Inspire Your Adults to Volunteer

The Dilemma:
The meeting date is set. The letters have been sent home with the students. You have all the sign-up forms ready for new people. This year your Unit needs a Cubmaster, or maybe a Scoutmaster. Definitely, you need assistant Troop Leaders. You have serveral committee positions to fill. You've been told to expect at least three new dens this year. That means three new Den Leaders, and three new ADL's, too. You know it can be difficult to convince parents to step forward and assume a leadership role. If they've heard all the folklore about the time involved, they may be afraid to make the commitment. You know how much they will enjoy it once they've taken that first step and said, "Yes." The problem is getting them to do just that - step forward and volunteer.

Take Action:
Of course, you will work with your Unit Commissioner and use the great recruitment tools that BSA and your local Scout Office provides. Without their help and information the task before you would be impossible. But, you wish there was more you could do to convince parents that being a Scout Leader is an opportunity for them. You'd like them to understand it is something they can enjoy, instead of something they simply tolerate and endure until they can find someone else to take over.

Add some inspiration:
After the humor, after the facts have been presented, after you've answered some questions, try a little inspiration! Ask someone who is good at reading aloud to help. It doesn't even have to be an adult. Maybe one of your Scouts would be a good choice. (That might even give parents an idea of what their own child can achieve.) Pick one or two poems, readings or skits that may cause adults to stop and consider the positive side of volunteering.

One I suggest is the Cub Leader Meditation. This can be used for Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts and can be presented as a reading or as a skit. It views leadership as a calling.

My favorite piece is titled Bridge Builder. I believe this explains the "essence" of Scouting better than any other single writing.

Of course, there are always short sayings you can print on posters and place around the room. Like:

You probably have your favorites you can add. Combine these sayings with Scouting art work such as that found on the covers of SCOUTER Magazine and you have a "wall of inspiration" for parents to view before you begin the program.