In support of the 2002-2005 National Strategic Plan, and in response to Scout executives' requests, the Marketing & Communications Division held the first Fundamentals of Marketing course last October at the Center for Professional Development in Westlake, Texas.
The five-day class helps council professionals navigate big marketing and public relations goals on a little budget. The small class size, limited to 16 participants, and the ability to create marketing and public relations materials are two of the course's best features.
Participants in last October's course represented a wide range of council sizes and included Scout executives as well as Learning for Life and district executives with experience ranging from less than a year to more than 25 years. Presenters included marketing and public relations professionals from outside the Scouting movement as well as Scout executives. Don Townsend, Scout executive of the California Inland Empire Council, taught a session on how to create and maintain effective council marketing committees. Ethan Draddy, Scout executive of the Jersey Shore Council, spent a day helping participants understand and maximize their current media and public relations relationships.
Based on the comments received via the participant surveys, the class exceeded attendees' expectations:
>The next Fundamentals of Marketing course will be October 16-20 at the Center for Professional Development in Westlake. Be sure to sign up early for this unique opportunity to maximize your marketing efforts.
For more information about this course, visit the Professional Development Division's 2006 course catalog on ScoutNET under BSA Info. If you have specific questions about course content, call the Marketing & Communications Division at 972-580-2239.
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.