2017 Family Friends of Scouting (FFOS)
Presenter Guide
Thank you for agreeing to be a presenter for the 2017 campaign and completing the training. Please know that you
have the full support Nitish Bangalore, 2017 Kettle Country Family Friends of Scouting Chair, as well as Bay-Lakes
Council staff and resources. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, need any support or
equipment, or experience any problems. The following are recommendations to ensure that the presentation goes
as well as possible and that you are able to obtain the maximum possible donations.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THIS OR ANY OTHER PRESENTER INFORMATION BEHIND
Obtain materials from FFOS chair or field staff.
1.
2.
FOS video link or file to be loaded onto flash drive
Presenter packet for individual unit(s)
a. Pledge pamphlets/cards for each scout/family
b. Bay-Lakes Council pens
c. 2017 FOS window clings
d. Friends of Scouting Audit Form
The FFOS chair will send a “warm-up” letter (or other communication such as postcard) to the unit approximately 3
weeks prior to the event. This letter is intended to be sent to families prior to the presentation by the unit
representative.
You should contact unit representative 1 week ahead of presentation. This can be by telephone/email/face-toface.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Confirm date, time, and location.
Inquire about availability of AV equipment (computer, projector, screen, audio system).
Discuss time requirement, approximately 10-12 minutes.
Obtain current unit roster of scouts
a. Compare current roster with pledge cards supplied.
b. Forward unneeded pamphlet/cards to FFOS chair or field staff, indicating on them the reason
that they are unneeded (transition to Boy Scouts, left due to move out of area, left Scouting for
personal reasons-be specific)
Learn the target levels of giving and incentives ($75, $183, $365, $500, Bay-Lakes Society $500 as $17
monthly installments) and unit goal
Have discussion with unit representative
a. Prior year’s FOS experience, expectations, concerns, etc.
b. Review how you would like to be introduced. Could provide a basic script.
c. Discuss seating arrangement and plan for distribution of pamphlets/pledges.
d. Ask unit representative to communicate to unit the time & intent.
Have unit representative ask families to bring checkbook to presentation.
Tasks to complete before presentation
1. Organize pamphlets and pledge cards.
2. Practice presentation
a. Video duration. 4 minutes.
b. Introduce yourself, FOS program, pamphlet/pledge card, and unit goal. 2-3 minutes.
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c.
d.
Post-video instructions on completing pledge card. 4 minute maximum.
Practice presentation scenario that council video cannot be shown (“Tell your personal Scouting
story”).
i. Your personal motivation for joining/staying in scouting.
ii. Touching story about a young person that has been positively influenced by Scouting
The presentation itself
1. Wear full uniform
2. Thank unit leader and audience for allowing you to present.
3. Introduce yourself and provide introductory comments on FOS program, etc.
4. Show video. (In the absence of video, Tell your Personal Scouting story).
a. Hand out pamphlet, pledge cards, and pens during video.
5. At end of video:
a. Remind audience that individual annual dues and Boy’s Life subscription goes directly to national
office. But FOS donations stay within Bay-Lakes Council and are used directly for programming,
training, and maintenance of the council’s premier camps. Approximately 16% of total funds for
the council come from FOS.
b. Cover ways to give (check, credit card, pledge), tiers, incentives, and employer matching.
i. For donors that want to use a credit card, can direct to website for immediate gift.
http://www.baylakesbsa.org/fos.
c. Encourage families to return cards to you, even if amount given is zero! If they do not return
card, they can expect a call.
d. Ask audience to ask questions directly to you after presentations.
e. Ask for donation from Cubmaster/Scoutmaster/unit contact (if applicable)
f. Give unit leader FFOS 2017 ribbon
6. Locate yourself at exit to collect pledge cards.
7. Add total dollars raised and communicate it to the unit leader.
After presentation
1. Complete “initial” audit sheet for all cards and money returned immediately.
2. Place ”initial” audit sheet, cash, and checks and completed pledge cards in return envelope. Text, call, or
email FFOS chair or field staff with results of presentation (i.e., how much was raised) and arrange to turn
in within 72 hours of presentation.
3. Keep roster to make follow-up calls to families not at presentation. Please call families within a week of
presentation. If they agree to contribute, record amount and method of payment on pledge card. Record
additional pledges on second audit sheet. Report results to FFOS chair or field staff.
a. If you expressed that you are not willing to make these calls, contact FFOS chair or field staff as
soon as possible for arrangements for post-presentation follow-up calls to be made.
4. Make follow up calls.
a. Use telephone script.
b. For donors that wish to donate online instead, refer them to http://www.baylakesbsa.org/fos.
c. Write result directly on pledge card. Examples: agreed to a pledge amount, no longer in Scouting,
not able to make contact.
d. For donations gathered by follow up calls, record pledges and payments on “follow-up” audit
sheet.
5. Return all follow up pledge cards and audit sheet to FFOS chair or field staff within 2 weeks of
presentation.
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FAQ: Overcoming Objections
Where does the money go?
Annual dues and fundraising cover the majority of council expenses. FOS donations provide
approximately 16% of the council’s annual operating budget. Popcorn and other fundraisers provide an
additional 22%. The money is used to provide scout programming, provide leader training, and to
maintain and grow the council’s premier camps.
Our families can't afford it or just aren't interested.
