A Plan to Consider
A Merger of Strengths
The resignation of the Blue Ridge Council Scout Executive creates the perfect opportunity to seriously consider this matter.
Merging isn’t one council taking over another. It’s joining forces under combined and new leadership with the same goals as before, while lowering operating costs through efficiency so that scouts continue to have access to a wide variety of program and fundraising efforts can be more effective.
It Just Makes Sense
Councils across the nation continue to do what is proposed here - join forces. As organizations adapt to changes in membership, fundraising, and operating costs it makes good business sense to make smart decisions.
Both councils maintain experienced leadership with proven results by appointing the Palmetto Council Scout Executive, Justin Williams, to lead the new council going forward.
The Palmetto Council could benefit by gaining an in-Council full service summer camp
Both organizations have an opportunity to significantly grow the endowment through the sale of property that wouldn’t be needed in a more efficient operating model
Close geographic proximity to one another allow efficient future operations
The time is right to be prepared for the future - whatever it may bring.
A Plan to Consider
The Board of the Blue Ridge Council should not begin the search effort for a new Scout Executive of the of the Blue Ridge Council while a merger is proposed.
Engage the resources from the National Organization to help study a merger of the Blue Ridge Council and the Palmetto Council.
Create a new council with a new name that is representative of the area we serve and focuses on our future.
Create a new governing Executive Board composed of selected members of the current boards of each organization. Allow those members who have served longest to continue to serve through an Advisory Board, which meets less frequently and is less demanding of those who have already given so much. This retains their experience and knowledge, while balancing new membership perspectives.
Appoint the Palmetto Council’s Scout Executive - Justin Williams, as the Scout Executive of the new entity.
Re-align duties of existing staff across the new council to more efficiently serve the entire membership. If future opportunities for overhead reduction are identified, do so through attrition vs a reduction in force, or layoff.
Study and implement opportunities for cost savings through facility reductions and operational changes.
Preserve Camp Connelly Clarke, GOLS, Camp Old Indian, Camp White Pines, and Camp Arrowhead for the future. Camp Old Indian should serve as the new combined council’s summer camp, with the other properties supporting all the other programs that run. The current camps and facilities are well placed to serve both areas. Contribute the proceeds from the sale of any non-operating or administrative properties to an endowment which benefits future operations of all programs and properties.
Sell the offices of both current councils and re-establish two smaller, more efficient, and better geographically-located offices for the larger area now served.
The current office of the Blue Ridge Council with a significantly smaller and lower operating cost facility which can house records and materials, support employee meeting and flexible working spaces, and is better aligned for a remote work model for the majority of employees. The sale of this property could generate millions towards the future endowment, likely fully covering the entire cost of any future rental space to operate from during any transition time.
Consider replacing the Palmetto Council’s current office in Spartanburg with a lower operating cost facility which can house records and materials, support employee meeting and flexible working spaces, and is better aligned for a remote work model closer to York County, better aligning coverage based on membership.
