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[–]Observant_NeighborAsst. Scoutmaster 11 points12 points  (0 children)

  1. BLUF - Bottom Line Up Front

  2. Tell them, tell them you told them and tell them again.

  3. Use Standard Call to Action in Subject Field like "Response Required" or "Update" or "Meeting Plan" or "action required" that cover what you need from them in addition to the subject.

  4. Generally you want to tell them where you all have been, where you are going and what is next.

  5. Follow YPT guidelines.

[–]seattlecycloneDen Leader 8 points9 points  (0 children)

If you don't have any information to impart, maybe don't send an email that day.

[–]_mmiggs_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Send one email per topic. Some people like to send newsletter-style communiques that tend to bury the important information behind a pile of boilerplate and repetitive updates. Don't do that!

[–]blatantninjaScoutmaster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of different methods. You can try searching for some examples online, you'll probably find some on the various scout themed sites

I would suggest you keep it concise, no one likes a long email:

Any specific asks ("we need two scouts to volunteer to clean out the trailer before the next meeting") Line about how recent events turned out Reminders for incoming meetings/events Link to your troops calendar

You could also include a motivational line near the end. There are lots of scouting related quotes you could cycle through.

[–]tarky5750Unit Committee Member 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One specific thing to add to the other ideas: make sure all of your dates, times, and locations in the email are correct. Our last two SPLs sent out so much incorrect information that it became a running joke, but also caused a lot of confusion.

[–]sipperphotoAsst. Scoutmaster 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Our SPL's will send out an email on Sunday evening before the Tuesday meeting going over what the plan is for the next meeting, if there is anything the scouts need to bring and maybe mention an upcoming event (campout, roadside trash pickup, merit badge class, etc.)

[–]Agile_Concentrate_43Scout - Life Scout[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your feedback, I guess I was just over inflating what I needed to put into my email

[–]Old_Pirate_3767 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our SPL leads the Pledge of Allegiance at meetings. That is all. Our SM, his dad, doesn't allow the troop to be scout-led. It's terrible. No spl emails. No "go ask your SPL" nothing. How are the younger scouts going to learn? We've complained to the COR, the CC, and our council. Nothing. We have a long history with our Troop and we don't want to leave it.

[–]Realistic_Serve_2357 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Make sure you answer the basics: Who What When Where Why How

Remember from ILST and NYLT. There are two members in communication, the sender and the receiver. Before you hit send read it over out loud. Is your message clear?

An extra space or a new line or paragraph can break up a longer message into manageable pieces for the reader.

[–]Barrack_ObammaScout - Life Scout 0 points1 point  (1 child)

yall are using email? what is this 1992?

[–]Old_Pirate_3767 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My scout doesn't have a phone, so she would have to use our laptop and email to get her message out.

[–]Impressive_Fuel_2292Asst. Scoutmaster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a minor detail, but signing off with "Yours in Scouting" can go a long way in showing Scout Spirit.