For information call us on: 0845 300 1818

Recruitment: a fresh approach

Create your own website

Overview:

If you want to give people in your local area a place where they can find out about local Scouting, and if you haven’t got one already a Group, District or County website might be the best way to do this. In fact, searching the internet for information on Scouting in the local area may be the first thing people do when considering volunteering. If there is no information there, this could be a barrier to local recruitment.

Top tips:

• Have a plan of the information you want to include on your website. Make sure that it is relevant and that it presents Scouting in a positive and fun way.
• Make use of the clipart available on ScoutBase by following the link below. You can find logos, fonts, maps and Section mascots relating to Scouting. This is an easy way to make your website look professional and relevant.
• Read the 'Everyday Adventure' pack. It gives hints and tips about how to understand and promote the image of Scouting and has lots of images available to download.
• Give an email address that isn’t tied to a specific person. Set up an email account that is for the Section, Group or District, for example anytownscouts@email.co.uk. This way, the account can be opened by whoever is in charge of recruitment locally. It also means that all Scout-related emails are in one place, rather than mixed up with personal emails – this makes it easier to follow up expressions of interest. You could also set up an 0845 contact number to work in a similar way. Have a look at the article below for further information.
• Make sure that the website is regularly updated. People don’t want to read out-of-date information! You could appoint someone reliable who will do this for the Group, District or County.

Support material:

• Factsheet FS295207: Developing a Scouting Website (Help on creating a website)
• Factsheet FS295209: IT Survival (Guidance on computer and internet security, covering anti-virus software, firewalls, phishing, safe use of e-mail and internet browsing)

Download factsheets for free using the ‘ScoutBase Library’ link below or order a printed copy from the Information Centre (0845 300 1818)

Further Information (Links):

Clipart library - www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/clipart
Factsheets - www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/
Everyday Adventure resources - www.scouts.org.uk/adventure
0845 number article in Scouting - www.scouts.org.uk/magazine/OctNov06/focus/p12.html