I participated in a 360 degree assessment during the Scout Executive certification process. I have included the summary results here. The proficiency scale ranges from 1 (very low level) to 5 (very high level).
OBJECTIVE:
To serve as a council Scout executive so that Scouting will achieve its maximum potential in producing significant and sustained positive impact for the youth, families, volunteers, and the community at-large.
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
- A goal-oriented, strategic focus with an attention to planning and detail and the ability to relate all aspects of operation back to the overall big picture of mission and vision.
- Successful track record as a staff leader and a mentor among the staff in two councils and a proven record of cultivating strong relationships with volunteers and community leaders.
- Possess an in-depth knowledge of district and council operations through more than 17 years of professional Scouting experience and 33 years of involvement with the Boy Scouts of America.
- Core focus on service and ensuring that the customer experience is the best it can be.
WORK HISTORY:
Director of Field Service/Chief Operating Officer, Cradle of Liberty Council: Philadelphia, PA (August 2015 to Present)
Journey to Excellence Silver Level 2015 and 2016; Gold Level 2017
LEADERSHIP:
- Oversee a dynamic and diverse staff of 16 commissioned professionals serving 11 districts and an Exploring division and more than 40 part-time program specialists serving nearly 60 after-school (ScoutReach) units.
- Serve as the staff advisor to the council commissioner and co-chairs for district operations, as well as the membership, family Friends of Scouting, popcorn fundraiser, and strategic planning committees.
MEMBERSHIP:
- Provide leadership to a highly-engaged council membership committee with active participation from all districts, focused on providing resources, training and coaching to empower units to effectively recruit families.
- Achieved sustainable youth membership growth in the council for the last two years and on track for a third consecutive year.
- Increased youth retention from 78.6% in 2016 to 80.4% in 2017. Reduced dropped units from 47 in 2015 to 25 in 2017.
- For the past two years, ensured that more than 90% of renewing units completed internet rechartering prior to their expiration.
- Formed a Family Scouting Task Force of volunteers from throughout the council to serve as content experts and resources for unit volunteers and chartered organizations.
- Successfully participated in the Lion pilot and currently developing the council’s first STEM Scouts Lab.
FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT:
- Currently exceeded total raised in the Family Friends of Scouting Campaign last year ($305,000 raised to date and growing compared to $299,000 in 2017).
- Grew Popcorn Sale net from $306,554 in 2016 to $310,422 in 2017. Unit participation has grown 25% from 2017 to 2018.
- Oversee the council’s Program Partner initiative to leverage relationships with local companies and organizations with aligned missions in order to provide additional opportunities, connections and resources for Scouting.
- Serve as an advisor to the council finance committee, regularly reviewing financial statements and leading the budget building process. Through sound fiscal management, the council’s unrestricted net assets have increased 21% since 2015, from $896,120 to $1,083,480 last year.
- Serve as an advisor to the council’s Scouting Ahead Capital and Major Gifts Campaign, focused on redeveloping the Cub Scout camp and creating a Philadelphia Adventure Base.
PROGRAM:
- Significantly reorganized the council’s ScoutReach program to better align with the council’s strategic plan, foster a culture of accountability, and improve program delivery and consistency. Hired a full-time staff member to oversee programs. Youth participating in council-funded programs increased 18% last year.
- Created a Program Planning Guide and coordinated unit program planning seminars for the past two years.
Director of Marketing, Cradle of Liberty Council: Philadelphia, PA (November 2013 to August 2015)
Journey to Excellence Silver Level 2013 and 2014
LEADERSHIP:
- Served in a key leadership role for the council in the absence of a Scout executive and director of field service for six months.
- Served as the staff advisor to the membership and Friends of Scouting campaigns and facilitated staff meetings.
MARKETING AND MEMBERSHIP:
- Developed and oversaw the implementation of Rocket Into Scouting, the council’s coordinated fall recruitment campaign in 2015.
- Recruited a council marketing committee with representation from the advertising, public relations, and creative industries.
- Provided leadership and developed the operational plan for the Scouting for Life Blood Drive, a major community service initiativeconducted between April and August, 2014. Working with J.P. Mascaro & Sons and the American Red Cross, mobilized the council’s network of youth and adult members, their families, and community supporters to secure approximately 500 pints of blood, accounting for one-quarter of the total Francesco A. Mascaro Memorial Blood Drive.
- Created a council blog to utilize content marketing strategies to reach targeted audiences and share positive Scouting stories.
