June 10, 2022

Dear Scouting Family, 

You may have seen or heard about recent advertisements promoting a documentary about the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), which is expected to be released on June 16 by streaming service provider Hulu. The documentary covers a range of complex topics, including youth protection, the national organization’s financial restructuring case, changes in membership policies over recent years, and the future of Scouting.

We are reaching out because of your significance to the mission of Scouting. We want our parents, volunteers, donors, employees, and all those we serve to feel prepared for the attention this documentary is likely to receive. We expect that this documentary will raise questions about Scouting, garner media attention, and prompt some scrutiny of the BSA.

While we understand there are aspects of the film Leave No Trace that mischaracterize the BSA’s policies and actions, rather than challenge these inaccuracies, our focus is on supporting survivors. The BSA welcomes any opportunity for survivors to share their stories as part of the healing process, and we applaud the bravery and resilience of survivors of past abuse in Scouting.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is committed to listening to and learning from survivors, and we are actively working together to ensure our policies and programs offer a safe place for youth. For more information about how we can keep kids safe in Scouting today, please visit https://scouting.org/youthprotection.

Please know that the Mount Baker Council’s focus remains on the safety and future of Scouting. Nothing is more important than the safety of youth in our programs – it is the Mount Baker Council’s top priority as shown by our leader training policies, including our policy of requiring Youth Protection Training for all registered leaders on a yearly basis.

Thank you for all you to do to make the BSA our nation’s foremost program of character-building and value-based leadership training.

Yours in Scouting,

Some information about this training…..

Once the video has completed you will be sent to a page to register you completed the training.

Posted March 2022

Part-time

Posted March 2022

Part-time 

The Mount Baker Council (BSA), headquartered in Everett, Washington and serving the counties of Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan is seeking a Special Event Fundraising Coordinator. The Special Events Fundraising Coordinator is a part-time employee of the Mount Baker Council (MBC), Boy Scouts of America and reports to the Scout Executive. The Special Events Coordinator works with Council staff, Scouting volunteers, and community organizations on development events that benefit the MBC, the Boy Scouts of America and its youth development programs. This position includes no benefits. The position is hourly, non-exempt, up to 20 hours average per week for 50 weeks per year with starting pay $25/hr, depending on experience. Business travel reimbursed at IRS rate and all approved business-related expenses reimbursed. 

Special Event Coordinator is the lead staff member up to four events where he or she manages fundraising goals, event logistics, and volunteer management and recruitment. Managing a volunteer committee is a key objective of the position and requires a flexible schedule for early morning, day, or evening meetings. This position will also assist in other events as assigned. The days leading up to events or campaigns can require extra hours.  

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Event fundraising management, including developing and implementing of unique fundraising strategies related to special events. 
• Budgeting and project management, including creation and adherence to project budgets and timelines for special events. 
• Recruitment and retention of event volunteers, including developing and implementing recruitment plans and volunteer management strategies (as applicable) for events. 
• Donor/participant relations, including managing special committees for events. This includes developing goals and objectives for committees, facilitating meetings and leading those committees towards successfully completing the established goals and objectives. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Scout Executive. 

For full position description including qualifications or to apply: send resume and cover letter to Kevin Nichols at kevin.nichols@scouting.org. 

Full-time Position

Under the leadership of the Mount Baker Council CEO/Scout Executive, the Development Director will be responsible for all aspects of the Council’s donor solicitation program including annual and sustaining giving and major gifts, foundations and grants, special events, and product sales. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for implementing comprehensive stewardship strategies of donors at all levels. This position is an exciting and challenging opportunity for a highly motivated, energetic fundraising professional who is eager to participate in the evolution of the fundraising programs at the Mount Baker Council.

Key Responsibilities of Development Director

• Works closely with the CEO/Scout Executive to pursue a coordinated and strategic program of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of annual giving and major gift prospects and donors.
• Implement a comprehensive annual giving strategy that includes personal solicitation, direct mail and fundraising events management. This will include individuals in early-stage cultivation and/or with whom the council has little to no relationship.
• Executes donor meetings with key prospects and donors annually.  Director must be able to travel to donor meetings.
• Recruit, train, inspire and staff volunteer committees of the fundraising events and campaigns.

Benefits:

All BSA councils are equal opportunity employers. In addition to offering a competitive salary, full-time professional Scouting offers benefits to include major medical, prescription coverage, dental, vision, life-insurance, long-term disability, short-term disability/salary continuation, accidental death, a BSA Match Saving Plan, plus compensation for authorized and approved business-related expenses to include phone, auto and mileage reimbursement. We also offer paid time off and ten BSA holiday observances.

For full position description including qualifications or to apply, go to https://www.scouting.org/careers/open-positions/job-position/?id=9171

Posted March 2022

Full-time position

Serving the Counties of Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan

The Mount Baker Council of the Boy Scouts of America is seeking a talented individual who is passionate about recruiting and coordinating resources for our volunteer program leaders. Scouting is available to the thousands of young people in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. The Unit Serving Associate ensures that the program remains safe, standardized, and significant to the young people and family participants and is supportive our Charter Partners and their Scouting units.

