| While fun, being at scout leader can, at times, be very stressful. There are events and activities to organize, members to keep track of and dues to chase down. Having so much to organize can sometimes suck the fun out of the position, making you have to focus all of your attention and energy on the day to day running of the troop. Instead of enjoying yourself, you’re bogged down with trying to remember who is working on which badge, which groups have upcoming activities and what to plan for the next fundraiser. For a scout leader, scouting software can be an invaluable tool. It can help you not only keep track of your troop members and group events, but it can be a great promotional tool too, connecting you to other scouting troops and the general public.
Keeping track of all your troop members is simple using scouting software. As scout leader, you will be able to see each individual member’s information, along with things like whether or not they are an active member, how many badges they have earned, and if their dues are paid in full. You can also keep track of subgroups within your troop to find out who is doing what and what badge levels are being worked on. The software is very interactive, allowing the scout leader to track troop members in a variety of ways.
Besides tracking members, you can also keep tabs on upcoming functions and events. This feature allows you to know within seconds what is coming up and how booked up your troop is. This is an excellent way to make sure that as scout leader you don’t accidentally double book events on the same day. Having a leadership seminar is great, as long as it doesn’t fall on the same Saturday as the big camping trip. Combined with the calendar feature, you will always be aware of what your troop members are doing and where you need to be at any given time.
And to make sure that your troop members are where they need to be, you can communicate with them through scouting software. The software can be set up so that each troop member receives a reminder email before meetings, outings and events. And as scout leader, you will receive notification of each event and everyone that is scheduled to attend. This is much easier that calling or emailing each member individually.
And the scout leader isn’t the only one who has access to the information. Each scout member will receive their own log in, allowing them to manage and update their information and RSVP to meetings and events. There is also an online forum that allows troop members to communicate with each other and their scout leader. And members don’t have to stick to only communicating with other members of their troop; members can email or chat with any scout group that is also using the software. This is a great way to plan bigger events with other scout troops in your area or from farther away.
Scouting software can also give a scout leader the chance to set up a troop website, providing better support and visibility for the troop. You can also uploaded videos, pictures and other media files of scout events to share with troop members and the general public. It is also a great way to help with fundraising by allowing you to set up an online store and keep track of merchandise and sales goals. You can also advertise troop events, and get the local community involved. |