Even the best Unit can find themselves struggling to recruit leaders. Suddenly, they realize that the same 5 or 6 core people are doing all the work to make the Unit run.
It doesn’t have to be that way! This page will give you some simple – and effective – ways to get parents to help. Scouting is better together.
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There are many ways to recruit new leaders, one of the keys is finding out what is important to the person you’re trying to recruit.
You also need to have clear expectations and descriptions when you discuss a position. People are more likely to take a role when they know what is involved.
Packs Need Adult Leaders – Most Need More. A fully functioning Cub Scout Pack must have the following: (1) a Cubmaster, (2) Den Leaders for each den (of 6 to 8 Scouts in the same grade), (3) a Chartered Organization Representative, (4) a Committee Chair, (5) several Committee Members performing key support functions, and, ideally, (6) Assistants for Cubmasters and Den Leaders.
While you can’t hope leaders appear there’s also no magic involved in setting up parents to become leaders.
We know, that sounds horrible but in reality the way you constantly recruit leaders is to assign parents small tasks throughout the year. Those helpers then get familiar with how Cub Scouts works – and how fun it is to work with the Scouts – and are less hesitant to become leaders.
This is helpful to retain and recruit Scouts, but it also allows you to see which adults are most interested in the activities. Engage with those adults who show interest.
Have you asked a room full of people over and over again to be leaders? Usually not very effective. Either you don’t get any volunteers or you don’t get the right volunteers for the open positions.
The “right request” will find you with the best people in roles structured for them. The good news is there are lots of “right” ways to ask.
Why don’t people volunteer? Most parents are willing to help but they don’t know what each position entails, they don’t want to take on too much, they are afraid they won’t have help, or they are still so new they don’t know what they don’t know.
This is where turning a Parent into a Helper is a great start! Start them with something small – maybe they do a craft related to an adventure during the Den meeting. They could help to plan an outing or be the “helper” at a meeting making sure each Scout is receiving help and attention.
Scouts aren’t the only ones who like recognition.
| File Name | File Description | Download |
| Yardstick Timeline | A great motivational resource explaining the small amount of time a parent has to impact their child’s life | Download |
| 100 Point Adult Participation Form | Give your parents the challenge of being a 100-point leader | Download |
| Family Talent Survey | A great way to engage parents is letting them share what they enjoy. Have each parent fill out this Talent Survey to help identify those areas. | Download |
| Every Parent Helps Pack Rules | Sample guide on setting expectations that all parents will help make the Pack succeed. | Download |
| Six Secrets to Recruiting Volunteers | Six secrets to recruiting volunteers for the positions you have. | Download |
| How to Turn Parents Into Helpers | 84 ways to turn your parents into helpers…who can then become leaders | Download |
| Recruiting Leaders | A step-by-step plan to fill your leadership positions. Don’t take shortcuts, trust the process | Download |
