RememberSchiff

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.

Seems a strategic measure for Publication group facing downsizing. The inspection sheet is out of touch with economic reality. Our SPL developed their own uniform sheet and I see that as the future direction with a continuing decrease in Scout shop purchases.

An current org chart would be helpful.

My thought was this was a new position, call it Ranger for now. Similar District resource as certified Rifle and Archery instructors, and RSO's but likely paid.

As a start...hire @Sentinel947 to pilot this at a district of his choice AND listen to his advice for growth to other districts. Perhaps establish coop relationships with colleges which offer outdoor related majors . Some juniors and seniors are over 20, though IMHO National should recognize 18yr olds as adults. Right next door to Summit,: https://admissions.wvutech.edu/academics/majors/adventure-recreation-management Maine: https://www.unity.edu/academics/certifications/recreation/ Minnesota: https://cehsp.d.umn.edu/departments-centers/center-environmental-education/undergraduate-degrees/environmental-outdoor-ed Another $0.02,

Agree some Scoutmasters need help with this. What if District had two or more experienced, enthusiastic, fit , young adult outdoor guides available to units at no cost? Maybe members of a local college outdoor club, former Philmont rangers and other super scouts, REI employees, graduates from college outdoor education programs, Maine Guides, ... Like a Council Philmont visit, they would visit a troop , talk about their adventures, answer questions, hope scouts and adults take hook....Ok lets start planning this trek...and help provide two deep leadership for weekend trek. My $0.01,

Update 2/11/2020: Opportunities, Inc. Scouts with Disabilities Troops 6101 held the first Court of Honor at Opportunities, Inc. on Tuesday, February 11th in conjunction with the Caddo Area Council, BSA. The event recognized the achievements of the troops 20 members. Family was invited to attend, as well as prominent members in the scouting community who are affiliated with the troops. The members of Troops 6101 advanced in rank to “Scout,” the first rank in the Boy Scouts of America. The Scouts received their official Scout shirts and a framed Scout rank badge to commemorate the occasion. Scout Salute, Source link: https://txktoday.com/news/opportunities-inc-scouts-with-disabilities-troops-6101-court-of-honor-ceremony/

Good to see Bryan on Scouting also reported on this story today. 👍 https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/02/12/boy-scouts-of-america-partners-with-sexual-abuse-support-service-to-provide-support-to-victims/

The BSA is entering a five-year partnership with 1in6, a national nonprofit that provides various resources and support services to male survivors of sexual abuse. The organization’s name derives from studies which conclude that about one in six men in the U.S. have experienced sexual abuse. The BSA said the partnership will enable 1in6 to expand its 24/7 web-based helpline chat service, which helps survivors connect quickly to a trained advocate for abuse victims. The BSA said the partnership will allow 1in6 to expand the number of online support groups for men who were sexually abused from two to five each week. For years, the Boy Scouts have offered to fund in-person counseling for any current or former scout. Michael Johnson, the Boy Scouts youth protection officer, said he became convinced that 1in6 could offer a broader range of survivor support after hearing about it from an abuse victim, Jason Lee. More at source: https://apnews.com/c86a6362e667b47b5835b8b910291e9d https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/feb/12/boy-scouts-to-expand-abuse-help-service/

4. After National Annual Meeting, Executive Council should, at their next meeting, receive a written report from Council attendees. Report would reveal NAM announcements, policy and rules changes, elections, votes taken (and their votes), ...and be entered into minutes.

The Executive Council needs good people but guided with sound rules to effectively serve and oversee council operations. Some thoughts 1. Post on Council website the names of all Executive Board Members (not all Councils do) , the Board Bylaws., meeting minutes, ... 2. Key 3 and Board of Directors may attend meetings but they are not members, have no vote, and cannot chair or otherwise control meetings. 3. Quorum is 50% of all Executive Board members (not 50% of all those present). Members may assign proxies or send votes electronically. Board should be representative, transparent, independent. My $0.01

IMHO, Leaders address their troops before they undertake new, demanding and perhaps traumatic events. Leaders show up. My $0.02,