Eagle1993

Shouldn't this be as easy as a table that states: Entity Total Assets Total Unrestricted assets Amount provided to Trust Then fill in for BSA and every council. The TCC could then review and argue if they believe the asset amounts listed are incorrect or if the amount provided to the trust is not a sufficient percentage of the unrestricted assets. I agree its complex, but it sounds like TCC has already assessed 500 properties and could probably verify that table. Given TCC's response, it seems like either BSA isn't providing sufficient information or are not providing an offer sufficient to settle. While I agree councils in SOL states will be at high risk, given 11,000 claims since 2000, even non liberal SOL state councils could be at risk. There is a ton of variety with SOL ... this site shows details state by state. https://childusa.org/law/ (FYI, I feel creepy searching for statue of limitations sex abuse ... I'm sure I'll be added to a FBI watch list at some point.)

The problem is ... a single case can result in a very large verdict. For example, the 2010 Oregon case of a $18.5M verdict for 1 case is a warning. https://abcnews.go.com/WN/boy-scouts-pay-man-185m-punitive-damages/story?id=10463429 Most councils could face 10s if not hundreds of cases. I doubt they can handle the legal fees let alone 1 or 2 losses of this magnitude.

I question the need/pressure for new units ... unless they are in areas where there are no existing units. In my area, it seems like MOST of the new unit discussions I have heard of were in areas where there were existing units. I didn't understand it. Why not simply identify a good unit in that area and help then recruit members from the other school. It seems like we spread recruits too thin when we add too many units. Then, there are areas (primarily inner city) where there are no nearby units. I've had parents contact me from the inner city but decide they were not interested as it would be tough to get their kids to my unit. I always pondered if BSA would work on getting funding (from grants, UnitedWay, etc.) and partner with inner city churches if they would see their minority ranks grow. I know their current path is ScoutReach, but I think churches may be a better partner. I don't know much about ScoutReach so perhaps that is a good model.

Seems to be fixed! Site it flying again! Thanks!

I see no path where there is an agreement to protect LCs and COs. The complexity is just too great. National BSA declared bankruptcy. Settle out their assets. Let the lawsuits against COs and LCs to proceed. They can declare bankruptcy if appropriate. I see now other path given how complex. It’s interesting to see the $102B estimate.

So ... I'm guessing the intense mediation session this week is not likely resolving the differences.

There have been several rejects to the BSA plan filed by various lawfirms. See one example below. https://casedocs.omniagentsolutions.com/cmsvol2/pub_47373/884597_2497.pdf I've noticed an interesting trend. All include this information: So, it seems clear that on the claimants side, the belief is that given out BSA is structured, if national liquidates, it will mean the liquidation of the entire BSA assets (all councils). I(This is only one side of the legal argument I am sure, but it does indicate ALL councils could be at risk, regardless of their individual claims or SOL laws).

I love the idea of rapid testing at summer camps. The temperature checks are a joke as many people (especially kids) do not have fevers with Covid-19. All summer camps should be open this summer, end of story. Its not just a matter of what mitigations you have to take, depending on Covid rates in the community. We have a year+ of experience and should know how to handle it. Great to see the news coming in!

Very interesting article. Looks like a research firm (not sure if paid by BSA) looked into why BSA is not more popular among Black, Latinx, and Asian populations. This is just one study, but I found it interesting. https://www.kpcnews.com/opinions/article_2e2ebb7c-a04c-5286-b4e5-22a6dbbd9b09.html

That is interesting as it is AFTER the Disclosure Statement Approval Hearing. So essentially, after BSA's updated settlement offer. That makes me think the estimation will have more impact on the insurance claims than on the BSA offer. Any idea when info will come out from the mediation session to be held tomorrow - Thursday this week? I wonder if it will give a key reading on how assets will be confirmed as restricted (or not) and which LCs are (are not) participating. I have my PLC meeting today and we are discussing high adventure trips in 2022 and 2023. At this point I will be telling them that I recommend avoiding the National BSA bases ... but I really hope I don't have to tell them all BSA bases are off limits. It would be great to know as planning can take years for the bigger trips. I'm trying to read the tea leaves....

It looks like BSA is selling through Amazon now. https://www.amazon.com/Scouts-BSA-Handbook-14th-Edition/dp/B084JG9PQ2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Scout+Book&qid=1617027806&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/sp?_encoding=UTF8&asin=&isAmazonFulfilled=1&isCBA=&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&orderID=&protocol=current&seller=A11OJQXOR06UFM&sshmPath= Looking at details, it appears some BSA items are Shipped through Amazon & Sold by BSA.

We had a situation at a summer camp a few years ago. Storm hit middle of night, constant lightning. Camp had us stay in tents as they felt the run/walk across an open field was more dangerous. It was nearly four hours of constant lightening... scouts were able to play cards without flashlights in their tents. One of the worst lightening storms I was in. Nearly no wind. It was a tough call either way. I think they probably should have evacuated us before the storm hit but who knows how quickly it ramped up.

USC has a $5B endowment. They can pay this without bankruptcy or selling buildings and firing anyone. I think that is the big difference. BSA has made large payouts in the past $19.9M to a single victim. I think the current situation has more to do with the mass claims and limited assets instead of who the actual victims are.

