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Council #013

Strategic Membership Plan

“A Plan for Cub Scout Growth”

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepareScout Oath and Law.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSA. IntroductionI. Goals and Objectives - Council # 013II. Organizational Structure and Positions DescriptionsIII. Demographics/Density/TAY Data AnalysisIV. Key Elements of a Membership Campaign

a. Volunteer Developmentb. Cub Scout Youth Recruitmentc. Youth and Unit Retentiond. New Unit e. Campaign Resources

V. Membership Campaign Planning Calendar Action Items (Backdated)

a. Be A Scoutb. National Recruitment Campaignc. Voice of the Scoutd. School Night for Scoutinge. Spring Recruitment/Tiger Cubsf. Webelos-Scout Transitiong. Open Housesh. First Nightersi. Unit Rechartering j. Sales Callsk. Registration Process Completion

VI. Unit Assessments-High Performing UnitsVII. Membership Strategies and ResourcesVIII. Required Activation Plan for Council #013IX. Executive Summary

INTRODUCTION

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Project Objectives

In this document you will find an ideal membership growth campaign structure, built on successful and aggressive strategies to support a vital, growing Scouting program for youth, families, chartered organizations, units, and communities within Council #013 that will remain sustainable through the 21st century. This plan has been developed with a continuous growth cycle of three years. 2012 will be the start up phase, 2013 will be the execution phase, and 2014 will be the fully implemented operational phase.

The council #013 will in 2012 begin increasing recruitment and training of needed qualified capable volunteers. The main focus for both professionals and volunteers will be primarily on unit service, retention, and membership growth through formation of new units and Cub Scout growth. Building markets that currently exist within the Council will be considered major objectives at both the Council and District levels to reach out to those underserved markets.

I. Goals and Objectives

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In the past three years from 2008-2011, there has been a loss in the number of Units. Traditional Cub Scout and Boy Scout Membership have declined. The Total Available Youth served by each Unit Service Executive has been in decline the past several years. To provide growth while sustaining membership in Units and Youth members the following goals will need to be adopted.

Over the next three year, new volunteer commissioners and new membership committee members will need to be recruited to meet the overall council’s goals and objectives.

The Total Available Youth members per unit serving executive is 8,945.

CoOUNCOUCouncil #013 Goals

De Soto Area Council

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Council # 013 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOTALS ACTUALS GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL

Total Cub Scouts Recruited 366 400 450 500 134 Total Cub Scout 676 796 943 1153 477

% increase of CS Recruited 18% 19% 22%

Total Available Youth 18,925 18,879 18,800 18,500

Cub Scout Traditional Membership 787 676 796 943 1153 477 Percent Increase -14% 18% 19% 22% Cub Scout Market Share 11.75% 12.07% 14.3% 17% 5.25% Total Traditional Units minus drops 38 45 49 53

New Units Organized 8 6 6 20

% Youth Retention 47.1% 41% 59.6% 62% 65% Year end Trad. Membership 875 1,060 1,161 1,371 Trad. Youth Market Share 4.6% 5.5% 6.1% 7%

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Full Family of Scouting

REGION AREA COUNCIL NAME COMMORG_ID Pack Troop Crew2 8 13 1st United Methodist Church 933453 1    2 8 13 4 H Shooting Sports 100806984 1 1  2 8 13 Beech Grove Baptist Church 100998201 1    2 8 13 Blair Boys Construction, Inc 101028274   1  2 8 13 Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado 100977384 1    2 8 13 Camp De Soto 100609149     12 8 13 Central Baptist Church 933508 1    2 8 13 Central Baptist Church 933509   1  2 8 13 College Ave. Church Of Christ 933458 1    2 8 13 College Avenue Church Of Christ 933457   1  2 8 13 Crossett Lions Club 933566 1    2 8 13 First Baptist Church 933554   1  2 8 13 First Baptist Church 100521512   1  2 8 13 First United Methodist Church 933465 1 1  2 8 13 First United Methodist Church 933512 1 1  2 8 13 First United Methodist Church 933522 1 1  2 8 13 First United Methodist Church 100419419   1  2 8 13 First United Methodist Church 100457811 1 1  2 8 13 First United Methodist Church 100542820 1 1  2 8 13 First United Methodist Church 100717350 1    2 8 13 First United Methodist Church Youth 933452   1  2 8 13 Harmony Grove Cares 100768818 1    2 8 13 Immanuel Baptist Church 933557 1    2 8 13 Immanuel Baptist Church 933558   1  2 8 13 Lds 933518   1  2 8 13 Nations Creek South Arkansas Youth Services 100768106   1  2 8 13 Reynolds Network System 100969362   1  2 8 13 Reynolds Network System 100991475 1    2 8 13 Saint Martin Center 100976346 1   12 8 13 St. Mary's Catholic Church 101017306 1    2 8 13 Taylor PTO 100893234 1    2 8 13 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 100267353 1    

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Membership Manpower Needs The new Unit Organizer/Key Contact Volunteer is based on 1 volunteer per each new Unit.

The Relationship Committee is based on the recruitment of Key Leaders in Faith, Community and Educational Organizations in the Field Service Councils. It is essential to have the right person recruited from each institution to maximize exposure in organizations where we want to start new units.

