DISTRICT & COUNCIL TOOLS
Help Every Unit Build a Stronger Future.
District and council membership teams help units build successful, sustainable recruiting plans. These tools are designed for district volunteers, commissioners, professional staff, and other leaders who coach units, communicate recruiting resources, help strengthen existing units, and support the formation of new ones.
District membership support is about more than conducting school sign-up nights. Local packs now lead their own recruiting events, while district volunteers and professionals provide training, coaching, communication, and support.
Topics on This Page:
RECRUITING RESOURCES
The District Membership Team
A functioning district membership team brings volunteers and professional staff together to support thoughtful, sustainable growth.
The team can help:
- Coach units on recruiting strategies.
- Share membership information at Roundtables and other district communications.
- Help identify membership opportunities.
- Support new-unit development.
- Strengthen units experiencing membership challenges.
- Build relationships with schools and community organizations.
Help Units Recruit
District teams can help unit leaders understand and apply the council's recruiting process:
- Build a calendar of activities families want to join.
- Promote the unit program.
- Recruit enough adult leaders and helpers.
- Develop school and community presence.
- Conduct effective joining events.
- Continue recruiting and delivering great programs throughout the year.
Direct unit leaders to the Recruiting Resources section for detailed guidance.
Membership Team Roles
Districts may divide membership responsibilities among several volunteers based on local needs and available resources.
Potential functions include:
- Unit recruiting support.
- Membership communications.
- Recruiting kickoff support.
- New-unit development
- Community relationship development.
- Membership analysis and planning.
- Coordination with commissioners, training, activities, and communications teams.
Starting New Units
Membership growth may include organizing new packs, troops, crews, and other Scouting units where community needs and prospective chartered organizations make additional Scouting opportunities possible.
New-unit development requires coordination among membership volunteers, professional staff, commissioners, prospective chartered organizations, and community partners.
District teams may also help reorganize units that have dropped or are no longer meeting effectively.
Build Community Relationships
District membership teams can establish and maintain relationships with schools, businesses, civic organizations, faith communities, and other community groups.
Strong partnerships can help introduce Scouting to new audiences, identify future chartered organizations, and create opportunities for existing units.
Year-Round Membership Support
Membership growth is a year-round process. District teams can reinforce different priorities throughout the year:
- Spring & Summer: Help units plan programs, strengthen family engagement, and recruit through simple community activities.
- Back-to-School Season: Coach packs as they conduct unit-led recruiting, build school relationships, promote their programs, and hold joining events.
- Fall & Winter: Help units welcome new families, recruit additional leaders, retain current members, and plan for the next recruiting cycle.
Use Roundtables, newsletters, websites, social media, email, and one-to-one coaching to keep membership resources in front of unit leaders throughout the year.
