Commissioners can have a huge impact on membership; I hope we will all accept the challenge to jump onto the front lines of membership recruitment. Not because the National Council has determined membership recruitment to be one of the three major goals of the Boy Scouts of America in 2021 and 2022, but because it is the right thing to do!

The vision statement of the Boy Scouts of America is: The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law. One of my great Scouting friends always adds a tagline to the signature block of his emails: IAATY. It’s All About the Youth! Without youth, without every eligible youth, we have not reached our mission; there’s more work to do and fun to have. Like you, I truly enjoy talking with and being around Scouters—we share a bond because we believe in Scouting. But I also enjoy being with those Scouters because we share a vision—to prepare every eligible youth.

So, how can we, how should we, as commissioners, impact membership? First of all, we need to share every possible idea we generate (or “borrow” from another Scouter or Council) to recruit more youth. But, just as importantly, commissioners can and should have a major role in retention. By helping unit leaders to deliver the best possible program to (every eligible) youth, through each of the eight methods of Scouting—we will impact retention. While commissioners may have a different job description than unit leaders, we share the same goal and the same vision.

Retention meets the mission and vision of the BSA; it isn’t all about recruitment. One day as a member of BSA is better than none; a month is better than a day; a year is even better; and a lifetime is a whole lot better. Retention unlocks all of the things we know in our hearts to be the benefits of Scouting.

On a more basic level, a youth retained is a youth we don’t have to recruit. Let’s not recruit two or three to keep one. Let’s keep them all! By using all of our tools, we can help all units, but especially our packs. Keep that Cub Scout beyond the first few ultra-critical weeks and months by ensuring the team is ready to go with information packets for new parents, a New Member Coordinator, trained leaders, and a dynamic program for the first meeting after the recruitment event. Those proactive, responsive efforts in the first month set a pack up to grab those kids for life!

Commissioners can truly help our packs, troops, crews, ships, posts and clubs grow by encouraging our unit leaders to absorb the vision statement and make our great movement available to every eligible youth and able to fulfill their needs. Let’s share growth ideas with our units and encourage every unit to grow. And if the unit leaders begin to get nervous about having too many members to maintain a family atmosphere in their unit, then encourage them to help the next generation of leaders develop a new unit. Remember: IATTY!