Two councils in Michigan and Wisconsin have voted to merge together. The Hiawathaland Council in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the Bay-Lakes Council in Wisconsin. There will not be a new council created, instead they will keep the Bay-Lakes Council moniker. In November of 2011, nine councils in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan merged into a single Greater Michigan Council. Merging councils increase the resources available to youth, but may have an unforeseen consequences.

What do you think? Have you been through a council merger or split? Comment below.

Update 3/16/2012: Thanks Dan for the comment below. Visit the BSA Area Project to find more information on how Michigan is innovating a new model on the idea of a Council.

Sources: postcrescent.com  Bay-Lakes Council News

Pedro from Boys’ Life Magazine arrived in Madison, Wisconsin.  Pedro is in town for the 25th Annual Baraboo Circus Heritage held at the Sauk County Fair Grounds in Baraboo, WI.

More information on how your Pack, Troop, or Crew can sign up to attend this great event May 20 – 22, 2011 can be found at http://ww.glaciersedge.org/activities

Stuart L. Bergmann (June 25, 1961 - October 17, 2010)

Stuart Bergman, Scout Executive of Southeast Wisconsin Council, passed away peacefully early Sunday Morning. 

Scout Executive Stu Bergmann was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February of this year. Stu had been undergoing treatment since that time. In early October, Tom Mahoney, Southeast Council President, informed volunteers that there had been a significant change in his condition and that he was in the hospital and will be transferred to Hospice care shortly.

Prior to serving as Scout Executive of Southeast Wisconsin Council, he served as the Field Director for the Jayhawk Area Council in the 1990s.

 Funeral Arrangements
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Piasecki Althaus Funeral Home
3720 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53144
Visitation from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 23, 2010
St. Anthony Catholic Church
417 Caroline St, Athens, WI 54411-8487
Visitation 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. followed directly by interment at Calvary Cemetery, Athens, WI

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Bergmann Family Benefit Fund c/o Johnson Bank, Kenosha, WI (262) 697-7500 or Southeast Wisconsin Council, Boy Scouts of America, 2319 Northwestern Avenue, Racine, WI 53404 (262) 632-1655.