RememberSchiff

IMHO, we need solid, factual answers to parent questions regarding trust and safety ahead of membership drives.

My thought was damage-control for recruitment. IMHO, our competition here is subtlety saying they are safer, BSA National should be responding.

"This is a great example of proactive, pre-crisis thinking. And it’s also a lesson in internal communications; that is, sharing accurate information in a timely fashion with “front line” representatives of an organization. This is a textbook case of using proactive messaging to distinguish your brand from “co-petitors” in the news." ... "Girl Scouts is proud of its more than 100 years of dedicated and expert service to girls—and girls only—in an environment that is girl-led, girl-focused, supportive of girls’ positive development, and, above all, safe." https://www.agilitypr.com/pr-news/public-relations/girl-scouts-get-out-in-front-of-boy-scouts-bankruptcy-crisis-with-proactive-messaging/ Where's my blood pressure medicine?

Some earlier MIchigan Crossroads topics

As I understand, the only short schedule was requested by the BSA - 80 days for victims/creditors to come forward. Please show a source confirming Judge Silverstein is forcing a short schedule or anything else. On 2/20/2020 Judge Silverstein's signed several interim (no expiration date) orders- debtor is authorized to continue run business, pay bills,.... https://cases.omniagentsolutions.com/documents?clientid=CsgAAncz%2B6Yclmvv9%2Fq5CGybTGevZSjdVimQq9zQutqmTPHesk4PZDyfOOLxIiIwZjXomPlMZCo%3D&tagid=1153 P.S. Interesting to note in above link, the number attorneys from different Councils with "Request for Service of Papers"

2/24/2020: U.S. Trustee has requested to hold a Section 341(a) meeting on April 15. " The U.S. trustee plays a major role in monitoring the progress of a chapter 11 case and supervising its administration. The U.S. trustee is responsible for monitoring the debtor in possession's operation of the business and the submission of operating reports and fees. Additionally, the U.S. trustee monitors applications for compensation and reimbursement by professionals, plans and disclosure statements filed with the court, and creditors' committees. The U.S. trustee conducts a meeting of the creditors, often referred to as the "section 341 meeting," in a chapter 11 case. 11 U.S.C. § 341. The U.S. trustee and creditors may question the debtor under oath at the section 341 meeting concerning the debtor's acts, conduct, property, and the administration of the case." https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/801214_101.pdf https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/802670_110.pdf https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-11-bankruptcy-basics#:~:text=The U.S. trustee conducts a,in a chapter 11 case.&text=The U.S. trustee and creditors,the administration of the case. https://cases.omniagentsolutions.com/documents?clientid=CsgAAncz%2b6Yclmvv9%2fq5CGybTGevZSjdVimQq9zQutqmTPHesk4PZDyfOOLxIiIwZjXomPlMZCo%3d&tagid=1153

Yeah, wonder why. But at least there was a guise of local autonomy , per By-Laws, merging council executive boards had to approve even if those boards were badgered to repeat voting until they did approve. Merger Suggestions. Consider, if these sudden, proposed council mergers are or perceived as National orders This will be happening , such actions IMHO will discredit the BSA statement "Local councils are legally independent, separate and distinct from the national organization. " Another concern, Council X has liability lawsuit(s) pending and is merged with neighboring Councils Y and Z which do not. Now, the combined assets of new Council XYZ are in play. Another $0.02

The top-down comes in after the bottom-up council restructuring. National or Regions lack the overall picture of council performance that units experience. How many times have units said if only they could be in another council? Another $0.01,

"Top down thinking" has been restructuring councils for as long as I can remember. The promised economies (locally), service improvements, and increased membership and resources have not been proven, but let's get it right in the next merger, e.g., The Spirit of Adventure Council (unless they merged again and changed their name since I started writing). I expect all Mass will be one council as neighboring NH is (except for one or two counties). Remember how councils were required to develop strategic plans? JTE? If a council met their five year plan or is a Gold Council, why merge it or was all that top down thinking flawed? How about bottom-up thinking based on the service needs of units, units satisfaction with that service, and council financials? Say a more market- driven approach. Camps should be financially independent of councils. My $0.02,

And when you're taught how to right a swamped canoe, turn your flannel shirt into a life preserver, make tea from the bark of a sassafras tree, and read animal tracks, cairns and trail signs, you're gaining the confidence that you'll be able to adapt to whatever life throws at you. That's still relevant, not at all anachronistic. Boy Scouts needs to confront its painful past. But it might also be true that in the past it finds its future. ~ Michael Dobie , Newsday editorial board https://www.newsday.com/opinion/columnists/michael-dobie/michael-dobie-boy-scouts-of-america-bankruptcy-1.42041316

Alarms go off in my head when I hear of Council board members who work in real estate.

