5 Tips on Getting Parents More Involved in Your Girl Scout Troop
It’s an amazing feeling knowing your efforts are making a difference in the lives of girls, but realize you don’t have to do it alone! Here are five tips on how to get parents more involved in your troop.
- Know How to Communicate
Nearly one third of parents want to receive information about volunteering opportunities online. Opening new electronic communication channels via email, text, and social media is your ticket for getting more parents interested and involved. But it’s a good idea to first confirm with your troop parents the best method for communication. Ask them if they prefer getting information through text, troop website, Facebook page, etc.
2. Be Clear About When and Where You Most Need Parents’ Support
Consider asking for the specific help you need, while explaining to parents how their support in targeted areas will boost all the girl’s achievement. Cultivate your parents as important team members working toward the common goal of troop success.
3. Engage Working Parents
With 73 percent of parents citing that work schedules prevent them from volunteering regularly, it’s easy to see how co-leaders might find themselves at a loss for how to fully engage parents in the meetings after school. Creative ways to involve working parents include:
· Inviting parents to update the troop website and/or social media outlets
· Preparing badge or project materials from home
· Attending field trips outside the regular meeting schedule
· Invite parents to plan an outing or share a special skill they have
Just ask! You may be surprised at how much help you get.
4. Plan for Parent Volunteers
One thing that can discourage parent volunteers is arriving at a meeting to discover they aren’t needed or aren’t sure what to do. One in five parents said that they’ve experienced difficulty finding out what is needed of them. Create a Parent Sign-up Sheet (or use sign-up genius) with a list of volunteer roles and share it at your parent meeting in the fall. If all the slots are not filled (some parents don’t sign up), ask parents personally for ideas or ways they can help support the troop this year.
5. Say Thank You and Show Appreciation
Recognizing parent volunteers is a surefire way to grow your parent volunteer pool and keep them returning to help with the troop. Let parents know that you and your girls value their contributions, no matter how small or how involved. Consider sending them thank you cards, hand-written notes from you and the girls, and short videos or photos that can be emailed and posted on the troop website or Facebook page.
For more tips on how to get parents involved attend your next Service Unit meeting, or contact your Volunteer Support Specialist with any questions.
