Membership > Recruitment

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Last fall we had an extremely successful School Night for Scouting sign-up. Over 700 young people joined Scouting programs here in the Katahdin Area Council!

We have heard the volunteers and the need for a standardized School Night Round-up Plan and have answered. For the 2011, the professional team has developed a clear, consistent recruiting plan for the entire council. This plan will allow us the recruit more youth than ever into the Scouting programs of the KAC!

How do we have such a successful recruiting? Success comes when we follow a plan! Unit leaders, district leaders, staff and Scouts working together accomplish more.

The 2011 School Night for Scouting is fast approaching for both elementary and middle schools. Below you will find the plan highlights. These highlights may be new to you and your unit’s way of recruiting in the fall, but we ask that you “give it a try” and remember the Cub Scout Motto of “Do your best!” as we move forward. Let’s commit to the plan so together we can reach even more young people.

Here are the highlights of the plan:

· Back to the Pack/Troop: your unit should schedule a Back to the Pack/Troop meeting sometime in August, preferably before School Night. This can be a simple meeting such as a picnic or pool party. The purpose of this meeting could be to reorganize the pack by confirming the leaders and reorganizing the dens if needed or to just have fun! Emphasis should be put on the dens where new leaders are needed; recruit as many leaders as you can prior to school night.

· Scheduling the School Night: A member of our staff will contact the school principals to schedule the School Night. Cubmasters and Scoutmasters will be notified when the date is set. Please do not contact the principal. School principals will be asked to only schedule events through the District Executive.

· Early Announcement Flyer: During the first week of school, a parent's flyer will be delivered to the school for distribution to the boys. The flyer explains the benefits of Scouting and announces the School Night date. All flyers will direct parents to the school night at the school. These flyers will be purchased and produced by the KAC.

· Promotions Prior to School Night: Get the word out! Get creative! Our most successful units promote Scouting at school functions prior to school night. Have uniformed leaders & Scouts attend early registration events at your school or meet the teacher. Have Scouts recruit their friends, hang posters, yard signs etc. Again, all material should push the parents to attend the scheduled school night at their son’s school.

· School Scout Rally: One day prior to the school night a member of our staff will visit the school. They will do classroom talks or presentations and give the boys a reminder notice to take home. District Executives may select or invite volunteers to assist with these presentations. They are FUN!

·School Night Presentations: We are recruiting a team of presenters who will conduct the actual School Night meeting. Your unit should be well represented at School Night to answer specific questions.

·New Leader (Parent) Orientation: New leaders are recruited at the School Night. They need training and the sooner the better. Each unit should direct new leaders to the council’s website to view the Scout Fast Start Training Video. The unit is asked to schedule a meeting with the new leaders and parents within one week of the School Night to review the program and answer any questions. We recommend you invite all new parents. Your unit trainer should conduct the new leader orientation.

Again, remember that all printed material will come from the Scout office and will direct parents to the school night at the school. If you have any questions about this plan, please contact your District Executive. Thank you for all you do in Scouting!