Membership

Growth & Retention Ideas

  1. Stronger Scouting Units
    • Active and well-trained unit committee
    • Great relations with the chartered partner and unit committee
    • Unit committee to help with school/community relations
    • District volunteers and staff help units to become more financially stable
    • Active with local district and council on activities and outdoor/camping programs
    • Encourage rank advancement with their youth
    • Follow the Guide to Safe Scouting and Youth Protection Guidelines
  1. Strong 12-month Membership Plan in the Council
    • Strong district/council Membership & Marketing Committees
    • Have strong, detailed plans for recruiting
    • Follow the 48 steps to recruiting Cub Scouts (see section of this website)
    • Have a new unit campaign every year
    • Do something every day on membership growth
    • Staff and volunteers heavily engaged with BSA’s Membership Validation process
    • Ensure your council’s strategic long-range plan has a strong membership component that the board has approved
    • Encourage all staff to do the market analysis of their district to see the greatest potential for growth
  1. Quality Program/Service to all Scouting Units
    • Quality monthly roundtables to assist volunteers to be better leaders
    • Commissioner and professional service to every unit
    • Quality district/council activities for all units to participate in
    • Be a “friend” to all unit volunteers
  1. Membership Retention (keep your Scouts involved and registered in the program) -- This is tied to no.’s 1 and 3 on this list. See the Membership Retention Workshop.
  1. Improve School Access Issue -- Keep the door open for availability to the youth market.
  1. Make Membership Growth/Quality Program Delivery the goal of everyone in the council (both volunteer and staff).
  1. Work on recruiting youth when school access is not available.  See the 48 ways to recruit Cub Scouts for more ideas.

Resources

Best Practices