Jan 2004 : Q and A with Steve Taylor

• He knows the value of a good Summer Camp staff. Steve spent his formative years on several staffs in update New York, where he taught skills from Astronomy to Nature. "To me, it's the greatest experience a kid could have. You learn to be self-sufficient, get along with others, get a job done and learn how to work."

• He knows how Scouting molds its leaders. Steve was a key leader in his Order of the Arrow lodge, helping with everything from publishing the newsletter to being a lodge chief. He took part in two Explorer Posts, where he learned professional skills and recruited quality camp staffers.

• He knows how difficult it is to keep Scouts today when they have so many other interests. Steve was so busy with his school band, debate, drama clubs and his OA duties, he laughingly considers himself "the world's longest-running Life Scout." Fortunately, he got the push he needed to complete his Eagle.

• He knows Scouting can't sit still and must open new doors to prosper, such as Scout Reach and Venture. "There's a need for us to be aware of the cultures and languages that are around and use those opportunities to diversify our market," he says. "If we're 20 percent Hispanic in our community, then we need to be 20 percent Hispanic in Scouting."

• He knows how to turn a challenge into an opportunity. With the help of his staff and our community, he wants to raise $10 million over the next five years to improve our facilities and endowment. "I was surprised that for a Council this size, and with a very strong program reputation, there was not a dining hall at Napowan. In fact, I was pretty well shocked. And when I also learned that there were no tents provided, that the kids or troops brought their own tents, I was equally surprised. Those are two major items that most camps in America have." His vision for Camp Napowan: "New dining halls, new cabins, a swimming pool, new kybos, a CubWorld, Venturing facilities, a family camping area, improved infra-structure, and an upgraded or new office."

• He looks to people like you to find answers and resources. In his first month, Steve has attended several roundtables, training meetings and chamber functions to meet the people who can support the Council. He knows he doesn't have all the answers. "My wife is a very good, level-headed person and I bounce a lot of ideas off her. Likewise, when it comes to kids, I literally talk to my own sons… and see if this is a good idea or ask 'what would kids your age think about this.' "

• And whether he's talking with a new family or a life-long partner of Scouting, he knows what sells: "Scouting is the best long-term investment that they can make in their child now and for their future," Steve says. "The BSA has the facts and figures to back that up any way you want to slice it. Everything else is second best."

With the new year here, it's a perfect time to get to know our new Scout Executive, Stephen J. Taylor. And since it takes 21 merit badges to qualify for Eagle, we figured he could handle the challenge of 21 questions.

But first a little background: Taylor was the Scout Executive for the Palmetto Council in Spartanburg, S.C. since 1994. Before that, he was the Scout Executive for the Attakapas Council in Alexandria, La. His other professional scouting assignments have taken him to Savannah, Ga., as well Jacksonville, Fla., and Greenville, S.C.

His wife, Cindy, is an English teacher, and they have three sons: Jason, an Eagle Scout and a junior at Clemson University; Jared, a Life Scout and 9th grader; and Alex, a Webelos Scout and 4th grader.

Q. A month isn't a long time in this job, but what have you learned about this area and this council that has surprised or delighted you?

A. I am delighted by the high caliber quality of the Scouting volunteers I have met in the Northwest Suburban Council. I am surprised by the number of resources I have found that support Scouting, the council, and the general area. The staff has really pitched in to help me feel welcome and have been very accommodating in supporting my efforts to move the council forward.

Q. There's a lot to see and learn in the next year. How visible and accessible do you plan to be in your job, and where will you be popping up the most?

A. I have always had an "open door" policy serving as Scout Executive in two prior assignments and do not plan on changing that here in the NWSC. So far, I have attended a Council Board Meeting, Council Fireside Chat, Council Staff Meeting, Popcorn Sales Committee Meeting, Marketing Committee Meeting, Lodge Executive Committee Meeting, and two District Roundtables (Pathfinder and Blackhawk). By the time this article is read I will have also dropped in on Northwoods and Signal Hill plus been to the OA's Winter Banquet. I think it is important that the Scout Executive be visible and accessible internally within Scouting, but also to our "outside" public like community leaders, foundations, United Ways, and other partners. You never know where I'll "pop up" next.

Q. You've worked in Scouting in South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida and traveled extensively. Are the issues facing Scouting here the same as everywhere else?

A. Absolutely.

Q. Are the boys and girls who thrive in Scouting the same everywhere?

A. .Kids are the same all over America — for the world as well. Whether it was growing up in New Jersey outside of Philadelphia or college in Tennessee or my summers in New Hampshire, kids are the same all over the USA.

