Juniata ValleyCouncil

MembershipPlan

2019

2019 Council Membership Plan Page 2

INTRODUCTIONDistribution of this plan will guarantee everyone is on the same page working toward known, achievable targets. With planning, enthusiasm and a focus on the priorities, we will achieve significant growth in 2019.

LEADERSHIP & CHARACTER PROGRAM VISIONThe Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.

TARGET FOR GROWTHWe will continue to Build Momentum and Grow in order to achieve a ___% density; ___% overall membership growth; ___ new members recruited.

SPECIFIC GOALS New Members:

o Realize a ___ % increase over 2018 total Cub Scout membershipo Show a ___ % increase over 2018 in Lion Cubs and ___ % increase in Tiger Cubso Break even (no net decrease) or improve Scouts BSA membershipo Increase diversity in units or members by ___% (based on Market Analysis)

New Unitso Start ___ Cub Scout Packs (based on gaps and opportunities)o Start ___ new Scouts BSA Troops for girls (target communities with boy-only troops – at least

one Scouts BSA girl troop in each district)o Start ___ new Venturing Crew(s) with a minimum of ___ new Venturerso Start ___ new Explorer Post(s) and Club(s) with a minimum of ___ new Explorers

Family Scoutingo ___% of Cub Scout Packs with at least one den of six girlso Recruit ___ additional girls to fill each all-girl den to the ideal size of 6 to 8 Cub Scouts

Retention:o Retain ___ % of unitso Retain and re-register ___ % of youth members

Volunteer Recruitment & Trainingo Increase the Council membership committee by ___ % or ___ volunteers. o All Packs will have a New Member Coordinator (that is not the Cubmaster, Committee Chair or

a Den Leader).o Provide ___ in-person training opportunities for new Cub Scout leaders, Scouts BSA

Scoutmasters and New Member Coordinators.

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COUNCIL TARGETS BY PROGRAMIn order to achieve our planned increase in membership in the Council, each Program has the following targets for growth:

 

Character and Leadership Program  

  Target 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Lions (male) 0

Lions (female) 0

Tigers (male) 0

Tigers (female) 0

Wolves/Bears (male) 0

Wolves/Bears (female) 0

Webelos (male) 0

Webelos (female) 0

Cub Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Scouts BSA (male) 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scouts BSA (female) 0 0

Varsity Scouts 0 0 0 0 0 0

Boy Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Venturers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sea Scouts 0 0 0 0 0 0

Explorers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Co‐Ed Young Adults 0 0 0 0 0 0

STEM Scouts 0 0 0 0 0 0

New Market Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Membership 0 0 0 0 0 0

LFL School‐Based Served 0 0 0 0 0 0

Grand Total Served 0 0 0 0 0 0 

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DISTRICT TARGETSIn order to achieve our planned increase in membership in the Council, each District has the following targets for growth:

 

Nittany Mountain District Target 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Lions (male) 0Lions (female) 0Tigers (male) 0

Tigers (female) 0Wolves/Bears (male) 0

Wolves/Bears (female) 0Webelos (male) 0

Webelos (female) 0

Cub Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Scouts BSA (male) 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scouts BSA (female) 0 0

Varsity Scouts

Boy Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Venturers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sea Scouts

Explorers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Co‐Ed Young Adults 0 0 0 0 0 0STEM Scouts

New Market Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Membership 0 0 0 0 0 0LFL School‐Based

Served

Grand Total Served 0 0 0 0 0 0 

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Oneida District Target

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Lions (male) 0Lions (female) 0Tigers (male) 0

Tigers (female) 0Wolves/Bears (male) 0

Wolves/Bears (female) 0Webelos (male) 0

Webelos (female) 0

Cub Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Scouts BSA (male) 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scouts BSA (female) 0 0

Varsity Scouts

Boy Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Venturers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sea Scouts

Explorers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Co‐Ed Young Adults 0 0 0 0 0 0STEM Scouts

New Market Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Membership 0 0 0 0 0 0LFL School‐Based

