Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our strategy includes these current priorities:

• Increase diversity on the Executive Board and Executive Committee to reflect the community we serve.
• Ensure that Council Committee Chairs and Assistant Council Commissioner openings are filled from a diverse pool of volunteers.
• Increase the number of women in leadership roles at the district and unit level.
• Ensure that succession plans and nominating committees at the council, district and unit level consider a diversity of candidates.

 Here are a few note-worthy highlights:

• In the last five years, more than 1,500 female Scouts BSA campers have made lasting memories at Resica Falls. Additionally, we have served Female British Scouts, Japanese Venturers, local Sea Scout Ships and Venturing Crews.
• Females now represent about 20% of our membership.
• Ethnic diversity among our youth membership has increased 14.2% over the previous year.
• Female leaders currently serve as Council Commissioner, Assistant Council Commissioner, Council Advancement Chair, Membership & Marketing Chair, Activities Chair.

Diversity in leadership and membership in the Order of the Arrow has increased. The OA is taking the following steps:

• Increasing membership to better reflect our community. For example, female membership has increased about 15% in five years, and today, females represent 5.3% of OA membership.
• Improving access to opportunities.
• Reflecting our diverse membership in materials and communications.
• Bringing our Admonition, i.e., “To Love One Another” to the forefront.
• Focusing greater attention on leadership development for members.
• Creating a culture that actively listens to and values the many voices in our community.

 At Resica Falls Scout Reservation, we have made these specific improvements:

• Resica has hired an increasing number of females, in both junior staff and camp leadership positions.
• The camp leadership has developed a well-rounded, action-packed program designed to meet a variety of individual needs.
• 27 single use bathroom and shower facilities for all Scouts in addition to single gender facilities.
• Campsites have been upgraded for Scouts with mobility concerns.
• And we’re not done yet; we’ll be adding electricity to camp sites for increased safety and comfort of Scouts.