Scout Update

Scouting Teaches Citizenship and Bravery

It’s widely known that Scouts develop a great appreciation for civic duty and responsibility through their time in Scouting. So it’s no surprise that every day since the attack we receive photos, links and stories of our Scout “alumni” who continue to quietly exhibit heroism. The dedicated members of the Military, Police, Fire and EMS are filled with Eagle Scouts who first took their oath to “help other people at all times” while wearing a Cub Scout uniform.

The stories below showcase the heroism of our Scouts in their adult life. Meanwhile hundreds of our Scouts and volunteers, who are professional law enforcement personnel, are actively in pursuit of the bombers. Today our prayers are with them, and their families, as we hope for a quick and safe resolution to the manhunt.   

Stories and images featuring our Eagle Alumni

SomervilleEagle Scout Bernie Madore

Malden Eagle Scout and Assistant Scout Master Mark Fisette

DorchesterEagle Scout Bruce Showstack

Camp Today

Our first annual Science camp will conclude today. For the past five days, hundreds of Scouts have spent their April vacation learning about the science of trajectory – through archery, studying the effects of buoyancy in the pool, and earning the new robotics, inventing and game design merit badges. Several of the campers are locked in their homes today and will miss the final day and presentation from Astronaut, Bernard Harris. Later this spring (likely first weekend in June) Boston Minuteman Council will conduct a science day at camp to allow those boys to complete their merit badge work and we will conduct a blood drive to help the victims and finally a recognition for all our law enforcement and public service heroes that same day.

This is our Town

Early this morning as we made announcements regarding Science camp we quickly received this response from one of our parents.

Just a quick note to say thank you for the update, but to also let you know that I feel my children are safe (as safe as anywhere can be these days) with you in the Blue Hills today, and that when we modify our behavior because of the possibility of a threat than we allow the perpetrators of terror to win or at least gain ground.

We will continue to Be Prepared, Be Safe and BE STRONG – BOSTON STRONG

Strategic Plan - a Road Map for Success

Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan was adopted unanimously on Sept 1, 2011. This is the beginning of a very exciting time for the council as we close the door on the “Survival” chapter and open the door to the “Thriving” Chapter. John Millerick did fantastic work in bringing together 7 committees, 39 goals, and hundreds of voices together in one comprehensive plan. We’ll post a video version of the presentation in the upcoming weeks.

Recent Positive Press!
Local Boy Scouts help save Roxbury health center's reading program Boston Globe
Burlington Boy Scouts, cycling group make trail Boston.com
Local News – Needham Eagle Project Needham Patch
Troop 603 Malden Fox Boston TV
Fishing is a big lure for Scouting - Cover Article, Coastal Angler, Boston Edition

Pro Bono Mass Media and Grass Roots Campaigns
Check out the Face Book Social media contest regarding our 42 Billboards, yard signs and rotating BeAScout.org ads on Boston.com (special thanks to George Regan and Sean Martin for pulling together the media and PR support)

Nominating Committee
After a very busy and successful spring and summer recruiting period the board accepted the nominations of several new members.
Our Newest Board Members
Jay Cashman – Boy Scout From Quincy, owner Cashman Construction, properties committee
Jim Dina – Life Scout, Cub Master in Lexington, COO Pyramid Hotel Group, development committee
Erik Evans – Eagle Scout, Director MIT Lincoln Labs, Program Committee (STEM Vacation camp)
Lloyd Hamm – Eagle Scout, Chief Admin and Chief Information Officer, Eastern Bank,
David Mackinnon – Partner, Ernst and Young, Development Committee
George Regan – Eagle Scout, Owner Regan communications, PR and Marketing Committee

Program Emphasis
Our third “test pilot program” Rock Climbing is offered at Camp Sayre this fall. The program was launched last week and the first session sold out in 48 hours.

This success combined with the Archery Test program last spring and the pool’s impact on Day Camp, provides the confidence needed to fuel the tactical steps of the strategic plan. Developing these tactical steps will become a major priority for the operating committees as we move through the first phases of the strategic plan.

This link will take you to a draft of the program enhancements that could / should / will be available at Camp Sayre. The test program indicate the market is ready will and able to support this Scouting venture.

Please review this simple calculator and adventure programs and provide feedback prior to the Sept 15th meeting. Thanks again to Joe Havelick for putting the draft together.

