Indian Waters Council, Scouting America

Indian Waters Council, Scouting America Working hard to turn the youth of today into the leaders of tomorrow.

The Indian Waters Council of Scouting America serves over 5,000 youth and more than 2,000 adult volunteers in the 19 counties of the Midlands, P*e Dee, and Grand Strand.

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #13Set a Unit Membership Goal (By Rank & Program)“What gets measured gets managed.”...
06/15/2026

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #13
Set a Unit Membership Goal (By Rank & Program)

“What gets measured gets managed.”

One of the biggest differences between units that grow and units that struggle is that growing units have a clear target. They don't simply hope for more Scouts—they set specific membership goals and work toward them throughout the year.

Why Set Membership Goals?

A unit membership goal provides:

Direction for leaders and youth
A benchmark to measure progress
Motivation to recruit and retain members
A stronger, healthier program for youth

Instead of saying, "We want more Scouts," define exactly what success looks like.

Start With Your Current Membership

Review your roster and determine:

How many youth are currently registered?
How many are expected to return next year?
How many will age out, graduate, or cross over?

Then set goals by rank or program level.

Examples
Cub Scout Pack

Current Membership: 32

Goal for Next Charter:

Lions: 6
Tigers: 8
Wolves: 7
Bears: 6
Webelos: 5
Arrow of Light: 5

Total Goal: 37 Scouts

Scouts BSA Troop

Current Membership: 24

Goal:

New Crossovers: 8
Returning Scouts: 22
New Youth Recruits: 3

Total Goal: 33 Scouts

Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship

Current Membership: 12

Goal:

Retain 10 current members
Recruit 5 new youth

Total Goal: 15 Members

Make It Visible

Share the goal with:

Youth leadership
Committee members
Parents
Chartered Organization representatives

Consider displaying progress:

On a bulletin board
In meeting presentations
In newsletters
On social media

Youth are more likely to support a goal when they can see progress toward it.

Monthly Membership Check-In

Ask:

Are we on pace to meet our goal?
How many members have we retained?
How many new families have we contacted?
What recruiting opportunities are coming up?

Small adjustments throughout the year prevent large membership challenges at recharter time.

Challenge for This Week

Before your next unit meeting, gather your key leaders and establish a membership goal for the coming year:

✅ Total membership goal
✅ Goal by rank or program level
✅ Retention goal
✅ Recruitment goal

Write it down, share it, and review it monthly.

Closing Thought

"A goal without a plan is just a wish. The strongest units know where they are going and intentionally build a membership plan to get there."

Take five minutes this week to set your unit's membership goal—then start building the path to achieve it. ⚜️

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #12 📅Successful fall recruitment rarely happens by accident — it happens through pr...
06/08/2026

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #12 📅

Successful fall recruitment rarely happens by accident — it happens through preparation.

One of the most valuable things a unit can do right now is create a simple recruitment calendar for the fall.

Your calendar doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with key dates like:

School open houses
Meet-the-teacher nights
Join Scouting nights
Community festivals and parades
Pack or troop open houses
Social media promotion dates
Leader planning meetings
Follow-up calls and invitation events

When units plan ahead:

Leaders are less stressed
Families stay informed
Scouts can help promote events
Recruitment efforts become more visible and consistent

The units that grow the most are usually the ones that stay intentional and organized. A simple calendar keeps everyone moving in the same direction.

Remember: recruiting season starts long before the first flyer goes home.

Start planning today so your unit is ready to welcome new families this fall, and be sure to join us at one of our recruitment workshops this summer!

06/05/2026

Meet some great Scout alumni who are now in the secret service, and who serve as ambassadors for programs supporting youth safety.

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #11 📋One of the biggest membership and leadership mistakes a unit can make is waiti...
06/01/2026

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #11 📋

One of the biggest membership and leadership mistakes a unit can make is waiting until they need a volunteer to start looking for one.

Strong units keep a simple running list of:

Interested parents
Former leaders
Community supporters
Grandparents and family friends
Adults with useful skills or hobbies
People who have said, “Let me know if I can help.”

Every conversation matters. Every contact matters.

Keeping a basic interest/contact list gives your unit a huge advantage when:

Leadership positions open up
You need event volunteers
Recruitment season arrives
Merit badge counselors are needed
Fundraisers and campouts require extra support

The best time to identify future leaders is before you urgently need them.

A simple notebook, spreadsheet, or shared document today could become the foundation for your unit’s long-term success tomorrow.

Healthy units don’t just recruit Scouts — they intentionally build a team of adults who believe in the mission.

Congratulations to our newest Indian Waters Council Scouts of the Month! If you would like to nominate one of your scout...
06/01/2026

Congratulations to our newest Indian Waters Council Scouts of the Month!

