Growth & Development Resources
As a County, we provide over 7,000 young people with the opportunity to learn skills for life. We want to provide this even more young people, and have Scout Groups that reflect the communities they are in. Thinking about the development of your Section, Group or District is key to making sure it can thrive for years to come.
Here you can find resources to help you with growth and development. If there is an area you would like further support with that is not covered here, please get in touch with Sarah McAtominey, DCC Development (sarah.mcatominey@cycscouts.org.uk)
Central Yorkshire Recruitment Resources
If you going to represent your group at a local event to recruit new team members, did you know we have some resources that you can use to make a great impression in your local area?
The kit comprises everything you might need including a 3m x 3m gazebo, pull up banners, a display table with tablecloth, and a selection of uniforms, posters and badge books, creating a visual impact which will help you start conversations.
To check availability and book the out items please contact Cathryn Atkinson on Cathryn.Atkinson@cycscouts.org.uk If you would like some ideas on how you can use the kit, please contact Helen.Thomas@scouts.org.uk, or check out the ideas from the Recruitment Toolkit | Scouts
Growth Project Working Group!
Grow Your Team
Bringing amazing new adults into Scouting is an important part of making sure we can offer Scouting to as many young people as possible. We know it isn’t always easy but here are some things you can do to attract new people:
- Make sure you are visible in your community, online and in-person
- Connect with local businesses and organisations
- Advertise the tasks you need doing, rather than the roles that need filing
- Get to know the family members in your Group and encourage them to get involved
- Set up a public Facebook page to share all the great things you’re doing
- Share opportunities on the Leeds Volunteering Platform, or Volunteer Wakefield
- Follow up any enquiries quickly
- Join in and catch-up on these Volunteer Recruitment Workshops
- Get your team Ready to Recruit
- Make use of the Recruitment Toolkit
- Top tips for recruiting parents
- Top tips for recruiting students
Once you’ve got people interested, remember to give them the information they need, explain what level of commitment is needed and any training and DBS requirements. Set them up with a buddy to help them through their first few months and keep checking in to find out how they’re doing. Make sure they feel part of the team and knows what’s going on and most importantly, say thank you for all their hard work!
Need more young people in your Section or Group? Check out these tips for bringing in more young people.
Using Social Media for Recruitment
Social media can be a great way of spreading the word about the great things you do. Here’s where to look for advice and guidance:
- Watch this webinar about using social media to support recruitment
- Read through this social media guidance to optimise your profiles
- Get in touch with our County Communications Manager, Vicky Sanderson (vicky.sanderson@cycscouts.org.uk)
If you’re not sure what to post, there are loads of ready-made pictures and videos on the Scouts Brand Centre. Log in or create an account to look through the ‘Recruitment Ready’ kits on there and post away! Here are some of our favourite videos that you can download and share:
Recruiting Managers and Supporters
Great managers aren’t always easy to find – use these resources to help you find the right fit:
- Recruiting GSLs and DCs
- Use these downloadable resources to help with your search
- Use the brand centre to create flyers and posters that you can share
- Use these role descriptions as a guide and to help you identify the tasks you need doing.
Looking After Your Team
Our volunteers should be having as much fun as our young people – but that’s only possible with the right kinds of support. Once you’ve built your team, it’s really important to look after them and keep checking in to make sure everything is okay.
- Plan an induction period for new volunteers where they can be supported by a local buddy or mentor while they get used to their new role
- You could personalise this Welcome Pack to help new leaders with their induction
- Use informal reviews to check in with your team and make sure they’re happy in their role. Why not use this template agenda?
- Recognise the hard work of your team and always say thank you!
- There are certificate templates on the Brand Centre you can use for an extra special thank you.
For more tips on managing volunteers, take a look at the Scouts website.
Trustee Boards
Trustee Boards play a really important role in the running of Scout Groups and Districts. They are charity trustees and carry out administrative tasks to ensure the best quality Scouting can be delivered to young people.
Growing Your Trustee Board
Getting involved with the Board can be a great way for adults make a difference in Scouting, without working with young people. When talking to interested people share why you enjoy it and the difference it makes to young people. If it seems like a fun team to be a part of people will want to join!
There are loads of places you can look for new people to join your Trustee Board – it doesn’t have to just be within Scouting! How about:
- Job Centres
- Universities
- Company Newsletters
- Family Members
- Local businesses
- Recruitment agencies
- Social media
- Online volunteering sites (e.g. Doing Good Leeds / Volunteer Wakefield)
- Name generation exercise
Here is a leaflet you can share to promote becoming a member of Trustee Board.
Once you’ve got someone interested, you can try the Four Step Challenge to give them a chance to ‘try before they buy’.
Being a charity trustee is something to take seriously, but try to put peoples’ minds at ease about this. Remember, all Group Executive Committee members are covered by trustee indemnity insurance.
Available Support for Existing Trustee Boards
If you are already a member of a Trustee Board, here are some resources to support you in your role:
-
- Support and guidance on the national website
- Watch these Governance Support Webinars
- Role-specific guides for Executive Committee members
- Top tips on applying for grants and funds
- Grant funding for voluntary and community groups in Leeds
- Wakefield Community Grants Scheme