1. U of S - Class 205 Recruiting and Retaining Cub Scout Leaders
Thanks to for the clipart

2. Agenda Why Leadership? The Tools of the Recruiting Trade
Pre-Planning is Important
How to Get Parents to Volunteer
How to Get Parents to Become Leaders
How to Get Parents to Become Tiger Den Leaders
How to Recruit a Cubmaster
It’s Only ONE Hour a Week
We Have a Leader – Now What?
Magical Tips
Final Thoughts

3. Why Leadership? Because it provides a quality program for all Scouts
 Boys last longer, achieve more when a parent is involved
 Kids choose value paths between ages of 8-15
 No second chance; must spend time helping them grow NOW
Good Cub Packs have Good Leaders
Every Den needs - a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader
Every Pack needs - a Cubmaster and an Assistant Cubmaster
All leaders should be:
Registered
 Chartered Organization approval
 Insurance
 Background check
Trained
 Every Cub deserves a Trained Leader
 Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, Youth Protection, Position specific
 Informed – Scouting magazine, Roundtables

4. The Tools of the Recruiting Trade
THE APPLICATION
PARENT TALENT SURVEY
MANY THANK YOU’S
TRAINING
PROMISES
KEEP IT SIMPLE
ENTHUSIASM

5. Pre-Planning is Important
Need to get leaders in place BEFORE they get involved in other things
The Pack Program
Should be in place (Annual Pack Planning meeting)
Do this 2-4 weeks ahead of recruiting
Should be FUN!!
Use the plan to ATTRACT new people at recruitment
The Pack Schedule
Be sensitive to other conflicts (sports)
Fridays - good night for pack meetings
Registration / Recruitment Night
Schedule for early September (3rd week of school)
Get all current leaders involved
Get Cubs involved
Have materials ready
Handbooks, advancement plan, pictures, Fast Start CD

6. How to Get Parents to Volunteer
Let them know they are needed to make an activity successful
- May spark a desire to serve the pack/troop
Find out their interests, hobbies, field of study
- Invite them to share their talents: “Could you help us with….?”
- Wolf/Bear requirements
- Webelos activity pins
- Nature hike
- Service opportunities
- Use the “Parent and Family Talent Survey” form
- Helps identify future chair people and unique skills
Check out the neighborhood
- Someone may not have Scout-age sons…
…BUT may still be able to help you
- Grandparents, relatives, retirees, former Scouters   

7. How to Get Parents to Volunteer
Make a rule - “Every family must volunteer for at least one job.”
- Have an annual parents' meeting with a sign up sheet
- Every pack needs chair people
Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold, Awards, Advancement, Popcorn, Treasurer, Training, etc.
- Every boy deserves to see his parent be a Cub Scouting Hero
Invite parents to attend committee meetings
- It demystifies the complexity. Scouting is SIMPLE!
- "We'd love to have your input."
Public recognition and thanks for helping (Certificate or other token)
 Most important – Your personal commitment and enthusiasm!! 

8. How to Get Parents to Become Leaders
 Recruitment Night – Bait and Hook
- The bait: sell the Pack, sell the Scouting program
- Hook the boy, then the parent
ASK – don’t WAIT
- Very few adults volunteer to help; most wait to be asked
- Be positive, be sincere
“It’s clear that you are the best person for the job. Can your son and the other boys in this den count on your support as their leader?”
Look for new siblings
- One Parent with 2 Cubs = Potential Leader
 “But I wasn’t a Scout as a kid…”
- “Some of the best leaders in our Council weren’t Scouts as kids”
- “We have training to make you successful”

9. How to Get Parents to Become Tiger Den Leaders
Sign up parents as adult partners at registration
Schedule a parent’s meeting in advance
1st Sell - Scouting is a family program
2nd Sell - Kids can’t start without leaders
Plan A-B-C
 Plan A – Solicit a leader
 Plan B – Solicit co-leaders
"If I get one other person to share the
responsibility, will you co-lead?"
 Plan C – Suggest a revolving role to start with
Make a final leader selection in Nov-Dec
Adjourn only when a Plan commitment is made
Get contact info from everyone – phone numbers,

10. How to Recruit a Cubmaster
 The CM is the guiding hand and program advisor
- He/she is recruiter, supervisor, director, planner, and motivator
- When the son graduates, the leader usually graduates
 Recruited by the pack committee
- Select based on qualifications, not because no one else will do it
- Pick several candidates, then down select
- Previous Scouting experience is helpful
- Tenure should be 2 years minimum (continuity, CM award)
- The ACM is the logical successor
- Get 1-2 ACMs on board – look for a Wolf or Bear Cub parent
 Once recruited, help get them started!
- Fast Start Video, Program Helps
- Pamphlet - So You're a New Cubmaster
- Cub Scout Leader book (BSA No B)
 When all else fails
- Get help from the chartered organization or unit commissioner

11. “It’s Only 1 Hour a Week”
Almost. (We all know it takes considerably longer.)
But…a lot can be accomplished in an hour every week.
During the next year (52 hours), a parent can:
- Attend 12 pack meetings or activities with him, and
- Help him through 12 achievements in his Wolf or Bear Book, or
- Help him through the 5 Family and 5 Go See It Tiger requirements and
- Help him earn 1 Gold Arrow Point and 10 Silver Arrow Points.
The most precious gift a parent can give to their son is their
 time 
“Is your son worth one hour of your time each week?”

12. We Have a Leader! Now What?
 Follow-up!!!!!!!
 Welcome them to the Pack
- Formal induction ceremony
- Newsletter write-up or Web Page update
 Stage their training
- Immediate – Fast Start, Leader Specific
- Next – Get them to Roundtables
- Save advanced training for later (Baloo, U of S, Wood Badge)
 Reminder – “You only need to plan, not invent”
- Everything has already been solved
- Use the “Program Helps”
 Keep them “In the Loop”
- Make them feel a part of the team and appreciated
- Help them and keep in touch with them frequently

13. Magical Tips ASK – don’t WAIT
Making a general announcement may not get results…
“We need an Assistant Cubmaster. Please see me if
you are interested”
…but tapping a specific person on the shoulder may
“You know, you really work well with the boys. I think you’d make a wonderful leader and I’m sure the boys would like it.
How about it?”
 Hang up the phone. Do it face-to-face
Ease them in
Helper  Chairperson  Assistant Leader  Full registered Leader
Don’t overwhelm them
- One step at a time on training and responsibilities
 Make the monthly “Pack Leader” meeting a “Pack Parent” meeting
- Gets more people involved
- Meetings are not just for pack leaders

14. Final Thoughts Recruit Every Parent - Eliminate the “drop and runs”
 Encourage leaders to put on a uniform – They’ll feel more important
 Protect your Den Leaders - They are VERY important!
- The program runs on DLs
- Keep them happy and productive
Don't pile extra duties on them
Their only job is to lead the den
ALWAYS: Thank everyone who helps – Leaders and volunteers
“Scouting doesn’t take time from your son – It makes time with your son”
“If parents don’t run Scouting, Scouting doesn’t run”