Selecting Quality Leaders

[Bob White]

A common problem I see in local units, primarily Cub packs, is in the area of adult voulunteer recruitment. Units are either loaded with help or barren.

Could those of you who are in units that successfully recruit adult volunteers share your tips here. I have some specific recommendations but will save them for awhile and let others share.

I look forward to your comments. Thanks in advance for sticking to the topic.

Bob

[Rooster7]

In our pack, adults were required to sign up for a job (leadership position) or a task (i.e., pinewood derby coordinator). If they didn't participate, then their kid couldn't participate. Very few exceptions were granted. The system worked. The pack was very active.

 

In the troop (which the pack feeds), its been adopted unofficially. Most parents (bridging over with their boys) realize that the adult participation is still needed and expected. However, it isn't official policy.

 

[Rooster7]

Of course, when adults do volunteer...each is "examined" (for a lack of a better term) to see if he/she meets the pack/troop's idea for that particular leadership position or task.

[Bob White]

I've seen the mandatory sign up list used effevtively for things like Blue and Gold committee, pinewood derby committee, holiday party committee, etc.. you know one time committments. But do you use the same method for Den Leaders, Assistant Cubmasters and Committee Members?

[Rooster7]

Every year, a parent or adult from each family is expected to do at least one job to help the pack or troop. It could be CM, CC, SM, ASM, DL, treasurer, camp cordinator, fund raising activity, food drive support, anything so as long as its not spectating.

 

If you make it clear from the beginning, the new folks adopt to it rather well. If its the first time, you may lose a couple of folks (with their kids), but in the long run the pack or troop is much better off for it.

[MomScouter]

At one time I was a strong advocate for the policy of requiring parents to help out in some capacity as a kind of joining requirement. Then I found out that there were some kids who would have never been able to experience scouting because the parents just didn't want to get involved. These are usually the kids that need it the most too. So in the pack we would just keep plugging for help, a little at a time, and soon we had a good deal of adults helping out. We would have a parent meeting prior to the first pack meeting, and I would have a parent meeting prior to my first den meeting. We'd have another parent meeting later in the year during a pack meeting where all the parents would go into one room with the CC and a few others, and the boys would be somewhere else with the CM and other adults playing games or something. We sure didn't get everyone this way but we did get an increase in help and committee members.

[sctmom]

From what I've seen at the pack level, it's best to get people involved with something small so they don't become overwhelmed. Lots of family events have the parents there anyway, so many realize they might as well be helping.

Our pack has a history of parents stay at den meetings and pack meetings. Obviously there are some exceptions. This seems to help get parents involved. Also, everything our pack does is a "family event". I know that is not feasible at the troop level, but it is at the Pack level. If a parent knows they can help out AND bring along the sibling AND the siblings get to participate, it makes a difference.

 

I've seen sisters and older brothers be pulled in to do skits and games. Our pack is really a family event. We still have some parents who don't participate, but you can't win them all.

 

I got involved because I was there anyway, saw they needed help and figured I could do it.

[Bob White]

I tend to agree with mom scouter. You need adult participation for a number of reasons, ease of workload, adequate leadership coverage, scope of the program, to fulfill the cub scout method of Family activity. But You need the boys to be in scouting. So how do you as rooster7 said get people who meet the packs idea of leadership, get enough help to operate the pack effectively, not force people to help, and not leave boys strnded outside the program?

[Rooster7]

I'm not the one calling the shots in my pack (setting this particular policy), but I agree with it. At the risk of sounding cold-heartedfrom my perspective (suburbs of DC in a middle class neighborhood), everyone I've come across in Scouting has had to struggle with the same basic issues (worries at home, demands at work, other clubs and organizations seeking their help, short on time, short on energy, etc.). We're all on the same roller coaster that we call "life". Some folks are riding the "Kiddy Land Express" while others are on "Satan's Ride of Death" , but we're all being tossed around. While I sympathize with a boy who may have a "lazy" parent, I can't be there for everyone. In the long run, our pack has grown. We've lost a few families that weren't willing to contribute. However, we've gained a lot more boys and their families because we are an efficiently run, well staffed pack and troop.

 

Okay, here's the really selfish part - I'm involved in BSA more for my sons' sake than anyone else. I'm sure there are some who will cringe at that thought, but it's the truth. I'm just saying - if the leadership of a troop wants to pursue that noble road of "leaving no child behind", regardless of the price they or the other boys have to pay, more power to them. I don't have the energy to be that noble. I help the troop, but so does everybody else. Because everyone contributes, as a group of leaders, no one is getting burnt out. No one is feeling over burdened.

 

We have made exceptions, but the parents had to provide a very good excuse. As to the boys who lost out because the parents weren't willing, I do feel for them. Yet, I never saw them as "needing" Scouts. BSA has a great program, but it's not the only game in town and it ain't Boys Town. There are plenty of other opportunities to pursue.

 

[Bob White]

I think being in scouting to help your son is one of the best reasons there is. One of the most effective tools we use in selecting new leaders is to remind them that there is no one else their son would rather play with than his parents.

