Spring Recruitment - Sample Monthly Timelines

Dr. Geoffrey Zoeller, Patriots' Path Council vice president for membership and relations, gives some solid advice on Spring Recruitment: "We are seeing that units who conduct Spring Recruitment events are often better able to attract and keep new boys and families.  Fun and entertaining 'getting to know you' activities in the winter months can be an effective strategy for leading up to formal Spring Recruitment efforts."

Be sure to take a good hard look at summertime program planning before your unit decides to conduct Springtime Recruitment.  If you do not offer multiple events or are not prepared to meaningfully engage new families and boys during the summer months, please DO NOT use Springtime Recruitment.  Families who commit to Scouting in the Spring will disappear if you wait until the following fall to get them involved.

What follows is a set of sample Spring Recruitment timelines that units may wish to follow :

January & February:

•       Units hold at least one Kindergarten engagement activity (kinder-derby, stomp rocket, kickball, etc).

•       Units, under new charter, should re-identify Spring Recruitment and SWFS Champion who will head up recruitment efforts for coming year (should be unit membership chairperson.)

•       Units update BeaScout.org pin information with recharter (Dec).

•       Districts provide brief, preliminary meeting at Roundtables on Spring Recruitment and encourages participation at Membership Summit trainings.

•       Council holds Membership Summit and Spring Recruitment trainings.

•       NOTE: Units should also refer to the Fall SWFS timelines to plan for fall 2^nd chance recruitment.

March & April

•       Units hold at least one Kindergarten engagement activity (kinder-derby, stomp rocket, kickball, etc).

•       Units confirm superintendent’s support and school/classroom access and ensure Spring Recruitment events are in the superintendent’s district-wide calendar.

•       Units meet with principal(s) and confirm details of usage for Spring Recruitment event(s).

•       Units begin to recruit new Tiger Den Leaders - Get them trained.

•       Units secure help (BOE members) as needed to assure school and classroom access.

•       Units place order with council for fliers, posters, BL mini-magazines, road signs, etc.

•       Units engage local media through articles, press releases, display ads, etc…

•       Districts begin more in-depth Spring Recruitment training meetings in each district.

•       Council provides units with flyers, road signs, etc.

•       Council gives final, council-wide Spring Recruitment trainings.

•       NOTE: Units should also refer to the Fall SWFS timelines to plan for fall 2^nd chance recruitment.

May & June:

•       Units hold at least one Kindergarten engagement activity (kinder-derby, stomp rocket, kickball, etc).

•       Units hold an "Introduction to Scouting/Bring a Buddy" campfire/outdoor event.

•       Units follow-up with local media through articles, press releases, display ads, etc…

•       Units deploy road signs in strategic points where parents and students will see them.

•       Units give Boy Talks. Deliver all materials the week prior and week of Spring Recruitment events.

•       Units continue to recruit new Tiger Den Leaders - Get them trained.

•       Units distribute reminder "business cards" 2-3 days before Spring Recruitment events.

•       Spring Recruitment Event(s): community-wide or school-by-school.

•       Units host a ‘mock’ and/or initial den meeting for all new recruits (close to end of school year.  Use incoming Webelos to run meeting?).  (Tigers can be formally registered with BSA after June 1^st.)

•       Council provides SWFS and Springtime Recruitment trainings at the Tradeshow.

•       NOTE: Units should also refer to the Fall SWFS timelines to plan for fall 2^nd chance recruitment.

July & August:

•       Units hold at least two pack events (one per month) to have activities for new families (hike, nature event, cookout, clean-up day, kinder-derby, stomp rocket, kickball, marbles, etc.)

•       Units hold second-chance summer-time recruitment events (see above for activities)

•       Units write thank-you notes to principals & school office personnel (include results for each school).

•       Units ensure new leaders get trained and attend September Cub events.

•       Units register all new scouts with the council by September 1^st

•       Units hold a "Welcome Back/Bring a Buddy" outdoor event before start of school.

•       Council holds Cub/family camping event.

•       Council collects data and informal feedback to better inform practices for next year.

•       Council sets agenda and recruits presenters for Spring Recruitment training meetings.

•       NOTE: Units should also refer to the Fall SWFS timelines to plan for fall 2^nd chance recruitment.

September & October

•       Units have table at school Back to School Nights promoting unit fall recruitment event.

•       Units, following fall recruitment event, hold formal orientation for all new families.

•       Districts reserve locations for district Spring Recruitment training meetings and advertise to units.

•       Districts hold Cub/family camping event.

•       Council “Train the Trainers” for Spring Recruitment trainings.

•       Council revises SWFS and Spring Recruitment Plans for next year and sets Spring Recruitment dates.

•       NOTE: Units should also refer to the Fall SWFS timelines to plan for fall 2^nd chance recruitment.

November & December

•       Units update BeaScout.org pin information with recharter (Dec).

•       Units get on the principals’ meeting agenda (December/January).

•       Units begin making connections with Kindergarten families - Invite to Kinder-Derby.

•       Districts begin more in-depth Spring Recruitment training meeting in each district.

•       Council sends superintendent letters for Spring Recruitment event approval and facilities usage.

•       Council holds University of Scouting, trains leaders, and collects more information.

•       NOTE: Units should also refer to the Fall SWFS timelines to plan for fall 2^nd chance recruitment.