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Roundtable Recap & Guide: Year-Round Membership Recruitment

Walker Center, Camp Mountain Run
April 16, 2025

Led by: District Executive Sheri Price & Council Commissioner Jim Davis

Meeting Overview:

On April 16, 2025, Scouting leaders from across the Bucktail Council gathered at the Walker Center for a productive and collaborative Roundtable focused on year-round membership recruitment. The evening kicked off with a Safety Moment shared by Unit Commissioner Jeff Keller, setting a mindful tone for the evening.

District Executive Sheri Price opened the main session by introducing the topic and sharing valuable resources from Scouting America’s Dynamic Recruitment materials, emphasizing the importance of active and consistent recruitment throughout the year.

Council Commissioner Jim Davis followed with a review of national membership statistics, highlighting both challenges and opportunities—most notably, that current membership levels mirror those from 1931, and 45% of youth nationwide aren’t involved in any structured activity. This opens a significant window for Scouting to grow.

But the most impactful portion of the evening came through group discussion. Leaders in attendance engaged in a spirited and extended dialogue, sharing successful strategies and exploring new opportunities. The conversation far outlasted the formal presentation—a true example of Roundtable at its best.

Key Resources Shared:

Dynamic Recruitment Playbooks:
Hot Topic Discussion Guide:
Recruitment Tools Provided to Attendees:
  • Year-Round Recruitment Guide
  • Memorial Day Activities for Outreach
  • Summer Recruitment Ideas
  • Peer-to-Peer Recruitment Cards (with program-specific images and QR codes linked to each unit’s BeAScout.org pin. To request cards, contact Sheri Price.)

Discussion Highlights & Strategies Shared:

✅ Use of School Presentations:

  • Capitalize on opportunities to present Scouting to classrooms, assemblies, or through after-school flyers.

✅ Community Presence:

  • Distribute flyers at community events, local stores, and libraries. Visibility leads to curiosity—and potential new families.

✅ Cross-Unit Collaboration:

  • Encourage packs and troops to support one another’s events. Shared activities not only strengthen inter-unit relationships but also boost outreach and retention.

✅ Leverage Holidays & Summer Events:

  • Memorial Day parades and ceremonies are prime opportunities to engage families and show Scouting in action.
  • Consider fun, low-commitment summer activities to keep youth engaged and attract new recruits.

How To Take Action:

  1. Review the Dynamic Recruitment Materials to refresh your understanding of strategies and tools available.
  2. Contact Sheri Price to order Peer-to-Peer cards for your unit or to brainstorm ideas tailored to your community.
  3. Plan one new recruitment activity per season (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) and integrate it into your calendar.
  4. Engage your parents and current Scouts—they’re your best recruiters! Use summer outings and service projects as open-door events for guests.
  5. Coordinate with nearby units to plan cooperative events—stronger together!