Happy Holidays - year end report card

Happy Holidays, as the year draws to a close I reflect upon the past 12 months for our country and our local Scout families. While I have only been back in Boston for 6 months I was immediately struck by the tight knit feeling the Boston Minuteman Scouters share. It’s clear that Scouting is a community. I am touched by the outpouring of support and genuine love that is expressed for each other as some of our families struggle with unemployment, personal grief and tragedy. I am also glad to share in our personal triumphs and successes. Please keep posting on face book. While I cannot attend them all, I appreciate all the invitations to the Eagle Courts of Honor, Blue and Gold events and camping trips.

I understand the deep commitment that it takes from you to make Scouting come alive for your unit. Please, take time to enjoy the holidays with your family.

Thank you for everything you do to make Scouting a special program for so many youth across the Boston area. I am blessed to be back here in the Boston area to serve in your efforts to deliver the Scouting program.

What does “The Council” do? What’s a council report card?
There is probably formal text about the ROLE of a Boy Scout COUNCIL somewhere in all the documentation from national office, however, I’d much rather share my personal mission for our council. I am driven to help make Scouting thrive in every Boston area community. I spent much of my first few months asking you the question – “What can be done to help make Scouting thrive in your community?” Please read my past blogs to catch up with the open and public dialogue about your responses.

I believe people want Scouting to thrive. Therefore, my role is to coordinate resources – and help provide clarity, direction and inspiration to achieve our common goals.

Your most common responses:
• Internal Communication
• Visibility
• Recruitment & Retention
• Resource Allocation
• Camp and Outdoor Program
• Training
• Ease of Participation
• Finances
• Camp Facilities

Below you’ll find a “status update” and some future actions
1. Internal Communication: Our team will be light and nimble with a clear focus on unit and parent customer service. As we grow we will add staff that has a direct and immediate impact on serving you. Our volunteers who make the program come alive for so many boys. The first example of that is Heather Sheehan. Heather joined the team this September as our receptionist and has quickly become a pleasant and helpful voice resource to scout leaders and parents.
2. Internal communications, training and ease of participation: Joe Macone and the communications committee (our web page) are developing new processes and procedures for volunteer content creators to enhance the speed and accuracy of our most critical internal communication. Joe Havelick has developed the first of a series of online training search tools that’ll help make the enormous library of Scouting information and dates more accessible and relevant to all leaders. Please look for updates and changes starting in the first quarter 2011. Please provide any comments or thoughts about how this search function would help you or other parents.
3. Internal communications / Focus groups: You set direction! We have hosted a total of 15 open attendance focus groups for Scout leaders on a broad range of topics, including popcorn, High adventure, and Scouting in general. These focus groups will become a standard part of our ongoing communication.
4. Visibility: Below are just a few recent articles and press clippings from the month of December – more to come. In the first quarter we SHOULD see a marked increase in the major media outlets as well as incentives and trainings for units to increase their local presence.
a. PRINT
b. TELEVISION
c. RADIO
5. Resource Allocation and Camp Facilities: The archery range project at Storer is a great example of what can be done when we all pull together. The project was FULLY FUNDED before the first shovel went in the ground; it’s being built through an enormous volunteer effort and should be completed on time and under budget! Thanks to Tim Roache and all involved in the project. Check out the updated pictures
a. Quartermaster Building Project: About 15 volunteers have begun the project of clearing out the work shop at Sayre to create a clear and accurate inventory of all the council resources. This project will decrease waste and increase the council’s value to all units and programs.
b. Resource Allocation: Many of our outdoor committees have agreed to start working together for a common mission to develop year-round programs to support Scout units and outreach to outside organizations. This change will create resource efficiencies.
c. Resource Allocation: I hope that after 6 months, everyone can see that all the council resources we have are there to serve one purpose – to help Scouting thrive in our communities. Human Resources are charged with direct unit and volunteer services, physical resources (camps) are charged with supporting and expanding the Scouting program, financial resources are spent to expand Scouting and support those involved. Your direct feedback helps keeps these initiatives on track.
6. Finances: When we all pull together we can accomplish results that previously seemed “out of reach” Popcorn sales up 16% Congratulations! Corporate Fundraising up $100,000 from last year. Through those two campaigns and some significant heavy lifting from the remaining staff and volunteers we achieved a balanced operating budget for 2010. We are NOT out of the woods, (still have a tremendous debt – and brutal cash flow problems) but that is a heck of a step in the right direction. We’ll share the year-end financial statements by the end of the first quarter.
7. Recruitment and Retention: This process is on-going. We will continue to conduct focus groups, secure additional funding, develop “ease of participation” initiatives, and improve camp program and facilities in a comprehensive approach to increase retention and recruitment.

