Learn ways to get parents and other volunteers to change "no" into "yes" to increase parent involvement.

1. NO = YES
Getting Your Parents to Volunteer
Presenters:
Lindsay Foster & Rachelle Whiteman
Troop 2702, Girl Scouts Texas-Oklahoma
Plains
http://gstroop2702.webs.com

2. Did this happen to
you?

3. SCENARIO 1
Parent: My daughter's just started school. She'd like to join your
ranks.
Trainer: Oh good, we need new leaders…
Parent: I have no time but thanks!
Trainer: I'm sure you'll like it fine!
Parent: I said I have no time.
Trainer: The training starts on Monday. Sign on the dotted line.

4. SCENARIO 2
Parent: My daughter's just turned nine. She'd like to fly up now.
Trainer: The Journey guides will tell you, the where, the when,
the how.
Parent: I'm really rather beat. I'd like to take a rest.
Trainer: You don't know what you're saying, the next years are
the best!

5. SCENARIO 3
Parent: My daughter tells me now, that day camp is the thing.
Trainer: We need a dance director, and someone who can sing.
Parent: I cannot dance a step. I cannot sing a song.
Trainer: Well ten days in our day camp, and we'll prove to you
you're wrong.

6. SCENARIO 4
Parent: My daughter thinks it's time - overnights she should do.
Trainer: Well, Girl Scout camp is just the place. We'll go along
with you.
Parent: I cannot sleep on cots! It hurts my back and head.
Trainer: You really needn't worry - you'll never get to bed!

7. SCENARIO 5
Parent: My daughter is now 12, I've really had it now!
I've hiked and camped and cooked outdoors, you name it-I
know how.
Trainer: But can you really say that you haven't had some fun?
Do come and learn about Cadettes. Your work has just begun.
Parent: My daughter is 15 now, as leader, I am through!
Trainer: You can't stop now when Seniors need advisors just like
you.

8. SCENARIO 6
Parent: I have another girl. Now she’s in Kinder, too.
Trainer: Well, aren't you glad you're so well trained. You know
just what to do!
Parent: Oh, yes, indeed I know… I'm quitting Scouts today.
Trainer: But surely you have learned by now, you never get
away.
EPILOGUE…
Trainer: And then the sad occasion come. She ends her worldly
cares. “Welcome,” says St. Peter, “Your Troop is over there!”

9. CAN-Do Attitude
Don’t let what you CANNOT do interfere with what you
CAN do! ~John Wooden
Notice the word “can”… it implies CHOICE. It’s not a
“must.”

10. Prepare for the “No”
 Remember that the following are important in
sales (and you ARE selling something to
volunteers):
 Body language
 Enthusiasm
 Knowledge
All of these must communicate interest and
competence in Scouting but also interest in
PEOPLE!

11. Objections are an
OPPORTUNITY!
A “no” is an opportunity to learn more about the
individual and give her a chance to say “yes.”

12. Expect the “No”
 Expect the “no” and BE PREPARED!
 Find out the individual’s objection
 Acknowledge the objection
 Overcome the objection by offering a
CHOICE that allows the person to say “yes”

13. Avoid the “No”
 The main reason someone says “no” is
because he/she is asked a bad closing
question such as:
 “So, what do you think?”
 “Will that work for you?”
 “Do you want it?”
 Ask better closing questions – ones that give
a CHOICE!
 “Which is better for your schedule –
Monday or Wednesday afternoon?”
 “Would you prefer to work with younger
or older Scouts?”

14. Put the “No” in perspective
 John Adams said that during the American
Revolution “we were about one-third Tories,
one-third timid, and one-third true blue.”
 It is important to remember EVERY idea will
have more people saying NO than YES until
momentum or leadership determines which is
the best way to proceed.
 Questions to consider:
 Is the person saying “no” to you?
 Is the person saying “no” to the situation?
 Is the person saying “no” to the timing?
 Why is the person saying “no”?
 What can you do to help him/her change
his/her mind?

15. The GS Law and No=Yes
1. Honest and Fair – Be truthful about your 6. Respect myself and others – Know your own
expectations and fair in what you are limits and know the limits of your volunteers.
requesting
7. Respect authority – Make sure that what you
2. Friendly and Helpful – Remind the person are asking is within the guidelines of safety
that you are asking her because of her and legality.
positive attitude and “can-do” spirit
8. Use resources wisely – Make sure that the
3. Courteous and Kind – Be respectful of the volunteer is the best fit for the job and that
person’s time and be gracious even if the the job is the best fit for the volunteer.
person does not commit
9. Make the world a better place – Is what you
4. Courageous and Strong – Remind the are asking someone to do for you improving
volunteer that it takes courage and your Troop, your community, your area, Girl
determination to succeed where others have Scouting, or the world overall? If not, why
not – and that you will be there to offer are you asking it?
support
10. Be a sister to every Girl Scout – Remember
5. Responsible for what I say and do – Honor that at one time someone asked you, and
your OWN commitments and lead by you said, “YES!” so extend that same
example. Do not ask of others that which courtesy to another when you ask
you would not do yourself.

16. DO THIS…
DON’T DO THAT!
We’ve talked about the DOs… now let’s briefly cover the
DON’Ts…

17. Avoid the following:
 Arguing with the individual  Avoiding the issue
 Even if you’re right, you’ll lose the “sale”  Example “Volunteering is a waste of time!”
 Ask, “Perhaps something has happened to
 Attacking the person have made you feel that way. Would you
 Separate the person from the objection and share that with me?”
deal with the objection.
 Fighting a person’s feelings will cause  Shifting responsibility
negative emotions and you will lose the  Think about the problem from your
“sale.” CUSTOMER’S perspective
 Respond with a “we” (united front/stand)
 Assuming that you understand an unspecified and “I will fix it”
word
 Example “I need flexibility”  Making the person wrong
 Define the undefined  Does not build rapport
 Does create oppositional relationships
 Contradicting the person
 Acknowledge issues  Dwelling too long on an objection
 Acknowledge perceptions  Deal with it
 Move on
 Guessing an answer
 Admit when you do not know the answer
 Offer to research it and reply

18. Actually PERFECT practice makes PERFECT so…
LET’S PRACTICE!

19. 4 major categories
of objections
• No money
• No need
• No hurry
• No trust

20. I’m sure you can
find someone else
to do it.
Basic Objection 1

21. I am not interested
in doing that.
Basic Objection 2

22. I’m too busy.
I can do that later.
Basic Objection 3

23. I don’t have the
money to do that
right now.
Basic Objection 4