The Youth Recruitment Committee will be responsible for organizing Key Membership Initiatives such as The Together Plan, Tiger Cub Recruitment and Exploring First Nighters. Numbers listed are a minimum of volunteers needed for the many recruitment initiatives that are necessary for success.

The Youth/Unit Retention Committee works to follow up with youth that have left the program, they insure that youth transition from one program to another, and they perform membership inventories on all units twice a year. Total volunteers listed reflect an estimated number of volunteers to be recruited in order to contact youth members and all Units.

Once a new Unit is organized, the New Unit Commissioner commits to supervising the Unit for three years.

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Council # 013

Membership Volunteer Structure 2012 2013 2014 TOTALS

GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL

Zone Membership Chairperson

(Membership Committee)

3

El Dorado

Magnolia

Camden

2

Monticello

Crossett

2

Fordyce

Dumas

Webelos to Scout Transition Chairperson

(Membership Committee) 3 2 2

School-Nite Chairperson

(Membership Committee) 3 2 2

New Unit Organizer Volunteers

(Membership Committee) 3 2 2

New Unit Commissioners 1 UC per New Unit 7 6 6

Total New Volunteers Goal 19 14 14 47

This table illustrates the volunteer numbers necessary for success in membership.

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II. Organizational Structure and Position Descriptions

Role of the Zone Membership Chair

Reports to the District Chairman and works with Council 013 VP of Membership

Work with the district executive and district commissioner to establish a district growth plan for new-unit and membership growth in the zone by using the Council Market Analysis Report Resource.

• Develop a list of all potential chartered organizations in the zone. Visit www.usachurch.com and www.Scouting.org/membership

• Using the Full Family of Scouting Report, find out where units of each age level are located to help decide how many units of each type will be needed and where.

• Analyze district membership figures on the number of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers for the past several years.

• Track membership and unit growth on a monthly basis throughout the current year.

• Develop a list of all potential chartered organizations in the district.

• Establish benchmarks for membership and new unit development.

• Establish priorities of community organizations using the following resources: Organization Fact Sheet and Memorandum of Understanding. Visit www.scouting.org/membership

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Role of the Unit Serving Executive

Strategic planning in District for full scouting family in faith based organizations Is a member of the Sales Task Force Prospect, recruit and train volunteer new-unit organizers. Work with district training team to make sure new units have trained personnel. Plan and conduct youth and chartered organization surveys. Cultivate relationships with existing and potential chartered organizations and community groups. Develop adult leadership within their communities New Unit Development New Unit retention Recruit with their key volunteers youth membership Work through Unit Commissioners to insure successful unit meetings Work through Unit Commissioners to provide guidance and support to Journey to Excellence and Annual Service Plan. Encourage Unit Key 3’s to meet monthly.

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Role of the New Unit Organizer

• Reports to the Zone Membership Chair. • Attends the New Unit Organizer training. • Is familiar with the 4 Step New-Unit Organization Process and follows it in order to ensure that the

Unit starts the right way. • Introduces the New Unit Commissioner to the Unit Committee as the commissioner begins his role. • Works with the Chartered Organization to introduce the Scouting Program and promote all levels of

Scouting. • Works with the Chartered Organization to select and recruit leadership for the Unit. Leadership

should be in place before youth are actively recruited. • Works with the training committee to insure that newly recruited leadership are trained in Youth

Protection; this is Scouting, and Leader Specific by position. • Works with the leadership to create a detailed plan for the Scouting Program, this should include

tentative activity schedules, plans for weekly and monthly meetings, as well as scheduled committee meetings monthly and a budget introducing product sales.

• Works with the new leadership to help train them on youth recruitment strategies. Using BSA resources such as recommended boy talks, high adventure surveys, activity nights and other best methods.

• Works with the unit to collect applications, and fees for all Scouts and Adult Leader. Aids in completing all necessary paperwork.

• Ensures that the paperwork for the New Unit is submitted to the District Executive or their designee for submission to local council office.

• Present Charter with the New Unit Commissioner to the Chartered Organization.

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Role of the New Unit – Unit Commissioner

Assign a new-unit commissioner to the potential new unit. The concept of a new-unit commissioner is being introduced in Steps 1 and 2 of Organizing a New Unit. A new-unit commissioner is an experienced commissioner who specializes in new-unit service and has had some specialized training. Ideally, this commissioner will have a reduced unit workload— no more than one unit—and is committed to serving this unit for the full three years the unit will be considered “new.” The role the new-unit commissioner plays is much like that of troop guide—not a member of the unit but a mentor who helps the unit leadership become a high-performing team. Once the unit becomes independent, the new-unit commissioner should be replaced with a traditional unit commissioner, freeing the new-unit commissioner to begin again with another unit. The new-unit commissioner will need to give this unit extra service in addition to the annual service plan.

