Iroquois Trail Council Scouting Family,
As we shared with you in November of 2022, the Iroquois Trail Council and the Greater Niagara Frontier Council have been engaged in merger discussions. We are excited to let you know that effective May 1, 2023 the councils will formally come together to create the new Western New York Scout Council, Boy Scouts of America.
The Iroquois Trail Council and the Greater Niagara Frontier Council have partnered together for generations on many activities. As a result of this close connection and the desire to grow the Scouting program in WNY, the councils began merger discussions last fall. The result of these careful and detailed discussions was the unanimous realization that the councils were truly stronger if they joined together to share resources and programs. Combining the strengths of each council into one organization will benefit our Scouts and leaders through increased summer and offseason camping opportunities, more frequent training programs, a wider range of council-hosted Scouting events and activities, and a larger council staff to support units.
The WNY Scout Council will serve youth from all of Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, and most of Livingston County. The new council will continue to operate both Scout service centers in Cheektowaga and Oakfield. The council will also continue to operate Camp Scouthaven and Camp Sam Wood.
The Council Boards will be combined with Kevin Cross serving as Council President and Bob Confer serving as Executive Vice President. Joe Lane will serve as Council Commissioner with Paul Fleming as the Assistant Council Commissioner. Board officers will be comprised of representatives from each of the previous councils.
Gary Decker, current Scout Executive & Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, will serve as the Scout Executive & CEO of the newly formed Council and James McMullen, current Scout Executive & CEO of the Iroquois Trail Council will serve as the Deputy Scout Executive & Chief Operating Officer. Staff from both councils will be retained with some taking on new/different duties. Staff assignments will be adjusted to align strengths to best meet the needs of our Scouting families.
The transition process will take a couple of months logistically as we work with BSA National on many system issues behind the scenes. With a new Council name also comes new imagery including a new council shoulder strip, logo, flags, signage, and website all of which will be phased in over the coming days.
We hope you will join us at the Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 18th to reflect on the amazing history of both councils and to celebrate our new future together.
We are excited about the future of Scouting in WNY and believe that we are truly better together. Thank you for all you do for Scouting and the amazing young people we serve.
Yours in Scouting,
Bob Confer, Council President
Paul Fleming, Council Commissioner
Jim McMullen, Scout Executive