How you can help
1. Provide Feedback! Please take a moment to take the 2010 year end Scouting survey. Please share your full thoughts.
a. Online Survey
b. PDF Cub Parent Survey
c. PDF Unit Leader Survey
d. PDF Roundtable Survey
e. Please mail the PDF’s to Strategic Plan, 411 Unquity Road, Milton MA 02186 or e-mail to ceaton@bsaboston.org

2. Camp: It has always been my opinion that Scout Leaders need to take their boys to summer camp that best supports their year round efforts and goals for their youth. It is the council’s responsibility to provide the best possible program and facilities to support those efforts and goals. Therefore I would never endorse a campaign that asks scout leaders to attend one of our camps “because it is ‘our camp.’” Instead I would ask that you articulate your needs as a volunteer and provide that feedback so we can build camps and programs that best serve your needs. As we develop those camps and programs we’d hope that leaders would simply remain open to the idea that Boston Minuteman can – and will become – the best option for your summer camp program.

3. Friends of Scouting: We are all in this Scouting program together. We succeed and fail together. Clearly for the past 40 years Scouting has struggled across the country. (maybe a little more in some areas than others) We will only reverse this trend by working together. Our goals for Friends of Scouting annual campaign revolve around participation. When you are approached, please participate as you are able, and encourage others in your Scouting community to do the same. For my part, I’ll lead the staff and board campaigns as well as leverage and stretch every one dollar contributed to provide two – three dollars in value to our Scouts.

4. Best Practices: One of the unique functions of a council is the ability to gather best practices and act as a clearing house for good ideas. We all know some communities host 100+ boys in a Cub Packs, 60+ boys in a Troop as well as, vibrant Venture crews salt and peppered throughout the council. If Scouting already thrives in your community – we need to “pick your brain” so we can synthesize your success into repeatable and trainable actions for other volunteers. Please share your successes.

Thanks for your time – sorry this was a bit long. I’m looking forward to seeing you around the campfire and along the trails.


Chuck Eaton
Scout Executive, CEO

Board Retreat

Sorry it's been a while since I updated the Blog - it's been a very busy couple months. Just to keep us all up to speed: here are a few updates:

Thanks to "OC" John O'Connor our popcorn chairman and congratuations to the all the units who sold popcorn this season. Collectively your sales are up 16% typically a sign that membership may be trending upwards. Trails End has worked with us to provide additional recognition this year (all the cool ipads)!

Membership is a little slow most packs and troops have handed in their new member registrations - however many are still behind, please help by sendin in your applicatons asap So Marian can get the youth in before rechartering process begins. We anticipate some struggles with the new youth protection requirments, so please DON'T DELAY

The Salute to Scouting just exceeded $200,000 and with one month to go we are in good position to achieve our stretch goal of $300,000. Jeff LaBroad (our day camp director) has agreed to serve as "stage manager" for the event. He'll be reaching out to Scouts and leaders for some assistance regarding the visibility of the event.

We've conducted six reviews from the National office as part of our board retreat: Annual Review
Administrative Review
Sustainable Council Review
Scout Leaders Priorities
Properties Review
360 community review
Please feel free free to read these executive summaries and slides. Pease post your comments here - through the blog comments - so your comments and insight can be rolled into the decision process.

Each of these reviews was used during our board retreat to initiate dialouge and establish our dirction.

