BSA Names New National President
Posted in The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has named John Gottschalk as its new National President at their annual meeting in San Diego.
According to the Omaha World-Herald cited above:
Gottschalk was a Boy Scout from 1951 to 1958 while growing up in Rushville, Neb., and has been involved with the organization as an adult for at least 25 years. He will direct the National Executive Board and assist with preparations for the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2010…
Gottschalk has been a member of the board of trustees of the Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America, since 1983 and a member of its executive committee since 1987.
He has served as chairman of the council and was the Central Region president when it became the only region in Scouting history to have every council achieve quality status. He was chairman of the 2001 National Jamboree.
He has received several awards for his commitment to the Boy Scouts, including the Mid-America Council’s Citizen of the Year award in 1998. As a Life scout, he holds the Silver Beaver (received in 1995) and Silver Antelope (1998) Awards. In 2002 he was awarded the Silver Buffalo, the Boy Scouts’ highest national volunteer award.
Obviously Mr. Gottschalk is an accomplished and well-recognized supporter of the BSA. I expect he will be a worthy president of the BSA. However, I’d like to take this opportunity to give something akin to a very short Scoutmaster’s minute here.
There are many awards and recognitions we can earn in Scouting. Some are given in recognition of tenure. Some are given for completing various training programs. Some are bestowed in recognition of great service or dedication. A few are awarded in recogntion of acts of valor or heroism. Generally speaking, a Scout or Scouter can receive these awards at any point of his life.
However, the most important award a young man may earn in the BSA has a chronological deadline. Once one turns 18 he can no longer work towards this award: Eagle Scout. Mr. Gottschalk was a Life Scout as a youth. No matter what other honors and achievments he may have in his life, he will never be able to say, “I am an Eagle Scout.” Once the sands of time have run out there is no going back.
I wish Mr. Gottschalk well in his term as the BSA’s National President. The BSA stands at a cross-roads and its centennial rapidly approaches. How he helps guide the organization will likely have an effect for many years to come.
John - I assure you that we are in good hands with John. I have worked with him over the last two years, and as the new National Commissioner, I’m sure we’ll spend even more time together in the future. As an aside, the President-Elect for the BSA - taking office in two years - is Rex Tillerson - President and CEO of Exxon-Mobil. Trust me when I tell you that there is great and passionate leadership at the top of the volunteer organization.
Tico