How do we grow Membership?

In the last installment, I mentioned that we had developed a Membership Growth Plan. When I say “we” I mean a whole bunch of us. The Bay-Lakes Council team, volunteers, Scouts, National, and just about anyone else I could find willing to discuss the topic with me. The plan is comprehensive. For us to achieve membership growth as a council, we’re going to need everyone to work on it. The plan involves several key points. Some, but not all include:

1) “Borrowing” best practices from other councils.

2) Getting input from National (they’re working on the problem too).

3) Adding new Board talent who can open key doors for us.

4) Combining the new talent with existing talent to take advantage of new ideas while leveraging vast institutional knowledge.

5) Integrating Membership with Marketing. You can’t be good at one if you’re not good at the other.

6) Re-inventing Committees and stacking them with talent. Including Eagle Scouts.

7) Focusing on retention. It’s easier to grow if you can keep the kids you already have

8) Re-inventing our website. Form and function.

9) Embracing National pilot programs like Chipmunks, Come Camp with Us, and Adventure Club. If National thinks these will lead to growth, we’re going to participate.

10) And most importantly -- restructuring our Field Staff.

Today we are focusing on that last point. Why do we want to restructure our Field Staff? Reasons as follows:

1) Re-Allocation of workload

2) Leveraging talent

3) Providing better service

4) Unifying membership best practices council-wide

So, what does all that mean? First, we’re NOT re-districting -- we are keeping the districts intact and creating “service areas.” Basically, our District Executives will be covering geographic areas which will give each of them around the same number of units to cover. This is much different than the way it is now, where the unit totals can vary dramatically by District Executive. In addition to this balancing of the workload, there will be some relocations of District Executives to get them closer to the geography they will cover. As you will see from the map below, this means that some will cover units from two districts. I know there will be questions about Roundtables and leadership roles. Your District Executive will be reaching out to you directly to discuss those questions. Also, District Executives will flex to provide service in geographic areas other than their own when needed. This team approach will help when situations such as multiple Join Nights occur on the same night in a single district.

Lastly, we are leveraging our talent by promoting Jason Splinter to the newly created position of Business Partnerships Director. In this position, Jason will be focusing on new incremental membership opportunities. His attention will be targeted towards Exploring Posts with larger corporate partners, non-traditional membership opportunities like partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs, new business membership focuses like active-duty military families, and the aforementioned new programs like Chipmunks, Come Camp with Us, and Adventure Club. Jason also will be lending support when needed in the Gathering Waters District, as well as all other districts.

The bottom line on all of this is that our membership growth plan for 2026 is 1.5%. To achieve this, we need to increase our retention to 70% and add 1,226 new members (last year we added 1,210). To make it happen, we’re all going to have to chip in. As always, if you have questions or comments, please email or call me. I will keep you posted as the year goes on. Let’s Grow!

James Martin

Scout Executive/C.E.O.

james.martin@scouting.org

(920) 734-5705

Every Scout. Every family. Every opportunity. Let’s grow! The 2026 Golden Ticket Spring Recruiting Campaign runs March 15 through May 15, and every current Scout earns one Golden Ticket for each friend they recruit who joins any program. Each Golden Ticket becomes an entry to win this year’s grand prize — a drone built for adventure — along with additional outdoor prizes including tents, sleeping bags, hammocks, and more.

This council-wide effort strengthens Packs, Troops, Crews, and Ships as we head into summer, whether by building dens, reinforcing patrols, or expanding high‑adventure teams. Spring is the perfect time for Scouts to invite friends to discover the fun, challenge, and community of Scouting. When units grow now, they step into summer with energy, excitement, and a stronger foundation for the year ahead.

Come join us for a weekend of camping and learning Saturday, April 25-26, 2026, at Camp Rokilio! This fun and informative course includes much outdoor learning, camping, knife safety, GPS, hiking, cooking and more! Beyond outdoor skills, we teach fun programming tips, ceremonies, and how to put on memorable campfire programs. Get hands on learning experience about what it means to be a Cub Scout!

