You may want to have either a SPL or in my case a DL remind the parents 48 to 24 hours before a scheduled event so that they get used to the idea of firming up plans with this person in stead of the Troop Committee mother.
I have been writing the pack newsletter for the last 4 years which is available at the pack nights. I always make an annoucement to pick up a copy before anyone leaves.
In addition to the newsletter, I send out a mailer that welcomes everyone back at the end of the summer annoucing our kick-off pack night and dates of the pack nights up to first half of the year. In december we announce our holiday party and include the second half year dates.
Our district also has a website where packs and troops can post their schedules.
As a WL at our very first den meeting we worked on our communicator activity badge and I told the boys to send me an email (with parental permission first) so that I could add them to my address book while they earned a credit towards a requirement. I have been emailing the parents for over a year, trying to keep them up to date with all pack and mostly den activities. For all intents and purposes I have them 'trained' to look out for my email.
Granted, not everyone is hooked up to a pc and may find it easier to pick up the phone.
Of course,I sometimes have to resort to making phone calls the night before an important event like tonight since we will be meeting our feed troop for an AOL requirement. I have one parent who claims not to receive my emails, so I know I have to call. Oddly enough when we do fun things like meet a local official, somehow the email goes through.
