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Don’t forget the cheese balls! (recognition to Coconut Kenny’s) And certainly do not forget our Alumni!!
Remember that neighbor lady who always buys popcorn from those nice Scouts who stand in front of the grocery store each fall selling popcorn? How about the retired couple down the block who once was actively involved in your grown son’s Cub Scout pack? How about the minister at your church who you know was once a Scoutmaster? Whatever happened to all those grandparents, retired parents, and Scout siblings who always helped out with your unit’s Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold Banquet, Recruiting Open Houses, Scout Camp transportation, etc.???
Whether or not they are registered in the Scouting Alumni and Friends movement, there are alumnus among us throughout our communities. Those who are no longer actively involved in Scouting may not be aware of what’s going on in Scouting, especially now when Scouting is less visible to those not involved because we are doing so much in the virtual realm thanks to COVID-19. However, it’s quite possible to re-engage these folks with that same technology. For instance, popcorn this year is ordered on-line and shipped to the person who ordered it. That means that a relative back east can easily buy Mt. Baker Council popcorn IF they know how to do it. Likewise, that same relative can attend our online events (think Auction and other fundraising opportunities), IF they have the information to do so.
Reach out to those who you know were once actively involved in Scouting and help them to re-engage with us in our new way of Scouting. There is a good chance that the neighbor lady might buy even more popcorn this year because of the convenience and her ongoing wish to support Scouting. And we never know who might be inspired to help out with a specific event or task that they learn about in one of our virtual meetings or communications. If someone chooses to serve directly with youth, registration and training would be required as per our policies.
Overall, the best way to keep our alumni up to speed with the current Scouting situation and events is to encourage them to register with Scouting Alumni and Friends (SAF) at https://scoutingalumni.org/. This is free and makes it easy to reconnect, even if it’s been “a while” since someone was involved in Scouting.
P.S.: I am one of those neighbor ladies!
Safety Moment
As we begin our new “Scouting Year”, it would be a great time to “dust off” the Guide to Safe Scouting and review with your unit leadership, Scouts, and Venturers.
SUMMARY
Few youth organizations encompass the breadth, volume, and diversity of physical activity common to Scouting. The Guide to Safe Scouting (GTSS) is an overview of Scouting policies and procedures, gleaned from a variety of sources and designed to make the program safer.
GENERAL INFORMATION
When it comes to the safety guide, here are some important points for you to remember:
Not Just a Guide!
While the Guide to Safe Scouting provides guidance on how to assess risks and proceed safety if your activity is not specifically addressed in program materials, it also contains policies such as the Scouter Code of Conduct and the Barriers to Abuse. It also may lead you to requirements found in other BSA program materials.
RESOURCES
Note: The information below is from September 2020. View the bottom of our website, our Google listing, or our Facebook page for up-to-date information.
For the sustainability of the Mount Baker Council and the youth we serve, the Mount Baker Council Volunteer Executive Board has approved a reduced spending budget for the 2020 calendar year based on the serious impact of COVID-19 on our current and projected income projections. As many of you have had to make much needed but uncomfortable decisions regarding your own personal budgets during the pandemic, the Mount Baker Council has had to make similar decisions regarding our 2020 budget so we can live within our means.
One of the decisions is changing the operations and hours of our Service Center’s Trading Post. Below are the key changes and the new service hours for the Trading Post.
Everett Service Center Trading Post Key Information:
Contact Methods:
Store Hours:
We appreciate your support and understanding as we all work to ensure our organization can continue to fulfill our mission of delivering Scouting’s values to our young people. We know that with the support of our volunteers and our community the Mount Baker Council can come out of this experience stronger.
It is important to emphasize that the safety of children in our programs is our absolute top priority. That’s precisely why, over many decades the BSA has developed some of the strongest expert-informed youth protection policies found in any youth-serving organization.
Conversations about safety will be especially relevant over the next several weeks when those in Scouting and other members of the public will likely see and hear print, TV, social media, digital and radio advertising from national BSA’s Chapter 11 noticing campaign. Although only the national organization has filed for Chapter 11, you will likely come across these ads in the coming weeks and may receive questions from friends and family, so we wanted to make sure you knew their purpose and had the necessary information to address questions or concerns they may raise for you or others.
The BSA’s ads are designed and sponsored by national BSA to ensure that victims have the opportunity to come forward and apply for compensation from a proposed Trust by filing a claim by the November 16, 2020 deadline set by the court. This advertising effort underscores the BSA’s commitment to the dual objectives of its bankruptcy proceeding: equitably compensate victims of past abuse and continue the mission of Scouting.
