Recruiting New Commissioners MCS 402 October 16, 1999

Fielding a Complete Team How much can you do? –One or two or ten people can’t do it all! Know the Standard –1 Unit Commissioner for every 3 units –1 ADC for every five Unit Commissioners –Adequate Roundtable Commissioners

Step by Step Determine what commissioner positions are needed –Assess the effectiveness of existing volunteers –Define the responsibilities of the position and write a brief job description –List the Qualities most likely to get the job done

Step by Step Determine the best prospects for the job –Consider many sources for prospects –List possible prospects for each job –Consider their qualities for the job –Prioritize prospects based on who has the qualities that best fit the job

Step by Step Research the prospects at the top of your list –Learn their interests –Tailor your approach to those interests –Determine who can make the approach –Anticipate questions –Develop specific information on the position Prospects don’t need every detail

Step by Step Make an appointment –Don’t recruit over the phone –Find the best time and place avoid office pressures and distractions –Never recruit alone Take someone the prospect respects goes with you One person listens while the other talks

Step by Step Make the Sale –Introduce everyone and what their position does –Make small talk based on research –Sell the sizzle brief pitch on commissioner service don’t dwell on details –Talk about selling service to the units and youth

Step by Step Make the sale (continued) –Describe the job –Tell them they are the best person for the job –Ask for questions –Listen for comments –Know when to close the sale –Stress the participation of others the prospect respects

Step by Step Ask for a commitment –you need this person...say so! Have a fall-back position in mind –Ask for help in further recruiting –Keep door open for later decision –Leave them something that increases their knowledge of Scouting

Step by Step Followup –Fast Start Tape –Formally acknowledge the commitment –Invite and take person to the next commissioner meeting –Within a week or two, follow up with specific orientation and an assignment

Where do we get them? Your Friends, associates, and business contacts C of C listings of organizations, major employers, boards of directors, and labor unions Service Club membership rosters National Eagle Scout Association

Where do we get them? Boy’s applications for parents with previous Scouting experience Former successful Scouters FOS donations from people with special people skills Neighborhood Associations Former Scouts

Where do we get them? Current Scouters –but don’t steal unit leaders...theirs IS the most important position in Scouting Former Jaycees Ask at the schools Ask large employers

Where do we get them? Recruit Younger Commissioners –Do not rely on veteran Scouters go to sources of younger adults –Jaycees –New NESA members –younger professional people –Younger prospects may be time-conscious Be specific and focused about what you ask them to do Don’t let Scouting time get diffused

Group Recruiting Can Bring Staff up to strength quickly If a group is asked to perform a function and each person figures the others will accept, they will too! People seek association with others –If the group includes the right people, their reaction is positive

Group Recruiting Group Recruiting has major advantages –Staff Recruited together can be trained together –Enthusiasm is catching –No task is overwhelming Requires considerable advance planning Does not replace one-on-one recruiting

Two Types of Group Recruiting Leadership Conference –Set date, time, location –Develop a list of prospects through community leaders –Select host who can draw in the prospects –Host inspires tells Scouting story presents need asks for commitment

Two Types of Group Recruiting Single Company or Organization –President asked to select and list employees –Meeting held on company time informs inspires asks for and gets commitments District leaders match people to jobs and follow up immediately –Company “adopts” staffing the program

Recruiting Resources Selecting District People, No Recruiting District Volunteers, AV- 06V002 Highlights for Unit Commissioners, No Highlights for District Commissioners, No