Make the Ask(s).
The main reason people don’t take action is because they were never asked to in the first place. One out of three Girl Scout parents say no one had communicated expectations around involvement with their child’s troop—this is troubling! Parents may have many talents, but they’re certainly not mind readers. Ask for what you need. If you’re nervous about getting turned down, don’t be. Sure, a few parents might be unable to offer assistance, but the helpers you do get will be worth their weight in gold. And just because someone wasn’t available a month or two ago doesn’t mean they won’t be free to help now. Loop back, follow up, and ask again!
Make Sense of “Why.”
Explain that not only does the whole troop benefit with extra help from parents and other caregivers, but also that many Girl Scouts feel a special sense of pride in seeing their own family member take a leadership role. Getting involved can strengthen the caregiver/child bond and is a meaningful way to show them that they are a priority in their adults’ lives.
Find out What People Want to Do.
Start with asking what people enjoy doing and what they are good at. Does someone love coordinating events, making flyers, etc., or managing money? Does someone love using social media and could help promote cookie sales? Get a sense of the desires in the room that will energize people. Then talk about time commitment because it will really depend on what they are doing. It's easier to make time for something you find fun.
Make it Quick and Easy.
Continue the conversation by asking how much time each week they might be able to dedicate to the troop, then go from there. For instance, if a troop caregiver has 15 minutes each week to spare, they could organize and manage the calendar for troop snacks and carpools. If a grandparent has one to two hours, they could assist with leading the troop through a specific badge on a topic they’re already comfortable with. Be time conscious and consider the commitment.
Make Family Part of the Formula.
While Girl Scout programming is always focused on the Girl Scouts, it’s important and helpful to open up a few events to their families throughout the year. Inviting the whole crew to celebrate their accomplishments in Girl Scouting—whether at a holiday open house, a bridging ceremony, or a fun “reverse meeting” where Girl Scouts take the role of leaders and guide the adults, including caregivers, through an activity—will help parents and caregivers better understand the value of Girl Scouts and they’ll be more likely to invest their time and talents to the troop.
That said, there’s no need to wait for a special event to engage families in their Girl Scout’s life. Keep communication lines open throughout the year—whether it’s through your troop’s social media page, personal emails, or in-person chats—to keep parents in the loop on what the troop is doing and learning during each meeting. The first meeting is a great time to ask how they prefer to receive updates!
Encourage them to let their Girl Scouts “be the experts” at home, explaining or teaching the new skills they’ve learned.