You can learn more about Scouting’s Youth Protection policies and practices, as well as more information on the national BSA “Noticing Campaign” by following links to these national BSA resources:
Even as summer comes to an end, we know that camping season is continuing strong!
While we were unable to operate our traditional resident camp, we can still welcome limited camping at Fire Mountain under state and county guidelines.
With Skagit County currently in Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan, Fire Mountain can offer campsite rentals to household groups OR groups of up to 5 individuals. While sites vary, the average cost of a weekend at camp is only $65. This fee includes access to bathrooms and showers, firewood, and one of the premier Scout camping facilities in the country.
To make a reservation at camp, visit: https://www.mountbakerbsa.org/camping/fire-mountain-scout-camp/
When visiting this summer, please remember:
There have been several work projects completed at camp over the past year, and also one or two that has been stalled by restrictions during the pandemic. When visiting camp, you can expect:
We have been working closely with the Skagit County Public Health Department to understand what the timeline may be to allow larger groups to use facilities at Fire Mountain. Unfortunately, until the County reaches Phase 3, we will continue to operate under these restrictions.
For more information, or to make a reservation, visit: https://www.mountbakerbsa.org/camping/fire-mountain-scout-camp/ or email us directly at [email protected].
Continue to stay safe and healthy this summer, and we hope to see you at camp. Scout On!
August 31, 2020
Mount Baker Council’s Adult Volunteers and Supporters,
For the sustainability of the Mount Baker Council and the youth we serve, the Mount Baker Council Volunteer Executive Board has approved a reduced spending budget for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year based on the serious impact of COVID-19 on our current and projected income projections. The Mount Baker Council has a strong fiscal stewardship tradition, strengthened significantly in the past decade through the volunteers of the Executive Board and guidance from the Council Finance Committee as well as our Council staff. It has always been our goal to deliver a balanced budget by year-end. As many of you have had to make much needed but uncomfortable decisions regarding your own personal budgets during the pandemic, the Mount Baker Council has had to make similar decisions regarding our 2020 budget so we can live within our means.
We’re thankful to our Scouting from Home, Safe Start to Summer Camp committees and our Scouting units that have been working to find creative ways to keep Scouting programs available for our youth during this pandemic and financial crisis. As we head into the fall, it is imperative that we continue this work and more, so that we may continue keeping our youth engaged and involved. The Scouting program is too important to put on pause.
Our Council’s income from support through Friends of Scouting, Special Fundraising Events donations and revenue from Trading Post sales, Camp Card Sales, and Camping/Activity programs (including Fire Mountain Scout Camp) is dramatically down by $700,000 at the end of July 2020 when compared to July 2019. While we are trying to be optimistic during this pandemic that our donors and supporters will continue to support our youth programs at past levels, nearly every key fundraising and revenue-generating event has been canceled or postponed since March 2020 and revenue from fundraisers and events such as the fall unit popcorn sales are projected to be half of original budget expectations.
The Council Board and leadership team have taken many pro-active steps during this time to address the expected revenue shortfall. We applied for and received a PPP (Payroll Protection Program) forgivable loan. We are increasing our draw on the endowment, and plan to capture all the money in our “rainy day fund.” Furthermore, we received a major gift from Janicki industries, a capstone gift to support the Strictly Business Patch Campaign from the Nysether Foundation, and additional major gifts from a few private individuals. We are thankful for the support of these terrific donors and the forethought of our previous leadership to build “rainy day” funds. While these actions have been extremely helpful, our Council income is still projected to fall short of fully funding our program needs.
We have been able to reduce Council expenses through cost-cutting measures by an additional $250,000 through this same period (Jan-July) and are planning additional cuts in expenses through the end of our budget year, but we must have further resources to continue our quality operations on a daily basis. It is a financial tenant of our organization to deliver a balanced budget that meets our program needs. Furthermore, we are committed to maintaining this core principal during the pandemic. As a result, and for the sustainability of the Mount Baker Council and the youth we serve, there are several adjustments we are implementing to ensure our budget continues to drive the much-needed program for our youth.
Based on the income projections and the additional reductions in spending, effective immediately (September 1st), the Council will be embarking on a new pathway to balance our operating budget by year-end. These decisions are not easy, but critically necessary to pursue a balanced budget. Some of the cost savings will be accomplished through the following actions:
The past five months have been extremely difficult on all of us, including your Council staff. This pandemic and the restrictions imposed on our communities have forced all of us to operate on new terms. The restructuring of our staff and the closure of a facility are steps that our Council did not want to implement, but crucial to being good financial stewards. Each of the staff members released from our team have been working hard on your behalf during these unprecedented times. We wish them well.
How can you help us deliver the mission of Scouting and ensure a fiscally strong and independent Council in 2020 and beyond?
