MissingArrow

This was an email that was sent on April 4th to Executive Board members, Advisory Council members, Scout Executives, CSE Cabinet, Regional Directors, Group Directors and National Council Employees. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Chief Scout Executive Selection Committee appointed at our February 2012 board meeting met, developed a profile of skills and characteristics we are seeking in our next Chief, and reviewed biographies of candidates. Please be advised that the following executives have been selected as semifinalists for the position of Chief Scout Executive. They are (in alphabetical order): John Andrews, Scout Executive, Northern Star Council Wayne Brock , Deputy Chief Scout Executive/COO Gary Butler, Assistant Chief Scout Executive, Council Operations Ethan Draddy, Scout Executive, Baltimore Area Council Brad Farmer, Assistant Chief Scout Executive, Development Tom Fitzgibbon, Regional Director, Western Region Al Lambert, Regional Director, Central Region Ron Oats, Scout Executive, Central Florida Council Robert A. Alf Tuggle, Assistant Chief Scout Executive/CFO Semifinalists will record video responses to a set of questions developed by the Selection Committee. From those remarks, finalists will be selected when the committee meets again on May 8th. A memo announcing the names of the finalists will be distributed following that meeting. In-person interviews with the finalists are set for Monday May 21, 2012. Announcement of the new Chief Scout Executive will be communicated that day. Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca concludes an exceptional career with his retirement on August 31st. The new Chief takes office September 1, 2012.

My Council is working on getting it going. There is currently a self appointed chairman however nothing official has been said other than they are looking. I believe we are placing it under the Camping Committee. So far it looks like that committee isn't going to be overly active but just try to make sure everyone is following all the rules and making sure all the Cub Scout folks are trained. I know the self-appointed chairman has made some comments about switching the style of shotguns we use but hasn't consulted any of the shooting sports folks at the camp to find out that it would be a horrible idea. I just see it as a waste of time. The stuff covered by the committee for camp operations should be covered by the Camp Director/Shooting Sports Director, and the off season stuff should be handled by the Council's Program Director or Council policies. All its doing is undermining the Camp's Shooting Sports Director...

Update: The BSA has clarified the information contained in the Charity Navigator 2009 CEO Compensation Study. In fact, the salary amount cited included Mr. Williams salary, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits. Mr. Williams annual salary effective April 1, 2007, would have been $598,300, but he retired on September 1, 2007, therefore he was paid a salary of $404,078. Complete response: The Charity Navigator 2009 CEO Compensation Study lists the BSAs Chief Scout Executive as earning a salary of $1,577,600. This report was based on the BSAs 2007 Form 990 and discusses the compensation from the retirement year of the BSAs past Chief Scout Executive, Roy Williams, who had 35 years of service with the organization. While the report labels his earnings as salary, in actuality, the number cited represents Mr. Williams salary, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits. Mr. Williams annual salary effective April 1, 2007, would have been $598,300, but he retired on September 1, 2007, therefore he was paid a salary of $404,078. His annual salary would have been in line with other organizations of similar size and scope as the BSA. Further, this report can be misleading because deferred compensation is not paid every year, but is accumulated over a number of years. In this case, deferred compensation was paid out the year of Mr. Williams retirement. Components of his compensation included in this report include: Salary of $404,078 (Mr. Williams annual salary effective April 1, 2007, would have been $598,300, but he retired on September 1, 2007, therefore he was paid a salary of $404,078.) Accumulated (over three years) value of deferred compensation 457 (f) of $912,479 Retirement payments of $131,493 received after retirement (Sept 1, 2007) Various retirement gifts and recognitions which total $71,452 Unused vacation valued at $11,746 Expenses of $46,352 paid by Mr. Williams are listed on the form which includes: compensation value of personal automobile, cell phone, additional life insurance premiums, and tax preparation services on which taxes were paid by the employee. In the introduction, the Charity Navigator study appropriately states: These are running multi-million dollar operations that endeavor to change the world. Leading one of these charities requires an individual that possesses an understanding of the issues that are unique to the charitys mission as well as business and management expertise similar to that required of for-profit CEOs. Attaching and retaining that type of talent requires a certain level of compensation. The BSA is one of the largest youth-serving organizations in America. The position of Chief Scout Executive for the BSA includes providing leadership for more than 300 local Boy Scout councils who serve more than 4 million youth members and participants, and 1.2 million adult volunteers. In addition, the Chief Scout Executive manages approximately $183 million in totalrevenue and provides leadership to nearly 7,000 employees in all 50 states and in three international BSA offices. Further, the study recommends that interested parties should find out if their favorite charity has a compensation committee. The BSAs management compensation is authorized by the Executive Board, an all-volunteer group. Detailed study and analysis is assigned by the Executive Board to its Management Compensation Review Committee, comprising the volunteer president, executive vice president, and treasurer. The Management Compensation Review Committee engages third-party executive compensation specialists to make recommendations regarding competitive compensation arrangements for like services in other organizations. The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. In order to achieve this mission, the BSA and its volunteer leadership believes it must provide competitive compensation in order to continue recruiting and retaining the high-caliber individuals needed to support BSA programs. In all it does, the BSA works to accomplish its mission while practicing good stewardship of benefactors and volunteers gifts of time and money.