Served

Grand Total Served 0 0 0 0 0 0 

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Shawnee District Target

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Lions (male) 0Lions (female) 0Tigers (male) 0

Tigers (female) 0Wolves/Bears (male) 0

Wolves/Bears (female) 0Webelos (male) 0

Webelos (female) 0

Cub Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Scouts BSA (male) 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scouts BSA (female) 0 0

Varsity Scouts

Boy Scout Age Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0Venturers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sea Scouts

Explorers 0 0 0 0 0 0

Co‐Ed Young Adults 0 0 0 0 0 0STEM Scouts

New Market Youth 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Membership 0 0 0 0 0 0LFL School‐Based

Served

Grand Total Served 0 0 0 0 0 0 

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UNIT GOALSIn order to achieve our planned increase in membership, each Unit in each District will have targets for growth. Refer to the District Membership Plans for specific unit goals.

UNIT RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES1. For Cub Scouts, each unit will implement recruiting plans in collaboration with the membership

committee and professional staff.

We will use the following proven methods for the recruitment. See individual plans for the details.

FALL: School Scout Talks / Sign-up Nights** Recruitment Activity/Event (outlined in the Cub Scout Recruitment Playbooks) Second Chance recruitment

**A professional staff member or trained volunteer will participate in every Scout Talk and Sign-up Night to assure the needs of Families (especially girls) are being met.

WINTER: Pinewood Derby Peer-to-Peer recruitment

SPRING: Raingutter Regatta Peer-to-Peer recruitment Engage new kindergarten parents through welcoming events

2. For Exploring, we will use the “Open House” methods with an emphasis on interesting, “hands on” activities. See separate plans for the details.

3. For Venturing, we will use Area 4 QUAD event to encourage transition from Scouts BSA to Venturing. We will also use the “Open House” methods with an emphasis on inviting young adults to exciting outdoor adventure activities. See separate plans for the details.

4. For Scouts BSA, we will conduct District or Council-led events to enhance the recruitment of girls into Scouts BSA.

We will use the following proven and new methods for recruitment. See separate plans for the details.

Recruitment Activity/Event like “Camping with Scouts BSA” or utilize the new Scouts BSA recruitment playbooks (Chess, Shooting, Geocaching).

Middle School Scout Talks / Sign-up Nights

FAMILY RECRUITMENT STRATEGIESWe will provide additional support for underperforming units based on the criteria below. This will include conducting extra targeted sign-up events. Track progress. We will offer training, recognition and incentives. Whenever possible we will assign a mentor or Unit Commissioner.

1. Packs with girl dens of less than 6. (Use the Family Scouting Council Summary Report)

2. Packs with small (or no) Lion and Tiger Dens (Use the District Totals Report)

3. All-girl Troops with fewer than 10 members (Use the Scouts BSA Girl Troops Report).

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NEW UNIT DEVELOPMENT – Packs & TroopsWith an emphasis on Cub Scout Packs, new units will be chartered by filling gaps as outlined below.

>Fill the gaps – Charter Partners not adopting Family Scouting

Using the Family Scouting Inventory, we will determine the neighborhoods and communities that don’t have Packs accepting girls and will start new units where gaps exist.

See District Membership Plans for more details on Family Scouting Unit Inventory

>Fill the gaps – New Lion Cub Dens

Using the Family Scouting Inventory, we will determine which Packs have not adopted the Lion Cub Program. We will educate them on the benefits of recruiting kindergarten-age youth and work with them to start new dens.

See District Membership Plans for more details on Family Scouting/Lion Den Inventory

>Fill the gaps - School to Packs Links

Using a comparison of linkages between schools and packs, we will determine the “holes” in coverage and start new units where gaps exist.

See District Membership Plans for more details on Schools-to-Packs Linkages

>Fill the gaps - Pack to Troop Links

Using a comparison of linkages between packs and troops, we will determine the “holes” and start new units where gaps exist.

See District Membership Plans for more details on Pack-to-Troop Linkages

>Fill the gaps - Opportunity Zip Codes (communities)

Where opportunities exist based on the Council Planning Data, we will start new units or work closely with existing units to increase membership.