This is a call to every adult volunteer to actively participate in ways to ensure the sustainability of our Council for the present and the future. We have an amazing opportunity to strengthen our organization during this crisis but cannot do so without your support. If you have the means, we need your increased financial support this year. If you have not already actively involved your friends and associates on behalf of Scouting, now is the time.
This letter is not intended to diminish the hardships we have all faced; between COVID-19 and health related concerns, job loss, civil unrest, and political turmoil, our hearts cry out for healing. However, we need to underscore the challenges facing Mount Baker Council and its ability to create life-changing experiences for our youth and families.
We plead for your help and leadership to ensure our organization can continue to fulfill our mission of delivering Scouting’s values to our young people. We know that with the support of our Board, our unit leaders, and our community the Mount Baker Council can come out of this experience stronger and continue to provide the programs and services for the Scouts in our community.
Scout On!
Steven Davis
Council President
Kevin Nichols
Scout Executive
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Denise Lesniak SR VP Membership
It’s Summer Time! You might not realize it; but this is the perfect time to start recruiting new scouts. There are so many kids and teens looking for things to do this summer and Scouting is the answer. Get them involved with your unit.
Start by making sure your Unit Pin on BeAScout.org is updated with current contact information. We want to make sure families are able to find you. Reply to all inquiries and invite potential scouts to your next virtual meeting. Have one of your experienced scouts call a new scout (with two-deep leadership) to introduce themselves and talk about what your unit has planned in the future. Answer any questions and make them
feel welcomed.
Have you asked your current scouts to invite a friend to you next virtual meeting, event or awards ceremony? Remember….More Scouts = More Fun!
Cub Scout Programs:
How is the planning coming along for your Join Night? Have you come up with a secondary plan on hosting a virtual version? It is suggested to host an event in August and then again in September. Let your District Membership Chair and District Executive know your dates. Mount Baker Council’s Membership Committee is providing free Cub Scout handbooks to new registered scouts from August 15-October 15 and you do not
want to miss out. Units need to have a New Member Coordinator registered and trained, a scheduled Join Night (or two) and have viewed the fall recruiting webinar, available on the MBC website.
Are you looking for ideas and resources for recruiting new scouts? Check out the S’MORES Membership Club (Summer Membership Organization of Resources and Education for Scouters). These are a series of mini webinars covering everything you need to know for successful recruiting.
The sessions are held every other Tuesday at 7:15pm and past sessions are available to review on the Membership tab of Mount Baker Council’s website. There is time for questions and answers after each session.
Coming up we have:
Boy Scouts of America is also running a series of National Recruiting Webinars. Topics cover everything from using Scoutbook, to Den Leader Experiences to Geofencing and Fall Recruiting. You will find the current schedule (and the ability to view past webinars) at https://scoutingwire.org/marketing-and-membership-hub/.
Upcoming sessions include:
You will also have access to “Scout Talk” videos, promo videos, flyer templates and find out how to get Boys’ Life mini-mags online.
There is more!!!
Have you seen the ads yet for Boy Scouts of Americas’ Family Fun Fest? You can build your adventure on August 8 and September 12 on Facebook Live.
Make sure all of your scout families know about the event and start sharing it through your digital media outlets. It will be similar to their National Camp-In and that was tons of fun. Mount Baker Council’s Membership Committee with be setting up “Be A Scout Day” on September 12 in conjunction with the Family Fun Fest. We would like to have all of our units prepare a short video (3-5 minutes) or set up a virtual open house event
to tie in to the festivities. This is a great way to promote your unit and a great way to engage your scouts now in making a video or live presentation. Watch for more details coming.
See, summer time is the perfect time to start recruiting! Get that excitement going and let us share this amazing program with as many youth as we can.
One last note: coming this fall to Fire Mountain Scout Camp is our Cub Scout Adventure Day! Formerly Stampede. This is a huge open house at camp on October 17 for all of our Cub Scout aged youth to experience the adventures of Scouting. There will be opportunities for fishing, hiking, BB guns, archery, crafts and more! Put it on your calendar now. For our Scouts BSA Troops-we need your help running stations. This event has so much energy behind it; we know you will want to be involved, too. Let your District Membership Chair know what type of activity you would like to host.
For more information, please contact your District Membership Chair or District Executives and the Membership tab of Mount Baker Council’s Website.
A whole new world of “Scouting at Home” has increased our access to what scouting has to offer. We can now connect with Councils from around the US to work on Advancements, learn new skills and just have fun.
To help our scouts and scouters find the resources they need, we have put together a Scouting at Home section on our Council’s Web Site. Here you will find information on:
Whether you are at home on on the trail – Keep on Scouting!
