SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE

Dear Fellow Scouters:

As the dust has settled on the council’s record for 2006 and becomes part of history please permit me to share some significant accomplishments with you. After all, you as a key volunteer in Scouting helped make this record of success happen and your contribution of time, talent, and resources continue to positively influence local youth. Thank you for all you do for Scouting in the Northwest Suburban Council!

First, the Northwest Suburban Council now served 15,665 active youth members in 2006 --- a +2.6% increase over our record in 2005. It was “balanced growth”, meaning that we had a gain in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, and Learning for Life. This was the second best record in Area III and 12th of 82 councils in the Central Region

Second, we did this through 344 local Scouting units --- a +5.8% increase over our record in 2005. We achieved a growth in Packs, Troops, and Groups with only a -2 in Venturing Crews. This was the best record in Area III and 3rd in the Central Region.

Third, youth retention was achieved at 77.1%, the best record in both Area III and the entire Central Region. Having a “Top Leader Trained” has a lot to do with retention and 207 of our top unit leaders met that standard compared with 185 from the previous year. Boys’ Life subscriptions also help retain a youth in Scouting longer and 67.8% of all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts locally subscribed --- the 7th best record in the BSA nationwide. Quality Units were at 65.5% in 2006 compared with 50% in 2005.

Fifth, our council operated on a balanced budget --- just barely. Your FOS gift, attendance at events and camps, participation in popcorn and wreath sales, participation at the Wolves, Flyers, Rush, Shamrox, and Sporting Clays all are important factors in balancing a budget. We also added over $2.1 Million to our capital and endowment campaign commitments during 2006.

Sixth, on the negative side we had a slight loss of -1.5% in adult volunteer leaders with most of these being non-unit level volunteers. We had 6 less Unit Commissioners and 37 less District Committee Members than a year ago. We had 5 less unit re-charter on-time and 2 less units to have 100% Boys’ Life subscriptions.

Seventh and finally, many thanks to you for all of your hard work that permitted the Northwest Suburban Council to regain its National Quality Council status in 2006. Your efforts and results are genuinely appreciated.

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