Dear Scouter,
As you are likely aware, the BSA has been working its way through a complex bankruptcy while remaining focused on the following key tenants:
Fair and equitable compensation to victims of abuse. To those that have endured pain, we are deeply sorry.
Do everything in our power to keep youth safe and continue to create a culture of vigilance and shared responsibility as well as accountability.
Preserve the mission of Scouting. Young people and families need our values, teachings, curriculum, and our adventures more now than ever.
I am writing today to provide a critical update. The National Council of the BSA and the 253 local councils have reached a possible agreement with most of the claimant groups allowing us to equitably compensate abuse victims and ensure Scouting’s future by resolving past abuse claims. As you might have seen in the media, the proposed settlement before insurance is $850 million. The National Council will contribute $250 million in assets, and local councils will contribute $600 million.
There are several layers to the ongoing settlement, but we want to dissect some of the more relevant aspects for our Scouting families. The Lake Erie Council will be contributing $6.5 million to the National Trust for Survivors. The Lake Erie Council’s Executive Board examined several avenues to fund the settlement contribution. For now, the council has decided to use a low-interest line of credit.
Nationally, Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier, and the Summit high adventure bases have been retained in the process. Locally, enough assets have been preserved to continue to deliver the Scouting program uninterrupted. No donations will be used to pay our contribution to the Trust for Survivors.
The progress made over the last year is significant, but we are not done yet. The BSA is still working on a resolution for our Charter Partners as part of the global settlement.
In the meantime, if you have inquiries or questions, you can reach me at marc.ryan@scouting.org.
Thank you for your service to and support of our organization, particularly in these challenging times. I want to reiterate that the Lake Erie Council – which provides programming, financial, facility, and administrative support to local units and individual Scouts in our area – remains as committed as ever to delivering Scouting’s unparalleled experiences to young people throughout our communities.
Yours in Scouting,
Scout Executive and CEO
Lake Erie Council, Boy Scouts of America
