Again let us break that down into how much of this salary is actually represented on the paychecks. Remember the following items are considered compensation on the books but are really never seen by the employee:

Social Security (employer share)
Medicare (employer share)
State Disability (employer share)
Medical Benefits (employer share)
Dental Benefits (employer share)

Also consider these numbers include:
Retirement Benefits (employer share)
401K Investments (employer share)
Reimbursed Expenses among other things

Also I believe Les is paying back relocation expenses that the Council loaned him to take the job. Most employers seeking top management completely pay for these expenses, which include loss of value in home asset from selling, down payment assistance, moving company and so forth. I do not know why he is having to repay those back to the Council.

The people at the top just like the people at the bottom have a cost of living, including paying for gas to get to work.

And does this 8% including health benefits or reimbursed expenses?

The people at the top took an 8% pay increase.
How do you justify asking others to give more, when the people at the top take more?

From CHOC alone (not the Sisters of St. Joseph)…

$1,300,143 - DGWB Advertising - 217 N. Main Street, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA, 92701
(THAT IS 1.3 MILLION DOLLARS… Anyone at Freedom want to comment on how much of that goes in the pocket of the REGISTER and clouds this discussion?)

What was the OC Council advertising budget from BSA?

I bet it was low.

The Register only publishes the news that is supported by real revenue.

Between 2000 and 2006 Boy Scouts of America has more then doubled their revenue growth.

Between 2003 and 2006 the Boy Scouts sold over $4M in assets. This includes camp assets in the amount of $1.4M following back to back years in 2002 & 2003 of less then half the normal public contributions. Since then asset sales are under control with less then 200K gain from security sales in 2006.

Les Baron replaced Kent Gibbs as the Scout Executive in 2004 at a savings of $100,000 in compensation in 2004! Since 2004 under Les Baron management program revenues continue to increase over a $1M annually as Scouts pay their share for program sponsered events - and yes scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the $30-35 weekend fees for camp. I strongly urge the Community to support fundraising efforts as a portion of the revenue (30% average) remain with the Pack to help their neighborhood based families attend the Scouting programs at a reduced cost.

Under Les Baron management public support nearly doubled since 2003 following back to back years where revenue from public contributions was flat.

Now I personally think Les Baron is worth the same if not more salary then Kent Gibbs was paid for his outstanding efforts to clean up the balance sheet and promote Scouting to the Community.

The fact remains that 2006 was an adjustment year as public contributions went from nearly $12M to $7M due in part to an economic slowdown and discontinue of support for Community Organizations that support leadership in our Youth by the United Way.

If you want to look at the numbers yourself, download them from GuideStar.

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

Thank you for bringing this issue to light in our Community and thank you all that can help for supporting the Scouting Organizations. To help the Girl Scouts, please visit gscoc.org