%        File: development.tex
%     Created: Mon Oct 01 11:00 PM 2007 B
% Last Change: Mon Oct 01 11:00 PM 2007 B
%
\documentclass[a4paper]{article}
\date{21 September 2007}
\begin{document}
\title{Increasing Scout Membership}
\maketitle
\abstract{
A discussion was held with the Scouts to look at ways of increasing the size of the membership. The conclusions reached were:
\begin{enumerate}
	\item Scouting is not widely \textit{known} in the area;
	\item The program could be made more \textit{accessible} to the community;
\end{enumerate}

Therefore, the decision was made to attack this through advertising and through changes to the program.
}
\section{Advertising}
It was decided that advertising would be performed through the use of leaflets and posters - these were felt to be a good way of getting a consisted \textit{picture} of Scouting across to the target audience without intimidating either the giver or receiver of the information. 

The posters were designed to be simple and uncluttered to make them clearly visible, contain the corporate Scouting logo and make reference to the Scouting centenary. In the background there were pictures showing activities undertaken by the group and a contrasting box with contact details and meeting times was placed in the corner. The posters were placed in the local schools.

The leaflets were smaller and contained more examples of activites undertaken, including pictures, and a brief look at the background of Scouting from the points of view of the World, UK and the local community. Leaflets were left at the local schools and with Scouts so that they could hand them out to friends.

\section{Program}
The Scouts thought that the program could be opened out to allow non-members to take part in some fun activities - this would be allow young people to take part in  a relaxed environment and so introduced them to Scouting in a non-threatening way. If the activities took place in public areas, then they could also act as a form of advertising. 

The activities that were thought to be most suitable involved pioneering and camping - both activities being 'fun' and not usually available to young people in our area. We have been invited to make use of a camping area on the outskirts of the village and intend to hold a small camp/sleep-over during the spring and to invite young people from the local schools to take part. We will demonstrate all the activites that Scouts enjoy on such camps such as cooking on open fires, playing wide-games, etc. 

Scouts take part in trips to various places during the year e.g. swimming, caving, theme parks, etc. It would be possible to invite young people along to these events. Again, this would demonstrate the fun activities that Scouts take part in.

Finally, following on the from the advertising, the Scouts thought that it would be easier for them to 'Bring a friend' to an evening. It was decided that a number of evenings over the next two terms would be put aside as 'invitation' nights - normal Scouting activities would take place but their would be no reliance on having attended before for example, there would be no badge work.
\end{document}