•Works with their Unit Serving executive to help Units navigate their Journey to Excellence performance requirements. Attends monthly meetings for the District Commissioner staff and the New Unit Organizer Team. • Attends appropriate trainings such as the New Unit Commissioner Training, Council Coordinated Meetings, and commissioner events. • Reports to the District New Unit Organizer, Assistant District Commissioner and/or District Commissioner. • Serves a New Unit Commissioner for only one new unit for three consecutive years, and focuses energy on solving problems that new units typically face. • Works closely with the New Unit Organizer and the membership committee to ensure that newly organized units receive quality unit service from the start in order to increase unit retention and serve more Scouts. • Makes weekly personal calls, monthly unit visits and reports those visits in UVTS 2.0 and back to New Unit Organizer and appropriate commissioner. • Helps promote unit responsibility and participation in council and district activities (FOS, Roundtable, and Popcorn). • Promotes the use of the Journey to Excellence performance recognition programs for units as a standard of good unit operation and is responsible for their submission and completion. • Has a basic understanding of new unit development using online www.Scouting.org/membership and refer to the New Unit Retention Guide and other council resources to insure the long term success of the unit, Scouting at different levels and ability to teach the new unit about the new program as well as a basic understanding of district and council operations. • Reviews all New Unit Commissioner literature to support assigned unit. • Encourages and assist all Direct Contact Leaders in the Unit to complete basic leader training for their positions. • Helps establish and provide guidance to ensure an effective and active unit committee • Sets the example (i.e. wears the uniform). • Works with units to ensure that units have on time recharter. • Serves the unit as a New Unit Commissioner until their second recharter. • Earns the Commissioner Service Award of Excellence Knot for retention. • Serves as advisor to Unit Key 3.

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III. Demographics/Density/TAY Data Analysis

The

Council Market Analysis Report:Planning for Success in Unit Development

The 2011 detailed Council Market Analysis Reports for Council #013 are included as part of this Strategic Membership Campaign Plan .

The Council Market Analysis Report is updated annually and consists of the following:• Community Tapestry Profile• Program Density Analysis• Gap AnalysisThis customized analysis presents a snapshot of the zip codes that comprise your council area. It is a tool that is designed to help you better understand your market area and identify target ZIP codes for further development and expansion. The market analysis contains information from a number of sources, including:• Current-year demographic estimates• Information on the actual year-end membership within your council• An expected Scout members estimate

The Council Market Analysis Report is located in MYBSA under Council Market Analysis and consists of the following sections:• Community Tapestry Summary by Cub Scouts• Council Area Program Density Analysis and Cub Scout Gap Analysis

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• Maps showing varying degrees of density for each program• Tables for each program: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers• Analysis by ZIP code includes:—TAY—Membership—Density—Expected Cub Scouts—Cub Scout Gap—Dominant Tapestry—A map showing varying degrees of Cub Scout Gap

Full Family of Scouting

The family of Scouting comprises a traditional Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop and Venturingcrew. Optionally, a Varsity team or Sea Scout ship may also be chartered. One of the best sources of unit and membership growth is to help an existing chartered organization in starting all three unit types in the full family of Scouting. In particular, many faith-based organizations may operate only a pack or a troop. However, there is probably a market for the full family of Scouting within the congregation. By combining the Council Market Analysis Report and interest surveys with a map of chartered organizations without the full family of Scouting, a district committee can highlight opportunities for unit expansion.

StrategiesUnit Serving Executives need to utilize these available resources to allow them to geographically relate the information provided in the tables of their areas. The maps can help them identify trends in specific geographic areas and identify areas for development of new chartered organizations. Another great resource for identifying district, county and city faith based organizations:

http://www.city-data.com and www.usachurch.org

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IV. Key Elements of a Membership Campaign(Sample Agenda for Volunteer/Professional Membership Planning Conference)

a. Volunteer Developmenti. Nominating Committee

ii. Prospecting/ Evaluationiii. Selecting District Peopleiv. Friendstorming/Alumni gatheringv. Recruitment:

1. Membership Committee2. New Unit Commissioners

vi. Succession Plansvii. Training

viii. Role of the District Key 3

b. Youth Recruitmenti. Join Scouting Night

ii. Spring Recruitmentiii. Webelos to Scout Transitioniv. Troop Open Housev. Team Open House

vi. Venturing Open Housevii. Explorer First Nighter

c. New Unit Developmenti. Faith Based- Organizations

ii. Civic/Fraternal/Community Organizationsiii. Educational Organizations (Public/Private)

d. Youth Retentioni. Annual Program Planning

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ii. Volunteer Trainingiii. Advancementiv. Unit Recharteringv. Program Transition (seamless)

e. Unit Retentioni. Journey to Excellence

ii. Unit Health Assessmentsiii. Annual Service Planiv. Charter Organization annual Visit

f. Campaign Resourcesi. BeAScout.org

ii. Badge of Honoriii. Career Interest Surveyiv. Marketing/Membership Resource Webinar

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V. Membership Campaign Planning Calendar

Membership Me

Membership Campaigns Date to be completedWebelos to Scout Transition February 15, 2012

Membership Inventory (Separated Youth) March 10, 2012

Tiger Cub Recruitment April 1, 2012

Join Scout Night Date September,13,2012

Recharter Month 1st day January 1,2012

January Unit Health Review January 31, 2012

July Unit Health Review July 30, 2012

Fall Membership Inventory October 25, 2012

Spring Membership Inventory May 10, 2012

Troop Open Houses October 15, 2012

Be A Scout February 1, 2012Venturing Open House October 18, 2012Exploring 1st Nighters October 18, 2012

