The Boy Recruiting Presentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Ideas for Growth

What Is a Boy Recruiting Presentation?

 

The boy recruiting presentation is a five- to ten-minute talk to Tiger Cub–, Cub Scout–, or Webelos Scout–age boys, in order to tell them about the Cub Scout round-up. It is usually held during the day. In addition to schools, presentations can be given at com­munity centers, youth organizations, etc. A successful presentation creates excitement and enthusi­asm among boys about attending the round-up, and the boys leave knowing what to bring to the round-up.

Presentation Basics

Boy recruiting presentations are best con­ducted in small group set­tings, such as going from one group to another rather than in a large assembly.  In other words, it is better to move from one setting to another than to have a mass of boys come to one location.  If there must be a large group of boys, separate the grades as much as possible.

The presenter should be a Scouter, preferably a volunteer who is familiar with the school or organization (and vice versa) and is a member of or is familiar with the pack that is recruit­ing. The presenter should look like the Scouter he or she is, and dress in full uniform. The presenter must plan ahead to avoid topics that might be sensitive issues within the organization or in the area.

The presenter takes along a supply of flyers, postcards, visual aids (pinewood derby car, mini-tent, fishing rod, etc.); things that will excite the boys and that represent activities boys like to do.

Schedule the presentation no less than two and no more than three days before the round-up.

 The presenter should arrive 30 minutes early to be sure the organization is ready and/or reassure them that the presenter is ready.

The actual presentation to the boys should include:

¨  A brief description about the fun activities in Cub Scouting

¨  The importance of each boy coming to the round-up with the adult who takes care of him

¨  A gimmick to get the flyers home, such as having the boys put them in their sock, book bag, or belt

¨  A conclusion that reminds boys about the date, time, and place of the round-up, and has the boys repeat this information back to you

Preparation

¨   Contact the pack leader and confirm the date, time, place, and contact point for the round-up night.

¨   Contact the school principal or organiza­tion director well in advance to schedule the presentation. In case of a school, ask the principal to allow you to go from group to group for a few minutes to meet with all boys in the first through fifth grades. If you cannot go from group to group, ask to meet with the boys as a group in an assembly or at lunchtime. Also ask if the school or organization will make an announcement on the public address system or otherwise publicize the presentation.

¨   If you cannot meet with boys only, and girls may be at your presentation, obtain contact information for the local council of Girls Scouts of the U.S.A. to give to the teachers.

¨   Confirm the presentation with a letter or phone call.

¨   Create a promotional flyer.

¨   Practice your presentation.

¨   Secure any necessary props.

¨   Plan to wear your uniform.

Presentation Format

Any of these presentation formats can be suc­cessful. Use the one that is most convenient for the school or organization:

All-boy assembly for first through fifth graders. Keep it between 12 and 15 minutes. Be sure that you can be heard.

Small-group presentations. This type of presentation requires a condensed three- to five-minute talk for each group.

Lunchtime. Many schools will not let you take education time away from the boys, but if you ask to talk to the boys at lunch you may meet less resistance.

 

Agenda for a Boy Recruiting Presentation

First, stop at the office and introduce yourself to the secretary and contact person about 15 to 30 minutes before the time you have scheduled to begin. Introduce yourself to the adult leader and say that you are here to talk to the boys about Cub Scouts.

In your presentation to the boys, it is most effective if at first you are somewhat stern, disci­plined, and well-mannered. Then gradu­ally become cheerful, enthusiastic, and even silly. Remember that you are talking to little children, not adults—keep it short. Try to get the boys to participate in your presentation.

       I.   Introduce yourself.

            A. Ask the organization leader not to introduce you, as you will take care of that. Merely have them quiet the group down and introduce you as someone who has something important to say.

            B. Ask if anyone knows what type of uniform you are wearing. You should get a variety of responses: police officer, park ranger, soldier, Boy Scout.

            C. Introduce yourself and tell them you are indeed a Cub Scout leader and that you are there to talk to them about becoming a Cub Scout. If girls are present, briefly state that the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has a program for them and that they can get information on how to join from the leader (teacher, pastor, community director, etc.).

II.                Show an appropriate video.

               Show “Tiger Cubs, Yeah!,” No. AV-01V005 (2 minutes), to first graders, “Cub Scout Jam,” No. AV-01V004R (3 minutes, 15 seconds), to second and third graders, and “Webelos, WOW!” No. AV-01V007 (2 minutes), to fourth and fifth graders to explain the specific program designed for each grade level. Perform a song or cheer if a video is not available.

