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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A group of Boy Scouts donated their time this week, along with members of the New Braunfels Tree of Lights Committee, helping replace over 2500 light bulbs for the New Braunfels Tree-lighting event.

In past years, only the bulbs that had burned out were replaced, meaning that more bulbs would go out after the tree had been put up. Upon hearing this, NRG Saver Supply donated enough light bulbs to replace all of them! Half way through the scheduled work day, though, the New Braunfels Tree of Lights Committee realized it would take a lot more people to replace so many bulbs.

Scouts from Troop 381, along with their Scout Master and other family members, came by to help out! “We love the opportunity to help people in the community,” said Scout Master Clint Brown.

The event is scheduled to take place Tuesday, December 2nd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and will include a meet-n-greet with Santa, carriage rides and the premiere of the Virtual Memory Wall.

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