How to Save the BSA
What follows is my three point plan for reversing the membership decline we have witnessed for the past ten years. This is written with the clear knowledge that it represents one point of view (your plan may differ) and is purely an exercise in seeking resolution to some difficult problems.
MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS Allow chartered organizations to determine the suitability of Adult Volunteers according to their organizational goals and reading of the Scout Oath and Law. The GSA has already got this figured out .
TRAINING – MENTORING VOLUNTEERS Rewrite training materials to include more ‘why’ with the ‘how’ . Institute a five year plan that culminates in requiring key volunteers in units to hold training certifications for their position. Reform the Commissioner service into an intensive program of targeted mentoring for volunteers and useful annual assessments of units.
RESTRUCTURE UNIT INFRASTRUCTURE Make provisions for associated Packs, Troops, Crews and Teams to operate from one committee under the chartered organization. Reassess the responsibilities of Chartered Organization Representatives and Unit Committee Chairpersons to clarify their relationship with Unit Leaders. In my experience boys never become Scouts or leave Scouting not because they find the basis of the program uninviting, they find the presentation of the program lackluster, overheated or grossly misdirected. The fault is not with the youth, it is with us adults. We don’t need new uniforms, new youth programs or other broad changes to the structure of youth involvement. We do need better trained, prepared and experienced adult volunteers. The parents of our entry-level Scouts are between 25-35 years of age.
I have had many of them tell me that they are disturbed by the BSA’s stance on religion and sexuality. No doubt these will be divisive issues for some time to come. By allowing Chartered Organizations to determine who they think is an acceptable adult leader within some broader language from the BSA parents can choose to associate themselves and their sons with units that reflect their values. They already do this with Churches and Schools, isn’t Scouting broad enough to provide some choice in the matter?
I don’t expect a call from Texas asking me to come down and strighten things out, but if they are interested I do have a plan.