Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Our statement on the BSA's alleged impending bankruptcy
Dear Iroquois Trail Council Families,
By now you have may have read or heard about the recent Wall Street Journal article speculating on the National Boy Scouts of America’s finances. We want to start by assuring you that Scouting remains strong and steady on the trail to our 2nd century. To address some of the questions and concerns we have been hearing, please review this information. As always, if you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
The most important fact is this: the Iroquois Trail Council is a corporation separate from BSA and maintains its own 501(c)3 status. Business decisions made on this or any issue by BSA will not impact the assets of the Iroquois Trail Council – including our camps and donations made to our local program.
BSA – the national organization – has an obligation to its members to remain strong. As such they are exploring all options for best management of their assets. Sometimes this involves contacting outside experts. No decision has been made or is imminent at this point about BSA’s national finances.
It is important to note that the Iroquois Trail Council is governed by local volunteers who provide strong oversight on budget development, fundraising, spending, and investment.
During the past decade, our Council has routinely balanced its budget, made substantial capital improvements to Council owned facilities, and ensured the future of local Scouting through growth in our Council’s endowment fund. The Iroquois Trail Council is also debt-free and has no pending litigation. This diligent governance from our volunteers keeps us a well-run and financially viable organization.
Through the continued support of our generous volunteers’ time and financial resources we are able to provide a high-quality Scouting program to more than 2,500 Scouts and 1,200 adults in our 5-county area.
Our Council has much to be grateful for this year. An outstanding summer camp season, tremendous enthusiasm for the launch of Family Scouting, and strong growth in the Lion program are just the beginning.
We are poised to see Scouting nationally return to a position of strength and growth and must not let any potential financial restructuring by the national organization distract us. Scouting long has been, and continues to be, the most relevant and robust character and leadership development program for youth and families. Let’s keep it that way!
Thank you for your participation and support of local Scouting.
Yours in Scouting,
Bob Confer, Council President and Jim McMullen, Scout Executive
By now you have may have read or heard about the recent Wall Street Journal article speculating on the National Boy Scouts of America’s finances. We want to start by assuring you that Scouting remains strong and steady on the trail to our 2nd century. To address some of the questions and concerns we have been hearing, please review this information. As always, if you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
The most important fact is this: the Iroquois Trail Council is a corporation separate from BSA and maintains its own 501(c)3 status. Business decisions made on this or any issue by BSA will not impact the assets of the Iroquois Trail Council – including our camps and donations made to our local program.
BSA – the national organization – has an obligation to its members to remain strong. As such they are exploring all options for best management of their assets. Sometimes this involves contacting outside experts. No decision has been made or is imminent at this point about BSA’s national finances.
It is important to note that the Iroquois Trail Council is governed by local volunteers who provide strong oversight on budget development, fundraising, spending, and investment.
During the past decade, our Council has routinely balanced its budget, made substantial capital improvements to Council owned facilities, and ensured the future of local Scouting through growth in our Council’s endowment fund. The Iroquois Trail Council is also debt-free and has no pending litigation. This diligent governance from our volunteers keeps us a well-run and financially viable organization.
Through the continued support of our generous volunteers’ time and financial resources we are able to provide a high-quality Scouting program to more than 2,500 Scouts and 1,200 adults in our 5-county area.
Our Council has much to be grateful for this year. An outstanding summer camp season, tremendous enthusiasm for the launch of Family Scouting, and strong growth in the Lion program are just the beginning.
We are poised to see Scouting nationally return to a position of strength and growth and must not let any potential financial restructuring by the national organization distract us. Scouting long has been, and continues to be, the most relevant and robust character and leadership development program for youth and families. Let’s keep it that way!
Thank you for your participation and support of local Scouting.
Yours in Scouting,
Bob Confer, Council President and Jim McMullen, Scout Executive
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