How You Can Use Social Media to Recruit New Families!

Did you know most young families find their information from an online source, especially social media?  If everyone is scrolling through Facebook or checking out the latest Tweet, we need to spend some time sharing what we do in Scouting across social media.

Social media is easy to use and a great way to welcome new families into your pack or troop. 

Facebook

·       Used by most parents

·       Allows for a “business” page or closed unit group

·       Can share events, videos, pictures, and more

·       An easy way to let the community know what the local Scouting unit is doing by “tagging” their school, PTO, community group, etc.

·       Be sure to make an event for your open house and invite everyone you know. 

·       Always use the #BeAScout

Twitter

·       Limited to 40 characters per tweet (post).

·       May have a picture and words, again limited

·       Not as many families on Twitter

·       Good for short, easy messaging

Instagram

·       Platform is based on images

·       Post can include words with their images

·       Great for sharing pictures and flyers

·       Easy to navigate

On all these social media sites, it is important to use #BeAScout.  This will help drive protentional families to www.beascout.org. It is also consistent with all the media ads our national organization has purchased.

Finally, you can “boost” your post, page, or event on all accounts for a small fee.  By boosting something, you can target an audience.  For example, an Open House night should be boosted to the local community and targeted for parents with young children.  It is easy to do and can cost as little as $10.

There are so many resources out there to help make social media a key tool to your recruitment plan.  As always, be sure to use #BeAScout. 

Choose Your Adventure By Getting Hooked On Scouting!

There are so many interests young boys have these days.  So how to decide what might spark their excitement? That's why the council membership committee is promoting "Choose Your Adventure" this Fall.

One option new families have this Fall is to get Hooked on Scouting through fishing.  Each new Scout will receive a free fishing pole when their pack requests to participate in the Choose Your Adventure program.

New families will also be able to participate in a variety of free activities like Adventure Day and rocket launches!

In addition to free events, we are hosting a Certified Angler Course the weekend of October 7th at Camp Somers in Stanhope!  More information about this program can be found at: https://ppcbsa.org/programs/fishing/

The Hooked on Scouting program has been developed to leverage the fun activity of fishing in order to reel in new Scouts during the recruiting season. This program will teach young boys all the techniques they need to know to get started along with providing actual hands-on fishing experience! By participating in the program, parents will discover the adventure Scouting can provide their families with the anticipation of experiencing the first time their Scout catches the big one!

Introducing the New Member Coordinator Position

Sustaining strong membership in a unit depends not only on having new members join the unit, but also on engaging youth and their families in the unit experiences so that they feel Welcomed and want to stay. The role of the New Member Coordinator is to ensure that both keys to success take place.

This is an official BSA position, reporting to the Unit Committee Chair.  He/she serves as a welcoming ambassador for the Unit and works with the Unit Committee to develop and implement the Unit Membership Plan.  The NMC is supported by the District Vice Chair of Membership, who shall provide assistance in executing the Unit Membership Plan by providing:  mentoring, training, marketing support, and recruiting materials as needed.

The New Member Coordinator (NMC) position has been designed to:

·       Be a FUN and engaging position.

·       Form relationships with new members and their families.

·       Use a team approach by encouraging more than one NMC in a unit, allowing them to tailor their work to individual interests/expertise, as well as to recognize the particular needs of the unit.

·       Fit every type of unit, every age level and every program.

·       Be recruited and supported by key unit leadership.

·       Be provided with training both online and face-to-face.

·       Be mentored by the District Membership Chair and become part of the District Membership team.

·       Be visible and easily identifiable at unit gatherings by their Welcoming smiles and their BSA “Welcome” logo that they display and wear on an activity shirt, on a hat or vest or in some cases, a pin on a field uniform.

Although not a requirement for chartering, every Unit is encouraged to have at least one New Member Coordinator.

Please visit www.scouting.org/nmc for additional information on the NMC position.

Don’t Be Missed: Update Your BeAScout Pin Now!

BeAScout.org is the application that puts your unit on the map! Prospective Scouts and their families can visit BeAScout.org to find a Scouting program in their neighborhood. If your unit’s pin is up to date they’ll find you!

·       Raise your unit’s profile in the community.

·       Recruit more youth and volunteers and help grow Scouting.

Customize your ‘pin’ with contact information, a photo, special message, and your unit’s website. It’s important to make sure your unit’s pin is updated, especially before fall recruitment is in full swing.

Need help updating your pin? 

Visit http://pathwaytoadventure.org/media/BeAScout_Instructions.pdf or contact your district executive!

Leverage Social Media to Support Your Scouting Message

Statistics show us that over half of Americans have one or more social media accounts.  In Scouting families, both parents and youth often have their own, discrete accounts, which can mean better internal communication within units, districts, and councils.  For those outside of Scouting, including friends and family members, your use of social media can be an important factor in placing the BSA squarely in the forefront of what's going on with today's youth and reinforce the positive message about why others should ensure that their youth join Scouting.

Social media has many uses and one of the biggies is that it is a means by which to create connections.  These can be between leaders and Scouts, units and parents, or between the Scouting and the non-Scouting community.  Once you figure out what the focus of your social media program will be, you'll be in a better position to create content that is targeted to your intended audience.

Another key element to social media is that it provides the end user with the opportunity to learn something new.  In our modern 'sound byte' society, more and more users are receiving new information from social media sources.  That you are reading this proves the point!  By creating and promoting a positive image about all the great things that Scouting has to offer, you become a key element in 'teaching' your readers about why they should engage with and support Scouting.

A final element to consider -- and admittedly, this is how big business thinks about social media -- is what is our return on investment?  Given that user accounts on most of these platforms are free, your investment is one of picture-taking and time.  Take the picture, post the content, share the article (this one included!), craft the message.  That's your investment -- time.  What's the return?  Well, that depends on the target of your social media program.  If you a running a closed Facebook group for just your Cub Scout pack, then better and more timely internal communication is the key win.  If you have a personal account with many fiends and family members, then posting about your own Scout's accomplishments not only keeps the Scouting 'brand' fresh and positive in the eyes of others, it many encourage some of your connections to give Scouting a try with their own youth.  That's a return on investment we can all get behind!

If you want to know more about how to create a positive Scouting social media program, then consider pursuing the new on-line Social Media Certification through the Voice of the Scout.  Fun, interactive, and jam packed with useful tips, you'll be able to create a Scouting social media program that you will most assuredly be proud of.  Click here to access the training.

Publicly Honor Community Figures Who Support Scouting

One way we can get and keep a positive Scouting message out in the public eye is to honor community figures at important meetings and gatherings.  Honor a recreation director who helps offer special programs.  Give recognition to the children's librarian who hosts events for your Cub Scout dens.  Don't forget the local police and fire chiefs who open their departments to your units and assist with advancement and community safety.

A Board of Education meeting is a highly visible way to honor school
administrators and Board members.  If you want their support, then be sure to reward them publicly when you get it.

Your local Scout shop has awards and certificates you can use for this purpose.  Customized prints and plaques are also readily available and make handsome wall displays right behind the desk of the community official -- right where everyone else will see it!  :)

Keep positive Scouting images in front of everyone -- you'll be glad you did.