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Units Play a Prominent Role in
Gaining Positive Publicity
Positive publicity is an excellent way to
promote the Scouting program to boys, parents and our communities. In
addition, news stories recognizing the hard work, fun, and
accomplishments of the boys directly affect our membership,
recruiting, and fund-raising efforts and often provide a boost to
your advancement program.
One of the best ways to increase the amount
of positive publicity is for our units to provide local media with
information that communicates the fun and values of Scouting.
Community newspapers are always looking for items with local
relevance, especially photos of Scouts having fun and providing
service to the community.
Here are a few concepts to help effectively
assist you in increasing the amount of positive publicity about
Scouting in your unit, district and council:
- Work with the local newspapers to
publish a list of new Eagle Scouts each month. Include service
project details and photos of the Scouts.
- Establish a PR chairperson and
committee.
- Take photographs of your
events and activities and submit them. This will increase the
number of photos available for use in publications and on the
Web site.
- Create a wall of honor. Post press clippings for
all to see the quantity of coverage received.
- Good Turn for America provides great
stories—their service projects and to notify the media in
advance to get photos included with the story.
- Publicize recruitment events.
Community newspapers should include a list of all area
recruitment events as well as a contact name and number.
- Use your Web site to promote your unit and
link to positive articles (with permission from the paper).
For more information, visit
www.marketing.scouting.org Under "Resources" you will find
"Guidebooks" that include Public Relations 101 materials, and under
"Council Sharing" you will find Public Relations Guidelines used by
other councils to teach units to gain positive
publicity.
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