Getting Parents Involved How to recruit, train and retain adults in your unit CS - 42

Parent Recruitment

Cub Scouts Why do parents want their boys involved in Cub Scouts? Teach them values Help boys develop Master new skills Learn to get along Involve them in active fun like they had as a Cub Scout Other reasons?

Cub Scouts Why do boys join Cub Scouts?Why do boys join Cub Scouts? FUNFUN Activities Camping Challenge

Cub Scouts Why does the BSA want boys to join Cub Scouts? "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."

Cub Scouts Why are WE here?Why are WE here? You are taking this class because you realize you need help to accomplish your role in completing the above missions. I am teaching this class because I want to see you successful in your role, I have served Scouting in multiple roles, and I have successfully gotten parents involved.

Cub Scouts When do you recruit parents?When do you recruit parents? a)At JOIN SCOUTING night b)Before major Pack activities c)To lead ‘Go See It’ events d)To bring snacks to a Den meeting e)All of the above, recruiting never ends Answer is (e) – Recruiting never ends

Cub Scouts Why do parents want their boys involved in Cub Scouts? Teach them values Help boys develop Master new skills Learn to get along Involve them in active fun like they had as a Cub Scout Other reasons?

Cub Scouts 12 Core Values of Cub Scouting12 Core Values of Cub Scouting Citizenship Compassion Cooperation Courage Faith Health & Fitness Honesty Perseverance Positive Attitude Resourcefulness Respect Responsibility

Cub Scouts 10 Purposes of Cub Scouting10 Purposes of Cub Scouting Character Development Spiritual Growth Good Citizenship Sportsmanship and Fitness Family Understanding Respectful Relationships Personal Achievement Friendly Service Fun and Adventure Preparation for Boy Scouts

Cub Scouts Methods of Cub ScoutingMethods of Cub Scouting The Ideals – Motto, Law, Salute, etc. The Den Advancement Parent Involvement Activities Home and Neighborhood Centered The Uniform

Cub Scouts Parent InvolvementParent Involvement Cub Scouting is a family program – Families strengthen Cub Scouting – Cub Scouting strengthens families Parents support and encourage Cub Scouts to stay involved as they advance Parents provide the leadership for the Pack

Cub Scouts Cub Scout ProgramCub Scout Program Fitness Family Values Down on the Farm The Internet Game Pinewood Derby Grand Prix Raceway US Navy Adventure Holiday Time

Cub Scouts What does it take to join Cub Scouts? Your Interest Your Commitment Your Registration

Cub Scouts Your Interest – Its Your DecisionYour Interest – Its Your Decision Is Cub Scouting a program you want your son to be a part of? It may not be for everyone, but it would be hard to imagine a boy who wouldn’t benefit from being a Cub Scout

Cub Scouts Your Commitment - TimeYour Commitment - Time You have to be willing to spend time with your son and to assist him in the advancement program. The Pack also needs your time – Leaders from each den – Special projects (Fund raising, etc) – Participation in Pack/Den activities

Cub Scouts Lets think about out prioritiesLets think about out priorities We all are busy – So we shouldn’t say we are too busy We all want our sons to be successful – So we shouldn’t let someone else do it for us We all need help to do something new – So we shouldn’t say ‘we don’t know how’

Cub Scouts Reality Check!!Reality Check!! We make time for the things that are important to us. Nothing could be more IMPORTANT than growing our sons. And in Cub Scouting we have FUN while doing something really important for our sons!

Cub Scouts Resources for Adult LeadersResources for Adult Leaders Abundant training resources Nationally produced materials and plans for meetings (Program Helps) Cub Scout New Leader Kits My Cub Scout Wants to Camp (Circle 10 guide to camping with Cubs) Trained and knowledgeable Pack Leaders District Roundtables each month

Cub Scouts Time CommitmentTime Commitment Pack Committee Member – Attend monthly committee meeting and Pack meeting – Projects between meetings as needed Den Leaders – Den Meetings 2 to 3 per month for Cub Scouts 1 to 2 per month for Tiger Cubs – Monthly Pack Meeting – Monthly Pack Leaders Meeting

Cub Scouts Your Commitment - FinancialYour Commitment - Financial Registration fee ($10.00) Boys Life ($12.00) – we are a 100% Boys Life Pack Annual Pack Dues ($20.00 per family) Den Dues Uniform Special Activity Costs Friends of Scouting

Cub Scouts Your RegistrationYour Registration Registration forms are available right now! By signing the registration form, you will be indicating that you agree with the principles of the Boy Scouts of America and that you will support your son and the Pack in delivering the Cub Scout Program

Cub Scouts Recruiting RecapRecruiting Recap Let the parent know you are excited about their son joining, but this is a volunteer organization. If they want their son involved, they must do something with the unit to help. – This is also a parent/child organization. Their son needs to see their involvement, even if that involvement is not in front of the group. Know where you need help and recruit for specific roles. – Have written description of the role. – Include a specific length of time for the position – Share your vision of the ultimate objective; and how this specific role helps reach that ultimate objective.

Cub Scouts Recruiting TipsRecruiting Tips Use a rifle, not a shot gun Recruit an assistant for every function. – Easier to recruit a helper than a leader. – Everyone moves on to another role. Use a Parent Talent Survey Sheet. Parent%20and%20Family%20Talent%2 0Survey.pdf Parent%20and%20Family%20Talent%2 0Survey.pdf

Cub Scouts

Objection HandlingObjection Handling Make sure you listen completely to their objection. Confirm your understanding by relating it back to them in your own words. Ask if they have any other reasons they can’t help. Ask if together you could overcome those reason(s), would they commit to help? Explain the need for the position and cast your vision of a successful completion Give good answer to overcome their objection Ask for their commitment

Parent Training

Cub Scouts Introduce Literature and FormsIntroduce Literature and Forms Cub Scout Leader Book; Cub Scout Leader How- To Book; Cub Scout Program Helps; Cub Scout Academics and Sports; Den and Pack Ceremonies; Guide to Safe Scouting; Den Chief Handbook; Webelos Leader Guide. BSA Internet forms at orms.html. orms.html Official Council Sites such as Circle 10 Council /k.5B0D/Forms_and_Applications.htm /k.5B0D/Forms_and_Applications.htm Reserved recommendation of non-official internet sites such as the U.S. Scouting Service Project at

Cub Scouts Introduce Training SessionsIntroduce Training Sessions On-Line Training Circle 10 Council and District Training 728D/Cub_Scout_Leader_Training.htm On-Going Training – University of Scouting – Wood Badge.

Cub Scouts Your experience and actionYour experience and action Set the example; go to training and show the materials when you use them. Invite others to go to training with you Offer to help your district training committee. – You don’t have to teach a class. – You can help with registration, set up, and clean up – Be visible and active when your new leaders are getting trained. Reference materials when you use them. Talk to your new leaders about their victories and concerns. Stay in touch Adults learn by doing – recruit an assistant for every function.

Parent Retention

Cub Scouts Make It FUN!Make It FUN! Who’s having more fun – the parent or the son? Praise in public – OFTEN Criticize in private and only if absolutely necessary Acknowledge attendance of training in front of other adult leaders Let them lead, use their ideas Share and publicize success stories Awards, awards, awards

Questions??