I’m Proud to Serve on the Board of Directors of the Greater Colorado Council, Scouting America.

Joe’s acceptance speech was awesome. He thanked the board for helping him through Scouting as a youth. I know that no board members at that breakfast were on the board when Joe was a young scout, but the meaning, the value, was very true, as it was fifty years ago.

I’m extremely proud and honored to serve on the Greater Colorado Council executive board. I am proud and honored to serve on all the boards I serve on. I believe if given that honor, I need to uphold my and the organization’s values. I don’t miss meetings. If they ask me to serve, then my duty is to serve, to attend, listen, follow, and lead. I carry those issues, values, and goals with me everywhere I go. I want to uphold the values and traditions of Scouting and the board, and I want my fellow board members to understand and appreciate my efforts. I truly appreciate theirs!

Joe Black, a friend of mine through Scouting, was awarded the Vale la Pena award this week at the Greater Colorado Council, Scouting America executive board meeting. Joe could not make the award ceremony next week, so he was given the award at the board meeting.

What struck me about Joe’s speech was how it still held value today, based on facts that occurred fifty years ago. Joe did not grow up in a household that had money to send him on scouting adventures or training. Yet, when someone thought he should go, the money appeared. That was what he was thanking the board for, the board leads by its decisions, actions, and with their wallets. The board refers to this as their treasures. The board leadership today, the same as it was fifty years ago, is to make sure all youth have the opportunity, in whatever opportunity that may be.

The Greater Colorado Council board of directors, from their own pockets, raises one million dollars each year. I’m embarrassed because I have the smallest wallet in the group, yet I’m so proud to be part of that group.

Money is not the only thing the members of the board lead with; their time is given freely. Not only time to attend board meetings, trustee meetings and key 6 meetings, but they can be found at our dinners thanking volunteers, at any meeting promoting the values of Scouting, wearing a Scout pin on their suits, at camp working on property issues, raising money from their friends and putting their efforts in, whether by action, wallet or with a shovel in their hand.

The board has made the commitment that no scout will ever be denied the opportunity if they want to take it for any reason. Wallets are opened, and the youth in our council advance.

That is what Joe was talking about in his poignant message. This board is continuing a long tradition of helping the youth of America in whatever way they can. With their time, their talent, and their treasures.

Joe’s speech made one unsaleable point: it is with the time, talent, and treasures of the Executive Boards of Scouting America Councils in the US that we are moving our country forward. In Colorado, we have been doing that for 115 years; the last fifty, we were reminded about this week.

Thank you, Joe. Thank you, members of the Greater Colorado Council, Scouting America Board of Directors. You are making Scouting happen, reaching every scout, to make sure they have every opportunity Scouting presents to them. I’m extremely honored and proud to be a member of the Greater Colorado Council board of directors. I’m proud to have Joe as a friend. I’m a member of the Greater Colorado Council board of directors.