{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EThe purposes of local member communication are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETo support effective and efficient information flow and interactions within Scouts.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETo help local teams stay informed and engaged with local goals, values, and plans.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETo promote transparency, collaboration, pride, and a sense of belonging.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETo help team members stay up to date, feel connected, and make informed decisions.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe outcomes of a successful local member communication approach are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMore informed and knowledgeable teams, better able to achieve what they volunteered to do.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIndividuals who feel empowered to try new things and explore new opportunities.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPeople who become advocates, amplifying our messages both internally and externally.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMore factual conversations that promote what Scouts does.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIncreased engagement with Scouts\u2019 activities, such as sign-up numbers at events, likes on Facebook posts or page views on local websites.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EWhat should I share with members?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMember communication about Scouts\u2019 activities, is a great way of creating a local buzz, raising awareness of local plans, promoting new opportunities, and celebrate the impact being achieved.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are many options for member communications in four key areas:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWarm environment.\u003C/strong\u003E This is all about creating a positive local buzz and challenging inaccurate perceptions of what Scouts does. Try using generic stories and blogs to create positive emotional reactions to the great things Scouts achieves.\u003Cbr\u003EHere are some examples: \u0026nbsp;\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2023/november/wirral-scouts-mural/\u0022 title=\u0022The Big Picture: A Scouts mural is unveiled in the Wirral\u0022\u003EThe Big Picture: A Scouts mural is unveiled in the Wirral\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2023/december/sixty-days-of-summer-the-great-woggle-jogle/\u0022 title=\u0022Sixty days of summer: The Great Woggle JOGLE\u0022\u003ESixty days of summer: The Great Woggle JOGLE\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2023/november/7-ways-to-help-your-local-community-on-world-kindness-day/\u0022 title=\u00227 ways to help your local community on World Kindness Day\u0022\u003E7 ways to help your local community on World Kindness Day\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2023/july/summer-scout-events/\u0022 title=\u0022Here\u2019s what Scouts are up to this summer\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s what Scouts are up to this summer\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2023/may/as-scouts-keeps-growing-hear-our-plans-to-reach-even-more-young-people/\u0022 title=\u0022As Scouts keeps growing, hear our plans to reach even more young people\u0022\u003EAs Scouts keeps growing, hear our plans to reach even more young people\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2023/april/continuing-our-journey-to-the-future/\u0022 title=\u0022Continuing our journey to the future\u0022\u003EContinuing our journey to the future\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPromoting a new Group.\u003C/strong\u003E This is the process of building local excitement and awareness about new opportunities happening in your community, for both young people and adults.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpening a new Group.\u003C/strong\u003E This is all about recruiting adult volunteers and young people who want to be part of the fun at Scouts.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECelebration and impact.\u003C/strong\u003E This means sharing what you\u2019ve achieved. We\u2019re talking showing off the skills developed and gathering quotes to boost engagement and encourage local advocates and supporters.\u003Cbr\u003EHere are some example blogs/articles:\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2023/january/reaching-new-communities-in-south-croydon/\u0022 title=\u0022Reaching new communities in South Croydon\u0022\u003EReaching new communities in South Croydon\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2022/december/ella-balances-beavers-with-being-a-fantastic-young-carer/\u0022 title=\u0022Ella balances Beavers with being a fantastic young carer\u0022\u003EElla balances Beavers with being a fantastic young carer\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2022/april/ask-beryl-why-is-volunteering-with-scouts-goodforyou/\u0022 title=\u0022Ask Beryl: Why is volunteering with Scouts #GoodForYou?\u0022\u003EAsk Beryl: Why is volunteering with Scouts #GoodForYou?\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2022/november/celebrating-squirrels-giving-back-to-their-communities/\u0022 title=\u0022Squirrel superheroes: Celebrating Squirrels giving back to their communities\u0022\u003ESquirrel superheroes: Celebrating Squirrels giving back to their communities\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EHow to structure a member email\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBe clear on who the email will be sent to, so everyone knows who\u0027s received the information.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse headings to help people skim the content of the email.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf you need the reader to do something, like complete a survey or sign up to an event, put a clear call to action in the email.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAlways sign off with a thank you and be clear that the support of the volunteer makes a difference to Scouts.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGive your emails a personal feel by using a personal sign-off.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EHow to write a great blog\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EKeep your key message in mind.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EKnow who your audience is and write with them in mind.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EConsider your reader and what you want them to\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003Eknow\u003C/strong\u003E, how you want them to\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003Efeel\u003C/strong\u003E, and what you want them to\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003Edo\u003C/strong\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse headers to break up the text.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWrite less and say more.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFind an ideal time to share the blog with your audience.