Combination of Factors Contribute to East Carolina's Growth

Mike Johnson Scout executive East Carolina Council

Cub Scout recruitment grew in the East Carolina Council by 14 percent in 2006 for a total of 2,650 Cubs recruited. The key factors in this success were:

• Sharing the plan with volunteers through kickoff events and fall roundup trainings at numerous locations throughout the council
• Promoting the fall roundup plan and availability of council support for units and leaders through an electronic newsletter "blitz"
• Ensuring that the professional staff visits all principals and superintendents
• Sending a "first week of school" flier that was a half-inch taller than other fliers, helping the Scouting message stand out to parents in their students' information folders
• Incorporating a message on the back of all fliers informing parents of Scouting's benefits, directing them to our Web site, and answering basic questions about the program
• Conducting Cub Scout Days at Camp, three different weekends at three different camps, welcoming boys and parents to Cub Scouting and providing their first camp experience
• Holding cafeteria rallies in our largest school district that did not allow classroom visits. It was a challenge, but District Director Michael Hesbach had a 13 percent increase in Cub Scout recruitment without classroom access.
• Tracking the initial recruitment results from all packs and then following up to ensure that all applications were submitted

District Director Dan Cross led the council's fall roundup efforts. His district experienced a 13 percent increase in Cub Scout recruitment.

The Merits of Marketing (marketing.scouting.org) is a resource for local councils, developed by the Marketing & Communications Division of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America.