Last month, your Council Key 3 – Council Commissioner Scott Hooper, Scout Executive Jory Dellinger, and I, Council Chairman Walt McIntosh – had the opportunity to attend Scouting America’s National Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas. Alongside Scouters from across the country, we heard from national leadership, learned about the new Trail Map to strengthen Scouting and grow membership, and discussed ways to better serve two million youth nationwide.
While the meeting covered a wide range of topics, several themes emerged that will help guide Scouting through the year and support our efforts here in Montana. Here are a few key takeaways that can benefit all of us as we continue to grow.
A major focus was a new Scouting America Trail Map: A Path to Enterprise Strength and Membership Growth. The map is a strategic vision designed to strengthen the organization, support volunteers, and expand the reach of Scouting to more young people across the nation. The map identifies three major trials:
- Relentless Focus on Volunteers
- Simplify, Digitize, and Scale for Growth
- Reinvest to Attract More Youth
While the map does not provide a single “magic solution” for growing and retaining membership, it does serve as a guide for the future while reinforcing Scouting’s values that have shaped generations of leaders. It is exactly that – a map of priorities that will help us deliver stronger programs, support volunteers, and create more opportunities for youth in Montana to experience adventure and leadership development.
Many of the challenges discussed at the meeting are not new. In fact, many are the same issues Scouting has faced for generations. What was encouraging, however, was hearing national leaders reinforce strategies that align closely with the work already underway here in Montana.
Volunteers remain the heartbeat of Scouting. Today’s parents are busy, so rather than overwhelming them with large commitments, units can offer specific, manageable “micro-volunteering” opportunities. Guide new volunteers to success (EDGE method), recognize their contributions, and invite them to help again.
Technology improvements are coming. Efforts are underway to streamline the volunteer experience through ScoutConnect, a unified platform that will eventually bring together BeAScout, registration and renewal, and Scoutbook under a single sign-on.
Membership growth is a system, not an event. Recruitment should be a year-round effort, while retention depends on effective family onboarding, strong unit culture, and meaningful relationships.
High-performing units share common traits. They have trained, unified leaders, deliver a FUN and high-quality Scouting program, and intentionally plan for growth. The encouraging part is that these factors are largely within a unit’s control.
Finally, one message resonated throughout the meeting: Scouting has been hiding in plain sight for too long. We offer experiences that young people need and families value. Every positive conversation about Scouting helps more families discover the opportunities we provide.
If you have questions about the National Annual Meeting, membership growth, or would like to discuss any of these topics further, please reach out to the Director of Field Service, Jeff Duer, or me.
Have a great summer!
Walt McIntosh
Board Chairman, Montana Council
