Two weeks ago, I – along with Kyle Lantz and Dustin Shoemake – had the opportunity to represent the Montana Council at the 2018 Top Hands meeting in Washington, D.C.
This meeting is an annual assembly of the top BSA professionals in each Council across the country.
The meeting was fantastic, and it is exciting to see all of the new work being done with IT systems and programs in the BSA. Of the six Top Hands that I have attended, this one was by far the best.
I ran into our former Director of Field Service, Kyle Smith. If you recall, he is now the Scout Executive in Salina, KS. He sends his best to the Council and showed me something that he sent out to his Council a few weeks back. (See attachment)
Name Change? What Name Change?
The closing luncheon featured a special keynote by Captain Kristen Griest, US Army – First female Army Ranger, Combat Infantryman Badge, Infantry Company Commander, Bronze Star recipient.
Captain Griest expressed that one of her greatest pains in life was watching her brothers earn their Eagle Scout badge and not being able to herself. She has an incredible story/perspective on girls breaking barriers.
She shared how appreciative she was that someone created the environment that allowed her the opportunity to achieve the standards. She just needed the opportunity to compete on equal grounds. Impressive. Read more about it here: First female Ranger grads open up about the aftermath and joining the infantry.
Change is never easy, but always necessary. I for one do not want to see the BSA be irrelevant in my lifetime or anyone’s lifetime.
We build strong leaders, teams and service-oriented individuals. We need more people of sound moral character.
I for one say, “Scout Me In!”
Jory Dellinger
Interim Scout Executive
