Risk and Crisis MAnagement

As much as we don't want to think about it, we live in an imperfect world. Unfortunately, the good of Scouting is not immune from the bad things that affect the rest of the world. I wanted to address our handling of those situations as your potential Scout Executive.

Non Negotiables

As your Scout Executive, I will be the front-line risk management officer and communication director for the Gateway Area Council. My commitments as the key risk management figurehead include:

I will strictly follow the policies and procedures of Scouting America.
It is my uncompromised expectation that all Scouting America leaders at the unit, council and professional level strictly follow the policies and procedures of Scouting America.
All membership infractions, membership removals, injuries requiring professional medical attention, action that could lead to future liability concerns and near misses will be entered on Riskonnect within 24 hours of being reported to the council.
Anything learned from these incidents will be used to prevent it from happening again
All membership infractions and risk management situations will be dealt with in the utmost private and professional manner.
Leaders at the unit, council and professional level will receive clear instruction on council risk management procedures.
I will be available with an open door to report any risk management related situation.
I will immediately seek assistance from law enforcement, Scouting America or our legal counsel for any situation outside my scope by law, knowledge or ability.
With the Enterprise Risk Management committee, I will constantly work to assess and mitigate risks that could affect safety or reputation of the Gateway Area Council.
All risk management updates will be communicated to the adult membership on a consistent basis.

Risk and Crisis Management Experience

The above commitments are a combination of Scouting America policy and my own personal experience in dealing with risk management situations. These experiences include:

Being the first reporter and on-site coordinator of a near drowning of a non-Scout on adjoining property at a District Camporee. I was also the council spokesperson for the media attention following the incident,
Professional on-site for a health-related leader fatality, which included contacting the family and following up afterward.
Coordinated professional crisis counseling, charter organization and unit leaders for the first Troop meeting where Scouts learned of the suicide of one of their fellow Scouts.
Serving as the council representative in a deposition for a defamation lawsuit against a unit leader.
Coordinated unit and council response to unit leader and parent arrests for illegal internet material.
Key input professional for Riskonnect.