Dear Scouting Family —

As the national organization reaches a significant moment in its bankruptcy case, the Mount Baker Council wants our Scouting community to know that we share in the Boy Scouts of America’s heartfelt support for victims of past abuse in Scouting.

Tens of thousands of individuals submitted claims in advance of the November 16th deadline set by the court in the national organization’s Chapter 11 case. We are moved by their bravery. Millions of youth across our country have benefited from Scouting for more than 100 years, but the number of individuals who have been affected by past abuse is devastating.

Now that all claims have been filed, the next step will be for third-party advisors to review the claims in order to uphold the integrity of the process, while the national organization works to develop a plan of reorganization to fund the proposed Trust.

It is important to note that while any instance of abuse is one too many, the overwhelming majority of abuse claims filed in the national organization’s bankruptcy case relate to allegations of abuse that occurred before our modern youth protection policies were put in place more than three decades ago. We want to underscore what many of you already know: The safety and protection of the children in our programs is our absolute top priority. The BSA has multi-layered safeguards in place, all of which act as barriers to abuse, and we can assure you that our volunteers and staff members take these measures extremely seriously. We encourage you to review our safety policies and procedures to better understand our commitment to youth safety and ask that you share this information with friends, neighbors, and family members who ask about this topic. Some helpful resources include our Youth Safety Infographic and Video. 

he Mount Baker Council remains committed to delivering Scouting’s unparalleled experiences to young people throughout our communities, and we thank you for your continued support. 

If you have any other questions about the policies in place to keep kids safe in Scouting today, please feel free to contact us at council606@scouting.org.

If you have questions about the recent news regarding the national organization’s bankruptcy case, please reference this FAQ.

Yours in Scouting,

Steven Davis

Council President

Ed Reger

Council Commissioner

Kevin Nichols

Scout Executive

Charter Renewal 2020
By: Ed Reger, Council Commissioner

I look back at articles I wrote in December 2019 and February 2020 and where we are now in Mount Baker and Scouting throughout the Country.  It is nothing like we expected it to be.  It has been, and still is, a year of significant impacts and has required a great deal of creativity, flexibility and stamina.  Now that we at the time to renew Unit Charters we will be completing the process in a different manner, with minimal contact.  Due to the pandemic “contactless” has become the way we do most everything.  We are separate and remote in most meeting, doing “drive-bys” with limited contact for Courts of Honor and even with a completely virtual Annual Auction.

Not only will we be completing our charter renewals in contactless manner, but we are also changing our Council’s charter year.  The decision to change was made prior to the impact of COVID-19 and with a great deal of consideration.  The early Fall is the time of the year when we see the largest number of youths, and adults, joining our program.  And with our old Charter Year we found ourselves working to renew charters during the “holiday season”, from Halloween through Christmas.  The decision was to change to a Charter Year from November 1 thru October 31.  This year we are doing a 10-month charter, which has also contributed to the confusion. 

Our Registrar, our VP of Marketing, council professionals, our District Commissioners and the Commissioner staffs have worked hard to create a process to allow for charter renewal, with limited paper and minimal contact, including a new website and all Unit Key Three members should have received instructions and a specific units access codes from your District Directors. 

This year has had many challenges, and this will be another, but I have watched you, our volunteer leaders step up to the challenges and maintain an active and vital program for our youth.  Thank you for what you have done in the past, what you are doing now and what you will do for Scouting in the future (stealing the closing from our Council Executive, Kevin Nichols!)

Let’s start at the very basics! Do you know where to find up-to-the-minute safety information for Scouts and Scouters? The scouting.org website. Take time to become familiar with all the safety information under Scouting Safely to help all of us keep Scouts safe.    

GENERAL INFORMATION –  Check out these sections of the Scouting Safely page: 

While many Scout units have a desire to return to Scouting activities, they have questions about how to do so safely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During the recent webinar on how to hold meetings safely during COVID-19, attendees received tips on the key steps they can be taking right now to find a safe way to return to their meeting activities.

Step 1: Check your local requirements to see if you can meet. The safety requirements vary greatly around the nation, so it’s vital to check on what your local government requires and abide by those regulations. The BSA SAFE Restart Scouting Checklist has been specifically created to help you guide you through this as you build a framework for getting back to your Scouting activities. 

