Ask-a-Friend events are essential to the membership health of your unit. The only two recruiting techniques more effective than ask-a-friend events are school and open house events. Since many units can’t access schools, these friend events become very important.
Besides bringing new Scouts to your unit, ask-a-friend events don’t take much extra work. You have your Scouts bring friends to events like pack meetings or camporees, which your unit is already doing. That being said, there are some things you need to do in advance and at the event to make the most of the recruiting opportunity.
Personally, I am a fan of checklists. They work to remind you of things you know but may have forgotten, and they are a great way to train someone new in how to do something. This is why the Ask-a-Friend Recruiting Checklist is here! It summarizes the most important things to do for these events and also provides a timeline to follow, because units do need to advertise these events.
The checklist includes things to think about, such as what kind of event works well for guests who know nothing about Scouting. The Ask-a-Friend Checklist video and checklist form are posted in Screen Boosted Scouting (SBS) under adult resources. The video would be a perfect thing to show in a committee meeting as you plan your event.
Screen Boosted Scouting’s purpose is to make it easier for leaders to do what they love, which is program. Besides the new checklist, we have 4 separate “in-the-box” meetings, 3 for Packs and 1 activity for older Scouts, to help with Ask-a-Friend events. The videos and materials are in SBS in a separate section title “In-a-Box Recruiting.” Here is a brief explanation of these new resources:
- Be Prepared: Make first aid kits, assemble 6-essentials kits, and learn about the Be Prepared motto.
- Take Flight: Craft paper airplanes, improve the design, and land them at the airport or other flight targets.
- It Takes a Team: Teamwork makes the dream work. Work together to fend off the Death Star (with bean bags) and build a city with index cards.
- 2-is 1, 1 is None: This activity for older Scouts builds tools from simple materials that are useful for their outdoor adventures and teaches what “2 is 1, 1 is None” means in wilderness survival.
Ask-a-Friend events are appropriate anytime, but they are definitely important as part of your Spring Recruitment efforts! I hope you try the checklist and resources. If you have questions, please contact me! (Betsy Eubanks, Mountain Valley District Membership)
