Invite your Friends
The best way for someone to discover Scouting is an invitation from a friend who’s already in it. Everyone in the troop can help- scouts and adults alike.
New members keep the troop strong. More scouts means fuller patrols, more people to lead and learn from, and more of the trips and activities you want to do. Every scout who joins today is a future Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, or Eagle Scout.
It’s also more fun for you! Scouting is better with your best friends along. If they join, they can be in your patrol- camping, cooking, and working on ranks right beside you.
Invite Someone
Section titled “Invite Someone”- Talk about it. Tell your friends what you enjoy about Scouting and the troop.
- Invite them to something specific. “Come to Scouts sometime” is easy to ignore. “Come on our hike this Saturday” isn’t. Pick an upcoming meeting or event that’s fun and low-commitment.
- Make sure their parents know the details. Who, what, when, where, and what to bring. Parents need this before they’ll say yes.
- Record it. Let the Membership Coordinator know using the recruiting lead form, so they can follow up and help.
- Be their buddy. Greet your friend when they arrive and stick with them so they’re not on their own.
- Help them sign up. If they had a good time, point them to Becoming a Scout.
Invite a Friend to Do Something Fun (Scouting Magazine)
The Recruiter Strip
Section titled “The Recruiter Strip”
When a scout makes the primary contribution toward inviting someone who ends up joining the troop, they earn the Recruiter Strip. It’s worn below the right pocket on the uniform shirt.
It’s a rare award, and it’s often been called the single most important patch in all of Scouting. Ranks and merit badges show what you’ve done for yourself, but the Recruiter Strip shows you’ve given someone else the chance to experience Scouting too.