IMHO, camps should be independently owned and managed by a camp alumni trust, thus the camp is shielded from the financial misfortunes of the Council or National. This trust rents out its camping facilities and storage to cover its operation and maintenance. The camp neither owns nor maintains program inventory (archery, baskets, STEM, kayaks, whatever) that is Council's cost and responsibility or whatever group is renting the camp for their respective program. My $0.02,

The bankruptcy case began Wednesday with a court hearing in Wilmington, Delaware, where attorneys for victims made clear they will also go after campsites and other properties owned by the Boy Scouts’ 261 local councils, and will also demand access to internal files containing abusers’ names. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein did not immediately rule on access to the files or how the property of the local councils will be treated. Another battle is taking shape over what deadline the court will set for victims to file claims for compensation. Victims’ attorneys chafed at the notion of an 80-day deadline, saying men who have suffered need more time. More at source: https://www.austindailyherald.com/2020/02/plaintiffs-attorneys-take-aim-at-boy-scouts-dark-history/

In the case of Scouting, the BSA may dissolve in this bankruptcy, if so, it will be replaced and Scouting will move on. IMHO, Scouting is an idea, a philosophy of life, not an organization. Another $0.02,

IMHO, I do NOT think we will see - any changes to the torte system coming in time for this case. - the Federal government bailing out the BSA or any non-profits. - taxpayers paying for a reparation fund or for another government oversight agency. For an organization whose motto is "Be Prepared", I think many will say accept the consequences and fix your own problems. My $0.02,

Mitchell Garabedian ,a Boston lawyer who has gained international recognition for representing more than 1,000 victims of the Catholic Church clergy sexual abuse, (you may recall his name from the movie Spotlight) said the question now is whether local councils should be held responsible. Churches that may sponsor troops where victims were abused may also be held liable. He said they are a link in the chain of sexual abuse that happened over the course of decades. He said some may want to join the bankruptcy for protection. “If local councils are separate corporations, which they usually are, they could say, ‘We want to be part of the bankruptcy protection, so we’re going to provide some assets,’ ” Garabedian said. “It’s called channeling injunctions. It happens in many other bankruptcies.” .... The BSA recently established Ad Hoc Committee of Local Councils, an informal volunteer committee consisting of eight councils from around the country which is intended to give the 261 local councils as a group, a “voice” in the national organization’s Chapter 11 proceedings. https://www.telegram.com/news/20200218/will-boy-scouts-bankruptcy-potential-lawsuits-affect-local-councils

I wonder if the judge can apply executive compensation caps?

Filing : Official Form 201 (17 pages) https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/799024_Boy Scouts of America - 20-10343.pdf

Among other matters to be addressed in bankruptcy court: the fate of the Boy Scouts’ assets; the extent to which the organization’s insurance will help cover compensation; and whether assets of the Scouts’ 261 local councils will be added to the fund (Recall some Councils are also litigants in current lawsuits) and whether a U.S. Trustee will be appointed. Ahead of the Chapter 11 filing, lawyers said that because of the organization’s 50-state presence, as well as its ties to churches and civic groups that sponsor scout troops, a bankruptcy by the Boy Scouts would be unprecedented in its complexity. It would be national in scope, unlike the various Catholic Church bankruptcy cases, which have unfolded diocese by diocese. Source: (many others ) https://kvia.com/news/us-world/2020/02/18/boy-scouts-file-for-bankruptcy-due-to-sex-abuse-lawsuits/ https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/02/boy-scouts-files-for-bankruptcy-amid-wave-of-sexual-abuse-claims.html

Filed in federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, DE. https://kvia.com/news/us-world/2020/02/18/boy-scouts-file-for-bankruptcy-due-to-sex-abuse-lawsuits/

Update Feb 14, 2020: Whitetails Unlimited steps up. The Clearfield County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited will help the Bucktail Council recover after a recent burglary at its Camp Mountain Run Boy Scout Camp, announced WTU Field Director Clyde DeHart on Thursday. ... DeHart said Whitetails Unlimited will hold its chapter banquet next month, and it will raise grant funds that will help replace the firearms and bow that were stolen. Funds will also help increase the security of the camp’s storage area. “The boy scouts do a great job teaching firearm safety and skills every year,” he said, adding that “… we want to make sure they can continue their programs without interruption. “… Whitetails Unlimited has a long history of supporting responsible, safe youth shooting and firearm safety programs, and we’re proud to continue that tradition in Clearfield County.” More at source including banquet information: https://gantdaily.com/2020/02/14/whitetails-unlimited-to-help-boy-scouts-recover-after-recent-camp-burglary/ Scout salute to Whitetails Unlimited,

Working with outdoor adventure businesses may become more common if National and Councils sells their high adventure camps but IMHO, units can do this on their own without National forming partnerships. I would like National to rebuild our relationships with the military as the Sea Scouts did with Coast Guard. My $0.02 ,

Historical note: As I recall, the most recent National organizational restructuring was in the summer of 2008. Mazzuca wanted National to focus on council needs and commissioned a study by McKinsey & Co towards that goal. Is that study available? A restructuring of National volunteer committees also occurred. Perhaps this time, the focus should be on scouts and the realization all Scouting is local... a bottom up restructuring.

Back then, we were also required to have a dime in our pocket for emergency phone calls using a pay phone. No 911 back then, you dropped a dime and dialed 0 for operator.