Backdating Schedule

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New Unit Sales October 25, 2012

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Webelos to Scout Transition

  Join troop date

  2/15/12JOBS TO BE DONEWeb 2 Scout - Membership chair recruits Webelos to Scout Transition ChairWeb 2 Scout - Create tracking sheet for transitioning 5th grade Webelos

Web 2 Scout - Recruit committee to make phone callsWeb 2 Scout - Contact each scout to verify cross over troop or reason for not crossing overWeb 2 Scout - Contact troops with boys unsure of crossing over / no troop selected yetWeb 2 Scout - Follow up on cross over & transfer application filled out

Membership Inventory- Inactive Members

4/10/12 WEEKSJOBS TO BE DONE BEFORESave - Recruit Save a Scout Chairman 3/13/12 -4Save - Review save a scout postcard 3/20/12 -3Save - Recruit committee members 3/27/12 -2Save - Secure save a scout calling location 4/3/12 -1Save - 1st day of Recharter drops (run separated membership list & mail postcards) 4/10/12 0Save - Call down those without response to mailing 5/8/12 4Save - Follow up on responses to join again & confirm joining unit (turn in applications to council)

5/15/125

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Tiger Cub Recruitment

Date 5/1/12 WEEKSJOBS TO BE DONE BEFORETiger. Rec. - Recruit committee 2/14/12 -11Tiger. Rec. - Recruit packs to participate 2/21/12 -10Tiger. Rec. - First committee meeting - Develop program, budget, flyer, promotion plan, and post cards 2/21/12 -10

Tiger. Rec. - Secure location 2/21/12 -10Tiger. Rec. - Obtain mailing list from ISDs 2/28/12 -9Tiger. Rec. - Secure churches support for flyer distribution 3/6/12 -8Tiger. Rec. - Secure support of volunteers to send flyers to co-workers 3/6/12 -8Tiger. Rec. - Begin publicity -Set up boy talks, mail postcards to parents at participating schools, promote at roundtable 3/20/12

-6

Tiger. Rec. - Begin personal contacts with churches, companies, schools 4/3/12 -4Tiger. Rec. - Mail graduation cards to all (K) 4/10/12 -3Tiger. Rec. - Committee meets / Finalize plans 4/17/12 -2Tiger. Rec. - Final check on arrangements & gather all materials 4/24/12 -1

Tiger. Rec. - Set up / activity day make sure all kids get contact info etc. 5/1/12 0Tiger. Rec. - Budget close-out 5/8/12 1Tiger. Rec. - Hold special tiger day program for new tigers at day camp 6/12/12 6Tiger. Rec. - Follow-up with all new tiger families to ensure they are getting program 7/24/12 12

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School Night for Scouting(JSN)

REPORT DATE 9/13/12 WEEKSJOBS TO BE DONE BEFOREJSN - Recruit Membership Chairman 3/29/12 -24JSN - Recruit Membership Committee 4/19/12 -21JSN - Meeting of Committee 4/26/12 -20JSN - recruit JSN Chair 5/3/12 -19JSN - Join Scouting Night District Chairman Orientation 5/17/12 -17JSN - Secure 4 people per school to attend Scouting Night Training 5/24/12 -16JSN - Contact All Principals & SET JSN Date Boy Talk Date, Flyer delivery, other information) 5/31/12 -15JSN - Contact all Unit leaders (INFORM JSN date, Boy Talk Date, Flyer delivery, other information) & secure teams for each school 6/14/12 -13JSN - Ensure unit leaders of pack & troops attendance at school night for scouting for training 7/2/12 -6JSN - All School Night assignments confirmed 7/2/12 -6JSN - follow up & ensure unit leaders of packs & troops attendance at School night for school night training 7/2/12 -6JSN - Other Personnel Recruited 7/9/12 -5JSN - RALLY Kits Produced 7/9/12 -5JSN - CONFIRM SNFS date, Boy Talk Date, Flyer delivery, other information 8/1/12 -4JSN - Join Scouting Night Training meeting 8/1/12 -4

JSN - RALLY Training Preparation (Who Will Cover What) 8/15/12 -3JSN - PUBLICITY!!!! (Flyers, postcards, peer2peer, uniform, etc.) 8/15/12 -2

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JSN - RALLY Training 8/15/12 -2JSN - Call ALL Units NOT At RALLY Training 8/15/12 -2JSN - PUBLICITY!!!! (Postcards, peer 2 Peer, Uniform day, etc) 8/16/12 -1JSN - Make Up RALLY Training (Units that Missed the First Time) 8/16/12 -1JSN - WORRY! - - - Call All Schools 8/24/12 -1JSN - Final Check on ALL Schools 8/31/12 -1JSN - SCHOOL NIGHT - Report Meeting & Turn In 9/1/12 0JSN - Reports & ALL Registration Turned In to Council 9/1/12 0JSN - Thank You's to all Concerned 9/10/12 +1JSN - Follow Up RALLIES 9/15/12 +2JSN - Follow Up RALLIES 9/22/12 +3JSN - Follow Up RALLIES 9/29/12 +4JSN - Follow Up RALLIES 10/18/12 +5

