SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE

Dear Fellow Scouters:

This month's article is actually a series of short, news-type information.

Congratulations to Ray Okigawa and George Zogaib for being recognized with the NWSC's Kente Cloth Neckerchiefs at the Annual Business Meeting! Ray has served faithfully as Council Vice President for District Operations, Council Commissioner, Pathfinder District Chairman, Silver Beaver Selection Committee Chairman, Climbing Instructor, and all-around troubleshooter. George has served tirelessly as a Wilderness Engineer helping to maintain our camps, vehicles, council office, now heads up Venturing Training for the NWSC, and is actively involved in the leadership of a Venturing Crew. Thank you and congratulations to these fine gentlemen.

Congratulations to Derek Hartley who currently serves as Senior District Executive for Blackhawk District! Derek has been promoted and selected to serve as Scout Executive for the Far East Council headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. He reports to his new assignment on March 16th. While with the NWSC, Derek worked cooperatively with a dedicated team of Blackhawk District volunteers who were able to post two "back to back" Quality District victories for the first time ever in the District's history making the district "Second to None." Derek, we wish you all of the best in your new CEO role!

Thanks to Jim Emigh and Jim Tierney for providing volunteer leadership to our Friends of Scouting Breakfast recently held at Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows! The NWSC conducted multiple year "asks" for the council's operating budget at this event that will greatly assist our budget planning in 2008 and for the next five years. Over $150,000 has been committed thus far. Many thanks also to Carl Laub for creating and producing a tremendous video that was used for the event --- it was great!

The Council Popcorn Committee chaired by Anne Romani along with Finance Director Pete Stikovich have been working on improvements for the 2008 Popcorn Sales Campaign. Look for a series of positive changes to be announced over the coming months in preparation for a highly successful 2008 campaign this Fall --- all designed to help your Scouts and your unit to sell more popcorn and raise more funds for local Scouting.

Welcome to our three new Council Vice Presidents Cindy Kunzer, Rudy Smolka, and Carl Laub! Cindy will be heading up the new Scout Parents Initiative that is being rolled out nationwide this year. Rudy will be heading up Relationships --- that will involve civic clubs, religious organizations, schools, and businesses. Carl will be in charge of Marketing --- that will include the newsletter, website, speaker's bureau, media releases, and the council's annual report.

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