SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE

Dear Fellow Scouters:

The start of school is upon us. Vacations end, the crush of buying school supplies begins, classes re-start, and schools re-open. It’s an exciting time of year!

So begins the new “Program Year” for Scouting.... New kids join through School Nights, Open Houses, First Nighters, and New Units. New parents become adult volunteer leaders, get trained, and begin a whole new cycle of program delivery. New programs are offered, new Dens are formed, existing Packs and Troops add to their numbers, and more Popcorn and Wreaths get sold to benefit local Scouting financially.

Take a deep breath! Look at the whole Fall and Winter as one big, continuous effort. What happens first, what needs to occur next, how many people are going to be involved, what vacancies will be created by promotion or natural attrition, and what do we need to do to improve our “Quantity and Quality” at the same time.

Whether you are a Unit-Level Scouter or a District or Council Volunteer, the same basic questions arise. The answer? Take a second deep breath, and then plan the who, what, where, when, why, and how for the Fall and Winter in providing a high quality Scouting experience for a growing number of kids and adults.

Plan your work --- and then work your plan! Let’s have a great start to the 2007-2008 “Program Year” for Scouting in the Northwest Suburban Council. We’re here to help.

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