SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE

Dear Fellow Scouters:

It’s been said that the lights never get turned off at the College of Architecture of Clemson University. That’s because there are always students completing projects, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. The NWSC Volunteer Service Center is the scene of almost the same level of activity.

Popcorn has been moving in and out of the warehouse. Tractor trailers delivered 28 loads of popcorn and an armada of pickup trucks, mini-vans, SUV’s, and unit trailers picked up the popcorn for delivery for customers. Lakota Lodge has its regular monthly meetings here. Brian Mulcrone conducted training sessions for new Commissioners. The Scoutreach District holds its Roundtables here twice monthly. A Venturing Crew that temporarily lost its regular meeting location has been using the Warehouse. The National Scout Shop always has multiple shoppers during their hours including nights and Saturdays. Jay Haack assembled an Order of the Arrow volunteer crew to paint the soffitt and fascia on a long Saturday. North Woods District held its Recharter Clinic here recently. Lord Baden-Powell University (an eight council consortium) conducts its pre-event meetings here monthly. Unit Leaders have been picking up their Chicago Wolves tickets here. Erin Bass conducted a multi-council meeting of Learning for Life Executives here last month plus the “first ever” Learning for Life Annual Reception. The BSA was here to conduct training for the New Unit Blitz for the 8 Chicagoland Councils. The Council Executive Committee, Executive Board, Staff, Advancement Committee, Camping Committee, Activities Committee, Training Committee, Marketing Committee, Popcorn Committee, Membership Committee, and Top Hands all hold their regular monthly meetings here. All of the monthly Roundtable packets get assembled here for distribution. All of the fliers, newsletters, and mailings get printed here. All of the individual Membership Applications, Criminal Background Checks, Tour Permits, Camp Usage Permits, Insurance Certificates, National Quality Units, National Summertime Awards, Training Records, and Eagle Scout Applications get processed here daily.

Imagine if the NWSC Volunteer Service Center did not exist. Where would all of these support elements for an effective and active Scouting program go? Or would they even continue? What would happen to the quality of our local program? How many more miles would volunteers have to travel to get the assistance they need? Or if they are a volunteer providing a service to another Scouting volunteer would they continue if they had to drive another hour or two in order to volunteer their services?

What is it worth to you?

Best regards,
Stephen J. Taylor, CFRE
Scout Executive
staylor@bsamail.org