Steps to Starting a Post

If you are interested in starting a Post, please contact Tom Kroenung at 314-256-3098.

1. Secure a commitment from the chief executive officer

Once the chief officer of an organization has learned about Exploring, he or she can commit to organizing one or more Posts within his or her business or organization.

• CEO selects the adult leadership for the post
• CEO sends out the adult resources survey throughout the organization
• CEO signs the Exploring Memorandum of Understanding

2. Call a briefing meeting of key staff members.

The chief executive officer then calls a meeting for the organization’s key department staff members and an Exploring representative from Learning for Life. The Exploring representative will explain how Exploring works, determine the market for Exploring, describe adult leader roles and responsibilities, and identify program support and methods.

3. Conduct a planning and training meeting.

The Explorer post committee and Advisors meet with an Exploring representative to discuss potential program opportunities for the coming year and plan the final details for the first meeting. At the planning meeting, you will:

• Discuss fees to register ($10 per youth/adult - $20 Charter)
• Plan post meeting times (2 recommended per month)
• Discuss programming ideas and plan the first three months of activities
• Plan a post Open House to recruit youth

4. Invite Youth to the Open House

An invitation is sent to the prospective post youth participants (students who responded to the annual career interest survey at their high school). Success depends on following these guidelines:

• A personalized letter of invitation is prepared for each prospective youth participant by the head of the organization .
• Each letter should be signed. The appearance of personalization is essential
because it will help generate interest .
• Company envelopes should be used.
• The letter should be mailed approximately seven to 10 days before the first meeting.
• Following the mailing, assigned personnel from the participating organization
should be available to take first meeting reservations from the students.
• Telephone follow-up should be conducted by the committee two days before the first meeting. The follow-up is essential in making the first meeting effective, and in promoting attendance.
• Give the date, time, and place of the next meeting to those students who have called but cannot attend the first meeting.

5. Conduct the first meeting.

Confirm arrangements and print the outline of the post’s planned program and adult volunteer roster to distribute at the first meeting. Registration paperwork and fees will be collected by the Exploring Executive.

You now have an Explorer post. The Advisor sees that the people for the next meeting will be there.