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse relevant and eye-catching images.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EInclude quotes from young people.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EConsider different formats, like lists of top 10 or top 5.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThink about who should write the blog to best cut through to the intended audience, maybe a young person or a County Lead Volunteer?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWrite with Scouts\u0027 informal, conversational and inspiring \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://scoutsbrand.org.uk/catalogue/item/how-we-talk\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022How we talk (scoutsbrand.org.uk)\u0022\u003Etone of voice\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAlways have a way for people to reply or share their own experience.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read our digital safeguarding guidelines","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELearn how to keep children and young people safe when creating and using digital content.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Recording at Scout events","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safeguarding-in-the-programme/recording-at-scout-events/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Managing photographs and video","image":"/media/19893/62224319_2413651045576470_7528971528361213952_n.jpg?cc=0,0.12159083455840371,0,0.05181489557098632\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf3d4e033fa10","imageFocus":"","imageId":35916,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ETop tips for member communications\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERegularly review your activities to make sure you\u2019re achieving what you set out to do.\u0026nbsp;Having clear objectives helps you to \u2018divert\u2019 away from low priority messages others might think you should be sharing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are some ideas:\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECelebrate success and share best practice.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPromote new growth opportunities.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAdd local flavour to national messages.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERetention \u2013 thoughts on building a positive team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EVolunteer recruitment.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYouth recruitment.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EProgramme delivery.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EInclusion.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"1. Set clear objectives"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFind out who you want to engage.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAre they all volunteers? Team leaders? Trustees? Programme teams?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBe realistic \u2013 don\u2019t have too many audiences.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECreate audience groups that are easy to maintain.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EData is key. Make sure you know crucial information \u2013 such as roles and contact details.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOnly share what\u2019s relevant to your audience\u2019s role.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHave you made it clear what you\u2019d like people to do next?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHave you given them enough time to do it?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat should people do if they have questions?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIs there anyone that needs to know about this communication in advance?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"2. Know your audience"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKey messages are essential tools in all communications work and are created to help achieve your objectives. By choosing one, you can make sure all your stories provide an opportunity to explain Scouts\u2019 focuses and, in doing so, influence actions and culture change.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETry to demonstrate these messages in every part of your story from the written word to the images and quotes used.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETry to link all communication back to your local focus. Spell out how anything you communicate will help achieve your goals. Consider using local development plans as a framework to help you identify your key messages and think of ways to weave them into your communications.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEvery piece of communication should have a key message. If a story you\u2019re writing doesn\u0027t have a key message that demonstrates Scouts as a modern, growing, adventure-based organisation, ask yourself why you\u2019re writing it.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen you\u2019re story gathering, try to focus your time on finding good case studies that illustrate your key messages. Work closely with the volunteers in your local area, they\u2019ll help you to uncover the stories, quotes, photos and video that properly show the Scouts\u2019 projects and schemes that are having the biggest impact. Work alongside managers on compiling lists of development plan success stories, making sure these are communicated widely using external and internal channels.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EExamples of key messages:\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBy 2023, we\u2019ll have prepared more young people with skills for life, supported by amazing leaders delivering an inspiring programme.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe\u2019ll be growing, more inclusive, shaped by young people and making a bigger impact in our communities.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAs Scouts, we believe in preparing young people with skills for life. We encourage our young people to do more, learn more and be more.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEach week, we give over 460,000 young people the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills they need to succeed. We\u2019re talking about teamwork, leadership, and resilience \u2013 skills that have helped Scouts become everything from teachers and social workers to astronauts and Olympians.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe believe in bringing people together. We celebrate diversity and stand against intolerance, always. We\u2019re part of a worldwide movement, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"3. Agree your key messages"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow are you going to reach your chosen audience and keep your messages consistent?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA channel is a designed way to communicate, and a tool is what you use to do it.