The strongest candidates will possess servant-leadership qualities, the ability to work a flexible schedule (including some nights and weekends), and a desire to enrich the lives of members of our community.

Our Unit Service Associate will perform the following key tasks in their positions:

• Work with high-level volunteers to ensure that Scouting programs are healthy and vibrant.
• Be able to communicate well to explain the program’s goals and objectives to the public.
• Provide quality service to Scouting units and Charter Partners through timely communication, regular meetings, training events and activities.
• Provide guidance and leadership to annual membership recruiting campaigns.
• Champion the annual membership renewal process for Scouting programs.
• Help secure adequate financial support for programs in assigned area. Assist leadership for finance campaign efforts to meet the financial needs of the organization.
• Help develop adult recruitment plans and oversee achievement of training for their respective role.
• Encourage participation in year-round outdoor events.

Benefits:

All BSA councils are equal opportunity employers. In addition to offering a competitive hourly salary, full-time professional Scouting offers benefits to include major medical, prescription coverage, dental, vision, life-insurance, long-term disability, short-term disability/salary continuation, accidental death, a BSA Match Saving Plan, plus compensation for authorized and approved business-related expenses to include phone, auto and mileage reimbursement. We also offer paid time off and ten BSA holiday observances.

For full position description including qualifications or to apply, go to https://www.indeed.com/job/unit-serving-associate-96eea22172e6a3c9

From Council President, Steven Davis

Membership Recruiting Update

Every youth should have the opportunity to join Scouting. Our traditional efforts to invite friends to join us on the Scouting trail include hosting join nights, sending flyers to schools, participating in community events, and, well… just asking friends (which tends to be the easiest). Your district membership teams are hard at work generating support and material to help you with these efforts – but be on the lookout for training and suggestions in the coming weeks.

But what about people we don’t know? Or, what about people who don’t know Scouting really exists or what we do? We’re working hard to reach them too and we’re investing in a few methods to help.

Marketing: We need to raise awareness for our program within our service territory. To help, we’re investing in new market research and marketing initiatives so families are aware of the the Scouting program within their community. Plans include an investment in social media marketing, search marketing, YouTube videos, and more. If you see posts or content we’re sharing – please like, comment, and/or share. Your help gives our posts more eyeballs!

Recruitment: Every school should have a Pack, or availability to a Pack. Right now, that’s not the case. As a prospective parent or Scout, if you don’t have a Pack, Troop, Crew, or Ship that’s nearby and/or meets on a date that’s convenient with your schedule, you’re likely not going to join that unit.

We need to do a better job starting and supporting new units. And that’s hard work. Real hard. To help, we’re creating a couple new positions: A New Unit Director and a New Unit Support Specialist. The New Unit Director will help forge new and strong relationships with Chartered Partner Organizations, outline the strategies to build a strong unit, and gain their commitment to helping. Concurrently, the New Unit Support Specialist will help execute the recruitment of both Adult Volunteer and Youth Members. Every new unit will also have a Volunteer Commissioner to be a friend and resource.

Yes, we need to support our current units and current membership. Unit Commissioners, District Volunteers, District Directors, and District and Council Events are all meant to lend this support. 

Yes, we need solid program. Round tables are meant to facilitate the sharing of ideas and best practices. District and Council events, like Camporees, Webelos-Rees, Cub Scout Adventure Day, Family Camp, Day Camps, Summer Camps… all are valuable programs to help support programs ran by units.

There’s much we need to do, as always. But with the support of amazing volunteers, focused effort, a great program, and high demand (I mean, who doesn’t need Scouting) – I’m confident we can continue our path of providing every youth the opportunity to join Scouting.

National Scout Jamboree is an exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which is coming up in the summer of 2023. 

 

Every four years, Scouts from across the country and the world gather together to share the “greatest scouting experience on earth.” This tradition was started to celebrate the 25 anniversary of scouting and the first Jamboree held in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1937 (the 1935 Jamboree was cancelled due to a polio outbreak). Beginning in 2010, a permanent home was found in the wilderness of West Virginia to hold the Jamboree at The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, an 11,400 acre property. 

 

2023 National Scout Jamboree

July 19-28, 2023

 

More information will be available on the Mount Baker Council Website in the coming weeks, including a place to sign up (no obligation) to reserve your intended place and get more information. We will be holding information sessions for scouts and families interested in May. The sign-up deadline for scouts is after that information meeting in May.

 

If you are interested in applying to go as an adult leader, bringing our contingent troops on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, please contact Mark Hallerman, Mount Baker Council Jambo Chair at markhallerman@hotmail.com for information and application. Adult applications are due March 16, 2022 (via email markhallerman@hotmail.com) or to the Scout Office care of Professional Dan’l Adams.

Download the flyer