If you would like to increase the numbers in your troop, here are 10 easy Girl Scout recruiting tips to help you get new girls.
New leaders are full of enthusiasm when they sign up to lead a f Girl Scout troop. When they check their roster, there are only two other girls listed besides their daughter. How can new leaders recruit more girls?
Here are 10 Girl Scout recruiting tips.
Please note:
You may want to ask your Service Unit first to see if there is a waiting list of girls. When my troop was starting, I took in girls who were on the waitlist, one who was a first grader and one from another school. At the end of the first year, I lost two, including the first grader. My co-leader and I decided at that time we were going to have a troop like our older daughters’-one level and school based. Our one girl from the other school stayed in my troop until tenth grade.
We recruited at school pick up. When our SU heard of our recruiting tactics, they were not pleased with us, as girls were waiting. I told them that this is the kind of troop we wanted and that is how it was going to be.
They backed down.
1. Relax
Back to school is a busy time for everyone, and parents are working out the logistics of work and activities. Plus, not everyone is gung ho to start a new activity when their child is adjusting to school. You may see your numbers increase as the school year progresses and word gets out that there is a troop available.
My troop started out with six in kindergarten and we went to twelve by first grade (my maximum number).
2. Ask the school if they can send around a flyer to kindergarten and/or first grade classes advertising your troop.
In all my years as a parent and a teacher, this was something my local Service Unit did every fall. If yours does not, ask if they will.
3. Use Your School Facebook Group
If your school has a parent run Facebook group, you can share in that space that you are starting a new troop. No such group? Start one!
4. School Pick Up
Do you pick up your child at school? If you are permitted to congregate in the open space, you can talk to other parents about your troop. They may not know one exists so close by.
5. Have Your Daughter Share with Her Friends
Have your daughter talk about Girl Scouts with her friends. Invite them to a meeting (check your Council rules about bringing a friend).
6. Local Facebook and Nextdoor Groups
Post in a local parent Facebook or Nextdoor page about your troop. Have people private message you about when and where you meet.
7. Contact Your Council
Make sure your troop is listed in the Service catalog.
8. Parent Help
Have the parents of girls in your troop reach out to their friends with girls the same age who are eligible to join.
9. Contact your Service Unit Manager
She has probably been involved for a very long time. She will probably have some tips for you.
10. Local MOMs groups or Parents of Twins Groups
See if you can send a flyer or speak at their meeting.
Do you have any other easy Girl Scout recruiting tips to share?
