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SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE Dear Scouts: 
Positive role models have always had an impact on their Scouts. Over my lifetime I have had many of these positive role models: My Scoutmaster, John Heinanen of Troop 142 in Pennsauken, New Jersey. My Den Mothers: Mrs. Embers, Mrs. Molls, and Mrs. Richterman of Pack 142. Ed Magowan, Bob Beach, and Chris Klenk, all Lodge Advisors of Lekau Lodge #77. Col. Lyle Jones, my first Camp Director. The Scout Executives who I worked for: Charles Hudson, Jim Wilson, Wallace Potts, Simon Smith, and Wofford Malphrus.
Then I have been influenced by other role models who I never met: Robert Baden-Powell, William Boyce, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Thompson Seton, Dan Beard, and James E. West. All are Scouting heroes who impacted Scouting worldwide as well as nationwide. I could name many more, both volunteers and professionals, who have positively impacted my life and my career. Scouting has made a difference for me, not just as a career, but as a way of life and as a life-changing experience. So much so that I have contributed a James E. West Fellowship in this council and two others so that the Movement will continue in perpetuity in those areas. I urge anyone who grasps Scouting’s true effect in changing lives to seriously consider becoming a James E. West Fellow by contributing at least $1,000 above their normal Friends of Scouting contribution to the Northwest Suburban Council’s endowment fund so that Scouting can live in perpetuity in our local area. This can be accomplished with a cash gift, a will, a codicil, and/or a gift of insurance. Those who can afford to do more should consider even larger gifts of $25,000 or $100,000 or even more in a deferred gift and become a member of the 1910 Society or BSA Founder’s Circle. To help sustain Scouting’s future the noble trees of tomorrow must be planted as the saplings of today. For the character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness our program offers to youth, please step forward and make this important commitment to endow Scouting’s future locally. Stephen J. Taylor, CFRE Scout Executive Northwest Suburban Council |