RE: [Philmont]: Off-Topic: Owasippe Scout Reservation to be sold next week.

At no time has the council done anything or said anything that could
resemble an attempt to save the camp. Their position from day one has
been to sell 2 out of three of their properties. (Owasippe; Hoover a
weekend camp on the SW side that they sold for $18 million last year,
and the council office building on the near west side, which they intend
to keep). All of the Save Owasippe has been external to the
organization. Still, attendance has risen in the past few years in spite
of their lack of promotion, mostly through word of mouth.

As a result of this situation there is a huge chasm between the
volunteer scouters in Chicago and how they view the scouting program and
the board & the professional staff charged with supporting them. This
disconnect between the higher-ups and people in the organization they
are suppose to support is quite alarming. It's as if there are two
scouting programs in Chicago. The one the board is gaveling and the one
executed by the volunteer leaders at the troop level, the moms and dads
who are in the program for their children's benefit. And the gulf
between the two groups may not be brought together for some time yet,
although there have been ad hoc meetings to try. Three time the boards
election slate has been voted down, mostly because of the COR and
Members At Large discontent with their actions regarding the camping
program and Owasippe. A definite display of no confidence for the
slate. However, it's my understanding that the council changes its
bylaws so that if the slate is voted down three time, which it has, they
can automatically approve it themselves regardless of the membership's
desires. They will soon meet and many expect them to do just that.

Meanwhile, there are scouts in the council that need and desire a
camping program that may soon have to shop around to take advantage of
other council's programs. :-(

Anyway, too much band-width on off-topic subject for this list. Just
make sure that there are lessons to learned from this terrible incident
and don't ever let Philmont befall such a fate.

>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: owner-philmont@troop47.com
>>[mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Jim Welton
>>Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 4:55 PM
>>To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
>>Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Off-Topic: Owasippe Scout
>>Reservation to be sold next week.
>>
>>
>>This is sad indeed. One thing I've noticed as this soap opera
>>has unfolded, and the various calls to action have been
>>placed, not once, not one time, did I read, Units please USE
>>the camp. Please head there for weekend camping, please use
>>it for summer camp.
>>
>>YiS,
>>Jim Welton
>>McAllen, Texas
>>Chicago born and bred
>>
>>
>>On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 11:39:49 -0600, Vannerson, William G.
>><WVannerson@foley.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> In case there are any Chicago area scouters out there with
>>an interest
>>> in the welfare of BSA's first and oldest scout camp,
>>Owasippe, below
>>> is a message that's making the email rounds today. Folks
>>interested in
>>> saving the camping program for Chicago Area Council and
>>Midwest scouts
>>> are encouraged to participate in the letter campaign. But
>>it must be
>>> done ASAP as this ad hoc committee meeting is taking place
>>on Tuesday.
>>> The mailing list for the council board members can be found at
>>> www.owasippe.com Thanks.
>>>
>>> BTW, many long time scouters in the Chicago area are particularly
>>> "miffed" today as it seems that the CAC is moving independently on
>>> this action even though the Owasippe Outdoor Education Center, a
>>> non-profit foundation set up in an attempt to preserve the
>>camp, has a
>>> proposal on the table (although unable to put a firm offer forward
>>> just yet). Visit the OOEC website
>>> (http://www.ooec.org) to learn more about the carefully
>>thought out plan.
>>>
>>> Bill "Uncle Willie" Vannerson
>>>
>>>
>>======================================================================
>>> ============================
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> FACT: The prospective buyer would have to buy Owasippe
>>as-is with its
>>> present zoning status...as institutional/recreational.
>>>
>>> FACT: There is only speculation of what the price may be that could
>>> range from $8 mill to $24 mill...only speculation at this point.
>>>
>>> FACT: The OOEC presently does NOT have the funds to
>>purchase Owasippe
>>> nor was it allowed to complete its presentation for management and
>>> usage to the same "Ad Hoc Properties Committee" chaired by Dennis
>>> Chookaszian, ex CEO of CNA Insurance and a past council president.
>>>
>>> ACTION: There is a call to respond by all Scouters, Scouts, Scout
>>> Families, Camp Staff (past and present), and all other Friends Of
>>> Owasippe to write to all of the board members to persuade
>>them to vote
>>> NO on the sale and to vote YES to Owasippe's further
>>program expansion
>>> and enhancement for the good of Scouting. These letters must be
>>> postmarked by mid-day on Friday to ensure delivery by Saturday as
>>> there is no mail deliver on February 21, President's Day.
>>Don't bother
>>> wasting your ink on the council Key-3 of Greenblatt, Stone,
>>and Linse.
>>> See the attachment for names and addresses. DON'T DELAY!
>>>
>>> ACTION: Interested parties are requested to participate in a
>>> Flashlight/Candlelight Vigil outside of the Chicago Area Council
>>> Service Center at 1218 W Adams Street beginning at 7pm on Monday,
>>> February 21st. Bring banners and signs and wear your finest
>>Owasippe
>>> regalia.
>>>
>>> ACTION: Those interested and able are also invited to picket the
>>> location of the CAC Exec Board and regular Board meeting on
>>Tuesday,
>>> February 22nd, beginning at 1:30pm at the Union League Club, 65 W
>>> Jackson Blvd, Chicago IL 60604 (sw corner of Federal and Jackson).
>>>
>>> ACTION: Motivate others within your unit and district to oppose the
>>> sale and ask your district chairman to debate the issue and
>>persuade
>>> other board members to oppose the sale.
>>>
>>> ACTION: Call board members if you know them and appeal to their
>>> civility and compassion for the outdoors in Scouting and
>>their loyalty
>>> to a 94-year old institution, America's Premier Scout Camp.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> THIS IS OUR LAST SHOT TO SAVE OWASIPPE! THERE IS NO TOMORROW!
>>> IMPORTANT NOTICE: The preceding message may be confidential or
>>> protected by the attorney-client privilege. It is not intended for
>>> transmission to, or receipt by, any unauthorized persons. If you
>>> believe that it has been sent to you in error, do not read
>>it. Please
>>> reply to the sender that you have received the message in
>>error. Then
>>> destroy it. Thank you.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>-------------------------------------------------------
>>As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
>>Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
>>loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
>>cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
>>-------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The preceding message may be confidential or protected by the attorney-client privilege. It is not intended for transmission to, or receipt by, any unauthorized persons. If you believe that it has been sent to you in error, do not read it. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error. Then destroy it. Thank you.

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Fri Feb 18 15:37:33 2005