Re: Parental Support

I used a similar approach in theory when I was a DE. it worked best with
Packs. But you can modify the idea for Scouts. I would hand out flyers and
show movies at the schools to get the kids there. The flyer specifically
pointed out that parents must attend.

I then explained Scouting, etc. I also explained how the units were not
owned by Scouting but by the community and the chartering partner. I
organized the boys and parents into Dens based on location and friendship.
I need the kids to be in groups of 8 more or less. The kids would
immediately group up.

Then I had made up a sheet of paper with titles, and spaces for names,
addresses and phone numbers. At the top where the den jobs and the bottom
the kid information. On the back I explained each job.

The paper had the following information on it as I recall. (20 years ago.)
Den Leader:
Assistant Den Leader
Assistant Den Leader
Committee Member
Committee Member
Den Dad (dating myself)
Transportation Leader
Refreshment Leader

The jest was the pack could not function unless every parent had a job. I
then told everyone we would register the den and the boys when all the
blanks had been filled in. I then left the room. After about 10-15 minutes
I would stick my head back in the door and look around. Usually everyone
was busy signing up names etc. If they did not understand the job, they
could refer to the back of the sheet and read the job requirements and time
required.

As long as you had at least 1 adult position for each kid in the den on the
sheet. I just made up transportation and refreshment but everyone took it
seriously. About half way through this process I would walk around and
check on everyone. After I had walked around the checked each group I would
walk back around and hand out adult applications. I told each group that
everyone had to be registered. About the time I collected the adult
registrations I would hand out the kid registrations.

I would then waive the registrations in the air a lot as I talked about
their commitment to their youth and to the program. BSA was not an acronym
for baby sitters of America, it was a family program and they had signed up
to be part of the program. I emphasized that we did not sign up kids, we
signed up families tonight. I talked about the leader of the small group
was the Den Leader and when she called and asked you for help you jumped.

I then went into everyone who had not signed up. I told them they were the
jack of all trades of cubing. That just because they had not signed up did
not mean they could duck and run. They job was to do what ever they were
asked to do. Signing up gave them a specific job and training. Not signing
up got them all the jobs and little training. (usually brought a few more
applications out of the crowed).

Most of the time I turned in a new unit with equal number or kids and
adults registered. I took the sheets of paper also and copied them. I gave
the original to the Den leader. (We called them Den Mommies and everyone
seemed to love the name, but another time and place). I gave one to the
cubmaster and I would keep "one at the office." When it came time to do
training I brought my copy of the sheet and the applications back to
training and instead of referring to a job position, I referred to a name.
I would usually also make up an organization chart of the pack and fill in
the names.

I always got a training date that night and the first committee meeting that
night and the first pack meeting that night. Everyone left a volunteer,
with three dates and a job.

I recruited 467 cubs one fall and over 450 adults in cubing.


Yours in Scouting
Jim Moss
12340 W. Alameda Pkwy., Lakewood, CO 80228-2841
Eagle Class of 69, Vigil, Denver Area Council

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