I think the $300M comes down to ... restricted vs non restricted assets and which councils are contributing. In terms of restricted vs non restricted ... I would think the mediator should be able to help. Are the assets councils consider "restricted" truly restricted. For example, Three Fires Council indicated ~$3M of restricted assets. Does the TCC in their review agree and if not, that should go to mediation. Now multiply by 200 - 300 councils. The few councils I have heard from, are indicating they are providing nearly all of their "unrestricted assets". So the other question I would have is ... which councils are not participating. There could be a fair number that are not and if their assets are high, that could end up scuttling the settlement. I have no idea of $300M is far off anymore. My initial hunch was it seemed very low ... but now that I see a great camp being sold just to meet the $300M commitment I begin to wonder. I also know BSA has been selling camps for a decade plus and have seen major donors drop off. Perhaps each council is in financial stress and all that is left is a bunch of camps, already mortgaged and or donor restricted that are left.

I wonder if the tides turn on this as Boy Scout camps are sold and then clear cut. Local news interviewing young scouts about their sold camp, followed by loggers clear cutting old growth pine forests make an emotional appeal and will be grabbed quickly by Republicans as an example of “cancel culture” stopping legislation. I don’t know which way this goes... is the story Larry Nasser/organizational negligence or loss of current youth activities over generation old claims and tort big business. It could go either way. The question is if LCs from closed states are willing to take a bet.

Very little is being shared; however, my understanding is that there are a very low number of individuals in each council under NDA who know the plans. I doubt LCs would pull in their COs. Perhaps National is in talks with larger COs, I doubt this is occurring at the LC level.

To add an example from one council.

There seems to be three big questions that must be answered in the March mediation. What will be the National, LC and CO contributions to the fund. I think the insurance aspect cannot be covered until the estimates are complete for District Court. In terms of National, it’s pretty simple. Are the four HA based restricted assets. To me, it should simple be a matter of law. Are there clear deed/donor restrictions, does the JP Morgan debt take precedent on the claim and is Arrow WV separate. I expect the mediator should be able to help here and by simple I mean relative to the next to. LCs ... while very little is shared, due to NDAs, from digging through Facebook, a council presentation and Reddit comments it appears the $300M is nearly all the unrestricted assets from many councils. The questions I have... is that all councils or just councils at risk to further litigation. Also, how valid are the restrictions. This will be tougher to move as it involves either pulling in councils that might not be at risk of much litigation (for example from limited SOL states) or restricted assets. The Ad Hoc committee better be ready with a final number. At a certain point they may be better off walking away and allowing individual lawsuits. COs.... dead silence. I don’t see CO protection as part of the settlement. I just don’t see any COs feeling much risk. Just a hunch but we haven’t seen anything from them so far so I’d be surprised if we see movement. They may be better off not contributing and simply saying this is a BSA issue. I guess I don’t have much hope for mediation outside National BSA’s contribution. You might see some minor movements in LCs. I was surprised the $300M was so low, but for the council that I am close to it meant selling their best camp property. If it is already coming to that at $300M I would be shocked there is a ton of unrestricted assets out there. This might just be a council by council legal fight going forward. We will see...

Send other reps from the TCC. I hope the judge denies the motion. I’m ok if they meet somewhere else, but it should be in person.

Based on what I am hearing, the $300M of LC assets are nearly 100% of unrestricted assets at LCs. Payment is expected from LCs this year so watch for a surge of camp sales.

Offer was made and accepted for CFL - $2.0M. Property will be leased back for 2021 summer camp.

Perhaps, but I would say 90% of the 5th grade scouts started as 1st graders. We advertise to every grade each year and rarely get new 2nd - 5th grade scouts. Like I said, there is a chance this could work. On the other hand, starting at Wolf might mean you have a lot of 2nd graders who will never be scouts that would have been scouts if you had a K5 or 1st grade program. It may be a good idea for BSA to encourage at some Packs who have shown a history of attrition either within the Cub program or greater than expected between Cub/Scouts BSA. Also, since I know they will never completely end Lions or Tigers it may be interesting to see if they look at the UK structure where they break up the younger scouts a bit more.

Parents these days seem to select programs early. If BSA doesn’t have an offering for K5 and 1st graders they may never sign up. There is a lot more competition between youth programs now. That said, burn out is real. I wonder if there is a different solution. Perhaps Lions and Tigers are not part of a pack. They are stand alone programs between the District and parents. Low key, low cost and a way for the Pack to get a list of names and parents for the Wolf Scout Den. Tough decision as I see both sides of the coin on this one.

“has had an unforeseen and pronounced negative effect on the Debtors’ operations, including an 81% membership recruitment decline in 2020 attributable to school closures and social distancing measures.”

We are avoiding any communication to our parents yet, other than telling scouts this will be the last year to go to CFL for summer camp. I think I may know more by late April. If that hearing goes south and it looks dire, I'll probably raise the alarm with my life scouts. More like a ... hey, just in case ... you probably want to finish off your 6 Eagle Required partial merit badges you have been sitting on and go ahead and get that project we have been discussing approved.