Q. What was the toughest challenge you faced in your job as Scout Executive in South Carolina, and how did you strive to overcome it?

A. Our challenge there was a product of the times — a singular negative United Way coupled with several years of our endowment funds not producing any income resulting in funding challenge. Our team of volunteers and staff worked together to generate self-support through Friends of Scouting, foundation grants, special events, and reduced expenses to meet the challenge.

Q. You have considerable education and experience in fundraising. The past few years have been difficult for all non-profit organizations, but Scouting has been especially hurt by the loss of some United Way funds and other revenue sources. How can it recover?

A. Self-support is the answer. Expanding our Friends of Scouting Annual Giving Campaign and telling the story of how Scouting can and does make a positive difference in the lives of youth are the key components to meeting that challenge. Popcorn Sales and Wreath Sales will help local units and the council to work together so that all parties can win.

Q. We've talked a lot about issues, money and jobs, but the heart of Scouting is its volunteer base. What makes a good volunteer?

A. I am genuinely excited about the positive attitude and "can do" spirit" of the volunteers in the Northwest Suburban Council. A good volunteer, by his actions, serves as a role model for youth. Following BSA procedures, supporting each other, living by the Scout Oath and Law in our daily lives helps make a great volunteer.

Q. What is the direction the board of directors has given you? What are your priorities for this Council?

A. Serve actively as our external representative by getting Scouting visible in the community, support our internal operation by giving positive leadership to our staff, strengthen our board by the recruitment and training of some new members, provide leadership to expanding our traditional and Scoutreach youth membership, expand our annual operating budget so that we can adequately support the operation, and provide leadership to raising $10 million over the next five years to improve our facilities and endowment, and achieve Quality Council annually.

Q. Specifically, what do you see ahead for Camp Napowan, Lakota and other council facilities?

A. New dining halls, new cabins, a swimming pool, new kybos, a CubWorld, Venturing facilities, a family camping area, improved infra-structure, and either an upgraded or new office.

Q. You were an Eagle Scout. Actually, I should say you are an Eagle Scout. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle, right?

A. I earned my Eagle in 1972 in Troop 142 of the Martin Luther Chapel in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

Q. Can you tell us something about your Eagle experience, or a story you've heard from the Eagles you've met over the years?

A. Because of my active involvement with my Order of the Arrow Lodge, I think I may have been a Life Scout longer than anyone else in America. I earned my Eagle three days before my 18^th birthday. I would advise Scouts to not follow my example by waiting that long.

Q. You have three sons in Scouting, and your wife's a teacher. I would imagine they love the outdoors and have taught you a thing or two over the years. Have you had any great family camping experiences?

A. Taking Cindy to Philmont for the first time. At first she was shocked because she is really not much of a camper, but after a few days she settled in and loved it. Now when I mention Philmont she is eager to go back as soon as possible. We've been twice: once with the boys and once by ourselves.

Q. Can you give us three emotional moments or snapshots you've encountered in Scouting?

A. Being awarded my Saint George Award (a national religious honor that was a complete surprise), getting Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf to serve as a Council Scout Show Chairman, and attending a posthumous Eagle Scout presentation.

Q. Scouting isn't the same as when you were a tenderfoot, is it? Venture crews, Scout Reach and other programs have added to the fabric of Scouting. How much has it changed, and where is it headed?

A. The badges have changed, but the fundamentals are still there and needed more than ever in our country's history. I only see a brighter future ahead and even more youth actively involved getting the benefits Scouting has to offer.

Q. Now something for the boys. What merit badge are you most proud of earning?

A. First Aid, because it was the hardest and the counselor really stretched my learning experience.

Q. Which one was the most fun to get?

A. Marksmanship (now one of the shooting sports) as I learned a new skill.

Q. Which merit badge do you wish you had gotten?

A. Radio, because I could have earned my amateur radio license earlier.

Q. You can only choose one activity for your next outing: hiking, boating or camping? Why?

A. Boating — because I already know how to do the other two pretty well and I am least experienced in boating, but would like to learn.

Q. OK, now if we let you go anywhere in the world, where would that be?

A. I would go for a ride on the Space Shuttle in order to see the whole world.

Q. Here's where you put on your salesman hat. With all the opportunities and events bidding for their attention and time, why should families look to Scouting?

A. Scouting is the best long-term investment that they can make in their child now and for their future. The BSA has the facts and figures to back that up any way you want to slice it. Everything else is second best.

Q. Do you have a special wish for the New Year?

A. A return to normalcy, decency, peace and prosperity for our country, our children, and ourselves.

FYI: If you have a question or comment for Steve Taylor, please contact him by e-mail at staylor@bsamail.org.