Christopher Guarniere’s Post

Reflecting on my journey, my relationship with Scouting has been complex. At the age of 12, I was unfortunately expelled from the organization simply because of my sexual orientation. It was a challenging experience, as Scouting was something I deeply enjoyed. During my college years, I harbored resentment towards Scouting and initially had no desire to engage with their issues. I asked my professor to pair me with a different company for my Marketing Capstone and my mind was set on not helping Boy Scouts of America. It wasn't until I discovered the profound impact community involvement, enrichment, and diversity can have in Scouting that my perspective shifted and I decided to stay and help research BSA’s issues. Despite my negative experience, I found myself drawn back to Scouting's potential for positive change. I began working to foster a more inclusive environment for all youth. Reflecting on my experiences, including my involvement in the Spring 2023 Marketing Research Capstone at OSU and ongoing advocacy efforts at Simon Kenton Council for diversity, inclusion, and equity, I feel grateful for the opportunity to have potentially contributed to this significant change. I believe that my contributions, alongside many others pushing for more ESG-based principles, have played a role in fostering an environment where such progress is possible. Now, I'm a queer, gender non-conforming POC deeply involved in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within Scouting. My past experiences have fueled my passion for ensuring that no one faces discrimination like I did. It's a journey that's both personal and meaningful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of scouting for the better. As we celebrate this milestone, I look forward to continuing to support and champion initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and belonging within our community and beyond. #DiversityandInclusion #Scouting #NonProfit #SocialImpact #AdvocacyMatters

Seems like the Leatherstocking Council, BSA can always count on the Oneonta, NY Daily Star to cover our events! Front page placement for our Eagle Scout recognition dinner every January is certainly something the Scouting community truly appreciates. This article does a nice job of highlighting several of last year's community service projects for their readers. #boyscouts #eaglescouts #communityservice #leadershipdevelopment #youthleadership

The Boy Scouts of America National Annual Meeting opened this morning, announcing the first of a series of historic changes. In the afternoon, more history was made when a founding member and current assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 219 (Oak Ridge, NC), Selby Chipman, became the first female Eagle Scout to deliver a keynote address during a BSA annual meeting. Selby shared her experiences as a Scout and as a member of Troop 219, in particular, to make the case that Scouting is for all. And, for that to become a reality, change is required. The following is a portion of her speech that speaks to change. ‘Our Groundbreaker patrol believed the sky was the limit. We thought it would be easy to get moving. Everyone would be so excited to support us. After all… my brother’s troop celebrated us in a ceremony that included us in a slideshow about important women in history. In reality….we caused a bit of a stir. Especially among people firmly rooted in scouting’s all-male tradition. Change can be hard…especially changing course of a hundred-year-old scouting tradition…that’s been heading in one direction for so long. While some girls…who joined Boys Scouts in those early days…may have second guessed themselves or caved into the naysayers…our troop’s founders believed history has taught us valuable lessons. When you are among the first, there are challenges for sure….but you also have an opportunity to heed the call. We groundbreakers decided to dig in…and lead by example. We would undertake every requirement toward our journey to Eagle knowing we were leading the way as trailblazers.” Today, a new opportunity beckons—a call to step up and lead as trailblazers. Will you help shape the future of Scouting, making it truly inclusive and diverse? Scouting is for all.™ #ScoutingAmerica #ScoutMeIn #nesa #beascout #eaglescout

The Boy Scouts of America National Annual Meeting opened this morning, announcing the first of a series of historic changes. In the afternoon, more history was made when a founding member and current assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 219 (Oak Ridge, NC), Selby Chipman, became the first female Eagle Scout to deliver a keynote address during a BSA annual meeting. Selby shared her experiences as a Scout and as a member of Troop 219, in particular, to make the case that Scouting is for all. And, for that to become a reality, change is required. The following is a portion of her speech that speaks to change. ‘Our Groundbreaker patrol believed the sky was the limit. We thought it would be easy to get moving. Everyone would be so excited to support us. After all… my brother’s troop celebrated us in a ceremony that included us in a slideshow about important women in history. In reality….we caused a bit of a stir. Especially among people firmly rooted in scouting’s all-male tradition. Change can be hard…especially changing course of a hundred-year-old scouting tradition…that’s been heading in one direction for so long. While some girls…who joined Boys Scouts in those early days…may have second guessed themselves or caved into the naysayers…our troop’s founders believed history has taught us valuable lessons. When you are among the first, there are challenges for sure….but you also have an opportunity to heed the call. We groundbreakers decided to dig in…and lead by example. We would undertake every requirement toward our journey to Eagle knowing we were leading the way as trailblazers.” Today, a new opportunity beckons—a call to step up and lead as trailblazers. Will you help shape the future of Scouting, making it truly inclusive and diverse? Scouting is for all.™ #ScoutingAmerica #ScoutMeIn #nesa #beascout #eaglescout