Completion of the BALOO course is required for at least ONE leader or parent in a Pack that attends any overnight programming including, Webelos/AOL campouts, family camps, museum overnighters, EAA sleepovers, Zoo campouts, etc.

The cost is $60 per adult which covers food, program materials, take home resources and facilities. For more information, please contact Tammi Thurow.

The Bay-Lakes Council contingent for Philmont is looking for one more adult and a couple more youth to attend a high adventure backpacking trek in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Cimarron, New Mexico. Travel by Amtrak train to New Mexico, then spend eleven days and ten nights on the trail at “Scouting’s Paradise”. This is not a glorified summer camp. Philmont Scout Ranch provides the opportunity for groups to select backpacking trips of 50 to over 100 miles in length. There are 250,000 acres of mountain terrain available for you to explore. Our group may participate in multiple activities including climbing high mountain peaks (up to 12,441 feet); gold panning; mountain biking; rock climbing; horseback riding; black powder, pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooting; homesteading; burro packing; and much more. You will have the chance to see and experience how people lived in the old West. Most participants consider a trip to Philmont among the highlights of their Scouting careers.

Camp with us during the GT World Challenge Weekend and enjoy thrilling adventures and amazing experiences at Road America. Scouts will get a 3-day experience come for a day or stay all three days. Activities include walking/riding bikes around the 4 miles race circuit, outdoor movie on the big screen during sun set, explore the paddock and pits talking with race teams and drivers, hands on automotive activities, disc golfing, geocaching, grid walk and present the colors during the National Anthem, explore karting day that Saturday with go-kart races happening on the Motorplex circuit., and so much more!

Help Your Unit Reach Its Friends of Scouting Goal with Give Lively

Friends of Scouting (FOS) provides critical support for Scouting across Bay‑Lakes Council—funding camp operations and maintenance, financial assistance, volunteer training, online systems, and council services that directly benefit Scouts and leaders. Best of all, FOS dollars stay right here in our council.

This year, Scout families and leaders are encouraged to use Give Lively, the council’s online fundraising platform, to create individual peer‑to‑peer fundraising pages that support Friends of Scouting and help units reach their FOS goals.

Why Use Give Lively?

Give Lively makes fundraising simple and personal. Scouts and families can set up a fundraising page in minutes, share their Scouting story, and invite friends, family members, and supporters to contribute online. Donations raised through Give Lively are credited toward your unit’s Friends of Scouting goal, helping your unit—and the council—succeed.

Peer‑to‑peer fundraising works because it allows families to reach supporters who may not attend an FOS presentation, while giving donors an easy way to give anytime.

Earn Valuable Unit Incentives

Units that reach their Family Friends of Scouting goals can earn meaningful rewards, including:

Bay-Lakes Council Staff Updates

In addition to his Scouting experience, Jason brings 25 years of retail management experience, including 15 years as General Manager of Dunham’s Sports in Stevens Point, which has contributed to his success with the Bay-Lakes Council.

Please join us in congratulating Jason on his new role!

Transitioning into a professional capacity four years ago, she has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, a collaborative spirit, and a steadfast commitment to supporting our youth and volunteer leaders.

Throughout her tenure, Tammi has been instrumental in fostering community partnerships and driving membership growth. By bridging the Twin Lakes and Ledge to Lakes districts, she aims to streamline communication, share best practices, and create even more robust opportunities for Scouts to lead and excel.

Please join us in congratulating Tammi Thurow on this new chapter.

She worked at Bear Paw Scout Camp for 2 years and Rokilio/Gardner Dam for 2 years and is excited to be the 2026 Program Director at Rokilio & Gardner Dam this upcoming Summer.

Mydasia is ready to assist and help grow the Gathering Waters District, as well as meet all of its amazing volunteers!

Join us in congratulating these recent Bay-Lakes Council Eagle Scouts:

Brett T. Iding is from Troop 741 out of Hartford, WI, in the Kettle Country District. He completed his Board of Review on January 6, 2026. 

Feedback: Have a thought or question? We'd love to hear from you. Please share your comments with us. It is easy; just reply to this email or send a message to guide@baylakesbsa.org.