Every scout and person connected to Scouting deserves the opportunity to give. The presentation is
needed to tell the story and let them decide for themselves.
The program is for the kids. We don't have the time in our meeting.
I understand that unit program time is important. I'm involved or have been involved with a unit myself
and am sensitive to that. The video is meant to reach the scouts too.
Scouting is too expensive already. We have to buy a uniform, handbooks, and pay for training.
Uniforms are not inexpensive, but they are high quality and American-made. The training course fee
covers the cost of the giveaway materials. It doesn't include the cost of the audiovisual aids and
equipment, sometimes facility rental, and other materials used to conduct these programs. Most of the
time, presenters are volunteers that receive no compensation for providing the training.
We already pay for advancement awards, summer camps, and day camps.
Each boy helps pay for his advancement awards through his dues and fundraising. Summer and day
camp fees cover the program materials, meals, site fee, patch and T shirt, etc. The council provides
program development, support, staff, building insurance, ongoing maintenance, utilities, and the
ranger's salary in the council's operating budget.
I didn’t bring my checkbook.
Cash and credit cards can also be accepted. There are also options to be billed later.
My spouse usually makes these decisions.
We can contact him/her at a later time. Could I please have/confirm your contact information?
I can’t afford to contribute right now.
There are options to be billed later, including paying smaller amounts over time.
The council doesn't do anything for us.
The council does provide a number of services to benefit the unit, including a trained professional staff,
program guidance and support through roundtables, training courses, newsletters, unit membership,
and advancement recordkeeping.
The Boy Scouts are supported by the United Way. Why do they want my money?
The council benefits from the local United Way campaign. However, their allocation represents only a
small percentage of the council budget. Your support through the Scout Family FOS campaign will help
us provide the services not funded by the United Way.
We had a lousy presenter last year.
Sorry that the presenter was not effective in the past. The Friends of Scouting campaign continually
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seeks committed, effective presenters and provides training to each. The training includes tips on how
to make the presentation meaningful and brief.
If the council didn't have high-priced executives, they wouldn't need so much money.
Scouting, like any other non-profit organization, for example churches, need to have paid professional
leaders, too. The council staff work closely with district staff who in turn work closely with the members
of the district committee and commissioner staff coordinating their efforts in serving your unit. By
working through these volunteers, they are able to multiply their effectiveness. They spend a lot of time
in the community contacting community leaders, explaining the Scouting program, and enlisting their
support.
The council relies too much on Scout families for donations.
The Council does rely on the participation of Scouts and their units in popcorn sales. But this only makes
up part of the funds that the council needs on an annual basis. There are also FOS campaigns that reach
out to businesses and alumni (former scouts or family of former scouts).
We don't want to bother the parents. We would rather write you a check from the unit account.
The FOS program would never refuse unit donations. However, the objective of the FOS program is to
educate and inform the parents about the council’s program and financial needs. This can only be
accomplished when we have the opportunity to make our brief presentation. It is not a hard sell
presentation. No one will be put on the post and embarrassed. The money in the unit treasury was
raised by the scouts and parents to help underwrite the unit's program expenses, not to support the
council.
We don't know when our meeting dates will be.
Every unit should have their program planned out in advance. The presentation can be done anytime in
winter or spring. There is no limitation on the type of meeting that the FOS presentation can be done.
Typically, units prefer the presentation at a Blue & Gold celebration or Court of Honor. But it can be at
any meeting, especially one where a lot of parents and other family members are expected to be
present, like Pinewood Derby.
Our unit is too new.
All the more reason for a presentation. In addition to collecting pledges to help fund programing and
training, this is an opportunity for scouts and their families to learn more about what the council offers
them.
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Telephone script
Follow up to Family FOS presentation
Good morning/afternoon/evening. My name is _______________, and I’m calling on behalf of
the Bay-Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
I am calling about our annual Friends of Scouting campaign. We missed you at your unit’s
Friends of Scouting presentation this year (or we did not receive your pledge card following the
presentation). Our council expends $183 per youth to provide a high-quality Scouting program
for one year. We are asking you to consider supporting one Scout for a year with a tax
deductible gift of $183. Can we count on your support?
Possible responses and replies
“Yes”
That is good to hear. Thank you for your support.
While it costs about $183 to support one scout for a year, anything
“I Don’t Know”
that you contribute will help. Would you be willing to contribute a
smaller amount?
“Decision Maker Not
“May I call a different number or back later?” (Make a note of
Home”
number or when to call back.)
There is valuable information on the pledge card. Could I please
“Send information, I’ll
confirm your address? Can I call you back next week after you’ve
decide later”
reviewed the information? (confirm time frame to call back)
That’s great to hear. The United Way supports more than 75
organizations including Scouting. The allocation we receive from
“I give to United Way” (or
United Way supplies about 11% of our annual budget. So the
other charity
council must raise the remaining funds from members of the
community such as yourself. Would you consider a gift of
“What does that money
“The money supports program, training, activities and camping, all
cover”
part of a quality Scouting program.
Would you be willing to contribute a smaller amount? (If no again,
“No”
thank them for the opportunity to speak with them).
Wrap-up
(Record the method of payment. For credit card, can take information right away. Otherwise,
ask that they submit a personal check with their pledge card. If they wish to pay in installments,
record that on the pledge card before sending it to them).
Thank you for your pledge. Can I confirm your address at _____? Thanks again for you
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