- Regularly updated the council’s social media channels to extend the reach and increase impressions of local Scouting. Increased Facebook engagement by more than 25%. Developed communication strategies for a variety of council campaigns and events.
- Oversaw the redevelopment of the council’s website in order to best serve the needs of our constituents.
PROGRAM:
- Working with the program team, developed a coordinated promotion plan for Cub Adventures at Musser Scout Reservation, increasing Cub Scout attendance to 1,522 in 2014, a 69% increase over the previous year.
- Spearheaded the development of a monthly training-focused electronic newsletter.
- Served as an advisor to the capital campaign vision committee, providing expertise in the strategic development of a year-round camping facility that meets the needs of youth and families in the 21st century.
FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT:
- Served as the staff advisor for the field portion of the Friends of Scouting Campaign. Developed “Lighting the Way” campaign theme, supporting materials, and training sessions for volunteers and staff.
- Coordinated the direct mail fundraising campaign for the council.
Marketing & Public Relations Director, Daniel Webster Council: Manchester, NH (July 2010 to November 2013)
Journey to Excellence Gold Level 2011 and 2012, Quality Council 2010
MARKETING AND FINANCE:
- Served as the director of the Service Credit Union Boston-Portsmouth Air Show in 2011 and 2012, coordinating budget, sponsorships, marketing, logistics, and 1,000+ volunteers, and staff. The two shows combined grossed $3.5 million.
- Served as staff advisor to the development of the council’s revised strategic plan. Recruited a leadership team of two co-chairs and five focus area chairs to build a committee of more than 50 volunteers.
- Increased council direct mail campaign from $34,655 (2009) to $47,250 (2010), a 36% growth.
- Provided leadership to the Xtreme Descent urban rappelling event in 2010, 2011, and 2012, which was featured in local press and increased Scouting’s visibility in the community through multiple corporate partnerships.
- Designed and coordinated the timely distribution of Cub Scout and Boy Scout summer camp promotional brochures. Was instrumental in the introduction of Advanced Program Experience (APEX) specialty summer camp programs.
PUBLIC RELATIONS:
- Successfully oversaw crisis communications for several high-profile incidents.
- Provided leadership to the 2010 “A Shining Light Across America”centennial celebration event that brought together close to 1,000 local Scouting youth, adults and members of the community.
District Director, Daniel Webster Council: Manchester, NH (August 2007 to July 2010)
Quality District 2009
LEADERSHIP:
- Provided leadership to a three-district service area (with direct support to one district) that served 5,155 youth in 164 units.
- Served as the staff leader and coach to a senior district executive and a district executive. Both have since been promoted.
- Increased number of district committee members and commissioner staff in service area from 100 (2008) to 132 (2009).
MEMBERSHIP:
- Working with an inner-city housing nonprofit, developed and implemented an Urban Scouting Emphasis Plan in the state’s largest city to serve at-risk youth.
- Primary district had a net gain of 3.4% youth from 2007 to 2009.
- Service area had 2% membership and unit growth from 2008 to 2009. All three districts had membership growth in 2009, with the largest district having growth for the first time in five years.
PROGRAM:
- Gave leadership to the council’s Cub World summer camp programs as the camp director and council advisor for two years, overseeing a staff of 55. Total resident camp attendance increased from 1,222 (2008) to 1,345 (2009), an increase of 10%.
- Introduced fall and spring Family Camping Weekends to serve as Cub Scout camp open houses.
FINANCE:
- Increased Friends of Scouting support in primary district 6% from $41,211 (2007) to $53,825 (2009); 16.9% in service area.
- Service area pledge collection rate was 3%in 2008 and 99.6% in 2009.
- Increased Community Friends of Scouting division in service area 6% from $32,672 (2008) to $47,228 (2009).
District Executive/Senior District Executive, Daniel Webster Council: Manchester, NH (May 2001 to August 2007)
- Provided leadership to a volunteer district transition team to successfully create a new district from two existing districts with a full complement of district operating committee chairs. Increased membership in the new district by 2%, exceeded Friends of Scouting goal, and achieved Quality District in its first year.
- Served as the Cub Scout resident camp director for four years, providing leadership to a staff of 55 for nine weeks a summer.
EDUCATION:
Keene State College, B.A. in Sociology
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Queen City Rotary Club: Member (2007-2013), Director (2009-2012)
HOBBIES:
Drums, camping, hiking, biking, and cooking