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Unit Rechartering(based upon January recharters)

Charter Due 1/1/12 WEEKSJOBS TO BE DONE BEFORERecharter - IH Visits 10/9/11 -12Recharter - Kits Given to Unit Commissioners 11/6/11 -8

Recharter - Unit commissioners visit units and do a membership role call and turned into Membership committee

12/4/11-4

Recharter - Unit commissioner reviews charter with unit leadership to assure all membership is registered and properly filled out

12/25/11 -1

Recharter - Charter is turned into the Office 1/1/12 0

Recharter - Recharter is process; posted, & membership cards sent out to unit leadership 1/29/12

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Recharter - Unit commissioner presents charter to organization 2/5/12 5Recharter - Unit leader verifies recharter against current roster to assure all membership is registered 2/12/12 6

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Unit Health Assessments (JTE) & Action Plans (January and July)

Unit Health Assessments (JTE) (January)Date report

due 1/31/12 ByJOBS TO BE DONE Dates Jan U Review & update listing of units and get updated contact information 12/6/11 -8Jan U Review - Review Membership Practices with District Commissioner & reason for unit health review 12/13/11 -7Jan U Review - Commissioner staff divides list of units & start unit reviews 12/20/11 -6

Jan U Review - Units that are not reviewed as good units have developed 5 month plans & turned in 1/24/12 -1Jan U Review - Unit health review turned into staff leader 1/31/12 0Jan U Review - Review Status of units with poor or fair review for updates 03/13/12 6

Unit Health Assessment (JTE) (July) Date report

due 7/1/12 ByJOBS TO BE DONE DatesJuly U Review - Review & update listing of units and get updated contact information 5/6/12 -8July U Review - Review Membership Practices with District Commissioner & reason for unit health review 5/13/12 -7July U Review - Commissioner staff divides list of units & start unit reviews 5/20/12

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July U Review - Units that are not reviewed as good units have developed 5 month plans & turned in 6/24/12 -1

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July U Review - Unit health review turned into staff leader 7/1/12 0July U Review- Review Status of units with poor or fair review for updates 08/12/12 6

Membership Validation

Membership Validation deadline

10/25/12 ByJOBS TO BE DONE DatesMembership Val: - Membership chair recruits ring out Chair 8/30/12 -8Membership Val: - Set Deadline 9/6/12 -7Membership Val: - Promote Ring out - Website, e-mail, postcards, newsletters, & Roundtable 9/13/12 -6

Membership Val: - ring out Chair recruits committee members & commissioner staff 9/27/12 -4Membership Val: - Secure Ring out calling location 10/18/12 -1Membership Val: - Deadline for ring out turn in (fax, e-mail, mail, turn in at roundtable) 10/25/12 0Membership Val: - Ring out committee reviews unit rosters turned in (compare to council roster, membership missing from council roster fill out as much information as possible on applications) 11/1/12 1Membership Val: - Units that didn't make the deadline call down night! (make sure to have unit leader contact information available, pens, highlighters, copies of council rosters, etc) 11/8/12 2Membership Val: - Contact unit leaders with applications of membership not on council rosters to get them filled out (keep list for each unit to ensure follow up) 11/15/12

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Membership Val: - Gather all applications and turn into office 11/29/12 5

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Troop Open House

JOBS TO BE DONETroop Open House - Contact schools (5th & 6th grade) to set up rallyTroop Open House - Confirm rally presenterTroop Open House - Confirm Troops to receive informationTroop Open House - Rally Date (Use Nationals High adventure form)Troop Open House - Troops given interested youth informationTroop Open House - Direct Mail to ParentsTroop Open House - Follow invitation with personal phone callTroop Open House - Host Open HouseTroop Open House - Troop or District Activity (personal invite given to each new scout)Troop Open House - Collect applications from units

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Venturing Open House

10/6/12 WEEKSJOBS TO BE DONE BEFOREVenturing Open House - Contact schools (9th,10th, & 11th grade) to get approval for career interest surveys 8/23/12 -8Venturing Open House - Confirm crews & posts to host open House 8/30/12 -7Venturing Open House - Deliver career interest surveys to schools 9/6/12 -6Venturing Open House - Pick up career interest surveys from schools

9/20/12-4

Venturing Open House - Contact crews & posts with students interests & confirm Open dates 9/27/12

-3

Venturing Open House - Mail out postcards 10/4/12 -2

Venturing Open House - Personal phone call inviting them to come to Open House

10/4/12-2

Venturing Open House - Agenda & materials confirmed for Open House 10/5/12 -1Venturing Open House - Crew / Post First Nighter 10/6/12 0

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Venturing Open House - Crew / post Activity (personal invite given to each new member) 11/1/12 2Venturing Open House - Collect applications from units 11/8/12 3