 

As you say you are not the one calling the shots in the pack. So as as long as the ones who are willing to take the "noble road" you spoke of , then there is room for both types of philosophy in the unit.

[Bob White]

Let's take a few more tips from others about how they get adult help, then I'll post a method that we (the units in my local district) have found to be consistantly seccessful.

[FScouter]

One could ask the parents of each new Scout to complete a Troop Resource Survey. Maybe ask all parents to complete another one annually, in case anyone acquires a new skill.

[ScouterPaul]

Where do I start. I am a Cubmaster and an Assistant Scoutmaster. I fall into the leave no boy behind school. Our Pack and Troop has a number of boys who come from single parent homes. They have little or no male adult role models except for those in Scouting. Like Rooster I am also in Scouting for my two younger sons. However I have a strong desire to make people feel wanted and accepted. Scouting provides this to me.

 

My method of recruiting new leaders is simple. I look for parents who are there each week and then I get them to do something small. Once they have done something small they realize that it didn't hurt and are willing to take on a larger role. I call this my fishing technique. Once the hook is set they are mine. It's also my opinion that most parents, especially the younger ones, are scared. Nobody in my pack fails I try to coach and recognize everyone.

[Bob White]

OK here goes. This may take some space to describe but I hope you'll find it worthwhile.

 

Ever notice how most units recruit by standing in front of the parents at a pack meeting and saying something like this.

 

"It takes alot of work to run this pack and we need your help. Some of us are working 2 or three positions and if we don't get someone to help then we can't have (a Wolf den, a Pack, a Pinewood Derby, a Blue and Gold, pick the threat of your choice). So if you'd be willing to help keep things going, come see me or Joan Smith after the meeting".

 

Does that sound familiar? Ever see a rush of parents charge the front of the room to sign up? Me either.

 

The other method we've already discussed is the forced Sign-up list. The problems there are you get people who sign up knowing they will never follow through, or you get people who sign up for work they have no skill, characteristic or aptitude for.

 

So here is the model that our most successful units use. They don't recruit, they SELECT their volunteers. It's very effective and takes some front end time to set-up then everything happens fairly quickly.

 

Step 1- Briefly explain to parents the importance of the scouting program, Character-Citizenship-Mental and Physical Fitness. Then remind them that this is a family activity and that everyone has something that will help the Pack grow and go. (This is a good time to pass out the Parent Resource Sheet and some pens, let them have a few minutes to fill them out and collect them as they leave.

 

Step 2- Identify the specific jobs that need to be done. Break them down into small manageable bites. Whats the starting date? the end date? the goal? How will they know when their successful? How does it benefit the boys? What resources are available to help make the job easier? and most important what characteristics and skills does a person need to do the job well.

 

Step 3- Who do you have that has some of those skills and characteristics. (Here is where those resource sheets come in handy).

 

Step 4- Prioritize the list for that specific job. Who would you most like to have do it.

 

Step 5- Gather the resources for the job, make an appointment to visit the person at their home, office or restaurant. (Never make them come to you!) take anothe volunteer with you, preferably one they know.

 

Step-6 Tell them the committe has identified an element missing from the pack that is keeping the boys from having a quality scouting experience, and that the missing element is them. "There is a job that has to been done and we have determined that you can do it better than anyone else." "Before you make a decision let us tell you about the job and show you all the tools we have for you to get the job done".

 

Step 7- show them what you determined in steps 2&3.

 

Step 8- remind them the value of the program and the value you see in them.

 

Step 9- Give them the tools along with a application, welcome them to scouting. Now go see your next new volunteer.

 

Finally, Keep Your Promise, don't add to the job or ask them to do a differnt job. When their done, give them a hardy handshake a big pat on the back and a gift (certificate, hat pin, dinner certificate).

 

We have found that 8 out of 10 times we get the first person we ask. It works for every job in scouting.

 

Remember, select don't recruit. Ask personally, privately and face-to-face. give them the scouting tools to do the job. Don't make it sound like work make it sound like they're important to the boys(they are)! Never complain in front of parents. Parents are volunteers you haven't been asked to help yet. No matter what the shape of the pack is smile and speak positively. People watch train wrecks from a distance they don't climb on board.

 

Try it and see.

Bob

[evmori]

Rooster7,

I thought you were on sabatical!

 

Packs have a tough time getting leaders. It seems when they do find a few, they only stick around for a couple years then move on with their sons.

 

I have always felt it is up to the Cubmaster to find a replacement for his position when he hangs up his uniform. I feel it is also the Cubmaster's responsibility to find a replacement for his Assistant Cubmaster. I feel it is the responsibility of the Pack Committee to find replacements for all other positions in the Pack.

 

When I was a Cubmaster (long ago) we recruited Den Leaders & other leaders when we had our Joining Night. The parents would always bring the kids & The CC & I would talk to the parents while the Den Leaders handled the kids. We usually got 1 or 2 parents to sign up each year. This helped aleviate the turnover problem.

 

When I decided I was moving on with my son, I notified the CC prior to our August planning meeting & made the offical announcement at this planning meeting. I immediatly started looking for a replacement.

 

Ed Mori

Scoutmaster

Troop 1