By Denise Lesniak 

SR VP Membership 

Spring Recruiting a New Challenge! 

Spring has roared in like a lion, as we patiently wait at home, inside, distant from family and friends for the peaceful lamb.   The challenges of keeping your pack or troop active are very real; but there are so many resources out there-virtually!  “Scouting at Home” is the new theme.  Have you checked out Mount Baker Council’s Virtual Campsite?  It is loaded with just about everything needed for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Parents and Leaders.   

How do you recruit new Cub Scouts this spring?  Start by taking a step back and pulling out your membership plan and goals.  The ones your unit developed at the beginning of the year.  This is a great time to meet (virtually) with your leadership to review your membership plan, see where you are and how you want to move forward.  You may have to alter some of the school events that are traditionally used for spring recruiting.  Check with your school district and see if there may be opportunities to send digital flyers to new kindergartners as part of a welcome packet.  You may want to brainstorm with your committee some new ideas for recruiting events for the summer. Don’t forget to sign up your scouts for summer camp and encourage them to invite a friend to register and go to camp, too.  Summer camp is a great tool for recruiting, too! 

Start thinking about your fall join night.  Put together a checklist of things that will need to be completed and share those with your committee.  Plan to attend one session of Mount Baker Council’s Spring and Fall Recruiting Webinars scheduled for May 13 at 7:30pm and 16 at 9:00am.  Here you will find the latest information on how to host a successful join night as well as information about the August Roundtable Kick Start.   

So, what can you do right now to help your unit with membership?  Follow up on all leads on My.Scouting.  There are families looking for activities for their kids and “Scouting at Home” and your unit activities are a perfect fit.  Put a yard sign up, if you have one available.  Add a scout neckerchief to the stuffed bear you put in your window.   

Make sure your unit is still engaged during this time.  It’s important to retain your current scouts and see that they are making rank. If you have newer scout families, make sure they know where to find activities and how to have achievements logged and verified.  Have your scouts invite a friend to a virtual den meeting-we are all looking for ways to connect with others.   

 Be Safe and Scout On!