Eric Schultz Speaks on Term as Mohegan Council President

As you know, the Boy Scouts of America builds the character and integrity of America's youth. Our Oath teaches a dedication to duty, God, country, others, and self. The Boy Scout Law describes how to live lives of honor by being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. We prepare young Americans to become adults by cultivating in them a sense of community, family, ambition, leadership, and priority so that they will make the world a better place.

The Mohegan Council’s mission is to prepare the youth of Central Massachusetts for future leadership by delivering fun and effective experiences through the Scouting program.

Since 2008, the Mohegan Council has improved its functional operations to better support, train and communicate with volunteers; we’ve improved the quality, promotion and frequency of council-wide, age-appropriate activities for all Scouts; and we’ve placed greater emphasis on the value of rank advancement.

These measures have resulted in a much improved quality of program resulting in a membership increase of 8% with a 78% retention rate – this is superior to national averages.

The Council supports an Urban Outreach program to introduce youngsters who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to participate in Scouting by providing them with the resources to do so.

Membership in the Urban Outreach and Learning for Life programs have grown to 435 youngsters. Over 80% of the Urban Outreach Scouts are estimated to live at or below the poverty level. Our statistics indicate that we are reaching some of our region’s most at-risk youth.  

Since developing the strategic plan, the Mohegan Council has worked to enhance the Treasure Valley Scout Reservation experience for our youth by hiring a year-round camp director dedicated to recruiting/training a skilled staff, implementing an effective camp marketing plan, and identifying program opportunities for older Scouts. Additionally, improvements were made to the camp infrastructure and facilities to better meet the needs of modern Scouts and their families.

As a result of these improvements, camp attendance has more than doubled since 2000 and year-round use by units out of council as well as by other organizations has increased significantly. 

Achievement of the pathway leading to financial stability and predictability remains to be realized.

Since 2005 when we lost over $200,000 in annual funding from what had been a traditional funding source, we have taken substantial steps toward recovering our financial stability.

We achieved year-over-year growth in the popcorn product sale ($300,000 in sales/$100,000 in revenue to the Council in 2009), increased the number of family contributors to the Friends of Scouting by 45% over 4-years, procured significant support from grants and foundations, increased the number of special events annually with greater proceeds to invest in the program, and strengthened the camp program and improved and increased the frequency of activities thus generating increased revenue.

During this, the centennial anniversary year of Scouting, the Mohegan Council has enjoyed tremendous community visibility with the First Centennial New England Scout Show – the best Scout Show Ever! – and many other opportunities to promote the value of Scouting. We’ve re-connected with alumni, shown funders and others just how relevant Scouting is, and we’ve have attracted new members and volunteers to our ranks.

While these efforts should have produced a balanced operational budget, the possibility of success was compromised by the theft from council accounts and an economic recession that impacted the growth of our investments and our receipt of charitable contributions. 

By the conclusion of this – the 100^th year of Scouting - if we meet all of our fundraising goals, there remains a projected gap in the operational budget of just over $62,000. While this amount may be perceived as substantial (and rightfully so), this is 56% less than the operating deficit that remained in 2009. We’re on the right track toward achieving that final pathway – fianancial stability.

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Treasure Valley Scout Reservation is the Mohegan Council’s chief asset for delivery of the Scouting program. Every investment in the camp is an investment in the quality of the camper’s experience and helps build the revenue stream generated from increased camp use. The 2008 ice storm damaged the camp but due to the overwhelming response from volunteers, the camp was closed only temporarily. Due to the generosity of individuals and foundation funders, much of the damage was addressed.

So as my term as president comes to an end, I look back on this period with much satisfaction. Together, we have accomplished much and can be proud of the obstacles we have conquered, the challenges tackled, and the achievements accrued. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Scouting in this leadership capacity and to work with so many dedicated people who are committed to the ideals and values that are the foundation upon which this organization was built.

I am pleased to introduce Charles E. Thompson, as your new president of the executive board. Charlie has a long and illustrious career as a Scouter. He is an Eagle Scout. He served as Troop 155’s Scoutmaster for 25 years. He has earned wood badge, been recognized as a Silver Beaver and was awarded the Whitney M. Young Service Award among other recognitions.

Charlie is active with his troop committee, has served as district commissioner and achieved a remarkable turn-around with camp use during his tenure as chairman of the Treasure Valley Camping Committee. He has a passion for Scouting and has lived his life according to the Scout oath and law. There is no better leader to take the Mohegan Council into the next century and it is my honor to welcome Charles Thompson as our council president.

Read Charles Thompson's remarks as the newly installed council executive board president.