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2008 SCHOOL NIGHT TO JOIN SCOUTING
Adult volunteer leaders are working together on the annual fall membership recruiting campaign, School Night to Join Scouting.

The efforts of one individual to provide a quality Scouting program can influence many young people and change an entire community. But it won't be accomplished unless leaders plan to reach out to the youth in their community.

All boys should have the opportunity to become a Scout. Every parent should have the opportunity to participate in Scouting with his or her child.

School Night is one of the most effective ways to invite boys and their parents to join and become an integral part of your unit's program.

District & Council Support
Units throughout the council will welcome thousands of new youth and adult members in the coming weeks. School Night will be held on different nights in each district in the council. This will allow several district volunteers to assist units that need extra help.

Each school district will have all elementary schools -- public and private -- open on one designated night. Every elementary school in the council should be open and staffed by pack and troop leaders to welcome boys and adults to Scouting. Posters and fliers will be delivered to schools.

Careful planning by unit leaders is a crucial part of a successful School Night. Some time spent making a few phone calls and putting together a short program can pay big dividends.

Personal Invitations
One of the most effective ways of recruiting is to organize a phone-a-thon one or two nights before School Night. Secure phone lists or buzz books from your school. A personal phone call inviting the family to School Night provides a warm welcome. It also insures promotion in case the School Night flier information didn't get into the hands of the parents or guardian.

Open Houses
Each unit should plan to make a presentation at its elementary school open house. Try to secure a table, staffed by pack volunteers, in an area of high visibility. You can even have applications available at the table. If possible, secure a few minutes on the agenda.

Packs may want to distribute a pack calendar and a list of contact people with their phone numbers. Units also can put photos and crafts on display on bulletin boards or in display cases in the school.

School Rallies
Each unit should have a uniformed adult leader join the district executive in making classroom visits or rallies at your school. This will take place anywhere from one to three days before your School Night. This is a great time to tell boys about pack activities and programs.

Bring a pinewood derby car, patches, crafts or other small program-related articles into the classroom to show how enjoyable Scouting is.

These visits are crucial in generating the excitement needed to insure a good School Night turnout.

During each school visit, the uniformed adult leader and district executive will give each boy a touch-on, which is a small Cub Scout-oriented sticker. The sticker will remind the boy and his parents or guardian to attend School Night.

Get Ready, Get Set -- School Night!
Each unit should distribute a calendar of events and activities to prospective members and adult leaders as they enter the meeting on School Night. A well-organized program calendar makes a strong first impression. Prospective Scouts and leaders will be more responsive if they witness leadership and dedication in the unit from the start.

• Each unit should have a master of ceremonies on School Night. This person should be in full uniform and be a good public speaker. The person should follow the agenda provided to all units at the August Program Preview meeting.
• Each unit should have a registrar. This person will be responsible for organizing a system to collect fees and applications in an orderly and efficient manner. This may involve more than one person.
• Each Cub Scout pack should have someone coordinating the Tiger Cubs. They should be prepared to conduct a short orientation and answer questions about the program.
• Additional leaders should be available to answer questions and help with applications.

After boys and their parents join a Scouting unit, they want to experience the Scouting program. Leaders and School Night organizers are the key people in seeing that dens or patrols are formed.

Unit leaders must be willing to accept new boys and to make sure that each boy receives the program he was promised. Unit leaders must realize that School Night is the time to recruit additional help and have parents accept specific responsibilities.

Scouting Program
Scouting is an exciting program. Our leaders teach values and develop leadership skills in young people while everyone involved has fun. Scouting is importantimportant enough that every parent should consider it and every boy encouraged to try Scouting.

If you have any questions or problems regarding School Night, contact your unit commissioner or district executive. He or she will assist your unit and help with preparations.