See Council Planning Data Report and Opportunity Zip Code: by Program for more detail

>Fill the gaps – Rejuvenate Dropped Units

Frequently, dropped units can be easy to restart – especially if the charter organization continues to be favorable to Scouting. By comparing the dropped units for the last 3 to 5 years to the Council Planning Data Report showing TAY, we will target dropped units in communities that can support them.

See Dropped Unit Reports for the last 3-5 years.

> Fill the gaps - Scouts BSA

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Every Webelos/Arrow of Light Den that has girls will be partnered with a Scouts BSA Troop for girls. Where all-girl troops don’t exist, we will secure new charter organizations and start new units.

See District Membership Plans for more details on Family Scouting Inventory showing Charter Partners currently chartering all-girl Troops.

NEW UNIT DEVELOPMENT – Crews, Posts & ClubsWe will lay the groundwork for new Venturing Crews, Explorer Posts and Explorer Clubs.

>Explorer Clubs & Posts

Using existing Council Board contacts, we will identify at least ten organizations that would support a new Post.

We will identify at least eight businesses, Chambers of Commerce, service clubs, PTAs and schools that could support a new Club.

We will focus on Exploring’s role in helping youth explore potential career paths with a priority on Fire & EMS, Skilled Trades and Health Care as the most likely career fields.

We will identify careers that have a shortage of workers and contact employers in those career fields that might consider sponsoring a Post.

We will identify existing Posts that could partner and mentor Clubs.

Organizations that are identified will be referred to the appropriate district based on location.

>Venturing BSA

We will utilize the Area 4 “Engage” event to educate Scouts BSA leaders about the Venturing program and “plant the seed” for new units.

We will follow-up with attendees of Engage and support leaders who express an interest in starting new Crews.

DIVERSITY (ALL MARKETS STRATEGY)Strategies will be developed to increase our diversity by ____ % based on the “Council Ethnic Makeup” section and the “Opportunity ZIP Codes: Traditionally Underserved Markets” section of the Council Planning Data.

See Council Planning Data Report for more detail. See District Membership Plans for details on execution.

RETENTIONEvery effort will be made to retain all existing units. This will be accomplished with focused support of unhealthy units (with Cub Scout Packs as a priority) by the Commissioners and professional staff.

More than half of all youth who dropped out of Scouting would return if asked! We will conduct a Save-A-Scout telethon after the posting of charters.

Date(s) for Council Save-A-Scout event

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TIMELINEThe following are the milestones and action items that will lead to success with our plan:

August

Work with marketing team/individuals to develop a marketing and media plan Secure new Charter Partners in communities where existing Packs do not accept girls Secure date, time, and location for both initial and second chance (Cub Scout) Sign-Up Nights Schedule Scout Talks (and fliers) ahead of the Sign-up Nights (day before or the same day) Promote Sign-Up Nights / Scout Me In

Yard signs, posters, peer-to-peer cards, flyers, bulletin board announcements, social media, email blasts, personalized invitations to prospective parents, etc. (per marketing plan).

Set up Facebook events and prepare to boost them using geofencing Train units on the Council membership plans and Sign-Up Nights (membership kick-off events) Check “BeAScout.org” to confirm each unit has updated their pin

September

Kickoff or continue Facebook advertising (geofencing) Conduct Scout Talks / Conduct Sign-Up Nights (Cub Scouts) Conduct Join Scouts events Ensure new leaders are being trained Conduct Career Interest Surveys Secure sponsor(s) for Explorer Post & Clubs Invite Scouts BSA members 14 years of age and older to Area 4 Venturing QUAD event

October

Conduct unit membership inventories (Commissioners) Perform roster check of Fall Camporee participants Schedule and conduct Post / Club Open House Schedule, promote and conduct second chance Sign-Up Nights At the Annual Meeting with the Charter Organization, sell the “full family of Scouting.” Conduct Council or District Cub Scout event (using Recruitment Playbooks)

