Recruiting Basics

For a successful recruiting season, there are a few basics that our troops need to accomplish:

• Town-Wide Recruiting Events:  The Amity Service Unit begins each Girl Scout year with recruiting events in each town that we serve. If you are coordinating the Recruiting event, you just need to supply the event details to our Membership & Marketing Manager (MMM) at the North Haven Service Center and she will coordinate the preparation of flyers to be distributed at your local schools.  Don't forget to leave flyers at private schools and in the library (for home-schoolers).
• Your Girl Scouts are your best recruiters:  It's just natural -- your youngest Scouts are great recruiters.  They talk about their troop, they show off their new Daisy tunic and before you know it, someone new wants to join the troop.  Offer your troops a "bring a friend" meeting or activity so that their friends can see what's going on (their mom should attend also, for liability reasons).  If the friend joins, make sure to mark her 'recruiter' on the Registration form and follow up with our MMM to get a special 'bring a friend' patch for your star recruiter.
• Update Town Records & Public Listings:  When new families move to town, they check the Town directories, PATCH listings and local newspapers for information on youth programs.  Make sure to keep an eye on public listings for accurate Girl Scout contact information.  
• Be an ambassador:  Welcome every prospect.  Even if you are too stressed from a huge troop, maybe the new recruit has a mom who wants to help.  Or, you can help the recruit find another community troop that might be able to take her.  Never turn away a girl from the opportunity to join Girl Scouts!
• Host a Table at a town event:  Plenty of opportunities to recruit by hosting a table at a local event.  Summer Concert Series, Back to School events (Ice Cream Social), and other events usually have tables available for free for Scouts.  Don't be afraid to ask.  Bring some beads or other crafts to attract your own Scouts and prospective Scouts to the table.  Bring your troop photo album too.  Have Registration materials and pens on hand!

IDEAS for Recruiting Events:  Open House, Camping Demo Party, Carnival Games, Ice Cream Social, Thinking Day Celebrations, Juliette Gordon Low birthday party.

If you have any questions, PLEASE talk to other leaders, your town Recruiter or the Service Unit Manager.  There is always a friendly face around to help you!