            A. Have a Cub Scout or Webelos Scout tell the group what he enjoys about Cub Scouting.

B. Share examples of den and pack activities:

                 Ask them if anyone knows the kinds of things that Cub Scouts do, and call for hands. Spend some time describing the things that they identify that are a part of the program, but deny the things that are not. For example:

                 “Who can tell me what kinds of things they think Cub Scouts do?” Call on a boy with his hand raised. “They make stuff.” “Yes, they do make stuff. When you make stuff that’s called a project, and Cub Scouts do lots of projects. Who can tell me the one craft that every Cub Scout gets to do each year? I’ll give you a hint: it has wheels.” Call on another boy whose hand is raised. “They make racing cars!” “Yes, that’s right; they make pinewood derby race cars (Prop: pinewood block of wood). They take an ordinary block of wood like this. And with their imagination, some basic wood tools, paint, decals, and help from their mom or dad, they turn that block of wood into the world’s fastest pinewood derby car and race it down a track that’s from here to that wall. (Show them.) Who thinks they would like to try and build one of these? (Prop: completed car.) What other things do you think that Cub Scouts do?” Call on raised hands; if necessary, lead them to these responses:

                 ¨  Earn badges

                 ¨  Go camping, swimming, fishing

                 ¨  Shoot BB guns, tell stories around campfires, participate in sports

                 ¨  Perform service projects, such as food drives, clothing drives, trash clean-ups, etc.

                 ¨  Do projects—pinewood derby, space derby, rain gutter regatta, holiday gifts, toys

                 ¨  Explore nature, take hikes to see wild life (deer, raccoon, skunk, chipmunk, turkey), make plant and tree identification, go on zoo trips, bird-watch (raptors: eagles, hawks, owls), reptiles (snakes, lizards, frogs)

                 ¨  Participate in special events, such as parades, pack trips, the blue and gold banquet, district activities

    III.   Share information on the round-up event:

            A. Ask the boys, “Who thinks they would like to be a Cub Scout?” Hopefully every boy will raise his hand.

            B. Tell them how to join: “If you want to be a Cub Scout and do all these fun things, there’s going to be a sign-up on _________ at the __________. An adult will need to come with you, so you’re going to have to ask them if you can be a Cub Scout. Take this flyer home, and wait for them to come home. When they turn on the TV, take your flyer out, hold it proudly in front of you (both arms fully extended) and say ‘Mom, dad, may I please be a Cub Scout? A Cub Scout leader who visited our group today told us all about Cub Scouts, and I want to be a Cub Scout.’

                 “Your leader will give you the flyers today. Make sure you say please to your parents, and don’t practice asking until you get home.”

     IV.   Tell boys what to bring to the round-up event.

            A. The adult who takes care of them

            B. Registration fee

      V.   Ask the group leader to distribute information flyers to the boys.

    VI.   Summarize.

               Finish each presentation with an enthusiastic statement about the fun Cub Scout events scheduled for the next three months. Remind the boys again what the date, time, and place for the round-up are, and what to bring.

   VII.   Answer questions.

               If time is available, briefly answer questions. Explain that more information will be available at the round-up event.

VIII.   Thank the leader.

               Thank them and present recognition items. Leave an extra flyer or any other support materials with each teacher, pastor, or community leader.

    IX.   Follow up.

               Call the leader(s) listed on the flyer and tell them that the presentation was carried out successfully. Remind them to keep a log of names and phone numbers from everyone who calls about the flyer, paying special attention to those boys who will not be able to attend the event but will be at the next meeting.

Boy Recruiting Presentation Notes

 

Goal: Excite and enthuse the boys about Cub Scouting and the round-up.

  1. Introduce yourself and distribute flyers.

      ___________________________________________________________________________

  2. Tell about fun things Cub Scouts do in the area (camping, hiking, fishing, etc.). Ask boys “Do you like to do these things?”

      ___________________________________________________________________________

      ___________________________________________________________________________

  3. Give round-up information:

      Date ______________________________________________________________________

      Time ______________________________________________________________________

      Place ______________________________________________________________________

      ___________________________________________________________________________

  4. Tell boys what to bring:

      Parents

      Admission “ticket” (flyer)

      ___________________________________________________________________________

      ___________________________________________________________________________

  5. Summarize: Review and repeat steps three and four.

      ___________________________________________________________________________

      ___________________________________________________________________________

  6. Remind boys that Cub Scouting is awesome!

      ___________________________________________________________________________

Key Points

¨   Start and end on a high-energy note.

¨   Remember to promise only what the pack can deliver.