First Nighters for Exploring

10/18/12 WEEKSJOBS TO BE DONE BEFORE1st Nighter - Contact schools (9th,10th, & 11th grade) to get approval for career interest surveys 8/23/12 -81st Nighter - Confirm crews & posts to host 1st nighters 8/30/12 -71st Nighter - Deliver career interest surveys to schools 9/6/12 -61st Nighter - Pick up career interest surveys from schools 9/20/12 -41st Nighter - Contact crews & posts with students interests & confirm 1st nighter dates 9/27/12

-3

1st Nighter - Mail out postcards 10/4/12 -21st Nighter - Personal phone call inviting them to come to 1st nighter

10/4/12-2

1st Nighter - Agenda & materials confirmed for 1st Nighter 10/11/12 -11st Nighter - Crew / Post First Nighter 10/18/12 01st Nighter - Crew / post Activity (personal invite given to each new member) 11/1/12 21st Nighter - Collect applications 11/8/12 3

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from units

New Unit Sales

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ANNUAL MEETING 10/25/12 WEEKSJOBS TO BE DONE BEFORENew Unit Sales - Organizing Committee Identified and Recruited 2/28/12 -240New Unit Sales - Organizing Committee Trained 3/9/12 -230New Unit Sales - Organizing Committee Plans the Campaign 3/29/12 -210New Unit Sales - Prospects Identified 3/29/12 -210New Unit Sales - Unit Support Teams are recruited 4/8/12 -200

New Unit Sales - Unit Support Teams Trained 4/18/12 -190New Unit Sales - New Unit Campaign Kick-Off 4/28/12 -180

New Unit Sales - Influential Scouter Identified 5/8/12-170

New Unit Sales - Influential Scouter Recruited 5/18/12 -160

New Unit - Sales Calls are made 5/28/12 -150

New Unit Sales - Report Meeting 5/28/12 -150New Unit Sales - Unit Organizing Committee Implemented 6/7/12 -140

New Unit Sales - Key Leaders Recruited 6/17/12 -130New Unit Sales- Report Meeting 6/27/12 -120New Unit Sales- Key Leaders Trained 7/7/12 -110New Unit Sales- JTE Goals Set 7/17/12 -100New Unit Sales - Report Meeting 7/27/12 -90New Unit Sales - Plan Unit Program 7/27/12 -90New Unit Sales - Youth Recruitment 8/6/12 -80New Unit Sales - Report Meeting 8/26/12 -60New Unit Sales - Charter Paperwork Complete 8/26/12 -60New Unit Sales - Unit Meets 9/5/12 -50New Unit Sales - Scout Unit Recruits youth Leaders 9/15/12 -40

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New Unit Sales - Report Meeting 9/25/12 -30New Unit Sales - Commissioner Service Plan Implemented 10/5/12 -20New Unit Sales- New Unit Commissioner is Involved for next 3 years 10/5/12 -20New Unit Sales- Charter Presentation 10/15/12 -10New Unit Sales - Victory Celebration 10/25/12 0New Unit Sales - Next Year's Preparations Begin 11/24/12 30

VI. Unit Health Assessments and Evaluation

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“High Performing Units”

Unit Health Assessment

Process: The Unit Key 3 should prior to the meeting, fill out page one of the JTE spreadsheet located online at www.scouting.org/JTE and print out their Unit’s Health Assessment Form results.

Guidelines and Procedures for conducting the Unit Health Self-Assessment

In Attendance:

Unit Key 3: Unit Leader—Unit Committee Chair—Chartered Organization Representative, Unit Commissioner and (District Executive -whenever a commissioner is unavailable )

What is the purpose of a Unit Health Assessment?

• To evaluate the unit’s progress toward achieving the Journey to Excellence standards• To review the unit’s goals, successes, and vision for the coming year• To identify any areas of improvement—leadership, program, and membership• To determine any specific actions needing to be taken to assist with unit improvements and

Identify who will follow up on those actions• To schedule any necessary and immediate follow-up to monitor progress To provide unit retention

When to conduct meeting:

• After the unit commissioner has visited the unit for the first time• Annually to review strengths and areas of improvement to help provide direction for neededsupport, preferably six months prior to the annual charter renewal• As needed when a problem arises• When unit leadership changes

How should the arrangements for this meeting be set up?

• The unit commissioner speaks to the unit leader during the first unit visit to schedule the meeting date, time, and location.

• The dialog should include:—Approaching the unit leader after the meeting and requesting that a second meeting be set up with the Unit Key 3: unit leader, unit committee chair and chartered organization representative.—Setting the meeting, preferably at the leader’s or the chair’s or COR’s home.—Asking them to complete the unit health-assessment JTE form prior to the meeting.

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—Letting them know the visit will include a discussion of the JTE Unit Self-assessment form and how the goals and vision of their unit’s program can be supported.

Why should only the unit leader, chartered organization representative unit chair, and unit commissioner attend the meeting? (District executive when available)

•Because the Unit key 3 helps provide leadership and guidance to the Unit. Since it is a smaller representative group, they can be more open to analyzing their program, their unit’s needs, and steps to be taken to help resolve any issues.

• It also helps provide open a dialog between the unit and the district. Once they meet and determine what needs to be done, others can be involved in helping determine which direction to go and any potential support or resources needed.

What preparation should be made prior to the action planning meeting?

