To: Prairielands Council Volunteers
From: Prairielands Council BSA
By now many of you may have seen the articles in the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets regarding the Boy Scouts of America weighing filing for bankruptcy. I want to take this opportunity to clarify some key points and also reassure you that this is a national BSA Charter issue, and does not involve Prairielands Council.
First, let me clarify that the articles referred to are speculative in nature and no decisions have been made nor are any imminent. As we understand it, national BSA has not filed for bankruptcy. Furthermore, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is often a financial restructuring, not a liquidation. I believe the future of the Boy Scouts of America remains bright.
In reality, the national BSA has had a Task Force in place for over two years that has been evaluating how best to effectively deal with handling claims to our general liability insurance fund, many of which go back 30, 40, even 50 years, while fairly compensating victims who suffered abuse through their Scouting participation.
The Prairielands Council, BSA is an independent not for profit corporation chartered in the state of Illinois. We have our own budgets and assets, locally managed and wholly owned. Dollars given locally, stay local. Through the generosity of generations of supporters, we own our own camp, offices, and investments and manage them through our own local board of directors.
Let me further assure you that the Boy Scouts of America has always been at the forefront of protecting children from abuse and providing a safe environment for our life-changing programs.
Everyone cares deeply about all victims of child sex abuse and are steadfast in our deep belief that even one incident of child abuse is one too many, and at no time in our history have we knowingly allowed a sexual predator to work with youth. We always seek to act swiftly when alerted to abuse allegations.
Should you have any concerns about the health of the BSA, our youth protection policies, or Prairielands Council, please contact the Scout Office and we will be responsive to your inquiry.
It is our sincere hope that the national organization can effectively navigate through the murky waters that many other organizations face in today’s environment.
Thank you for your continued enthusiastic involvement in Scouting programs and Prairielands Council. Your efforts make a difference both now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Randall Kangas
Prairielands Council President
Jared White
Prairielands Council Scout Executive
Scout Shop Phone Number: 217-356-7291
Email: Prairielands@scouting.org
