Bill's Blog |
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| 7/20/2009 - Bill's Blog-Volunteer-Professional Relationships | |
TO: Fellow Scouters
FROM: Bill Garrett
It’s a girl! Sheila and I learned last Monday that we will be having another daughter sometime in November! We look forward to the new addition to the family. Sheila and Katie (our 3 year old) traveled to West Virginia on Tuesday-a trip they had planned for some time. Right before the trip I stopped by the bank to get some money for Sheila. When I arrived at the house, I told Katie that I would miss her and asked her, “What will I do without you?”…..she replied, “That’s ok Daddy, you got me the money and you can do the working, the laundry, and the dishes.” Soon, I’ll have another one to make memories with. I may be in trouble……………….
Volunteer Driven, Professionally Guided
One of the hallmarks of Scouting is the relationship between professional staff and volunteers. It’s a special partnership that is at the core to success of a district and council. When the partnership thrives, both partners are aware of their interdependence, they have complete confidence in each other, and they share the same objectives. In Scout councils and districts mutual dependence results because professionals know they cannot possibly do all the work that needs to be done and volunteers know they need the coaching, support and experience of full-time professionals.
Over the last 16 months, I have witnessed a slow but steady improvement in our volunteer/professional relationships and the transition from a council that was driven by professionals to one that is beginning to engaging volunteers in all aspects of operations. However, I also think that we are having some “growing pains” related to our transition-especially when something doesn’t happen fast enough or not at all. These “growing pains” are good, in my opinion, they tell us that we are changing and that we are on the right track to becoming volunteer driven and professionally guided.
There are several things that we can all do to keep us on the right track: 1) take a few minutes to review your position, roles, and responsibilities, 2) set goals for your position and regularly review them, 3) remember that you are in a partnership, 4) if you are a volunteer-spend time with the professional staff member assigned to your area-ask for their guidance and support, 5) if you are a staff member, remember that you can’t do everything-you have to be a coach, and 6) always remember to have fun!
Camp Visits
In addition to my normal visits to Cedarlands and Russell this week, I had the opportunity to share some time with the Camp Russell Alumni at their annual meeting. It was a great way to spend a Saturday! After the luncheon and meeting, we dedicated the Dan Richards Memorial Pavilion in the conservation area. Dan was on the Camp Russell staff for over 10 years and was an Eagle Scout. He served as director of the conservation area and as a high adventure trek guide. Dan received a B.S. degree in Natural Resource Management from Cook College, Rutgers University in 2004 and was working as a Yellowstone National Park Ranger when his life was taken in a car accident. The pavilion was financed by Dan’s parents and other alumni members and it is a fitting memorial to a staff member is missed by all who knew him. I would encourage you to visit the pavilion some time……it’s a great spot to relax at camp.
Mid-Year Performance
We are moving in the right direction in membership and finance! At the beginning of the year, our membership was down nearly 10% (over 300 youth) compared to the previous year. I am happy to report that we have trimmed that deficit to just 2.6% or 75 youth as of July 15 and we are in great position for the end of 2009. If we recruit the “average” number of new Scouts that we have recruited in the last 5 falls, we will have membership growth for the first time in at least 4 years. I fell goo knowing that we are not average and will have a great fall recruiting season!
I would like to congratulate the members of the Aplin and Diamond District’s for leading the charge in membership!
We ended the first six months of the year in good financial condition. However, we still need to stay focused on our Friends of Scouting and popcorn goals for the remainder of the year.
Please join me in offering congratulations to members of the Aplin and Diamond Districts for achieving 100% of their Family FOS goals!
Let’s stay focused on having a good second half of the year…….if we do, we will be a Centennial Quality Council for the first time since 2003!
Surveys on the web
Later this week (Thursday), we will have our first surveys posted on our website. It will be a Q12 survey and will be designed to do the following:
· Measure the level of support unit leaders receive from district committees and commissioner staff.
o Unit leaders will take this survey
· Measure the level of support district volunteers receive from our executive board.
o District volunteers will take this survey
We will use the results of the survey to improve our service and support. Please take a few minutes to visit the site and give us your feedback!
Yours in Scouting,
Bill Garrett
Scout Executive & CEO |
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