• Review the statistics of the unit available from the local council and the district team, especially looking at:—Journey to Excellence status: Bronze, Silver, or Gold—Outdoor program participation—Advancement reports—Trained leadership status-- Unit Succession Plan —Youth Protection training—Participation in district and council events—Roundtable attendance

• If the JTE Unit health-assessment form had not yet been completed prior to the visit, do so at this time. Analyze and make observations, and review the statistics gathered from the council/district prior to the action planning meeting.

Set another time and meeting for a follow-up prior to rechartering the Unit

The national BSA membership audit validation procedures requires Unit health assessments be conducted two times a year, and the completed form be added into the unit file at the council office.

Document the health assessment meetings and visits in UVTS.

Provide positive encouragement to the Unit, and most importantly, recognize the Unit with their JTE recognition at one of their gatherings.

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(SHOW SAMPLE OF NEW 2012 JTE Assessment) form)

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VII. Membership Strategies and Resources

VOLUNTEER DRIVEN - PROFESSIONAL GUIDED - STRATEGIES

Every District Key 3 should have a volunteer recruitment plan in place to fill their key vacancies with qualified volunteers. The District Key 3 together should be out in the community, meeting volunteer prospects face-to face at least once a week. Once recruited, the District Key 3 should insure their new volunteers receive proper training as soon as possible. New volunteers should have a position description, organizational chart, and a clear understanding of their position and assigned duties. These volunteers need to take ownership and be held accountable, while at the same time be given the proper guidance needed for their position. Most importantly, motivate and recognize them for their service and tenure.

UNIT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Know Your Market: District Executives need to utilize available resources located in MYBSA under Council Market Analysis to allow them to geographically relate the information provided in their areas. Other great resources for identifying district, county and city faith based organizations:: http://www.city-data.com and www.usachurch.org and www.Scouting.org/membership

Build Your Team: The key volunteers needed to form your unit support team are the new-unit organizer, the new-unit commissioner, the district training team, and an influential Scouter. The professional could be the sales executive and/or district executive.

Make the Call: Utilize the New Unit Kits in English and Spanish: Strengthening Organizations through Scouting using local elements a potential chartered organization head or executive officer would need to know about your programs. What you are asking of them is to “make the call” to serve more youth in their community, and what you can provide them with is the use of the Boy Scouts of America programs and resources.

High Performing Units: Within the new organization it becomes equally important for the new unit to be sustained for a long time which involves focusing on important elements the unit must possess in order to stayin operation like retention. Elements like: a unit leader succession plan with capable adult volunteers, immediate training for new leader, monthly advancement, and outdoor programs like day camp and summer camp. Within the new unit, the key volunteers guiding the unit are the unit Key 3—the unit chairperson, unit leader, and the chartered organization representative—with assistance from the unit committee and the new unit commissioner.

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UNIT RETENTION STRATEGIES

“ A well- planned program developed by a trained leader with a strong outdoor program supported by a good commissioner, attracts and retains youth.” Al Lambert – Central Region Director

The first step of organizing and establishment of any New Unit involves the District Commissioner who signs the New Unit application and afterward assigns a Unit Commissioner.

Organize New Units with at least 10 youth and 5 adults (no multiples)- focusing on Faith-Based Organizations - with an emphasis on the Full Scouting Family (Pack, Troop, Crew).

Assign an experienced commissioner to be designated as a NEW- UNIT Commissioner to serve for three years with each new Unit organized.

Unit must have developed a Unit Leadership Succession plan, Fast Start Training, Annual Program Plan, and Unit Budget Plan prior to receiving Unit charter.

New Unit Self-Assessments to be conducted semi-annually by District Executive and Unit Commissioner or key District volunteer in every Unit. Journey for Excellence Performance Recognition Requirements for Units: Packs, Troops and Crews can be use as Unit Self Assessments.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Faith Based Organizations: Faith-based Unit drops are less than others. In addition, it appears that faith-based units have greater longevity. Faith-based units also have a higher percentage of youth achieving rank advancement. The Religious Awards program is a great resource for matching up faith-based organizations with Scouting. www. praypub.org

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Full Family of Scouting: Identify Units in your service area that currently do not have a full scouting family with a Pack, Troop, and Crew. Develop a sales persentation to approach the chartrered organziation to fill their vacancies. Work with the Unit Commissioner and Sales Executive. www.usachurch.org andhttp://www.city-data.com

Institutional Head Visits: Schedule visits with chartered organizations heads and chartered organization representatives by the professional s and/or their designee. 2012 Journey to Excellence District Requirements #10 for Unit Service states, “Conduct a personal visit with a key person in each chartered organization. Develop an approach to determine the needs/desires of the organization that focuses on membership growth.

Boy-Fact Surveys. This is a survey taken in the school system by a key volunteer or district executive with the cooperation of the principals, teachers, and the superintendent of schools. Completed survey forms will indicate the interests of Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Varsity Scout–age boys. Survey cards are available through the local council service center. Surveys may also be conducted in schools (private and public) by the district executive or volunteers among boys eligible to join now and also during the ensuing year. Facts can be used for the new-unit campaign in March as well as for the recruit-of-the-month plan in operation.

