The Orange County Council has all the risk. That is why there are cut backs. OC Council has to maintain and pay for staff at the new OEC along with borrow money in order to build the new facility.

Is that not a risk? They have staff, equipment, supplies among other things to keep OSO Lake running along with Newport Sea Base.

No risk?

The sale of the popcorn helps the local troops, packs and units.

Is it cheaper to just deposit $400.00 in your own savings account to help pay for the program? Of course.

Such action would prevent funds from being spent on programs and services subsidized by Council and Scouts would actually have to pay $400 or $500 to go to Day Camp. Along with paying $40.00 a night/camper in camping fees, instead of a mere $10.00.

This year with their investments tanking (as highlighted recently by the OC Register) fees will likely go up. With decrease revenues from popcorn sales (that are likely given the negative campaign against the Boy Scouts by the Orange County Register) that money is recouped by cutting services, prohibiting pay raises to match cost of living among other things.

I did notice that my final response was deleted by the OC Register as it stated too many facts that countered the ten (10) articles written about the organization.

You have to question why the OC Register does not want someone to actually present information that presents the facts in detail?

$974.00 based on 28 percent of the sales..Which goes to the local council for his efforts.

$700.00 based on 20 percent goes to his local troop.
The troop makes the next level of money and helps with the expenses relative to direct cost associated with supporting the troop efforts such as fuel expenses for troop transportation as it is an all volunteer group.

$418.00 based on 12 percent goes to the scouts personal account..
Mom and dad pay for all the fuel and other expenses relative to the sale of popcorn including taking financial responsibility for the sales.
Including anyone who writes the scout a bad check..

The council has zero risk and gains most of the money..

In all reality it is a child labor law violation to profit from the effort of a child.. I cant see why the council makes the most without any risk or expense.
The scout makes peanuts for his efforts, mom and dad lose money for his efforts. even the prizes earned are given by the popcorn company, not the council..

The only one winning with no effort at all, is the local council of the boy scouts who have to share there bounty with the national council.. Who also have no risk and only a profit to gain..
They are making most of the profit and they do have a payroll. As they are not volunteers. They are employees of a non profit organization designed to make money.
They just spend it ALL to maintain a non profit profile. On what ?
I have not seen the council do anything for free myself.

Some large amounts of that are paid to its highest level execs..
Off the efforts and labors of a child.
Bottom line.

I know this is true.
The scout was my son .. Based on his popcorn sales of this year.
This years popcorn sales. in 2008
We do support him in his efforts, although it would be cheaper for us to just deposit 418.00 to his account in cash. The efforts and responsibility and liability weigh heavy against that 418.00 payload..
:}

That is just my opinion and 2 cents worth and the figures are approximate but close enough.

Let’s compare the BSA executive salary to the salaries of another “kid” oriented OC organization… Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

CHOC is a major advertiser in OC Register and their community papers too.

So, they won’t post these things without having a phone call from their PR team.

The top paid executives at CHOC consume $4,369,374 in tax payer funds. The top paid independent contractors consume another $28,180,343 in tax payer funds.

Highest paid executives (consuming $4,369,374.00 in 2005)
(Page 9 of 32 appears to list Kim Cripe and Kerri Ruppert salary as zero. This unusual statement is also reflected in a statement on the Board of Directors. However, if you look at the tax return for Children’s Healthcare of California (a related organization), you will find the pertinent information. It appears that Ms. Ruppert chooses to post her salary related to CHOC on the CHC return. It is also interesting that the Children’s Healthcare of California return lists that Kim Cripe spends 2 hours per week working on the non-profit.

$1,101,159 - Kim Cripe - Chief Executive Officer - $846,394 in compensation, $215,965 in benefits, and $38,800 in expense accounts

$679,794 - Kerri Ruppert - Chief Financial Officer - $517,989 in compensation, $136,561 in benefits, and $25,244 in expense accounts

$630,424 - Maria Minon - Ex-officio Director - $441,664 in compensation, $168,489 in benefits, $20,271 expense account

$400,223 - Mark Headland - VP & Chief Info Officer - $311,194 in compensation, $79,342 in benefits, $9,687 expense account

$387,372 - Dana Bledsoe - VP Patient Services - $292,566 in compensation, $79,415 in benefits, $15,391 expense account

$384,629 - Margaret Conk - VP Business Development - $277,699 in compensation, $87,209 in benefits, $19,721 expense account

$280,331 - Theresa E. Gianfortune - VP Human Resources - $220,109 in compensation, $70,254 in benefits, $9,968 expense account

$271,990 - David R. Schinderle - VP Finance - $196,870 in compensation, $61,107 in benefits, $14,013 expense account

$233,452 - Steve O’Kane - Ex-officio director - $213,000 in compensation, 0 in benefits, $20,452 in expense account

Here is the real facts:

Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts use 10% of their revenues to pay for salaries and administration.

Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts use 90% directly in their programs.

The real decrease in the ratings for the Boy Scouts is related to the 9% decrease in revenue growth which places their programs at risk for cancellation. However, they are also reducing expenses!

By reducing their expenses their capacity rating takes a huge hit and this affects the overall rating.

Let us get the facts straight.

Executives are paid for their responsibilities and this is the same for all organizations. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts continue to create wonderful leaders in our society.

Regarding papa’s comment I want to defend the Girl Scouts a little as their method of leadership delivery is different then the Boy Scouts. As a father I do see a lot of involvement in the Boy Scouts; however, my daughter is becoming a great leader using a method that I too think is a little slower - however it is working.

Hopefully the next article in this “watchdog” or “doghunt” series will focus on the volunteers and the activities our young children are able to do through both of these wonderful and rewarding organizations.

Add another $5M for salaries that still leaves over $10M for them to use to help Scouting throughout the World.

These salaries are actually below normal for such a large organization that is responsible for millions of people!