Re: Recruiting adults

I'm new to the list, and this is my first response - I hope it's of some help.
First and foremost? Make the scouting experience fun for the adults as well. I
inherited a dying pack - the Cubmaster did it all, which was easy on the
adults, but also generated little interest in anything. Committee meetings
were at the school, and typically had 3 adults, which included the Cubmaster.

Heh...it seems that you have to have a little loose interpretation of some of
BSA's rules here. Adults are supposed to have fun, too...it ain't just the
kids. First thing? committee meetings at my house - popcorn and beer - no
kids. Therefore, it's nothing but an adult get-together. The commissioner
takes a dim view of this, but we started getting things done. Then - again -
Christmas leader parties. Summer leader picnic - bring the kids, no uniforms.
LOUD pack meetings - have fun! Embarass willing adults. Make mistakes and admit
them...And make no decisions outside of the book and written policies - that
takes the thinking problems away.

The result? I've got 11 active committee members now and any number of willing
adults who can be counted on for smaller tasks...I just handed off the pack to
my Assistant and I'm going to Scoutmaster of a faltering troop...Good luck, and
best wishes :)

Jason A. Cruse wrote:

> A non-list scouter asked me to post this:
>
> "I am trying to recruit more volunteers for my unit, and the units for
> which I am commissioner. I have viewed BSA's video, and found it to be of
> little help. I have found that most of the parents view scouting, both cub
> and boy, as a sort of babysitting service. I know that a pack is close to
> folding in my district because the cubmaster needs a break, and no parents
> will step forward. Even faced with closing the pack, the parents' attitude
> seems to be "oh well."
>
> "It is a fairly rural area. This not a matter of leaders, including
> myself, not being comfortable with a high boy-adult ratio. This is a
> matter of having two-deep in some cases, and of having *any* leaders at all
> in others. Any and all suggestions, novel approaches, etc, are welcome."
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Jason
>
> Jason A. Cruse
> Cruse Consulting Services, Inc.
> jcruse@nemonet.com
> http://cueball.nemonet.com/users/cruseconsulting
> FAX (573) 406-0643

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