Motivating Parents for Scouting

This is one of my personal opinion pages

Parents 'our' leaders / leaders 'are' parents

The fundamental needs of a Scout are naturally provided for by the parent or guardian.                              Scouting can be a 'kick in the pants' not only for the Scout but for a lot of adults too.                                         One of the key elements to motivated parents are knowledgeable, creative and really fun leadership.

They begin to enjoy the fun of doing things with their son and they get to meet and help positively influence his peers. Parents that like to get involed and become reliable are not easy to find.

That's why your reading this!

If your a Pack or Troop leader you should always keep your eye out for energetic, dependable, and fun parents. Embrace them with friendship and ask them for a little help with their sons den projects, always in person, or by phone or e-mail once they've shown their reliability.

AT DEN MEETINGS

All parents who regularly attend den meetings should be participating in the meetings. Some parents like to go to the corner and talk. Den meetings should include the parent in the opening prayer and closing living circle and even the meeting itself if required to. By participating with the young scout it helps complete his circle of trust and hope. One of the obsticles in motivating parents is the single parent. The single parent, many times signs the boy up to be around a good male roll model. Which is ok and Scouting definitely provides that but, getting some single parents to even stay is like pulling teeth. Don't let parents drop the boy off, just like school they must bring the scout and check in with the Den Leader. Make sure there is 2 deep leadership at the den   meeting (or 1 leader and another adult)

AT ROUND-UPS

When I first meet parents who want to sign up with our scouting program I tell them 2 things:

1) BSA does not stand for 'Babysitters of America'  and

2) The Scout gets as much out of scouting as the parent puts into scouting. 

AT PACK MEETINGS

Pack meetings are one of the best times to motivate parents because they are ready to be motivated.              Set-up should be included on a den schedule rotation to keep the duties spread out between dens.                      Which helps the parent get involed. If the Committee Chair, Cubmaster and Asst. Cubmaster work well with one another, each should know what needs to get done and recruit parents to help set-up, gathering, skit participation, serving, clean-up and most of all volunteer to help at future events.

IN GENERAL

If a parent drops his boy off at a den meeting or sits in the corner at the pack meetings introduce your self  Ask them what they do for a living, find out their hobbies or strong points are and ask them for help when you need them. Parents are human they need to be asked for help. Otherwise they'll think they're just barging in on the show. You may be suprised at how many parents out there become your new friend.

KEEP IT SIMPLE - STAY POSITIVE - NEVER STOP ASKING FOR HELP - MAKE IT FUN

scoutpack28@oocities.com