Changes all around…

I just wanted to take a moment to alert Scouting News readers of a few changes that have occurred around here, and a few that are in the works.

1) If you are subscribed to the Scouting News RSS feed, you will notice it is now publishing the full articles instead of the article summaries. This is something I’ve gone back and forth with but decided to go with it. If you are a RSS reader, please stop by every once in a while to leave a comment on an article you enjoyed or had questions about.

2) I will be adding some opinion articles every once in a while. When we switched to the “News” format I started to shy away from posting my opinion, but I will be posting some opinion pieces, but only under the Opinion Category.

3) Scouting News will be holding approximately one contest each month! These contests will reward our subscribers and readers of Scouting News. The first one will be announced on November 10th, 2008 and is for a great new Scouting book that we were “honored” to have “read”. The review will be posted in a day or two. (Can you guess what book it is? I gave you some clues!)

4) Looking for guest authors! We would like to add some guest authors to Scouting News. We are looking for folks to write unique content for us on a one-time or regular basis. We’d love to add more articles in the following categories: gear reviews, interviews, Council event recaps, and international stories. Unfortunately we can’t pay for these articles (yet!), however we will include an author by-line with each one so you can promote your [appropriate] website. If you are interested, please contact us so we can talk about different options.

5) We’ve added a Scouting News Twitter account. Do you Tweet? Follow ScoutingNews! This is really preparing for the long term future (2010) but we might just surprise you earlier.

6) We’ve added a Scouting News You Tube account. While we don’t have any videos yet, this is going to be an experiement in the works. If you want to be the first to catch what we have planned, subscribe to the ScoutingNews Channel.

Thanks for reading Scouting News! If you have any suggestions or feedback please contact us.

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Back in July, Scouting News reported that the National Council reorganized its professional staff. Following suit, last month the National Volunteer Committee Structure was reorganized.

As you can see there are four types of committees: Standing, Support, Special and Ad Hoc.

The National Standing Committees:

• Administration
• Human Resources
• Supply
• Innovation & Strategy
• Council Solutions
• Outdoor Adventures
• Marketing

The National Support Committees:

• Pension Investment
• Properties
• Computer
• Health & Safety
• Finance & investment
• HR Administration
• Talent Management
• Supply
• Program Content
• Innovation Council
• Strategic Planning
• Program Impact
• Membership Impact
• Finance Impact
• National Development
• Hispanic Initiatives
• Order of the Arrow
• 2010 Jamboree
• Jamboree Site Selection
• Philmont
• Florida Sea Base
• Northern Tier
• Local Council Outdoor Program Support
• Sea Scouts
• Magazines
• 100th Anniversary
• Museum
• Brand & PR

The National Special Committees:

• Budget
• Nomination
• Audit
• Resolutions
• Contract Review

The National Ad Hoc Committees:

• International
• BSA Asset Management
• Learning for Life
• BSA Foundation

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The National Sea Scout Committee has selected a new National Sea Scout Commodore. Mr. Charles D. Wurster took over the title from the outgoing Commodore Mrs. Jimmie Homburg. Mr. Wurster posted a letter of introduction (quoted below) on the Sea Scouting Website which also discussed the recent reorganization; placing Sea Scouting under the “Outdoor Adventures Standing Committee”, and is no longer being administered under a unified Venturing Division.

Dear Sea Scout Leaders:

I’m pleased to introduce myself as your new National Sea Scout Commodore. At the recent meeting of the National Sea Scout Committee, the title was transferred from outgoing Commodore Mrs. Jimmie Homburg. As you know, Jimmie has served ably for the past ten years. During that time, Sea Scouting made significant progress in providing a quality program to America’s youth. The National Sea Scout Committee celebrated her tenure at a special recognition dinner. Jimmie received a good?natured “roasting” with smiles and laughter all around. More importantly we all celebrated her successes and our friendship. We are fortunate that Jimmie will continue to serve on the national committee and will focus her efforts on marketing.

Other changes are underway at the national level in the Boy Scouts of America. The professional staff was reorganized last month from program?based to function?based. Similarly, this past week at regularly scheduled meetings, the national volunteer committee structure was realigned to match “The New BSA” national organization.

What does that mean for Sea Scouts? New opportunities to improve and strengthen the program for our youth members; present and future. What does that mean for your National Sea Scout Committee? Two big changes; first, the Sea Scout Committee is now under the “Outdoor Adventures Standing Committee.” Second, Keith Christopher, head of the “National Events Department,” is our new professional director for Sea Scouts. In that new role, he will be our main connection point with the national professional staff. He’s already been great to work with and we all look forward to his advice and support.

Charles Holmes, our previous director, has been assigned to new duties as head of the “Community Alliances Team.” Although he is excited about his new role, he confided that he will miss his daily connection to Sea Scouts.We will miss him, too. We thank him for the great job he did for Sea Scouting as well as Venturing.

Whenever there is a change in leadership it is natural for questions to arise about possible changes. For the time being, “steady as she goes” will be our watchwords. We must maintain course and stand a tight watch. Meanwhile, we will plot a track line for success in our future adventures in the Boy Scout of America. The national committee is already looking at new opportunities and challenges. You can help us and the program by bringing your ideas forward at the unit, council, area, regional, and national levels. All of us on the committee look forward to serving you and the Scouts.

Sincerely,
Charles D. Wurster
National Commodore, Sea Scouts, BSA
VADM, USCG (Retired)

What do you think of the reorganization? Will this be good for Sea Scouting? Post your comments below!

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