Getting Parents Involved

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Getting Parents Involved

• How to recruit, train and retain adults in your
  unit
• CS - 42

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Parent Recruitment
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Why do parents want their boys 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?
F U N
Activities
Camping
Challenge
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Why does the BSA want boys to 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 WE 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?

1. At JOIN SCOUTING night
2. Before major Pack activities
3. To lead Go See It events
4. To bring snacks to a Den meeting
5. All of the above, recruiting never ends

Answer is (e) Recruiting never ends
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Why do parents want their boys 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 Scouting

• Citizenship
• Compassion
• Cooperation
• Courage
• Faith
• Health Fitness

• Honesty
• Perseverance
• Positive Attitude
• Resourcefulness
• Respect
• Responsibility

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10 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 Scouting

• The Ideals Motto, Law, Salute, etc.
• The Den
• Advancement
• Parent Involvement
• Activities
• Home and Neighborhood Centered
• The Uniform

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Parent 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 Program
Fitness
Family Values
Down on the Farm
Holiday Time
Grand Prix Raceway
The Internet Game
US Navy Adventure
Pinewood Derby
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What does it take to join Cub Scouts?

• Your Interest
• Your Commitment
• Your Registration

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Your 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 wouldnt benefit from being
  a Cub Scout

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Your 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 priorities

• We all are busy
• So we shouldnt say we are too busy
• We all want our sons to be successful
• So we shouldnt let someone else do it for us
• We all need help to do something new
• So we shouldnt say we dont know how

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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 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 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 - 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 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 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 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/Parent20and20F
  amily20Talent20Survey.pdf

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Objection 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 cant
  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

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Parent Training
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Introduce 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/cubs
  couts/download/forms.html.
• Official Council Sites such as Circle 10 Council
  http//www.circle10.org/site/c.owL1KgN4LxH/b.16564
  97/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 Sessions

• On-Line Training
• http//olc.scouting.org
• Circle 10 Council and District Training
• http//www.circle10.org/site/c.owL1KgN4LxH/b.37448
  87/k.728D/Cub_Scout_Leader_Training.htm
• On-Going Training
• University of Scouting
• Wood Badge.

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Your 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 dont 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.

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Parent Retention
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Make It FUN!

• Whos 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

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Questions??