Step 2: Call the families in your Scout unit to see how they’re doing. Check in by phone to connect personally with these families. Listen to their responses and gauge their readiness to return to Scouting activities. If laws in your community permit meeting, and you’ve met the other requirements of the SAFE Restart Scouting Checklist, spend some time talking about your process and the intention to return to Scouting activities safely. 

Step 3: Connect with other leaders and families to find solutions for ways the unit can meet safely.Currently, some traditional meeting places for Scout units are not available because of the pandemic, but there may be other viable, safe options for meeting that can be discussed. Some of these options may be outdoors using social distancing. Other options may be virtual. Be sure to use the guidance for Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities when meeting virtually.  

Step 4: Engage your chartered organization.Especially if you’re having difficulty finding a meeting place, talk with your chartered organization to see what other options they might be able to provide. While a meeting room might not be available, perhaps the parking lot, a field, or a park could be a safe alternative. Whatever the proposed location, the chartered organization should be made aware of the issue and brought into the discussion.

Step 5: Reach out to the school in your community. If you’re used to working with your local school for a recruiting night, meeting space or otherwise, connect with them to talk about ways your Scout unit could be of service and assist them during this time. 

Step 6: Make sure you’ve updated your BeAScout pin and are using all of the available easy-to-use online registration tools. As you get back to Scouting, help new families find and join your unit without ever needing any paper to change hands. 

Though the times remain uncertain, Scouts and Scouters are resilient, and following the above steps can help you to Be Prepared and ease the process of getting back to Scouting quickly and safely whenever local requirements allow it. 

In response to the needs of Youth Leaders in Troops and Crews, Scouting U has released two new virtual training programs for Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), and Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews(ILSC). These new temporary instructional training programs are available by logging onto https://my.scouting.org and launching the BSA Learn Center. When the Learn Center opens you can select the Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) or Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews (ILSC) from Programs as applicable to you.  In the Programs are 2 Learning Plans – Introduction and Tools of Leadership – you will need to complete both.  When selecting a Learning Plan, it will open with a description and course listing – click the Enroll Button to record your completion progress.  For courses within the Learning Plan simply click the Start button and take the course until you complete it.  Both the Learning Plans and Course will show your percentage of completion.

Module 1 is a brief five-minute introduction to the organizational structure of the unit. In Module 2 participants will spend approximately 36 minutes learning about the Tools of Leadership. Designed to help Scouts and Crew members develop their leadership, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Specific topics include Creating a Vision, Goal Setting, Communication, Planning and Delegation, and the Stages of Team Development. Upon completion of these two modules, a certificate of completion will be available, and should be printed for their Unit Leader. The completion certificate allows Scouts an opportunity to complete the third and final module in a virtual online environment.

Using a Zoom or similar online video conferencing program, Module 3 provides Scouts an opportunity to virtually interact with their fellow Scouts and leaders to expand and integrate their leadership expertise. Topics covered in the final one-hour module, includes Team Development and Characteristics, Group Decisions, Leadership Styles and Tools, Ethics and Values and the EDGE method.

Unit leaders interested in offering this new Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops and Crews can contact ils2020materials@gmail.com to request the directions, PowerPoint, and Script for Module 3.

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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: 

  1. Know the Guide—All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the document and applicable BSA program literature or manuals. The guide is a resource as well as a summary of the materials provided by the BSA. 
  1. Know the Law—Be aware that state or local government regulations supersede BSA practices, policies, and guidelines. 
  1. Know the Risks—The Guide to Safe Scouting does not cover every possible activity, but it provides guidance on how to evaluate risks and proceed safely if explicit requirements do not exist. Check out the Activity Planning and Risk Assessment section. 
  1. Know the Restrictions—The document includes a list of restricted or prohibited activities. 
  1. Know the Limits—The document contains age-appropriate guidelines for activities. Find out which and when certain activities are appropriate for particular age groups. 
  1. Know the Program—The guide points to other BSA program documents such as Safe Swim Defense, the National Shooting Sports Manual, and additional program materials. 

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 

 

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.

Understanding the national BSA ads and how you can share the Youth Protection message.

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: 

BSA Youth Safety Infographic
Noticing Campaign FAQs
BSA Campaign Announcement