What is a Bring-a-Friend Event? One of our most proven successful ways to have more youth and adults explore the benefits of Scouting is to host a Bring-a-Friend Event. The objective of a Bring-a-Friend Event is to grow membership by using existing Scouting members as ambassadors.
A Bring-a-Friend Event is exactly what the name eludes to – a special event to which Scouting youth invite one or more friends. The event is designed to highlight activities and experiences unique to Scouting. For Scouting youth, it’s an opportunity to “show off” how cool Scouting can be. For their “friends”, it is an opportunity to try Scouting. For the group, it provides an opportunity to increase the number of youth in their sections and to connect with more parents and potential leaders.
When is BAF? Bring-a-Friend events can be held all year-round. However, there are times of the year that running a Bring-a-Friend event makes more sense.
1) In the Fall (i.e., October) it is a great way to bring in a few more youth after the bulk of your registration and leadership is registered.
2) In the Winter (i.e., January/February) when the half-year fee takes effect - take advantage of the lowered registration fee to attract more youth!
3) In the Spring (i.e., May) when Early Registration is available – sign a friend up for the following Fall!
How do I run a Bring-a-Friend Event? It is very simple to run a BAF event and with a little planning can be a very successful recruitment tool. Everything you need to know to run a BAF Event can be found on the Jumpstart to Growth webpage: www.scouts.ca/js2g. As well, all Groups received BAF postcards (see above) in their Recruitment Toolkits this past Fall: www.scouts.ca/rtk.
Bring-a-Friend Incentive Programs:
There are three incentive programs to encourage Groups, Sections and Members to Bring Friends!
1) National Bring-a-Friend Incentives– (effective October 1st 2011 – February 29th 2012):
- Each time a Scout brings a friend to a group meeting, the Scout will receive a $5 Scout Shop gift certificate.
- If the friend registers as a new member, he or she will also receive a $5 Scout Shop gift certificate, while the Scout who brought the friend receives an additional $5 gift certificate.
(How do I apply for National BAF Incentives? Details here)
(For the Bring-a-Friend Tracking sheet - click here)
2) Council Bring-a-Friend Incentives – (effective all year-round):
- Every youth/adult that brings a friend (regardless of whether they join or not) will receive a Bring a Friend Crest – contact your Area Commissioner for these crests.
- Every youth/adult that brings a friend AND that friend joins gets a Bring-a-Buddy pin AND a Scouts Canada flashlight.
(How do I apply for Council BAF Incentives? Details here)
(For the Bring-a-Friend Tracking sheet - click here)
3) Winter Bring-a-Friend Incentive Program - (effective February 1st until March 31st 2012):
- Hold a Bring-a-Friend event in any section your Section will automatically be rewarded with $25 in Scoutbucks!
- The Group that recruits the most new friends between February 1st and March 31st (this will be calculated on a per capita basis, taking into consideration what sections ran BAF nights) and at least 1 new volunteer will win $500 Scoutbucks to be used on whatever they wish (i.e., camp, equipment, registration).
(How do I apply for Winter BAF Incentives? Details here).
Finally – if you need assistance with setting up and running your BAF event – your Field Executives are here to help! See left hand column on the first page for your CFE’s contact information.
What is your group doing to attract new members?