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Planning for successful adult recruitment

The key thing to remember is that successful recruitment relies on good planning. This includes thinking about:

  -  how you are going to reach potential leaders
  -  what you want them to do
  -  how you are going to support them


It also means that you need to set goals and deadlines that are realistic and achievable and monitor your progress as you go along. This will allow you to adapt and change to meet the local needs of your group or unit and your potential volunteers.

We successfully recruit more adults when our scouting is seen as:

  • open and welcoming: it should be a ‘place of doors, not a place of walls’

  • an energetic place, full of enthusiastic people and full of activity

  • making a major contribution to the community

  • well organised where people’s time is productive

  • safe (especially for young people)

  • well managed

  • part of a huge, vibrant and successful national and international organisation.

By the way - we are not suggesting your group is not these things but it’s good to lay things on the line!

Finding the right role / task for the right person

Asking the right questions can ensure that your volunteers are happy in the long term, examples include:

  • Do you know about the variety of roles / tasks available in scouting?
  • Do any of these options appeal to you?
  • Would you prefer to work with young people or with other adults?
  • Do you have any hobbies?
  • Would you like to use your existing skills or would you like to do something completely different?
  • How much time would you like to spend volunteering?

Everyone has a role to play in adult recruitment

As adults in scouting, we all have a role to play in the recruitment of more adult volunteers. To do this we need to:

  • take into account the motivations, skills and availability of the individual concerned, and tailor the role accordingly
  • promote the learning opportunities available - highlight the fact that volunteers can learn new things and develop new skills
  • let people know that their help is needed
  • engage parents and let them see what scouting all is about
  • support and develop young leaders
  • make people aware of the range of volunteering opportunities available
  • accept that they may not want to become a leader straight away
  • support them, support them, support them😊!
  • make changes when people are unhappy with what they've been asked to do, or want a change

 

To successfully recruiting the right people. Our experience has shown us that people are more likely to get involved if:

  • they are aware there is a need for more adult help

  • their motivations, skills and interests are considered

  • they are clear about what they will be expected to do

  • they are aware of the learning opportunities available to them

  • the section/group conveys a sense of fun and success

  • the section/group is friendly and welcoming

  • they are asked to fill a specific role or task

  • they are offered the correct role or task for them

  • you are open about the requirements of the role/task (discuss it, show them a role description and offer to tailor the role to their needs.)