MEMBERSHIP TRAINING SERIES Unit 1 - Introduction to Membership Training TRN101 Created by Mike Dutton, Massabesic District, Daniel Webster Council © 2014

Modules Unit 1 – Introduction Unit 2 – PR and Marketing Unit 3 – Unit, District and Council Interaction Unit 4 – Pack Specific Unit 5 – Troop Specific Unit 6 – Crew Specific

Prerequisites Before you start this unit, you should complete the following materials. These are available at under the E-Learning menu item on the left side. –Youth Protection Training –This is Scouting –For Pack Leaders – Den Leader Fast Start, Den Leader Specific (Start with Tigers), Pack Committee Fast Start. –For Troop Leaders – Fast Start: Boy Scouting, Troop Committee Challenge. –For Crew Leaders – Fast Start: Venturing.

Download and review the Membership and Marketing (M&M) Chair 2014 Workbook. –This training series will references certain items in the M&M Workbook. –This training series was created locally in the Daniel Webster Council and should NOT be considered a substitute for any BSA created training series. 4

Goals of this Module Know and be able to discuss the Scouting goals. Know the 3 pillars of successful Scout operations. Know the Membership Chair duties and responsibilities.

Scouting's Mission Statement The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Scout Law A Scout is: –Trustworthy –Loyal –Helpful –Friendly –Courteous –Kind –Obedient –Cheerful –Thrifty –Brave –Clean –Reverent

Scout Oath On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Vision Statement The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law. 9

3 parts of a successful organization Program –Having a great program dramatically increases your youth and unit retention. –Numerous resources available. –Having youth attend resident camp significantly increases the length of time a youth stays in scouting. Finance –Necessary to fund program. –Teaches youth financial responsibility. Membership

For most units, has been the weak link. For us in Scouting, we know what the program can deliver to youth. But there are many venues for parents to direct their youth today. Scouting is not the only game in town. Retention, outreach and recruitment occurs locally in the community. –The Council and District are there to support you but they cannot replace unit membership work. 11

Unit Membership Chairperson The unit membership chairman position was created to support packs, troops, and crews in the unit as they strive to increase and retain members in the Scouting program. The person in this position, along with the other members of the unit, will ensure access to an active, exciting, fun-filled, and adventuresome program. 12

Top 5 Reasons to Have a Unit Membership Chairperson and Committee Unit volunteer to develop a unit membership plan Unit volunteer to create materials highlighting units in the media Unit volunteer to contact families who did not renew in the unit Unit volunteer who will work with the district membership chairman and unit Commissioner Unit volunteer who will make sure youth in the community get an opportunity to join the unit 13

Duties (BSA website) Meet with the unit leaders and committee monthly to discuss membership and retention. Encourage unit to hold recruitment/Scouting promotion events every year to ensure unit growth using peer-to-peer recruitment method. Distribute membership fliers to schools and churches in the Unit’s area. Refer to pages 2 – 7 of the M&M Workbook. 14

Encourage unit to conduct Scouting rallies and boy talks in schools, leveraging council support when needed. Attend the district’s membership chairman training sessions, which will focus on best practices. Encourage unit involvement in the required number of Adopt-A-School service or community service projects needed for Scouting’s Journey to Excellence score. 15

Ensure that new youth and adult applications, along with funds, are completed and turned in to the council service center within a week after receipt of the applications. Work with the unit committee to ensure the unit reaches Scouting’s Journey to Excellence gold status in membership. Update the unit’s BeAScout pin and follow up with leads. Create and implement a unit membership plan. 16

Work with the district transition chairman to encourage Scouts to transition to the age- appropriate program as they grow older. Conduct an annual customer satisfaction survey of current Scout families. 17

WHEW! Yes, it is extensive but it needs to be done. Once set up, it becomes easier. 18

Who Makes a Good Chairperson? Someone who sees the value of Scouting and can be a CHEERLEADER for the program. An outgoing person. Someone who can delegate some of the duties. Someone who is reliable and can operate under deadlines such as Spring and Autumn Round up/Rally dates. 19

Summary Membership needs to be part of a unit’s DNA. It is a big job to set up, but it gets easier. The Membership Chair needs to know their stuff and be enthusiastic about the program. 20

Resources Mission and Vision Statement spx spx Membership Chair BSA Video ecruitment/Membership_Chairman.aspx ecruitment/Membership_Chairman.aspx Membership Committee Guide pdf pdf 21

Pack Membership Chair uth_Recruitment/Membership_Chairman/cubscout.a spx uth_Recruitment/Membership_Chairman/cubscout.a spx 22

Questions Please Mike Dutton at MassabesicDistrict