How to Attract New Members to Cub Scouts
The Boy Scouts of America is an organization that helps young men build confidence, learn important real world skills and make lasting friendships. While recruiting new members is essential to ensuring that the program continues, the process is only as successful as the amount of effort Scout leaders contribute. Many young boys and their parents may not even know that there is a Cub Scout Troop -- or "Pack" -- in their town. By making connections in the community, dispersing promotional material and becoming involved with local schools, Cub Scout leaders can build a strong troop and find adult volunteers to serve as future leaders.
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Instructions
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Request a meeting with the school principle in your area. Offer ways in which the Cub Scouts can be involved in the school through volunteer service, demonstrations or flag ceremonies. Discuss holding a recruitment meeting for interested boys and their families in the beginning of the school year. Inquire about making classroom visits to drum up interest prior to the meeting.
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Set a date for the recruitment meeting in the first two weeks of the school year. Check the school's calendar to avoid scheduling conflicts. By planning early, you will avoid losing students to other activities.
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Order promotional materials at least three weeks before the meeting. The Cub Scouts has ready-make stickers, flyers, banners and yard signs. Contact your District Executive to place an order.
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Set up an information booth or distribute flyers at local sporting events, community centers, libraries or parks with details about the recruitment meeting. Inform community members about what the Cub Scouts do and how they can get involved.
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Seek out the attention of parents. Set up a table or post flyers at grocery stores, shopping centers, child care centers or gyms. Inform parents about the beneficial impact Cub Scouts can have on their son.
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Contact local real estate agents and ask them to add an information packet on the Cub Scouts in the welcome packet they give to for new residents.
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Ask the school to promote the meeting via their website, newsletter, school newspaper or marquee.
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Get current members to help with the recruiting process. Encourage them to bring a non-Cub Scout friend to the meeting.
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Encourage parents of Cub Scout members to get involved in the recruiting process. Ask them to talk to friends, co-workers or neighbors about getting their sons involved the Cub Scouts.
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Place sandwich board or yard signs in high-traffic areas of town with details about the meeting. Request permission from the property owners before posting any signs.
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Hold a lunchtime or playground demonstration with costumes or games to get the boys' attention. Ask current members to share why they enjoy Cub Scouts. Hand out stickers or flyers with the date and time of the meeting.
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Visit classrooms one or two days before the recruitment meeting. Show enthusiasm for the program, while reminding boys to attend with a parent. Pass out stickers and flyers.
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