youth who did not renew. Conduct a Boy Scout High Adventure Survey

Plans for membership growth: Venturing crews Recruit new Venturing members in the eighth grade. Identify troops to share crew information. Recruit and train new Venturing officers. Conduct interest survey. Conduct Venturing open house. Review best practices and implement strategies found in the Venturing Leader Manual. Schedule and conduct a peer-to-peer recruitment activity.

Community partnership Have unit conduct a minimum of two service projects benefitting the chartered organization. Be visible within the community. Wear Scouting uniform in community events:  Scouting for Food  Parades  Welcome back to school  Street fairs  Local sports events  BSA Adopt-a-School

 Membership Committee Guide  Membership Campaign Council Guide  Selecting District People  Strengthening Organizations Through Scouting  Membership plans  Membership impact staff  Membership chairs website link  BeAScout.org resources  Membership resources

Final thoughts “ A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ― Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.” ― Peter F. DruckerPeter F. Drucker “If you don’t know exactly where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?” ― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being FreeSteve MaraboliLife, the Truth, and Being Free “Man does not plan to fail, he just fails to plan.” ― Frederick Douglass, A Will to Be Free 1Frederick DouglassA Will to Be Free 1

Thank you