If you would like to nominate one of your scouts to be recognized, please submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/WneUymKgSDkh1nHv9

📅 SAVE THE DATE – MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP 📅Join us for the upcoming Membership Workshop at the George Fant Service Center in...
05/27/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE – MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP 📅

Join us for the upcoming Membership Workshop at the George Fant Service Center in Columbia on Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30 PM!

This workshop will help prepare your unit for a successful fall recruitment season by providing practical tools, ideas, and guidance to strengthen your membership efforts.

Whether you are a Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop, Venturing Crew, or District volunteer, this workshop is designed to help you build a stronger recruitment plan and set your unit up for success this fall.

✅ Unit Recruitment Readiness Assessments
✅ Fall Recruitment Planning
✅ Membership Growth Strategies
✅ Resources & Best Practices

All attendees MUST RSVP in advance: https://forms.gle/dViQrwoEY6scP

Are you closer to Florence or Myrtle Beach? Look for our events at the Florence Service Center on June 8 or in Conway at HGTC on August 6.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with leaders in your district and unit!

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #10 but on a Friday for the Holiday Weekend! Memorial Day reminds us that freedom i...
05/22/2026

Monday Membership Motivation Moment #10 but on a Friday for the Holiday Weekend!

Memorial Day reminds us that freedom is never free. It was earned through sacrifice, service, and people willing to put others before themselves.

As Scouts and Scouters, one of the best ways we can honor that legacy is by being visible in our communities and showing the values of Scouting in action.

This week, challenge your unit to do something that shines a positive light on the Scouting movement:

Place flags at veterans’ memorials
Volunteer at a community Memorial Day event
Wear your uniform proudly while serving others
Help clean up a local park or cemetery
Thank veterans and active military members in your community

When people see Scouts serving with purpose, kindness, and respect, they see the very best of what Scouting represents. Every visible act of service becomes an invitation for others to join the movement.

Let’s make Scouting impossible to miss this Memorial Day weekend — not by what we say, but by what we do.

Membership Moment #9: Identify and Secure School AccessStrong relationships with local schools are one of the most impo...
05/18/2026

Membership Moment #9: Identify and Secure School Access

Strong relationships with local schools are one of the most important parts of a successful membership plan. Schools provide opportunities to connect with families, promote Scouting programs, and recruit new youth members.

Why School Access Matters

When units have positive relationships with schools, they are more likely to:

Participate in school events
Send flyers home with students
Host sign-up nights on campus
Speak at open houses or PTA meetings
Recruit directly from the communities they serve
Key Steps to Secure School Access
1. Identify Decision Makers

Every school district operates differently. Determine who approves community partnerships and flyer distribution:

Principal
Assistant Principal
District Communications Office
PTA/PTO Leadership
After-school coordinator

Create a contact list for every elementary, middle, and charter school in your unit’s area.

2. Build Relationships Early

Do not wait until recruiting season to introduce yourself.

Attend community events
Volunteer at school functions
Offer service projects
Deliver thank-you notes after events
Keep communication professional and positive

Relationship-building throughout the year creates trust and increases access opportunities.

3. Know the School’s Policies

Many districts have rules regarding:

Flyer distribution
Facility use
Background checks
Outside organizations
Digital communications

Request copies of district policies so your unit can stay compliant and avoid delays.

Best Practices for Working with Schools
Be responsive and easy to work with
Keep events organized and family-friendly
Respect school schedules and instructional time
Provide clear information for parents
Always leave facilities cleaner than you found them
Recruiting Opportunities Through Schools

Consider participating in:

Open houses
Meet-the-teacher nights
STEM nights
Fall festivals
Career days
Service projects
School carnivals
Action Item

Before your next membership season:

Identify all schools in your recruiting area
Assign unit leaders to school relationships
Contact schools before summer break
Confirm fall access opportunities by July

Consistent school access leads to stronger recruiting, healthier units, and long-term membership growth for Scouting.

Join us for Membership Planning Workshops across the council focused on helping our units prepare for a strong and succe...
05/17/2026

Join us for Membership Planning Workshops across the council focused on helping our units prepare for a strong and successful recruiting season.

These workshops are designed for unit leaders, committee members, and commissioners who are committed to strengthening their units, growing membership, and building a practical recruiting strategy for the coming year.

Register here: https://forms.gle/LziuyWp9MvK1tQqo9

05/15/2026

Scouting America’s National Annual Meeting brought together volunteers and leaders from across the country. In this , we’ll share some of our biggest Cub Scout takeaways, ideas and updates from the event.

Address

715 Betsy Drive
Columbia, SC
29210

Telephone

+18037509868

Website

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