I always am amazed when I spend time up at summer camp at the amount of boys who will wear their swimsuit all day long, every day for the week. These at least will match the uniform shirt, unlike the bright orange and white board shorts. I was excited at the $30 price, but that is because I had been looking at the $50 pants first...

Yesterday I saw it via Twitter but hadn't seen anything official. Today, they updated the Study website with the vote results and the process forward. You can see it at: http://www.cvc-bsa.org/study/index.html

According to the Press Release announcing Mr. Mazzuca as Chief Scout Executive, he was Mazzuca's most recent position was with the National Council of the BSA as assistant Chief Scout Executive, a position he's held since 2006. http://www.scouting.org/Media/PressReleases/PreviousYears/2007/20070830.aspx Why are we concerned? Yes, there is a Board that decides this kind of stuff, as a member of the organization that contributes financially it is good to know where money is going. Always good to make informed decisions. For example, I don't like how my Council spends money so I limit my FOS contribution, and rather buy supplies and materials that get used at the camps. Is the CEO of Scouting worth that much, I personally would say no. There has not been a lot of greatness coming out of the National level, especially looking at 2006 and 2007. Mr. Mazzuca has facilitated a lot of change and the talk about the 100 years has been great, however I feel we are falling back into the same rut we were in before the restructuring. Hopefully he can light a fire under his staff again. I'm really interested to see the 2008 990 now and determine if he is at the same level or if the Board was more reasonable.

In all fairness to the National folks, I checked the data Charity Navigator had on file. Their salary information is from 2007 when Roy Williams was Chief Scout Executive. GuideStar has the 2007 990 on file. Looking at the 990, Mr. Robert Mazzuca made the following in 2007: Compensation - 377,617 Deferred Compensation - 322,237 Expense Account - 22,810 Remember Mr. Mazzuca took over as Chief Scout Executive September 2007, but was an Assistant prior. Mr. Wayne Brock one of the listed Assistants made 323,010 in 2007. Looking at this, it is possible Mr. Mazzuca's compensation is in fact lower than Mr. Williams' 2007 compensation. We really won't know until we see the 2008 990.

