NSOs share COVID-19 Recovery Success Stories at Growth Campfire
National Scout Organizations (NSOs) gathered at this year’s first virtual Growth Campfire to share how WOSM Services helped mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing partnerships, strengthening youth and adult programmes, implementing membership management systems, and harnessing technology.
Speakers from Nepal Scouts, The Kenya Scout Association, the Asociación de Scouts de Bolivia, and the Lebanese Scout Federation joined the virtual event on 18 June to showcase their impressive achievements with a global audience from across the Movement. Through WOSM services, all four NSOs have also benefitted from regional support to address challenges such as membership loss, limited activities, and shortages in funding. Here are some of the key takeaways:
Growth strategy rebuilds Nepal Scouts' membership
Nepal Scouts received support through WOSM Services to create a national growth strategy, helping them nearly double their membership figures from 2018 levels. By working together as a team and in partnership with the local government, the NSO has since empowered its Scout leaders with adult training courses held almost every day at the local level.
“We approached the Asia-Pacific region and the WOSM Global Support Centre for different kinds of service requests, including the build-up of our policies and good governance (e.g. national growth strategy, national growth plan). We lost members, and these actions helped us build the team network on a local level.” – Ram Prasad, Nepal Scouts.
Kenya Scouts boost youth programmes
The Kenya Scout Association implemented a WOSM service that led to the delivery of community Scouting workshops and the drafting a national growth action plan. The plan highlighted the need to develop a membership management system, which in turn saw the NSO collect data, report, and centrally manage their revenue. As a result, funds were better allocated to improve youth programmes, leading to a gradual increase in membership.
“We really appreciate the support we are getting through the services from WOSM to review our Youth Programme material, so that more young people can access high-quality experiences. Also, the regional office has been very helpful with a membership management project that led to increased registrations at several units in our communities.”- Daisy Achieng, The Kenya Scout Association.
Bolivian Scouts harness tech tools
The Asociación de Scouts de Bolivia shared how they used a national growth workshop to underscore technology as a fundamental tool to keep communities connected. The workshop created opportunities for national Scout groups to exchange experiences and turn that knowledge into plans of action that would encourage Scout Leaders to run similar activities and gather input from young people.
“This workshop helped us to focus on retaining our active members and regrow our membership after declines during the pandemic. We designed strategies to help our leaders and heads of Scout groups formulate a customised growth strategy tailored to their specific needs to make it viable and effective.” - Hebe Nogales, Asociación de Scouts de Bolivia.
Lebanese Scouts expand partnerships
The Lebanese Scout Federation listed growth and membership retention as a main priority when establishing partnerships with international organizations and local non-governmental organizations. These collaborations have helped develop projects in line with the specific needs of local groups around the country.
"It is really important to know the needs of your Scouts, develop your youth programmes, and improve the type of activities you do, reach out to everyone in your local community, market your Scouting and ensure outreach." - Samah El Hassanie, Lebanese Scouts Federation.
Having a wider understanding of the challenges faced by NSOs enables the network to develop resources to better meet their needs so that they can become stronger, reach out to more young people, and keep building a better world.
If you or your NSO wishes to access support from WOSM Services and accredited consultants, check out the WOSM Services Platform and submit your request.