I am humbled by the expressions of thanks and support from the Scouters in the Detroit Area Council regarding my departure for the Western Region and a new assignment.  Thank  you very much for taking the time to call, write and/or visit with me to share your good wishes for Mary Jo and me.

Many people have asked how we can move so much.  Personally, there are many challenges in moving like:  finding new doctors, dentists, and service providers; the many new streets, shopping locations, and restaurants; finding a new church and developing friends; and leaving behind a life and individuals that you truly enjoy.

Very early in my career I was introduced to this saying:

"I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good, therefore, that I can show to any human being,
let me do it now.
Let me not defer nor neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again."
~~Stephen Grellet~~

Even then I recognized that because of my chosen profession we would live in a lot of different communities working with dedicated volunteers serving youth through Scouting.  Further, each time we would move to a new assignment, we would be leaving behind thousands of dedicated volunteers and tens of thousands of youth that had become a part of our life.  While I consider the Scouting profession a gift, it is often a gift with a limited window of opportunity.

One message that consistently provided comfort, support and direction with Grellet's message (above).  And, so it has been in the past and is now here in the Detroit Area Council.  Mary Jo and I will move on leaving behind dedicated Scouters, volunteer and professional co-workers, and community leaders-all very good friends.  We trust and truly believe that each of you will continue the work of Scouting and you will "Do All the Good"  you can in the time you have here.

There remains a lot of work to do.  As Gail Torreano our 100th  Anniversary Chair stated, "The need for Boy Scouting has never been greater and more important in our community. " And, regardless of your Scouting position or role, this is your challenge:  Deliver Scouting to Every Eligible Youth in Southeast Michigan.

The action plan is simple:  fully funded program delivery (the operating and capital needs); staff council and district committees with sufficient quality individualss; provide enough quality units to serve the available youth; and engage every parent in their son's/daughter's Scouting program.

This challenge will not be accomplished overnight.  Maybe it won't be fully achieved in your time here.  But, you can help make a difference, make an improvement one day and one task at a time.  Remember, "you should not defer nor neglect it, for you shall not pass this way again."

Thank you for sharing Scouting and your lves with us for the last four years.

Best wishes for continued good Scouting.

Rick & Mary Jo Williamson

    

All too quickly, we have entered 2009!  It seems like  yesterday we were closing out 2008.  Already January is history and we are into February.

We want to make sure the difficult lessons learned in 2008 were not in vain.  We have made difficult decisions to prepare us for the economics of 2009.  Income forecasts were reduced and expenses were adjust accordingly.

We made very difficult and painful staff reductions and staff took compensation reductions.  All were completed with continuing to how best support volunteers in program delivery in mind.

Now is the time to act as our President has challenged all of us, "Pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off" and go about remaking this great Boy Scout council.

Our greatest challenge is cash flow.   Even with achieving our income objectives, we will need an influx of cash early in the year to meet our expense obligations.

Our units have stepped up, BIG TIME! To date 76% of our units have scheduled a family Friends of Scouting presentation (and we thank them).  We sure could use the support of the other 24% and we'll continue to try earn that support.

We'll need everyone to contribute and to pay their pledge early in the year.  It isn't all about money but it is about allowing Scouting  to continue to be an impact program in Southeast Michigan.

Support local Scouting through Friends of Scouting.  If you want to help in other ways, please contact Jerry Freyberg at Jerry.Freyberg@scouting.org.

Thank you for all you do for youth!

Rick Williamson

    

Scouting's Impact, Priceless!

It is impossible to measure the positive impact Scouting has on members, their families and our community. Recently at Boy Scout Troop 1537's very good Eagle Scout Court of Honor, I watched as Alex and Nicholas were recognized for their achievement of the Eagle Scout award. In the audience were proud parents, grandparents, leaders, Scouts and friends. All of us took pride in the successes of these two fine young men.

We heard of their community service projects and their Scouting activities. And, we learned what they felt about their Scouting experience as they related stories of campouts and trips.

They are two fine examples of Detroit Area Council Eagle Scouts. In the DAC's history 17,771 young men have earned the Eagle Scout award. Two hundred and fifty have earned the Eagle Scout award this year. Imagine the service hours and the memories created over the years. Now consider the impact on the present and on the future. Priceless!

    

Working side by side with over 250 members of Migisi Opawgan Lodge this past weekend was a very uplifting experience.  The improvements at D-bar-A  were terrific but the spirit of men, women, and Scouts working together was truly exceptional! 

Our outstanding Lodge Lay Advisor, Joe Retzbach, and tremendous staff advisor, Dave Morosky, reported that 135 members participated, 114 new members (candidates) joined and 47 Brotherhood conversions took place.  This gives us approximately 1,334 members on the roster of a 3.2% growth year-over-year.

The Order of the Arrow is the BSA's Honor Society.  We in the Detroit Area Council are blessed to have one of the best Lodges in the country.

Watch for more exciting news on Migisi Opawgan Lodge, A National Quality Lodge, in the future.

Share with me your favorite OA experience.  If you are not a OA member, share your favorite service project!

Service isn't just a word.  It is what Scouts do!

2009 DAC Strategic Plan

    

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I am sharing with you my thoughts on new families joining Scouting.

What can/should new parents expect from Scouting?

This fall over 6,000 local families will join the Scouting program. Youth will join with great anticipation of fun and adventure. As one of our local Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Venture crews you deliver that fun Scouting program. But, what do parents want for their youth and what do they expect from Scouting?

Parents want their youth to participate in a safe values-based program. Parents want them to learn to be a good citizen and to be more responsible. They also want them to learn new skills from adult role models (you and your team of leaders) of good character. Perhaps they want their child to be excited about cleaning their room-after all the 11th point of the Scout Law says a Scout is clean.

Parents should expect to have trained leaders who exemplify Scouting's values leading their youth. They should feel confident their child is safe in all Scouting activities. Parents expect value for their investment of time and money. And, parents expect a well organized Scouting program. NOTE: If you are not a trained leader, please take training this fall.

Scouting (you and me) has expectations of parents as well. They are asked to fully support their son/daughter. Support them in their activities, advancement, camping and service. Youth whose parents are active participants get so much more out of Scouting.

Working together youth will have fun creating memories that will last a lifetime, even as they are becoming better citizens of good character with positive personal habits! Welcome to new members to your great Scouting program.


Please view the initial components of our Strategic Plan and please give us your feedback.

2009 DAC Strategic Plan