Why Merge?
This movement is about two elements
To be prepared for the future and acting as the best steward possible of the donations received and fees that scouts and volunteers pay.
Things have changed and its time to be honest with each other
Membership throughout Scouting America cratered after COVID. Despite great efforts, its time to admit that no council in the US is likely to return to the “glory days” anytime soon, if ever. Even with lofty goals, each council must recognize how much Scouting competes with for the time of our youth. While the Blue Ridge Council has worked hard to recover and grow, the times have changed and so should we. Making sure every dollar goes the farthest possible helps those dollars benefit scouts the most.
What does “Be Prepared For the Future” mean?
Making proactive moves to be as lean and efficient as possible is common sense. It happens constantly in the private sector. Why should the Blue Ridge Council be any different? With rising costs across the board, it is incredibly important to make moves to be sure we’re ready when fundraising is more challenging. Lowering operating costs is key to surviving difficult economic times.
Right Sizing Leadership
The now exiting Scout Executive of the Blue Ridge Council had a taxable compensation amount of over $236,000 dollars. That amount does not include reimbursement for expenses such as mileage - it is only the taxable benefit from his W-2. That comes to $97 per youth member. Meanwhile, the Palmetto Council’s last filed report shows that for a larger council, the Scout Executive is compensated less than half as much as the Blue Ridge Council’s CEO.
Source: Section VII on page 9 of the Blue Ridge Council’s 2025 IRS Form 990 published by the SC Secretary of State’s Charities Division. Click here and open the PDF document for yourself.
Rather than focusing on specific compensation amounts, ask yourself - what is the value to the youth having two Scout Executives with offices separated by only 22 miles?
Two of Everything
The two council offices are separated by only 22 miles. Why have two Scout Executives, two corporate offices, two boards, two separate Friends of Scouting campaigns, two popcorn drives, two insurance policies, two accounting firms, two banks, two fundraising initiatives, two endowments, two websites, two marketing groups, two…….and the list goes on. Let’s be thrifty and there’s no better time than right now.
