Switching councils

[Podscouter 0]

Where to begin...? Several years ago, out council merged with a nearby larger council due to financial mis-management, we were going bankrupt. A new mega-council was formed which now consists of 16 counties in 3 states totaling 15 districts. Relations with the larger "mother" council has always been a little rocky. Committee meetings are nearly always held in their "home area", which can be an hour or more away and often on weekday afternoons, which makes it impossible for working scout volunteers to attend meetings, leading to "their" people dominating the meetings. They have stacked committees with people not looking out for best intrests of individual districts. This has left a bitter taste of No Representation that has become heated recently. We struggled through for a few more  years but recent actions have broken the camel's back. They have recently voted to close the resident camp of our old council in favor of their council camp. They cite decreased numbers of campers and money constraints but analysis of camping data, that they released, shows that their camp has fewer campers and is losing money while our camp remains steady in attendance and has turned a profit over the last few years. Many if not most of the units in our home 5 districts are fed up and considering switching to another council, which has expressed intrest in keeping our camp open. Question is, can this be done, and if so, how?
I had read on other posts the suggestion of not rechartering and then use a charter organization within the new council to start up again but that seems silly. The mega-council would be left controlling a large area with no units in it. Does anyone know of a "happy" way to switch out of a council?

[MattR 2659]

Welcome @Podscouter.

The only happy thing I can think of is having a sit down with the council exec, president, etc. It's time to make connections and relationships.

[PACAN 220]

This is the BSA Franchise organizational method they use.  If you are in their area you are trapped regardless of the level or non level of service and communication you receive.  The method of shutting down and restarting is an option but unless you get a new sponsor, the new council will likely not take you in due to the secret handshakes and your support will get worse from your current council.

[qwazse 4342]

@Podscouter, welcome to the forums.

You are describing the Laurel Highland's Council, and it sounds like you are in one of the former Penn's Woods Council. I'm from the western side of "The Bridge Over Westmoreland County."

I'm not calling you out for anything personal. It's just that in recent years this council has been put forward as a case study. So, calling a spade a spade will give people a chance to talk about their opinions.

Your part of the state has so much to offer, so camp closures their would indeed be a real disappointment.

And the people who live in these districts are top-notch. Ignoring them would be the true tragedy in all of this.

[oldisnewagain1 42]

On 10/8/2018 at 11:36 AM, qwazse said:

@Podscouter, welcome to the forums.

You are describing the Laurel Highland's Council...

Funny, sounds a lot like several other councils (mine included)

But there is nothing that says you have to attend the in council camp when there are great camps in other councils.  (Events too)

Edited October 31, 2018 by oldisnewagain1

[SSScout 1615]

The only "legal" way around this is to lobby the CORs in all the member Scout Unit COs. The CORs are, by definition, the voting trustees of the Council, no matter how it was /is constituted.  If you cannot persuade the PTB of the present Council (are there any not so obvious conflicts of interest?) that what they are proposing is not "Scouty", , then someone (you? ) needs to research the actual ownership of the camp in question.  Trust?  Deeds?  Conditions of transfer?   

There have been other examples of Scout camps being (or trying to be sold) sold in less than transparent ways.   See the thread.., Good bye Owasippe.