Scott Sanborn, our council president, opened the meeting by outlining our initial direction

1. We will live within our means

• balance all three funds (operating, capital, endowment)
• review camping properties and in context of service to the mission of Scouting

2. Re-engage volunteers at all levels of the organizations (from Parents to Board members)

• improve internal communications and procedures
• provide clear expecations and accountability for all board and council vlunteers
• specific initiatives to engage new parents and leaders
• continue with complete transparency

3. Re-introdue Scouting to our community

• increase visiability of Scouting through PR and mass media
• assist unit leaders to to increase visability of local programs
• establish authentic Scouting in tough to serve communities

To help us put the accountable-measurable steps in place we will be launching two inititiatives:
1. The Strategic Plan lead by John Millerick and engaging volunteer at all levels over the next 9 months. The Strategic planning process should conclude late in the third quarter of 2011
2. The Properties Plan lead by Jim Kelley this process will also involve volunteers throughout the council. We anticipate the first report / recommendation to be presented to the board by mid June 2011.

The board retreat included 37 board members, two district chairs, two guests from the national office and three active unit leaders. We'll provide additional opportunities for other interested scouters to participate in the initial planning.

I send e-mails like this to our full board about twice a month - this month I thought I'd simply post the update here.

Salute to Scouting Update: Thanks to Bill Bacic and the rest of the salute committee the initial pledges have exceeded $100,000 the kick off will be scheduled for mid October giving us 8 weeks to run the “public” campaign. We are in good shape to reach the 50% of goal prior to the kick off. This level of early support is crucial for the overall success of the event. Thanks to Larry DiCara and David Warren, BluePrint Studios has agreed to provide pro bono support for all Salute to Scouting graphic needs, including invitations, program book, A/V support and collateral documents.

Storer Renovation Campaign Update: The campaign has exceeded all initial expectations in the first week. The Alumni and the Knights of Storer have exceeded $12,000 in the first week of the campaign. Thanks to Bill Sullivan, Greg Boyd, Joe Curran, Shelia Greally, Brian Cronin, Nick Tagne, and Chuck Phelan for their generosity.
Additionally, Tim Roach is on his way up to Storer today with 30 volunteers to complete the chapel! The 2011 summer camp season at Storer will boast a brand new Beautiful Chapel and a brand new, safe, state of the art, fully funded Archery Range!
Lastly, we have hired our 2011 camp Director for Storer, Matt Sheridan. Matt has served on camp staff management for over 20 years at Yagoog, and Onteora Scout Reservation. Matt is a school teacher in RI, a life-long Scouter and Eagle Scout. While I was checking his references I had a chance to catch up with an old Storer Reservation Director, Ed McLaughlin. Through Ed and everyone else I talked to, Matt receives the Storer seal of approval. Please welcome Matt to the team! TLStorerCD@gmail.com

Customer Service
After spending much of the summer listening closely to Scout volunteers about the strengths and struggles of the council it became clear to me that internal communication and customer service is an area we need to improve. To help address those concerns we’ve hired Heather Sheehan to serve as our receptionist and customer service coordinator. Heather spent 7 years in Girl Scouting as a youth and served as a volunteer for her own children. Heather started this week and has surprised many Scout volunteers when a pleasant live person answered the telephone. Please take a moment to welcome Heather to the team! hsheehan@bsaboston.org

Strategic Plan Update (list of 360 degree interviewees) Marshall Sloane has invited CEOs from the following companies and organizations to participate in the 360 degree review of our council.
Amica Insurance, Arnold Worldwide, Bank of America, Boston.com / Boston Globe, Boston Properties, Boston University, Cambridge Trust, Catholic Archdiocese, Citizens, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Cummings Property, Deloitte, Dunkin Donuts, Eastern Bank, Genzyme, Global Partners, Gulf / Cumberland Farms, Harvard Pilgrim, Hill Holiday, KPMG, Marina Bay Development, MIT, The Mitre Group, National Grid, Nstar, Pagasystems, Raytheon, State Street, Suffolk Construction, Thermo Fisher, United Way
Obviously, this list is a combination of current supporters and companies that do not (yet) have a relationship with Scouting. We are in the process of securing these meetings. Their responses will provide an interesting tapestry of feedback for us. That feedback will factor into our eventual Strategic Plan.

Long term debt / Sale of long term assets: for years Boston Minuteman Council has found itself in the difficult position of selling long term assets to alleviate the pressure from the significant debt. That process was nearly complete when I was hired, the current debt is $1.2 million. I have had initial meetings with the DCR, Nature Conservancy, Natural Land Trust, several real estate professionals and developers, five possible tenants / program partners for the Egan Center, Milton officials, and others. Through these meetings I’ve accumulated a fairly clear picture of the past situation. I am happy to report that we have several possible options and we have friends that are willing to help us.