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES

To insure the success of the development and retention of newly organized units, and produce effective youth membership recruitment campaigns, many capable volunteers need to be identified and recruited, who will work closely together with their professional Scouters. The district executive cannot do it alone.

There are hundreds of Membership Recruitment Strategies located in the Membership Campaign Council Guide located on www.scouting.org/membership under Youth Recruitment planning strategies. Here are a few key ones that can be immediately implemented by Area 2 Central Region :

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Be A Scout Campaign: www.BeAScout.org = Helps prospective parents and youth find scouting in their area on a goggle map pin. Parents can type in their type in their address to find units in their neighborhood. Unit leadership needs to update their local Unit pin information with the proper contact person, meeting location and phone number.Develop Be a scout.org magnets

Peer to Peer Recruitment Peer to Peer recruitment is one of the most effective ways of attracting and recruiting Scouts. Incentives are often used to gain the attention of existing Scouts who are asked to introduce Scouting to their friends/peers. By utilizing the best sales force we have, this strategy is of keen focus and tremendous rewards.

Fill A Den or Fill a Patrol: A simple method of boy recruiting their friends to fill the vacancies in a Pack, or Troop. A very effective method of youth recruitment.

Add a Den or Add a Patrol: In many outlying areas or towns that cannot sustain a full pack, troop or crew, small communities can add a den or patrol as part of their county or area Unit. Meetings can be rotated on a monthly basis from town to town, or community.

Recruit of the Month: This could be the new council-organized plan that encourages every unit to recruit and register at least one new member each month.

Recruiting Stations: Set up recruiting stations at council shows and expositions, malls and shopping centers, county fairs, etc.,

Roundup: The semiannual roundup program focuses the attention of the community, county or area on filling up the existing packs, troops, teams, and crews

School Night: Joining Night for Cub Scouting is a concerted effort, usually led by the membership/relationships committee in late September or early October each fall in the school systems—private, parochial, or public—or other local organizations.

Open Houses: A Unit can conduct an open house as a effective way to recruit new youth or Venturers into a troop or crew, especially in the spring when outdoor activities can be easily planned.

Membership Inventory: Conduct a telephone survey to every unit to reveal unregistered youth not rechartered on dropped list. This may be an important November/December task. Utilize the Commissioner staff.

School Classroom/Get-Acquainted-with-Scouting Meeting:Visit school classrooms to interest youth in Scouting. Follow up in the next night or two with a “get-acquainted with-Scouting meeting” for a new unit.

School Access: Adopt a School and conduct a school service project. Add sign up date information on: library bookmarks, glow in the dark stickers, school bulletins, Community events listing, store Egg/Milk cartons, grocery bags, school buses, School bus stickers, Tray liners, Welcome Wagon, Yard signs – and especially in -school supplies stores.

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SCHOOL ACCESS STRATEGIES

Adopt a School – Conduct a Service project

Library bookmarks with Sign up night info

Conduct Open Houses- give aways Billboards School Board Members- make

connection Cable TV Ads

Cake bakes/cookie walks Community events listing County Fair Egg/Milk cartons Glow in the Dark Stickers Grocery Bags LFL state education lists Parent –influential Peer-to-Peer – Bring a friend Pumpkin patch event School bus fliers School bus stickers Sports program/Sponsors Superintendant to Superintendant Tray liners Volunteers at school Welcome Wagon Be a scout.org magnets Yard signs – malls-school supplies

stores

MEMBERSHIP RESOURCES

www.scouting.org/membership

VII. Activation Plan for Council #013 - Required

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Backdate all of your Membership Campaigns

Implement BeAScout.org in all Zones in Council

Prospect, Recruit, Train, and Recognize all Volunteers

Hold Zone Membership Planning Conferences

IX. Executive Summary

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This comprehensive growth strategy developed for council 013 is a three year plan based on the future state of the council. The plan takes into consideration several key elements including volunteer recruitment as a significant part of any sustainable growth plan and the same is true regarding this strategy. Building a sustainable infrastructure first begins with the recruitment of volunteers whose purpose is unit development, youth retention and membership growth.

The five major components which will lead to traditional membership growth are:

Youth Retention Cub Scout Market-share increase Cub Scout Youth Recruitment New Unit Development Volunteer Engagement

The strategy was developed for the entire council of 013, yet has specific membership plans for each of the seven zones within the Councils geographic territory. This allows for a coordinated effort to take place, while taking into consideration the demographics, history, number of youth serving executives and the volunteer structure of each specified area. The objectives of the plan are based on incremental increases over a three year period. Listed below are some of the highlights that will be generated due to the dedication, commitment and hard work by those who implement the strategy. There is much detail behind the data presented in this summary including membership and recruiting resources, formula’s based on the number of units and youth recruited and supported by youth serving executive and volunteers, along with council analyses reports and a host of other empirical data.

The number of additional new volunteers will increase by 47 to support unit service and membership Youth Retention increases from 41% to 65% over three years (24% gain) Youth Recruitment (Cub Scouts) 1,350 new cubs will be recruited over the next three years 20 New Units will be developed over three year period Market share increases from 4.6% to 7% over the three year period Traditional Membership will increase: 875 youth to 1,371 youth, a gain of 496 or 64%