1. Publicizing Your Unit
“Less is More”

2. Publicizing Your Unit
The goal is to help each unit develop a basic, yet effective, PR program.
Keep it simple….Sometimes “Less Is More”
Focus on Community Newspapers
Community Newspapers need and want your articles….it is their lifeblood.

3. Press Releases The most common of all public relations tools.
Should communicate key information.
Provide the who, what, when, where, why, and how of an event or issue.
Should include Photos, Photos, Photos, Photos
Includes contact information for newspaper follow-up

4. Why Publicize Your Unit? “Refrigerator Door Marketing”
Your Unit must be visible in your Community
Community newspapers want and need your articles
Scouting should not be a well kept secret
Articles on family Refrigerator Doors across the country keep Scouting at the center of family activities

5. The Value of Refrigerator Door Marketing
Directly impacts membership recruiting-Boys want to have fun
Makes parents feel good about being involved
Increases retention—”We made the right choice”
Provides public recognition of success
Increases fundraising by demonstrating the value of Scouting to parents, charter partners and your community
Increases awareness of Scouting in your community

6. Getting Started-Keep It Simple
1. Recruit a Unit PR Chairperson
Reports to Committee Chair/Scoutmaster
Coaches the PR Scout
2. In Troops, Crews & Posts, recruit a PR Scout (e.g. Troop Historian)
Take/collect photos at events, Courts of Honor, summer camp and outings FUN and RECOGNITION is KEY
Draft articles for Community Newspaper
Creates a Unit PR binder for Unit History and recruiting

7. Getting Started-Keep It Simple
3. Develop an Annual Plan
Look for events or activities to share in your community
Set realistic goals: one submission per month, every other month or quarterly
4. Decide Which Media Outlets to Use
Community newspapers
Charter organization newsletters
BSA Outlets: Council, Unit newsletters
Online only publications for articles, calendar postings
Other

8. Getting Started-Keep It Simple
5. Call your Local Community Newspaper
Find out who you should be dealing with and submission rules
Introduce yourself and explain what you are trying to do
A good rapport with the media increases the chances your material is used
Know submission deadlines
Know the format desired

9. Eagle Scout Recognition
Provide guidance for each new Eagle Scout and his family to publically recognize his achievement
Publicize the Service Project
Include the newsletter of the organization which benefits from the Service Project
Publicize the Court of Honor with pictures and article
See the example for Eagle Scout Press Releases

10. Plan
Taking photos?
Use the Council talent release form for permission to use Scout’s image for press releases, news stories, or other publicity
Obtain releases as part of annual registration

11. Unit PR Guidebook A BSA publication which includes:
News Release Guidelines
General Rules to Follow
Alternate Publicity Ideas
Examples
Media Contact Information

12. Other Helpful Tools PR Release Template
(Microsoft Word Document)
Download from Web site and Save to Your Computer
Complete with Event Information

13. Other Helpful Tools Talent Release Form
(Microsoft Word Document)
Have on file for each Scout before using their individual information or picture in publicity

14. Examples

15. Examples

16. Contact Information
COUNCIL CONTACT INFORMATION
DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION
UNIT COMMISSIONER
NATIONAL WEBSITE