How we make decisions about those options
“The council” is responsible to take its direction from our uniformed Scout volunteers / our customers. I’ve started that process through the series of priority meetings held throughout the summer. (results attached) I’ve continued that process through the council coordinated meeting, and a series of older scout meetings. Through these meetings the options are synthesized down to operational recommendations. Stating: “This is what our Scout volunteers want and need to help Scouting thrive in their community.”
Those recommendations are vetted through the board and balanced against all other recommendations and opportunities. Through that ongoing dialogue between both parties the direction becomes the plan. The board approves the plan and has the fiduciary responsibility to achieve that plan. Their role is governance.

This process will recur over and over again for all significant council decisions. I believe consensus is more easily achieved by adding more voices into the conversation. The more voices focused on the common ground we all share in Scouting the more readily we find common sense. I will use my blog, face to face meetings, webinars, face book and every other means of communications at my disposal to keep everyone in the loop.

Other topics in development
Four new inner city Cub Packs – with funding, uniforms and volunteer leadership
Public Relations interns to increase visibility
Program partnerships with Boston area family attractions
Popcorn sale starts today, initial orders up 34%
Massasoit and Cub Day Camp improvements and collaboration
New BSABOSTON.org on-line apps to assist in the functionality (and navigation) of the website

Thanks for your continued support. By working together we will revitalize Scouting throughout our entire council.

Direction

During my first few months I have meet with a Scout Masters, Cub Masters and other Scout Leaders to hear directly from them about their opinion regarding the state of the council. I conducted many meetings at Massasoit, Storer and throughout the districts. I facilitated the discussion through an exercise I’ve come to appreciate in other aspects of my Scouting career. The exercise creates consensus and direction while answering a single question. The question I asked “What can be done to help Scouting thrive in your community?” I encouraged the participants to think granularly and globally when thinking about “their community.”

I am committed to a high quality of program and service delivery; however, I cannot set the course. I am, after all, a servant leader. As much as it is “my council,” I am just your custodian. The council and all its assets belong to the Scouting Community. Scouting will NOT die even if councils do. That is clear. However, Scouting may become something of an Edsel. A popular car in its day, you can still find a few on the road, they are owned by eccentric, unique car collectors. Those individuals have a passion for a brand that has all but faded into memory.

The results of these meetings will help the council choose the direction that is consistent with the needs of Scouting’s most critical volunteers. (volunteers "on the ground") The decision making process is complicated by the limited resources available. I am dedicated to the public transparency of our resource allocation. If we are all going to share in the ownership of this council and its resources, then it is critical to get all our Scout volunteers “on the same page.”

Your answers have been very insightful. Often common sense is just that COMMON. Creating a direction for the council is the easy part because we all generally agree, and the further back we stand the clearer the picture becomes. Your top priorities for Scouting are:
Internal Communication: 91% this is often categorized with comments around the web site, consistency, (events being cancelled / or late announcements) difficulty acquiring answers.

Visibility / Marketing: 87% this topic is reflects comments about our image, and our presence in the community, both from a public relations standpoint, and a mass media presence.

Recruitment: 80% this topic is reflective in both Youth and adults. It often shows up as a need to make Scouting more accessible to parents: (Drop off parent syndrome) and for boys (Scouting should be cool).

Resource Allocation or “Council” Service: 79% this very broad topic is difficult to articulate, it is however, so consistently mentioned and impassioned that it requires sincere evaluation and adjustments. As I continued to respond to what everyone was trying to say I came up with two responses that seem to resonate with the feelings in the crowd.
1. Value Statement: I started asking the question, when you make a $1 contribution to Scouting (Boston Minuteman Council) How much of that $1 goes to ‘pay the debt?’ the answers have ranged from $.70 to $.40 – WOW! I then inform folks that roughly $.05 goes to pay the mortgage. In addition to shock, the deeper effect of the realization is an understanding for every $1 contributed our volunteer only receives $.30 - $.60 in value.
2. Council decision making process: I’ve drawn a simple illustration to show the council situation. With our extremely limited resources the multitude of options creates confusion. Governance (your board) has the 30,000 foot view, and is charged with seeing the options and, through me, setting the course. Trust and communication between all the folks “on the ground” and the Board (airplane) is crucial for setting the right course.



