FAQ'S
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: On what basis was the
decision to consolidate made?
A: The decision was made on the basis of: a) Is this better
for kids? b) Is this better than other options? and c) Has
everyone had a chance to be heard?
Q: Where will the Scout
office be located?
A: Both Council Service Centers will be kept in operation.
Q: Will the district
boundaries be realigned?
A: There is no current plan to reorganize districts. In
addition, we will consider establishing satellite offices where
possible in the remote areas of the new Council
Q: What happens if a
unit number is duplicated between the two Councils?
A: All Packs and Troops can keep their unit numbers. Internally,
a prefix number will be added for paperwork purposes.
Q: Were one or both Councils
experiencing problems that led to this decision?
A: Both Councils are among the best in the country, and a
consolidated council will be better still. This is a response to
an opportunity, not a reaction to problems.
Q: Will the Council reduce the
number of camps?
A: No, the plan is that we will have more camping opportunities.
Healthy finances allow us to keep and improve camping
facilities.
Q: What is the financial impact
of consolidation?
A: Administrative and fund-raising costs will drop
significantly, allowing more investment in programs and reaching
out to more children. The draft budget projects within three
years that there will be $800,000 annually available for
improved programming, support to volunteers, communication with
community and parents, recruiting and retention of youth members
and other savings directed to financial health.
Q: How will this plan impact
Council staffing?
A: A significant number of staff positions have been held vacant
or eliminated in both councils in the past three years. Many of
these functions would be restored in a consolidated council and
five administrative jobs would be eliminated where duplicated.
One rural district executive position has already been filled.
Q: Will council
shoulder strip patches need to be replaced?
A: No. Existing patches are fine to wear, but as uniforms are
replaced, the new shoulder strips should be used.
Q: When will this consolidation
become effective?
A: 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2005.
Q: How does this affect
the currently planned 2005 summer camping season?
A: All summer camping programs and activities will continue as
they are now planned.
Q: How is the leadership
of a new council being determined?
A: The Task Force Governance plan is being followed which calls
for creation of a new board of directors made up of nearly equal
numbers of volunteers formerly affiliated with each council.
Q: How was the council
president selected?
A: Task Force recommendation was approved by both boards that
the council president, Phil Johnson, would become the first
president of the new Council, with Jon Theobald, Indianhead
Council's current chairman of the board-elect, to succeed Phil.
Q: How was the Scout Executive
selected?
A: The Task Force recommends that one of the current Scout
Executives be retained in the interest of consistent leadership
and follow-through. The Viking Council Scout Executive withdrew
his name from consideration in the interest of having the new
council's SE serve for at least five years. The boards then
recommended John Andrews, Indianhead Council Scout Executive, as
the professional staff leader of the consolidated council. |