November

Continue conducting Annual Meetings with Charter Organizations Recharter units / Retain youth DE’s conduct a canvassing blitz to identify at least 12 new Charter Organization in their district

December

Continue Annual Meetings with Charter Organizations Recharter units / Retain youth

January

Conduct growth council growth-planning conference and develop the Annual Membership Plan Schedule Scouts BSA Talks (and fliers) ahead of Sign-up Night (day before or the same day as Sign-

Up Night)

February

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Conduct Save-A-Scout campaign Conduct peer-to-peer Cub Scout recruitment at Pinewood Derbies Graduate Webelos Scouts to Scouts BSA (crossover ceremonies)

March

Continue Save-A-Scout campaign Encourage Scouts BSA leaders to attend Area 4 Venturing Engage event Conduct Scouts BSA Talks / Conduct Sign-Up Nights

April

Conduct unit membership inventories (Commissioners) Perform roster check of Spring Camporee participants Follow up with Scouts BSA leaders who attended Engage

May

Start new Venturing Crew(s) Conduct peer-to-peer Cub Scout recruitment at Raingutter Regatta events Conduct a district-wide outdoor experience for new Scouts

June

Encourage all new Scouts attend summer camp

July

Train Council staff on membership plans (boot camp) Order fliers, yard signs and other recruitment materials

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VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENTVolunteer committees will significantly increase our capacity to recruit new members. The best and most enthusiastic volunteers will be targeted for key positions.

>Improve the Council membership committeeUsing proven, targeted recruitment methods, the Council Key 3 will work with the Council Membership Chair to increase the committee of volunteers.

Considering the critical importance of membership (especially with the implementation of Family Scouting) the Council President will move the best and most passionate volunteers and temporarily assign them to membership positions.

Based on the Membership Committee Guide #33080 (page 10) committee organization chart designations “Good, Better (plus Good) and Best (plus Good and Better)” we will recruit volunteers for the following Council positions – in order of priority:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

>New Member Coordinator for each Pack

The Commissioner Staff along with the District Executive and members of the District Committee will work with each Pack to recruit and train a New Member Coordinator for each Pack.

Each District will schedule at least one NMC training and the Council will conduct at least one Council-wide training session. The Council will promote the training sessions via website, e-mail blasts and social media.

Council Training session date(s):

If money is available, recognize each NMC with a pin, patch or shirt.

See District Membership Plan for dates of district training.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING44% of youth leave Scouting because meetings aren’t organized well; 27% leave because of poor leadership. We believe training adult leaders early will improve the quality of program and allow leaders to be confident in their ability to lead youth.

The membership committee will work with the training committee to assure in-person training opportunities are available for new leaders within three months of their adult leader application.

Ideally training dates and invitation fliers would be available at all sign-up nights.

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MARKETING & PRThe membership committee will closely coordinate plans with the marketing committee (professional or volunteer with marketing responsibility) to assure optimal coverage during recruitment times.

A separate marketing and media plan will be developed.

We will adopt the “Scout Me In” campaign and will use all the new assets whenever possible.

We will make every effort to boost sign up nights using Facebook geofencing along with social media marketing (especially Instagram).

SCHOOL ACCESSWe plan to use a variety of strategies to achieve recruitment success in school districts where Scout talks and flier distribution is a challenge:

BSA Adopt-a-School program Direct mail Participate in community events Displays at PTA/PTG meetings Digital fliers / electronic backpack / Peachjar / PowerSchool Advertising on school websites

COMMISSIONER SUPPORTSupport from the Commissioner staff will be integral to the goals of retention and the development of sustainable new units. The membership committee will work with the Council (or District) Commissioner to assure the assignment of Commissioners with three main priorities:

1. Units in poor health (Units at Risk)

2. New Unit Commissioners /Mentors for (all girl) Scouts BSA units

3. Commissioner support to new Explorer Posts/ClubsSee District Membership Plans for specific units at risk, assignment of mentors and Exploring Commissioners.

MEMBERSHIP TEAMThe current leadership for membership is as follows:

>STAFF ADVISOR

Name, cell phone number, e-mail.

>COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

See Attachment A for Current Committee List

See District Membership Plan for District Committee and New Member Coordinator names and contact information..

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DISTRICT LIST – ALPHABETICAL1. Nittany Mountain

2. Oneida

3. Shawnee

DISTRICT BOUNDARIESThe Nittany Mountain District encompasses the Centre County Region of Pennsylvania.

The Oneida District encompasses Huntingdon County

.

The Shawnee District encompasses Mifflin and Juniata Counties

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INFORMATION & HISTORICAL METRICSThe following information and metrics were used to create this membership plan:

5 -year recruiting history for units, districts, council Council map (with district boundaries) District Totals Reports (DTR) Council Objectives Progress Reports (OPR) Dropped Report: dropped adult members, dropped youth members report Dropped / Separated Units Reports (last 3-5 years) Members Not Renewed Units Needing Assistance (Commissioner Tools Report) Unit Health (Commissioner Tools Report) National Membership Reports Family Scouting Council Summary Report Scouts BSA Girl Troops Report

ATTACHMENTSThe following spreadsheet tools are available for capturing data required for this membership plan:

A. Council Membership Committee list

ADDENDUMThe following documents are incorporated into this plan:

A. Council Planning Data (Fall 2018)Includes - Opportunity ZIP Codes: Traditionally Underserved Markets- Opportunity ZIP Codes: Cub Scouting

B. ZIP Code tables (accompanying spreadsheets to Council Planning Data)C. Council Strategic Plan (membership section)D. Council-specific Unit Recruitment Playbooks/PlansE. District Membership Plans (and attachments)F. Council Marketing & Media Plan

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RESOURCESThe following resources are available for the ongoing execution of this membership plan:

Council Growth Planning Conference2019 Growth Plan Workbook (National)Sample AgendaMemo to Staff

New Unit District Chart Exploring Unit Performance Guide TrackingNew Unit Sales and Presentation KitsCommunity Organizational Survey WorksheetWilliam D Boyce Award InformationTop Chartered Organizations serving units and membership nationallySchool Access Challenges: A Tiered Response to Building RelationshipsBSA Adopt-a-SchoolNew Member Coordinator Info and ResourcesMembership Committee GuideMembership Committee Organization Chart & Job Descriptions (customizable)Recruitment Playbooks - Cub Scouts

On Target with ScoutingHooked on ScoutingRocket into ScoutingScience of ScoutingCamping with Cub Scouts

Recruitment Playbooks - Scouts BSABull's Eye (Shooting Sports)The Sport of ChessThe Sport of GeocachingCamping with Scouts BSA (coming soon)

Sign-up Night Unit PlaybookSecond Chance Recruitment Events (article)New Unit DevelopmentSave A Scout PlaybookProgram Recruitment Resources and Tools

Scouts BSAVenturingExploringFamily ScoutingFamily of Scouting Memorandum

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RESOURCES (continued)

Social MediaSocial Media PlaybookSocial Media Playbook PowerPointBSA Social Media Guidelines

GeofencingGeofencing Webinar (video)Geofencing 102 (video)Add geofencing to reach more families (article)How to use geofencing for Scout recruitment (article)

How to Put Scouting on the Map with GoogleBeAScout Pin

Updating BeAScout Pin (article)Updating BeAScout Pin (PowerPoint)Updating BeAScout Pin for Family Scouting (video)

The Membership Recruiting CycleDetailed Yearly Membership Schedule (sample) Other Factors for Membership GrowthMarketing & Membership HubBSA Brand Center

Pinewood Derby - Recruitment AssetsScout Me In: Cub Scout AssetsScout Me In: Scouts BSA AssetsVenturing AssetsExploring Assets

BSA BrandingBSA Brand IdentityScout Me In - Scouts BSA Campaign Style GuideBrand Brand Guidelines / Master Style Guide

Journey To Excellence - 2019 ScorecardsUnit Performance GuideDeveloping a Local Council Marketing PlanCouncil Marketing Plan (template)

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We will deliver life changing scouting programs to as many families as possible.