Camp and Outdoor Program: 69% this topic ranged from some granular observations about summer camp – to the global need to help Scout families appreciate the value of the outdoor program, in turn increase participation.

I’ve posted a simple chart to see the results of each conversation. To calculate the % I simply assigned a point to each answer 10 points for the highest priority 1 point for the lowest and calculated the average.

Where do we go from here?
Choosing the road(s) to travel is crucial to our ongoing success. Each “road” (council initiative) should help us gather additional resources, provide consistent and effective communication, increase trust, provide value to the “folks on the ground” and set Scouting up to be even stronger for our continuing journey. Because of our limited resources we must choose projects that wrap several priorities together.

Example, The Council Camporee: This event has such an ability to enhance a Scouts experience. Yet, the committee running the event reluctantly agreed that it was not coming together to fulfill its mission. We can (and will) however, re-schedule that event and focus our combined energy into increased communication, providing visibility, develop a recruitment / retention aspect to the event, and enhance packs and troops outdoor experience. That would serve four of the top five priorities set by our unit level volunteers.

We will host several meetings to “bundle” and “match” your priorities with council resources. The first three meetings focus on older Scouts: outdoor program, communication, marketing and retention. (September 22, 28 and 30) I’ll continue to use this online space to keep everyone informed. More opportunities to interact with the decision making process will follow.

Thanks for your patience, as always feel free to comment.

Undercover "Boss"

Adventure Base 100
First – Wow and thanks to all the volunteers who gave up time on the Holiday weekend to attend and volunteer to work the various booths and activities. Bruce Showstack did a terrific job coordinating volunteers from several councils. We had volunteers helping out with the Museum, the Boys Life photo booth, the penny pincher, the Scout Dome, the NESA booth, the popcorn booth and the mapping activity. We had other volunteers attend the wood badge beading ceremony, Eagle alumni event, and key 3 event. The weekend was packed! As I walked from the parking lot to Government Center on Sunday Morning I had people ask me if this was a “Scouting only” event because there were SO Many Scouts there. Our national folks had a much different take on the weekend; they expressed gratitude that we got to talk to so many “non-scouts” to participate. Clearly the location and dates provided a terrific opportunity for us to showcase Scouting. Personally I enjoyed meeting so many people through the knot tying boards. I met dozens and dozens of Scout friendly people and got to teach the square knot, bowline, sheet bend and clove hitch probably 150 times last weekend.

Undercover “Boss”
Have you ever watched the show Undercover Boss? http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/
I’ve only seen it a few times but I just love the concept. The idea of a CEO doing the work with the folks he/she employees can really be eye opening for everyone. Before I make this parallel I want to be clear that I view myself as a servant leader – NOT a CEO in the classic sense. However the dynamic is similar, workers in places like Waste Management, White Castle, and Roto Roter do not get to see or interact with their CEO and therefore the CEO doesn’t get a chance to see how the decisions from the board room affect the folks trying to make the company effective. I grew up in Scouting. I’m very sensitive to the feeling that the decisions from “the puzzle palace” often do not seem to make any sense.

I need to hear about Scouting policies and practices from our Scout Masters and Cub Masters. I really enjoy hearing the honest feedback. I have taken the opportunity to capitalize on the “Undercover Boss” idea a few times in the past month. I was somewhat undercover at Adventure Base 100, Massasoit, and staff week at Storer. It’s fun and enlightening.

Some things I’ve hear in my “undercover capacity”
I’m surprised at how many people talk about possible mergers
I’m surprised at how many people don’t know about the pool issue
Some folks have long memories
I’m surprised at how many people use the word “politics” to describe the way the council functions
Most folks agree we need more visibility
Many folks feel successful in spite of the council
There are a lot of divergent ideas about how things could be better
Everyone wants the Scouting to succeed and grow

As I mentioned in my last update – I’m visiting camps every week partially undercover and then again formally to conduct a conversation about Scouting priorities. The first meeting was held at Massasoit Family camp weekend on Saturday night. The room was full about 20 people – lots of great ideas! That room came up with a clear list of the top 6 things the council should do to help support Scouting.

I’ll post their results after I’ve conducted the meeting a few more times so we have a broader and more balanced view to post.

See you around the campfire!
Chuck