The Charity Navigator 2009 CEO Compensation Study was just released and rates the Chief Scout Executive as the fifth highest CEO salary. See More: http://www.scoutingnews.org/2009/08/05/bsa-listed-in-top-five-highest-ceo-salaries-study/ Read the whole Charity Navigator Study (fairly short): (pdf) http://www.charitynavigator.org/__asset__/_etc_/cn_ceo_compensation_study_2009.pdf

In the press release by National it states that they will look at the W. Virginia site... "The organization recently signed an agreement to purchase 10,600 acres, some of it reclaimed mining property, near Beckley, West Virginia, and announced that it would develop a new high- adventure base to complement its existing three bases in Minnesota, New Mexico, and Florida. The BSA expects to close on the property later this fall. In light of our recent decision concerning the Goshen site, well be looking to see if the West Virginia property can support a jamboree, but we have a lot of work to do there before we can make that determination, Furst explained." See more: http://www.scoutingnews.org/2009/08/05/goshen-out-of-the-running/

I think the big focus on patrol method at camps fell by the way side when camps became merit badge factories. Or if they aren't MB focused, there is at least the requirement by National for first year Scout programs. At Ed Bryant Scout Reservation it is half patrol cooking / half dining hall (troop's option). The Scout Craft area also hosted a patrol competition that had very minimal participation. Often times a patrol could show up and try one of the daily challenges and win the overall competition by default. It would be nice to include more patrol activities but it is probably pretty hard with individual advancement and the current ability for Scouts to do their own activities. I do think most camps could structure their evening program in a way to provide more activities for patrols. Instead of another hour of open program, have more patrol focused activities. I think part of it falls on the Troops as well. Do they hold daily PLCs to get information out to the rest of the Troop or does the SPL (or worse, a leader) just update everyone at once on what is going on? Does the Troop assign duties by patrol or by individuals? Do the patrol members camp together? Did they ask the staff for a patrol shoot or patrol swim? If the Troop tries, I think patrols can survive and thrive despite the camp's focus.

I totally missed this one... the press release is going to be posted at Scouting News on July 6th. However in the mean time if anyone is interested in the actual memorandum of mutual support it can be seen at: http://www.scoutingnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/mou_bsa_ahg_bw.pdf I think the press release, puts too much of a focus on the "partnership". Its basically a resolution of support. Strategically if the older girl AHG program is incorporated into the Venturing Program its a win for the BSA.

Originally posted on ScoutingNews.org http://www.scoutingnews.org/2009/05/28/scouts-and-jetskis/ Claytor Lake Adventure Base at the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation has exclusive permission from the National Council Boy Scouts of America to pilot a Personal Watercraft Program for Boy Scouts and Venturers. This is the ONLY program in the Country where use of personal watercrafts are permitted as a part of any Scouting Program! According to Blue Ridge Mountains Council, participants will learn all about Jet Skis, how to be safe on the water, and of course, have a blast riding Jet Skis on Claytor Lake! At the end of the course particiants will have earned their Virgina Boaters License. Visit the Blue Ridge Mountain Council Website for more information. http://www.bsa-brmc.org/

As far as I'm aware they are only doing the two issues. I looked into it last year as I was considering an advertisement buy.

