Probably the worst recruitment idea in the world ever...

... is to invite parents to an AGM that is traditional and formal in format.

Why? Because they're boring. Necessary business meetings, and essential under charity law and POR but I can't find anywhere in the rules that says they have to be boring. At this time of year, Scout AGMs are rife, and it's the time of year when leaders decide to stand down, so it's fast becoming the annual plea for new leaders.

It just doesn't work.

Firstly you don't get the numbers of parents coming in to attend business meetings. Childcare doesn't allow, plus they are terrified of being roped in and that familiar plea for help, and it is so formal and 'uniformed' that it isn't accessible or friendly. Tonight in a group of nearly 30 young people, 4 parents and 1 grandparent turned up - and two of those were already on the Exec.

Secondly if you find it boring, so will everyone else. Make it fun. Make the business part of the meeting as short as possible - you can help this by circulating papers in advance, and making sure that you have nominations before hand for key roles.

Thirdly, reports don't need to written and wordy. A display of pictures with simple captions, or a little booklet with reports written by the young people is far more effective, and parents will want to see little Jenny's report on the March Easter craft or little Johnny's picture of the swimming gala.

Lastly involve the young people. After all they're why we do it. Get them to run a game to involve parents, have a quiz that each section write questions for, have a barbie on the beach.

Rule of thumb - make it fun, otherwise it's time for a cool, sharp harp!