ARCIVES
Concerns About Consolidation
The task force identified and evaluated a number of concerns
about the impact of consolidation. Among them are:
Bigger isn't necessarily better. A cumbersome bureaucracy
could make decision-making slower and less efficient.
The consolidation will be an improvement over the current duplication
of administrative activities, including unit service and fundraising.
Planning and decision-making will consume less administrative
time in a consolidated organization than in two councils working
collaboratively.
Possible loss of support from key constituencies or funding
groups.
While some supporters may be lost through a consolidation, the
consolidation also will appeal to new supporters with better programs
for youth.
Board members and staff have visited with a number of significant
donors to ensure their understanding and support of the consolidation
process. While most have said they will continue to support
Scouting, the draft budget for a consolidated council takes into
account the potential loss of a few donors.
Capital funds will need to be identified for the Viking Council
camps to achieve the full vision.
The large geographic area covered by a consolidated council
could be an obstacle to the meeting of operational committees.
Because the council offices are located so close together, travel
distances to most meetings would not change for Scouters from outside
the metro.
With administrative savings, a consolidated council could dedicate
more resources to serving its full geographic area, with satellite
offices in the eastern and western areas and enhanced electronic
and telecommunications capability.
There could be a cultural clash between long-term Scouters
who closely identify with their respective councils.
The goal of the consolidation is to recognize and preserve the
rich histories of both councils. This will be done by retaining
both service centers and many of the same place and program names.
The shared vision and history of Scouting will only become stronger
through a consolidation-our focus must be on what kids need tomorrow.
The future of Scouting in this area-a priority for all Scouters-will
be better prepared for through the efficiencies of a consolidation.
Consolidation could be a distraction from day-to-day activities.
Although board and staff undoubtedly would devote significant
time to ensure that the consolidation works smoothly, the goal is
that volunteers, parents and Scouts are not distracted by the consolidation
process. In fact, measureable improvements should be seen, even
in the short term, as the consolidated council expands programming.
Staff time already is dedicated to supporting collaborative efforts.
After consolidation, there would be a reduction in duplicated administrative
time.
There's a perception that centralization and shared resources
across council areas will favor a specific geographic area. And
there could be a loss of identity for a major institution in each
of these geographic areas.
Both service centers would be retained to continue to serve all
areas of a consolidated council.
The day-to-day delivery of Scouting will continue to be in the
hands of districts and units-strong districts and strong units are
the goals we seek.
The day-to-day delivery of Scouting will continue to be in the
hands of districts and units-strong districts and strong units are
the goals we seek.
Significant advantages could be achieved through expanded
collaboration without the hassles of a full-fledged consolidation.
The councils have been very successful in improving programming
through collaboration. However, collaboration, while more valuable
and efficient than working separately, involves unavoidable duplication
of effort and cost.
While many advantages can be achieved by collaboration, our experience
has taught us that collaboration between two separate entities is
less efficient and decision-making more complex than when programs
operated under one entity-but geography causes us to choose collaboration.
The costs of implementing the consolidation (legal expenses,
staff and volunteer's time) could be detrimental to programs.
The consolidation will have one-time costs.
The council may be able to access funds to offset these costs,
given the general support for consolidations among major funders
in this region-we would not be the first or last organization to
take this step.
The one-time costs/investment would be more than recovered after
only one or two years of more efficient operations under a consolidated
council.
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