changing councils

[brooktrout]

Here's some additional infomation concerning our attempts to change councils...

Our troop was in the Westmoreland Fayette Council - where we would like to be - a number of years ago. At that time, due to redistricting, we were tranferred into what has now evolved into the Greater Pittsburgh Council. GPC is an uban-oriented council, unlike WFC, which is a smaller and more rural council. Objections to the reassignment were raised at the time, but were evidently ignored or dismissed by the decision makers in charge. Our troop is located at the fringe of the GPC/WFC border.

In a meeting with our DE, the troop committee reviewed several concerns with GPC. We pointed out that with respect to council coverage, "bigger is not always better". The reply of "understood" was positive, but the message delivered that night was that the council switch would not be permitted. The NE Region and GPC will not approve it. (By the way, we're still waiting for the February promised return call from the GPC Scout Executive. Trustworthy? Helpful?)

Did we voice some concerns about GPC and its operation during our meeting with our DE? Yes. And as we told him, our purpose was not to cause trouble or stir up discontent among other troops, but simply to arrive at an amicable solution to our goal. We still maintain that our troop would be a much better 'fit' with WFC than GPC. (Note here also that another local troop has indicated that if/when we go, they are going to make the switch also.)

Our efforts in the matter have been conducted in a positive and constructive manner. We chose not to air a detailed list of our council concerns in a forum such as this, but rather to go though channels within GPC. So the matter appears to be at rest for the time being. We stay where we are, but not by our own choosing. There is one thing for certain: our troop will continue to provide a good, sound program for the scouts just as it always has done. Thanks to all for your suggestions to our initial inquiry.