Re: Roundup results
Robert Gerhard (RAGerhard@AOL.COM)
Thu, 24 Sep 1998 23:51:38 EDT
Hi, Paul and all!
In short, our Roundup was a near complete flop. Why? I've narrowed it down
to these contributing factors:
1) During the two weeks preceeding the Roundup we were at the school for Open
House and got many recruits then. More, in fact, than during the past two
round-ups combined!! I think we tapped out our resources before the round-up!
2) Timing. By the time a date was set, we had all of two leaders who were
available for the Round-Up.
3) Council support. We are supposed to get council support, aren't we? We
haven't in the past, but I'll give our new DE the benefit of a doubt since he
was just stepping in when we had our Round-Up.
4) Burn Out. We've had essentially the same Pack Committee for the past
three or four years. They've been to every Round-Up every year and they hate
them. As a result, their performance is lackluster. Couple this with Item 2
and it's a disaster waiting to happen.
5) Lack of preperation. We didn't get a date until a week before. I don't
think the committee members involved gave it a second thought until the night
before. (Again, see Item 2 and Item 4!)
The open house appearances worked wonderfully. So well, in fact, that I'm
going to suggest that we adopt that method of recruiting next year. Why?
Once again, I've narrowed it down to these contributing factors:
1) We're not asking the parents to come back to the school for yet another
evening meeting. During the first few weeks of school, they're there at least
once a week already. If they're interested in Scouting, they can take care of
that at the same time! Much more time efficient!
2) We're exposing ourselves to parents who may not have considered Scouting.
For the rallies and round-ups, we're preaching to the choir. These are
parents who have already considered Scouting and just need to be sold. At the
open houses, we reach them AND those who didn't know they were in the market,
as well as the parents who somehow "didn't get the flyer."
3) From there, their first real exposure to Scouting is a full fledged Pack
Meeting where things are energetic, fun and running smoothly, instead of a
lackluster "rally" with Cub parents who are at their second or third meeting
that week, and their second or third trip to school that week.
I know there are many packs who put on stellar rallies and round-ups. For
those who are facing dwindling attendance (from the pack and the parents) this
may be a new way to turn things around. It worked for us this year and we'll
do it again next year.
And for the GS leaders out there: Our SUM has historically not recruited at
the schools. I had many parents stop by our booth and ask us if we knew of
any GS troops in the area. Since I have that hat with me at all times, I took
care of them. But imagine how many girls we could have reached if there was a
GS booth out there, too!
YiS
Robert Gerhard
Cubmaster & Webelos ADL, BSA Pack 83
Co-Leader, GSUSA Cadette Troop 2825
Fort Worth, Texas
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