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETry to select channels and tools that are appropriate for your message.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EExamples of channels: blog, newsletter, news article, social media post, webinar, poster, planned meetings (online or face to face).\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EExamples of tools: email client, WhatsApp, website, Zoom/Teams for online video calls, Facebook, Instagram, Canva, SharePoint, Dropbox, all social media, phone calls.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhen designing your channels consider your audience\u2019s preferences. Be clear on frequency, content, structure, and purpose of your content.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAgree on how can people engage/respond/follow up?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETry using the resources available in the Brand Centre, the \u0027\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/\u0022 title=\u0022Running things locally\u0022\u003ERunning things locally\u003C/a\u003E\u0027 section of the Scouts\u2019 website, and our \u0027\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/growing-scouts/recruit-more-volunteers/four-week-challenge/\u0022 title=\u0022Four week challenge\u0022\u003EFour-week challenge\u003C/a\u003E\u0027 adult recruitment materials (posters, images, key message information).\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUseful information on amplifying your message can be found in the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/social-media-toolkit/\u0022 title=\u0022Social media toolkit\u0022\u003Esocial media toolkit\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAdditional guidance can be found on scouts.org.uk in \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/work-with-elected-decision-makers/\u0022 title=\u0022Work with elected officials\u0022\u003EHow to work with local elected officials\u003C/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022/national-events/organise-community-events/\u0022 title=\u0022Organise community events\u0022\u003EHow to organise a community event\u003C/a\u003E and our \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/media-toolkit/\u0022 title=\u0022Media toolkit\u0022\u003EMedia toolkit\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"4. Develop channels and tools"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESchedule planned activity into your local communications calendar.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECreate a \u2018rolling plan\u2019 of local dates and assign team members to support this.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETry to keep your communications plan simple. Don\u2019t overcomplicate it, make sure it\u2019s clear for others to understand.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe templates shown below will help you capture the key information you\u2019ll need for your plan:\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYour objectives.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYour overarching messages.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYour key dates, messages, and audiences.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe plan our communications in campaigns. A campaign is a burst of activities that all relate to the same objective or outcome. Some campaigns are short (just one message), others are very long.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027ve made some \u003Ca href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk/media/yhchuaws/member-communications-campaign-templates.docx\u0022 title=\u0022Member Communications Campaign Templates\u0022\u003Ecommunications campaign templates\u003C/a\u003E you can use.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"5. Create a communications plan \u2013 when will you use your channels?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWork with other volunteers to reuse existing content and share resources. Potential sources are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEmail and data management.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPhotography.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EVideo content.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGraphic design.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWriting and editing (talking to people about what is going on).\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWebsite.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESocial media monitoring and posting.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"6. Start conversations \u2013 get people talking"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Get Scouts noticed in the media","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan style=\u0022mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\u0022\u003ELearn to generate positive local media coverage on the radio, in print and online outlets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Media toolkit","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/media-toolkit/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Media toolkit","image":"/media/19373/microsoftteams-image.png?cc=0,0,0,0.156671664167916\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db7e27670162d0","imageFocus":"Centre","imageId":35018,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"Centre","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Image top","cta":"Learn to use social media effectively","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGet top tips and guidance on how to use social media to engage with people outside of Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Social media toolkit","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/social-media-toolkit/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Social media toolkit","image":"/media/20438/a-group-of-beaver-scout-sat-on-grass-outside-and-playing-broken-telephonemin.jpg?cc=0,0.028194664959097795,0,0.1281155985935056\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db7e27733c0820","imageFocus":"Centre","imageId":36713,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"Centre","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"24/12/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":47312,"nodeName":"Member communications","title":"Member communications","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/21192/a-scout-looking-at-a-toasted-marshmallow.jpg?cc=0,0.07253456408230434,0,0.08377651083626231\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db006625d3e6f0","caption":"Scout looking at toasted marshmallows","type":"jpg","size":10275511,"width":6907,"height":4605,"altText":"A Scout in uniform sitting by a campfire holds a stick with toasted marshmallows on the end."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Member communications","headerSubTitle":"Learn to use member communication to build a network of advocates and supporters.","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"7413dc","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzMxMiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/local-media-and-member-communications/member-communications/"}