SWOT Summary Internal Analysis: Strengths

Current Strategic Position: Synopsis of 9 Different Groups Inputs on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

SWOT Summary Internal Analysis: Strengths

·  Well recognized and respected brand

·  Extremely effective and proven leadership development model

·  Large alumni of former members and volunteers

·  Two camp facilities to provide differentiated programming across a wide area

·  Strong balance sheet with little debt and good financial stewardship

·  Long term volunteers with extensive knowledge and experience available to train and mentor new leaders

·  Outstanding resident camp programs with high percentage of Boy Scout Troops attending

·  Long term relationship with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for support of the camp facility and Scouting programs in North West Kansas

·  Availability of support materials online

·  Scouting is affordable

·  Unique market position in providing values based programming and character education

·  Number of Unit Serving Executives relative to total available youth is one of the best in the country

·  One of the highest per Scout product sales in the Country provides significant funding to units and our Council

SWOT Summary Internal Analysis: Weaknesses

·  Vast geography that makes communication and coordination a challenge

·  Poor database software and management of records overtime

·  Camp properties are underutilized and have high vacancy rates

·  No national advertising campaigns

·  Retention of Scouts and duration of time in the program are issues

·  Turnover of volunteers in Cub Scout Packs

·  Small percentage of participating families support the annual Friends of Scouting Campaign

·  General public has a lack of awareness of Scouting’s need for funding

·  Turnover in volunteers and lack of succession planning loses institutional knowledge in local units

·  The website and online materials are difficult to navigate and overwhelming for some new leaders and parents

·  Many Scout units do not have a well planned calendar and the meetings are viewed as disorganized by families

·  Timing of the popcorn sale leaves a significant piece of revenue unknown until the fourth quarter with little time to react the results

SWOT Summary External Analysis: Opportunities

·  Technology to improve communication to widely dispersed populations

·  Growth in the number families in Riley and Geary County

·  National issues of environmental education and childhood obesity match some of Scouting’s aims

·  Regional institutions available for partnership on programming and recruitment of volunteers

o  Universities, trade schools, other non profits, conservation and recreation groups

·  Numerous faith based organizations willing to charter local Scouting units

·  Career exploration is desired by students and school systems

·  School budgets are strained on supporting extracurricular activities and they are looking for outside providers

·  Local media is easy to work with and desirous of local community stories

·  Numerous long time donors and volunteers are in a position to evaluate their estate plans and make a provision for Scouting

·  Using existing members and volunteers to more actively promote Scouting and the brand

·  Ft. Riley is seeing the return of many families as the troop levels are reduced over seas

SWOT Summary External Analysis: Threats

·  Competition for youth time is fierce and continues to grow

·  The Boy Scouts of America is an unpopular and uncool brand for older youth

·  Constraints on parents time makes it difficult to obtain enough volunteers

·  National media coverage often portrays Scouting in a negative way

·  Increases in divorced families and single parent household makes traditional family participation model in Scouting challenging

·  Continued uncertainty about the economy and financial stability

·  Scouting’s access to discuss our programs with youth at school facilities is limited in some areas and the trend will likely continue

·  One significant incident regarding the health and safety of youth members can negatively impact the organization significantly

·  A significant portion of the operating budget is sourced from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation

·  Online sales of Scouting supply items will continue to encroach on the financial viability of our retail operation

·  Risk management efforts and increased safety measures increase the burden on volunteer program leaders in trying to provide dynamic programming