View Full Version : Communications- I need your input!
michaelmhh6
10-03-2008, 04:50 PM
I would like to hear your suggestions and ideas on the following.
How can your council disseminate information better directly to the parents about scouting activities and events?
Since parents are the decision makers in their son's life.
Your input is very important!
Don't be shy.
I am open to all ideas and suggestions on this subject. You can e-mail me at michaelmhh6@aol.com
Nuts4Scouts
10-04-2008, 12:54 AM
Parents need to learn to look at web sites and sign up for e-mail newsletters.
Sometimes the issue is not with the council, but with parents (and leaders) who do not even attempt to be informed.
WB Bear
10-07-2008, 04:51 PM
I really don’t think it is as much the council issue as far as getting the information out. The information is usually readily available. Using the websites and emails are good sources. Parents’ attendance at pack meetings, committee meetings and Roundtables are probably even better sources.
It is really interesting that you raise this question on this ScoutParents site. You have come to the right place. Check out the new position which went into effect Sept. 1st, ScoutParents Unit Coordinator. http://scoutparents.org/ScoutParentsVolunteers&Teams.pdf
WB Bear
10-07-2008, 05:00 PM
On BSA E-Learning System there is a ScoutParents Unit Coordinator Fast Start Program.
MB Counselor Ed
10-17-2008, 11:30 AM
Your unit should be supplying you with all the information you would need. There is a ton of stuff at the council level that would not apply.
From the scout registration form Council gets home address, phone number, and email address.
In addition to monthly Roundtable, our Council uses a variety of methods to reach out and touch families about various activities and events. These include electronic... email, monthly council and district newsletters, and RSS feeds.
Direct mail is sometimes used as are Calling Post messages by phone. Other announcements may from time to time appear in local newspapers and/or on radio. I don't think TV has been utilized yet, at least in our area though something might be possible with public access TV on cable.
The Council database is readily available to each District as well.
In general, we have found that information that parents must "pull" from a variety of sources is much more poorly received/used than is information that is "pushed" out to parents directly. With push you at least have a fairly high degree of confidence that they actually received it... whether or not they chose to open the message and read or listen to is of course unknown... but at least a fairly decent job of getting important/time sensitive information into their hands was achieved.