Scout Leader Recruitment

We all know that trying to recruit adult volunteers can be a difficult task. So the City of Hull District Team thought we would offer some tips on how to make volunteering more appealing and fun to be a part of.

Not everything below will work for your Group or Section but they are ideas to help promote Scouting and the benefits of being a volunteer.

If you want any support with any of the below tips and ideas please get in touch, as we have a team of people to help.

Social Media

Social media is a fantastic way of engaging with your Group's and Section's young people and their family. But did you know that when you post something on social media their close friends will also see posts that have been liked? Having a public page that members and non-members can see is a really good way to show all the activities you are under taking in your Section. Photos and short videos help people engage and want to be part of the fun.

Keep your Group's closed Facebook group set up for messaging your parents and supporters and letting them know about things you are looking to do. But setup a Facebook page to show everyone else about the amazing things you have done.

Other Social media platforms that people engage with are: 

• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Scout Brand Centre

The Scout Brand Centre is the place to go for anything Scouting. Here you can generate logos, download and print recruitment packs and even order signs for your Scout HQ.

While all of the download elements are free, physical printed items are chargeable but don't forget you can create and download something for free and then take it to a local printer who may be cheaper, while keeping everything on brand.

The brand centre also offers premade letters and leaflets, so all you have to do is put your Group's contact details on. Available on here are premade recruitment packs for you to use on your new social media pages. 

Sign up here, its free! :- https://scoutsbrand.org.uk/auth/register

It may ask you for your membership number but don't worry its not required.
 

Talking to Parents

Don't be afraid to invite your parents in and have a chat with them. One of the biggest things we do is say "We need leaders." But to someone who isn't in Scouting, what is a leader?

Try changing your language towards parents use phrases like "Could you help me with..." and then give a specific task. Things like making juice, setting up tables, taking the register.

Asking a parent to complete 1 task in an evening will free you up to do other things. This then becomes the norm for these new helping parents. If a parent is now starting to help more often add them to compass as an Occasional Helper.

Next step would be to invite them to a planning meeting where again you give them simple and easy tasks to take ownership of. Maybe start to get them to look after a small group when putting tents up or running a table on a trading post night. This is now a brilliant time to ask them to become a Sectional Assistant. 

A Sectional Assistant is a role that enables people to wear uniform if they wish, and also sets them a volunteer down the path training.

Before you know it, you have more help in your Sections and Group.
 

Value Current Members

We are all in Scouting because we enjoy it. Seeing the young people learn new skills, grow and become an active person in society is what we aim for.

But think about your volunteer journey, think of the skills you have learned along the way. Think of how Scouting has made you a more rounded and fulfilled person. 

When a volunteer achieves something, pushes themselves, gains an award, we should make a big deal about it. Just like a Cub receiving a badge, we all like recognition for the time and effort we put in.

Put current members forward for awards, let the District Team know if a volunteer has done something great to help the community. We want everyone to know what we are doing and how it helps everyone not just the young people. 

By giving out awards and valuing our volunteers the Group's parents and the public will see how much Scouting has to offer and they will want to be part of it.

Find out more about awards here :- https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/learning-development-and-awards/awards-and-recognition/
 

Young Leaders

Young Leaders are the future leaders of Scouting. Every Section can have them and they are a great resource to have. 

Scouting has a brilliant training programme to help support 14-18 year olds to become Young Leaders in a Section. They can be there to support your programme, games and activities. Groups that have Explorer Units attached to them should ask their Explorers if they want to come and help in the younger sections. You can explain the benefits to them of completing the Young Leaders Scheme, including the award they receive at the end and how this will benefit their college, university or job application. 

For groups without Explorer Units attached, come and have a chat with the District Team and we can help you to find Young Leaders from other Explorer Units. 

For more information regarding Young Leaders in the District, please contact Ellie at dyc@hullscouts.org.uk 
or visit https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/running-an-explorer-unit/explorer-scout-young-leaders-scheme/
 

Leaflets

Leaflets are another great resource if used correctly. However, just performing a leaflet drop often leads to high costs and a low response. Leaflets are found to be more effective when handed to people at the end of a conversation. 

If you are looking at using leaflets to try and recruit, you need to think about your target audience. Is it adult volunteers or young people you are looking for? Carefully choose a time, location or event where you will be and ensure you have many people on hand to engage in meaningful conversations that can be ended with a leaflet that gives them more information on the next steps. 

You can find premade recruitment leaflets on https://scoutsbrand.org.uk/ 

The District have also produced some leaflets that will be handed around Groups in the coming weeks.
 

Be Seen

One of the biggest ways to recruit is to be seen. Whilst during COVID restrictions this may be harder than usual, many outdoor community events such as; church fairs, scarecrow festivals, open gardens, etc are happy for Scouting to have a presence at. 

You may be attending this event to volunteer rather than directly recruit, but seeing adults and young leaders in Scouting clothing often sparks a conversation with members of the public could lead to recruiting new members. 

It is best to wear colourful clothing with clearly visible Scout branding and save your uniform for more formal events. This makes you more approachable and shows the diverse range of activities that Scouting does, when not in full uniform. Often your necker is enough and is the piece of our uniform most people associate with Scouting. 

The more people see us having fun, the more people will want to be part of the Scouts!