Operational Experience

Strategy: Seek ways to consistently identify creative solutions to the problem of program delivery.  Continually identify opportunities for improvement.  Challenge staff and volunteers to find innovative solutions to improve the quality and quantity of the programs we deliver to our youth.

  

Underprivileged- Underserved Markets:

 

Hispanic Emphasis

Have organized Soccer and Scouting programs.  While small, this program impacted over 100 youth annually while allowing the Council to develop stronger relationships.  Organized Hispanic Emphasis impact meetings to establish a working relationship with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce members to build units within the community.  Members include banking professionals, hospitality and service industry managers, and leaders of churches.

 

Scout Reach and In-School Scouting

In collaboration with the local school systems, developed and implemented a unique “In School Scouting” program.  This program targets schools in United Way-designated low-income communities.  A member of our full-time professional staff is assigned to run this program in targeted schools that offer gender-based classroom experiences.  Program expands into LFL Exploring, where in Coastal Georgia, ten in-school Exploring posts are operational in areas such as medicine, marketing, and engineering.  

 

STEM

Secured new $25,000 gift at the end of 2020 with an additional matching gift to follow, which will seed the beginning of a STEM program in Coastal Georgia with professional leadership, program supplies, recruiting tools, and a volunteer committee to oversee its development and retention. Secured $60,000 in Old North State, adding robotics and flight simulation labs to the trade skills facility at Cherokee Scout Reservation.  

 

Collaboration

Working with other youth-serving organizations, professional staff members have been highly effective in reaching after-school youth at local YMCAs and Boy and Girl clubs who seek additional support for structured character education programs found in Scouting.

 

Champions Day Camp

Strengthened and provided leadership to District Executives using Learning for Life tools to engage over 300 special needs students from local schools in an outdoor camping experience.  

 

 

Commissioner Service

• In partnership with the Council Commissioner, we have maintained top-level District Commissioners for all districts and have maintained a 1:3 ratio.  The challenge to identify unit commissioners who are not already “wearing other hats” for scouting exists in almost every district, but the strength of the council’s units and high unit retention rate is a direct result of a well-organized Commissioner staff with proper training and an annual Commissioner College. 

 

 

Outdoor Programs

• Served two years as director of summer camp – responsible for staff of fifty-three, weekly payroll, facilities, and programs.  Experienced in participation and revenue growth during both years as director. As Scout Executive, I give complete attention to all aspects of camping operations.

 

• Served as Camp Director for a unique High Adventure Base Camp that allowed older scouts to hike parts of the Appalachian Trail, participate in Conservation Projects, Whitewater canoe, camp on an island, and earn the 50-mile afoot–afloat award.

 

As Scout Executive, I maintain an active role with the Director of Support Services in camp staff development, NCAP requirements, health and safety, and positive camper/customer service experience initiatives.