April 2008

From New Year’s Resolutions To Program Implementation for 2008

John E. Kiernan, Council President

Peter G. Wilcox, Council Commissioner

Marc T. Andreo, Scout Executive

The Council Key 3’s article in the January –March issue of the Pathfinder focused on our commitments on behalf of the Council for 2008. These included:
• The completion of the 2008 Centennial Quality Unit Commitment Form.
• Each registered leader to complete the On-Line Youth Protection Training program and qualify for the new Council Youth Protection Knot.
• Each Cub Scout Leader in the Pack to become a Trained Unit Leader which will qualify that Pack as a member of the Cronk’s club.

We are pleased to report the status of these three items that were New Year’s Resolutions only 3 months ago:
• We now have over 110 Units in the Council that have completed their Centennial Quality Unit Commitment forms for 2008.
• There have been almost 600 registered volunteers who have completed the On-Line Youth Protection Training. These volunteers have received their Youth Protection Knot for their uniform.
• There are many Packs that have qualified as a Cronk’s Club member.

While this progress is impressive for the first quarter of the year, it is important that every Unit in our Council pledge to work towards these items and to achieving their Centennial Quality Unit commitments for 2008.

As we accomplish these commitments, we can then work on other items that will strengthen our Scouting program. Just like each Unit, the Council itself has set objectives, listed below, in order to achieve the 2008 Centennial Quality Council.

1) Have at least 60 % of our Units achieve the Centennial Quality Unit Award in 2008.
2) Organize at least 15 new Units in the Council to grow our Scouting program.
3) Increase the Districts’ retention of youth in 2008.
4) Achieve a balanced 2008 operating budget.
5) Retain 90% of the Units in our Council.
6) Recruit and train an additional 5 Unit Commissioners, increase Commissioner visits to Units to twice per year, and improve the Commissioner–to–Unit ratio.
7) Recruit and train 5 additional District Committee members in each District.
8) We will maintain the number of Unit-serving executives which is the approved staff size.
9) Have an active Endowment Committee.

Let’s all continue to work on our respective Centennial Quality Unit commitments this quarter of the year. By doing so now, we will create a high momentum for program achievement this fall, ensuring our success in growing and enhancing the Scouting experience for our youth participants, and each adult member who gives of their time.