But what does a Strategic Long Range Plan involve? It is a key baseline, the core of who we are. We believe in some simple but life-changing declarations:

MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

SCOUT OATH:
On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

SCOUT LAW:
A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent.

 These words, the foundation for strategic planning, will serve as the final measurement of our success in determining whether we deliver the promised results.

So how does an organization embark on a Strategic Long Range Plan? The goal is to develop a document that truly is representative of the ideas and opinions of Scouters of all levels. Any long range plan—for business, government or a Boy Scout council—is only effective if everyone feels a shared vision of the program we wish to deliver.

To realize this dream, Greater Pittsburgh Council has begun the initial steps through the Executive Board, developing specific processes and a timeline which will lead the planning effort through various stages to the end result.

Dozens of sub-groups will provide an in-depth look at our current operations and make recommendations on how we grow and move forward as an organization. It will include but not be limited to camping, facilities, our community agenda, marketing, volunteer resources and creating a sense of Scouting’s legacy.

Extensive surveys will be conducted to measure and evaluate our current program quality. If you receive one, we urge you to help our committees by providing a response.

This is key to the process; WE NEED YOU. Whether you are a new or experienced Scouter, if you have ideas, critiques or simple suggestions, we welcome your participation on one of the Long Range Planning Committees. Please don’t miss this opportunity to share your knowledge and create the program that will give Johnny the tools he needs for developing values for a lifetime. Please contact Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh at msurbaug@bsamail.org and indicate your area of interest.

Greater Pittsburgh Council has a long record of quality programming for youth and a solid foundation upon which to build as we walk alongside Johnny into Scouting’s second century.