SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE

Dear Fellow Scouters:

Recently, I heard an excellent sermon about “fiduciary responsibility.” I always thought that it only referred to being responsible about things involving money, like being a good steward.

A good fiduciary is expected to be exceptionally loyal to the principal to whom he owes a duty. The fiduciary must place his duty to the principal above his own self-interest. The fiduciary must not profit from his principal unless the principal consents.

A fiduciary must exhibit the highest level of trust, loyalty, responsibility, believability, honesty, and integrity to his principal. A fiduciary has the responsibility to “not be in a situation where personal interests and fiduciary duty conflict.” Fiduciaries must conduct themselves “at a higher level than that trodden by the crowd.”

Being a good fiduciary is a lot like being a good Scout, of living by the Scout Law and the Scout Oath. Of being responsible, having the needs of others served before one’s own, and of doing the right thing regardless. And finally, of personal conduct that is above and beyond reproach --- having the utmost integrity.

Fiduciary relationships exist everywhere. Lawyer/client, doctor/patient, teacher/student, parent/child, board member/company, senior employee/company, and yes, Scouting volunteer/Scout.

It’s not just about money. It’s the daily practice of bringing the Scout Law and Scout Oath to life in our relationships with one another.

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