Most calendars let you see events one month or one week at a time, but not a whole year on one page with event titles. Teamup allows you to see all events for the entire year. There are three ways to do so. Demonstrated on this video is the program calendar at Boy Scouts of America - Chief Seattle Council: https://lnkd.in/evD2q6qK #BSA #scouts #programschedule #calendar

My kids are part of the 1 million+ youth who are in Scouting America. Today is our Blue & Gold Celebration and I am reflecting on what my family has gained from participating. This wouldn't have been possible without Scouts BSA evolving to become a more inclusive organization, which pre-empted the name change to Scouting America. This Forbes article describes some of what the brand is getting right. Speaking as a den leader and Scout parent, I agree. #ScoutMeIn https://lnkd.in/gz6Rqfew

James, at 9, showcased his gleaming Scouts badge, a proud emblem of the age-old Scouts motto, "Be Prepared". Introduced by Robert Baden-Powell, this motto serves as a guiding lighthouse, pushing us to navigate life's unpredictable waters with preparation and purpose. In our evolving educational landscape, while schools provide a strong academic foundation, there's a universe outside the classroom ripe for exploration. The Scouting movement complements formal education, ensuring our children are not just scholars but well-rounded individuals. Beyond textbooks, "Be Prepared" encourages experiential learning, from the camaraderie around campfires to the art of tent-knotting. Moreover, it instills values often overlooked in our information-rich world. In this era of globalization, our children are part of a vast interconnected village. "Be Prepared" preps them to appreciate global diversity while emphasizing local duties. Parents, if you seek a holistic upbringing for your child, introduce them to Scouting. Ensure they have the best compass to sail through life's storms and emerge as tomorrow's champions. Infographic Alert: Discover how Scouting complements traditional education. References: •Baden-Powell, R. Scouting for Boys. •Larson, R., Hansen, D., & Moneta, G. Developmental psychology. #Scouts #BePrepared #ScoutsLegacy

Community Partnerships

Más Que Fútbol! That is a core value for our Soccer Complex. It's a project that began with Salinas community members, including @Kurt Gollnick and @Catherine Kobrinsky, back in 2008, establishing the Salinas Regional Sports Authority. Moved by an unshakeable belief that soccer is more than just a sport and driven by a vision of offering our community not only a high-end facility but also dynamic spaces. These facilities will serve as more than just places to play; they will be hubs for learning, growth, and camaraderie. Partnering with local child-serving organizations, we envision these spaces becoming vital centers for after-school programs, training sessions, and skill-building activities. What began as a vision from two people has now extended to 10 other volunteer board members, each of whom contributes to making this vision a reality. We are grateful for @Alexis Diaz-Infante, @Alma Cervantes, @Don Chapin, @Maricela Cruz, @Eric Johnsen, @Ian Jones, Dr. Carissa Purnell, and @Lino Belli. It takes a village to bring about change, and below our village can be seen at work, collaborating to bring the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, a hub that will bring impact to its community way beyond the sport. #másquefútbol, #communityforchange, #socccer, #youthdevelopement,#soccertransforms

Looking for a Friday night movie? 🍿 I recently watched The Boys in the Boat, a film about the underdog University of Washington rowing team that defied the odds to win gold at the 1936 Olympics. Their journey wasn't just about skill—it was about leadership, resilience, and the power of collective effort. These lessons apply not only to leadership but also to collective philanthropy 💪🌍, where individuals come together to achieve a greater impact. Here's my three thoughts on the synergies: 1. Unity drives success 🤝: The team succeeded by moving as one, not through individual strength. Similarly, collective philanthropy thrives when people unite their resources creating a far greater impact together than they could alone. 2. Diversity and understanding ❤️: Just as the coaches recognized each rower's strengths, collective philanthropy requires understanding of diverse needs and perspectives, but also knowing how to leverage diverse skillsets to create lasting impact. 3. Shared purpose 🎯: The team stayed focused on Olympic gold, driven by a shared goal. In collective philanthropy, philanthropists, organizations and communities thrive when everyone works in sync towards a common objective. Key too is funding the means to collaborate by engaging a back-bone organization, for example. The Boys in the Boat is a reminder that whether in leadership or philanthropy, success comes from a shared vision, diverse perspectives, and a united effort. Together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone. 🌟 #Leadership #Teamwork #Resilience #CollectivePhilanthropy