National issued a press release today about entering into negotiations with sites in Virginia and West Virgina to explore the vision of a National Scouting Center. Press Release Courtesy Scouting News http://scoutingnews.org/?p=1031 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Boy Scouts of America to Pursue Negotiations With Sites in Eastern Region to Establish National Scouting Center As on outgrowth of an 18-month process aimed at establishing a permanent home for its iconic event, the national Scout jamboree, the Boy Scouts of America announced today that it will enter negotiations with sites in Virginia and West Virginia to explore the vision of a National Scouting Center. The National Scouting Center will comprise three major areas of focus: the permanent home for the national Scout jamboree, a new high-adventure base, and expanded opportunities for national leadership and outdoor skills training. The vision for a National Scouting Center evolved from an intensive, highly competitive site selection process that drew 80 proposals from 28 states. The site selection process, referred to as Project Arrow, was overseen by a committee that narrowed submissions to three outstanding finalist proposals from Virginia, West Virginia, and Arkansas. Today, after serious and thorough consideration, the BSAs National Executive Board took action to proceed with further investigation and negotiations with Virginia and West Virginia. Plans call for placement of the permanent home for the BSAs national jamboree in Goshen, Rockbridge County, Virginia, and the new high-adventure base in Fayette and Raleigh counties, West Virginia. This new vision of a National Scouting Center represents an incredible opportunity for the BSA, our Scouts, and the nation. In its entirety, the center will offer a new American landmark-a multipurpose, year-round destination for Scouting activities that will become the epicenter for the best that Scouting has to offer, said Jack D. Furst, chairman of the Project Arrow Committee and retired partner of the private equity firm HM Capital Partners. It will be a dynamic place where people from all over this country and the world come together to share their common values, partake in Americas best leadership programs, and challenge themselves through rigorous outdoor activities. Furst noted that although an important step has been taken, there is still much work to be done. We are moving from vision to reality, and there is still much process to go through. Serving as the home for the Boy Scouts national Scout jamboree is a great honor for the commonwealth of Virginia, said Patrick O. Gottschalk, Virginia secretary of commerce and trade. We are committed to this process and know that we have a tremendous amount to offer in the long term to this time-honored celebration and the organizational goals of the Boy Scouts. Kelley Goes, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, says her state is eager to continue progress with the BSA. We appreciate the Boy Scouts recognition of what our land has to offer with its spectacular and diverse topography. There are opportunities to bring new adventure outlets to Scouts, and we look forward to continuing this discussion. Experiential learning activities, such as the ones offered at BSA high- adventure bases and the national jamboree, are a core element to fulfilling the BSAs mission of serving Americas youth with character-building opportunities. Both the jamboree and high-adventure bases reflect the skills and values of Scouting appreciation for the outdoors, physical fitness, environmental conservation, and understanding our national heritage. Every four years, the BSA hosts a 10-day jamboree celebration that draws more than 240,000 Scouts, volunteers, vendors, and visitors. Annually, the BSAs three existing high-adventure bases, Philmont, Northern Tier, and Florida Sea Base, serve more than 50,000 youth with 20,000 more wait- listed. The new proposed adventure base would complement the existing three and help meet the demand for high-adventure activities with completely new programs not offered elsewhere. Furst says the BSA extends its sincere thanks to the jamboree site finalist in Saline County, Arkansas. We are so grateful to Governor Beebe and the officials of Arkansas for providing us such a compelling option, and showcasing their states great leadership. Their incredible site had many outstanding elements, Furst said. Among other criteria that were considered, potential jamboree sites were to: * Have spectacular natural beauty * Have water for recreational activities * Be at least 5,000 acres and available for donation, long-term lease (100-plus years), or sale * Be within 25 miles of an interstate or a four-lane divided highway * Be within 150 miles of a commercial service airport with medium or large hub status * Be in an area with adequate medical services * Be accessible year-round via standard modes of transportation The BSA partnered with McCallum Sweeney Consulting in Greenville, South Carolina, to aid in the search and evaluation process. During the more than 18-month site selection process, a three-phase, systematic review and assessment approach gave each proposal thorough consideration. About the Boy Scouts of America Serving more than 4.6 million youth between the ages of 7 and 20, with more than 300 councils throughout the United States and its territories, the BSA is the nations foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting movement is composed of 1.2 million volunteers, whose dedication of time and resources has enabled the BSA to remain the nations leading youth-service organization. For more information on the BSA, please visit http://www.scouting.org More information about 100 Years of Scouting can be found at http://www.scouting.org/100years(This message has been edited by missingarrow)

Like RememberSchiff pointed out, it is a federal recall. Since the product was just sold through the Boy Scouts, Weaver sent the release to all Councils and asked them to get the word out. It seems a tad overboard that your Council is expecting you to contact everyone that bought the product from you. I have seen notifications from four different Councils and none of them instructed leaders to contact everyone who bought it. My guess is its a Professional going a tad overboard. In all reality it appears this is a big waste of time and PR. Though I suppose better safe than sorry...