Growing Your Pack: Planning and Executing a Successful Join Scout Night

1. District JSN Training Fall 2016 WELCOME

2. Tonight’s Agenda Introductions / Welcome (Sometimes – District Profile) Growing Your Pack Planning for a Good JSN Executing a Good JSN Some Materials to Help You Fall 2016 Pack Incentives Q&A

3. Growing your PackThe Purpose of Join Scouting Night • Recruit parents to lead new dens, serve on leadership committees or volunteer for one activity. • Demonstrate the adventure ahead by having a schedule ready to hand out. • Encourage parent to parent contact. Explain the Cub Scout program and it’s organization. Be clear about what Scouting is about and what Scouting is NOT about. Tigers (and possibly Lions) are different so explain the programs. Scouting teaches life-long values: love of country, service to the community, appreciation of the outdoors and the adventure of trying new things

4. JSN is not just an event, it’s a process ! 1. It’s an organized marketing process designed to recruit new cubs and volunteers within your unit. 2. As with any marketing event, you have to reach your target audience across many channels - You also have to target your marketing with a least 4 -5 methods of reaching new families. 3. Hold a good JSN Night and get parents to fill out applications on the spot. 4. You have to follow through and “close the deal”

5. Planning for a successful JSN:Marketing Outreach Your target audience should get 4-5 “touches” from you leading up to JSN. Here are a few examples: 1 – Flyer/brochure mailed to potential cub introducing the Pack and inviting them to JSN 2 – Information about the Pack and the JSN through the school list serv & neighborhood/community list serv. 3 - Booth at your school’s community event and/or meeting. Also take names, E-mails and phone numbers of interested parents. 4 – Setting up an information table at your chartering organization. 5 – Email parents before JSNreminding them of time and place. 6 – Encourage parent to parent contact for new recruits. 7 – Place information about Pack in school list serv. 8 – Ask key businesses to put up a couple of signs about JSN about 1 week prior. (family restaurants, sport store, toy store) 9 – Yard signs with contact information in high visibility location 10 - For those parents who expressed interest about JSN but did not show up, a phone call or E-Mail after the event asking if they are still interested. Get information out and follow up

6. Boy Talks • Pitch directly to groups of boysex. at schools, chartered orgs, fairs • Private schoolsVirginia public schoolsPrince George’s public schoolssouthern Maryland public schoolschartered organizations

7. Holding a Good JSN Night You already know why it’s great or you wouldn’t be here. Now it’s time to tell everyone else. Arrive Early Set-up the room Have a information on a welcome/sign-in table Have your registrar ready with applications and pens Hand out scouting brochure, schedule, applications and pens Have parent volunteer jobs ready for sign ups. Welcome and then separate the potential cubs from their parents. Ask Boy Scouts to lead program for potential Cubs While Cubs are involved with Boy Scouts, talk with parents. Plan for about one hour Pack leaders hold presentation/discussion with parents For Tiger Cubs, important to get parents to step up to become new den leaders. Get an individual or group talking about Scouts to find your leader. Get the applications and if possible, dues check that evening! Stress that Cub Scouts requires parental involvement – this is not babysitting, drop off service or child care. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

8. What to do after your AWESOMEJoin Scout Night TURN IN Your New Applications ASAP! (Make your DE Happy) Why is this so important to your unit and the scout?

9. Course of Action Meet with your Committee and set a date for your JSN. Now: Obtain electronic copy of school list serv. Get a parent to be coordinator for each school Send out “Save the Date” email to potential Cubs introducing JSN Drop off flyers/brochure to be put in children’s take home packets Participate in community program or a school event - Get contact info of interested cubs Monday before JSN: Email reminder flyer to potential families. Night Before JSN: Call/E-mail interested parents as a reminder. After JSN: Call/E-Mail interested parents who did not show at JSN.

10. What’s In the Box? • Yard Signs • Adult Applications • Youth Applications • Parent Guides • Sign-in sheet • Registration Form • Boys Life mini-mags • Wrist bands • NCAC JSN guide • Posters available on request

11. Fall 2016 – Rocket into Scouting • Rocket kit to ALL new youth membersby Oct. 31 • Given to Unit at application turn-in • Launch events: • Districts & field areas encouraged • NCAC’s at Camp Snyder – Nov. 12 • Rocket engines & parts given here • $5/rocket launcher • Others may buy rocket kit on-site

12. Fall 2016 – Pack Recognition • Excellence in membership growth: • JTE #2 – 10% growth, ORTop 25% (packs of 60 or more) & 2% growthOR Top 5% (packs of 90 or more) & grow • Lions don’t count here.

13. Fall 2016 – District Leadership Recognition • Levels: • +1 more youth than Dec. 31, 2015+1 %+3 % • Lions COUNT here.

14. Q & A My Contact Information: Will Stone (202) 674-8750 wstonedc@gmail.com

15. In Summary… • Cub Scouting is a great experience for elementary school-aged boys and their families. • Cub Scouting, dollar for dollar, has quickly become more cost effective than most anything out there anymore • NCAC is well-respected, organizationally strong and financially sound council. Most importantly – you’ll have fun. Join Scout Night materials provided by your contributions through Family Friends of Scouting.