Getting Parents Involved

How to recruit, train and retain adults in your unit

CS - 42

Parent Recruitment

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Why do parents want their boys Why do parents want their boys involved in Cub Scouts?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?

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Why do boys join Cub Scouts?Why do boys join Cub Scouts?

FUN

Activities

Camping

Challenge

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

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Why are Why are WEWE here? 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.

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When do you recruit parents?When do you recruit parents?

a) At JOIN SCOUTING nightb) Before major Pack activitiesc) To lead ‘Go See It’ eventsd) To bring snacks to a Den meetinge) All of the above, recruiting never

ends

Answer is (e) – Recruiting never ends

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Why do parents want their boys Why do parents want their boys involved in Cub Scouts?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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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What does it take What does it take to join Cub Scouts?to join Cub Scouts?

• Your Interest

• Your Commitment

• Your Registration

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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

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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

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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’

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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. http://www.pack38ephrata.org/form/Parent%20and%20Family%20Talent%20Survey.pdf

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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

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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 http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/download/forms.html.

• Official Council Sites such as Circle 10 Council http://www.circle10.org/site/c.owL1KgN4LxH/b.1656497/k.5B0D/Forms_and_Applications.htm

• Reserved recommendation of non-official internet sites such as the U.S. Scouting Service Project at http://www.usscouts.org

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Introduce Training SessionsIntroduce Training Sessions

• On-Line Training http://olc.scouting.org

• Circle 10 Council and District Traininghttp://www.circle10.org/site/c.owL1KgN4LxH/b.3744887/

k.728D/Cub_Scout_Leader_Training.htm

• On-Going Training– University of Scouting – Wood Badge.

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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

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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??