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The Mount Baker Council is proud to announce that Heather Lindsey will be joining the Council staff to serve as a Unit Serving Associate, effective April 16th. Her first day will be April 18th

The Unit Serving Associate is a full-time, non-exempt staff member. Heather will be responsible for the execution of a comprehensive unit service plan of the Charter Organizations and their Scouting units for the North Cascades District including working in partnership with the volunteers serving with the North Cascades District and the Mount Baker Council. Heather will be focused on membership growth, manpower recruitment, fundraising campaigns, and helping guide and provide support of the district and council volunteers. Heather will also work closely with the commissioner staff in providing quality unit service to the charter partners.

Heather comes from a Scouting family. Her father and mother volunteered throughout her childhood. Her brothers are Eagle Scouts, and her father is a Silver Beaver recipient. Heather spent many years volunteering as den leader for the Grand Teton Council in Idaho. She and her family moved to Blaine, Washington, where she served as a committee member and then Cubmaster for the local packs. She was also a Program and a Camp Director for Cub Scout Day Camps in Whatcom County. She enjoyed being Popcorn Kernel and Program Chair for Whatcom District. Heather believes that a strong, quality program can only exist with engaged, trained leaders. For that reason, she was President of the University of Scouting and staffed Woodbadge and NYLT. She has also served in youth programs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Heather is excited for this new role and the opportunity to continue working with Scouting in the Mount Baker Council.

Please join with all of us as we welcome Heather to our staff. We look forward to Heather’s positive successes within the Council team for the North Cascades District.

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 an Onboarding Specialist (part-time).   The Council is looking for a staff member to assist in our initiative for new unit development. The Onboarding Specialist will guide new Scouting units (Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing) through the steps of new unit organization. Through this process, they will assist new chartering organizations in the identification of adult volunteers for new Scouting, assist the new adult volunteers with program planning, budgeting and scheduling, guide the new adult volunteers through BSA and Council resources to be trained, and guide the new adult leaders through the start-up of the new unit’s programming to ensure the program is launched and the new unit is chartered. 

The specialists will report to the Unit Serving Executives.  This position includes no benefits. The position is hourly, non-exempt, up to 20 hours per week, 50 weeks per year with starting pay at $17.50/hr.

Candidates must have knowledge of the Scouting programs with an understanding of unit organization. Interested applicants should send their interest, preferably with a resumé, to [email protected]

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 

For full position description including qualifications or to apply: send resume and cover letter to Kevin Nichols at [email protected]

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

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:

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

Effective 3.12.2022
 
Federal and state public health officials have recently revised their policies on mandating masks-wearing in public places and events. In accordance with this change, effective March 12th, face masks are not required to be worn at Council or District events. Units should follow their charter organization’s own COVID-19 policies for unit activities and meetings.
 
We recognize that certain persons may still be uniquely vulnerable to the COVID-19 infections or have close contact with those who may have higher health risks. All participants should consider their personal health circumstances and be respectful of others in making a decision on whether or not they decide to wear a mask.
 
Participants should not attend any Scouting event if they feel sick or have tested positive for COVID-19.
 
The Council Service Center and Trading Post will continue to observe guest occupancy limits for the time being. Beginning on Monday, March 14th the Council Trading Post guest limit will increase to 5 customers.

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 [email protected] for information and application. Adult applications are due March 16, 2022 (via email [email protected]) or to the Scout Office care of Professional Dan’l Adams.

Download the flyer

Dear Mount Baker Council Members,

As a valued member of our Scouting community we are reaching out to provide you with an update on the BSA’s financial restructuring, and to explain how the Mount Baker Council is participating in the effort to equitably compensate survivors of past abuse and to ensure the future of Scouting’s vital mission.

Our Council’s Contribution:

As part of the Boy Scouts of America’s financial restructuring, the national BSA and its local councils have agreed to contribute specified amounts to a trust (the “Trust”) set up for the benefit of survivors.  The amount each local council was asked to contribute was determined using a combination of information obtained through the claims process and an assessment of each local council’s ability to sustain Scouting in their area after the contribution. We expect that, in the coming weeks, the specific contribution of each local council will be filed with the Court, but we know now that the total value of the Mount Baker’s Council’s contribution will be $2,127,213. 

We have determined to satisfy the Council’s contribution obligation in full by contributing the Everett Service Center to the Trust, which has an appraised value approximating the required contribution amount. This approach provides a way for the Council to satisfy its obligations without drawing upon donor funds, impacting operating budgets, or compromising the Council’s ability to fully serve its Scouting community. It also provides an opportunity for us to consolidate our two service centers into one location and to rethink how we can best deliver services to units and scouts.

The Mount Baker Council is legally separate and distinct from the national organization. Our camps, properties, and local donations are controlled by our Council. We share in the BSA’s commitment to equitably compensate survivors of past abuse. We believe that we can fund our contribution to the Trust while ensuring that Scouting can continue to serve youth, families, and communities in Northwest Washington for generations to come.

It is important to note that restricted donations can only be used for their designated purposes and are legally protected so that they are used as the donor specified. Local donations through programs such as FMSC Club, Popcorn sales, and the Council Auction’s Raise the Paddle go straight to supporting Scouting in our communities today; these donations are used in real time and are critical to maintaining local operations.

The BSA’s Path Forward:

There is still much to be done to obtain approval from the Court to solicit survivors to vote for the BSA’s amended Plan of Reorganization. However, the BSA is wholeheartedly committed to working toward a global resolution. The BSA intends to seek confirmation of the Plan this fall and conclude its financial restructuring around the end of this year.

While this is an important step forward in the national organization’s financial restructuring, we also want to take a moment to recognize the exciting things happening in our Council. There has never been a better time to be a part of Scouting. This fall, we look forward to welcoming new members to our ranks as we anticipate these new members along with our current Scouts to “Escape the Indoors” and enjoy the outdoor experiences at Fire Mountain Scout Camp, including the Cub Scout Adventure Day, Webelos-ree and Haunted Camp.  These are the experiences that make Scouting so valuable.

Thank you for your continued support of Scouting. If you have any other questions about the national organization’s financial restructuring, please visit www.bsarestructuring.org.

Yours in Scouting,

Mount Baker Council Key 4

On August 4th the Council Key 4 – the Council President, Council Commissioner, Council Scout Executive, and incoming Council President – held a Town Hall discussing some of the options the Council is looking at to better serve our members.

The Town Hall was recorded for those who could not attend. We encourage you to watch the Town Hall and then respond to the survey below.

Take the Survey