12/14/21

Dear Scouting Community,

As you may be aware, the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has made significant progress in its financial restructuring as part of our ongoing efforts to reach a global resolution that will equitably compensate survivors and ensure the mission of Scouting continues for years to come.

As a result of extensive mediated negotiations, the BSA is extremely pleased to report that we have reached an agreement that will add an $800 million contribution from Century Indemnity Company and related companies to the proposed Settlement Trust to compensate survivors. The Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice, the Future Claimants’ Representative, the Ad Hoc Committee of Local Councils, and state court counsel representing the majority of abuse creditors also were closely involved in the negotiations and support these agreements.

The settlement, which is subject to Court approval, also provides for additional contributions from the BSA and its local councils on behalf of chartered organizations. These contributions include a payment of $40 million from the BSA’s local councils (split between $15 million additional cash at closing and an increase of $25 million to a non-recourse note), along with their current commitment of $600 million. The settlement also provides for additional potential payments attributable to growth in BSA membership over the coming years on account of chartered organizations’ continued sponsorship of Scouting units.

Together with funds already committed by the national organization, local councils, Hartford, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the proposed Settlement Trust to compensate survivors is now expected to exceed $2.7 billion, and we anticipate additional insurance proceeds and other settlement contributions will be added to this fund in the coming weeks. This will be the largest sexual abuse compensation fund in the history of the United States.

This is an extremely important step forward in the BSA’s efforts to equitably compensate survivors, and our hope is that this will lead to further settlement agreements from other parties. In addition to our continued negotiations with other insurers, the BSA has worked diligently to create a structure that will allow the Roman Catholic-affiliated churches and United Methodist-affiliated churches who sponsored Scouting units to contribute to the proposed Settlement Trust to compensate survivors. We look forward to continued discussions with those parties as we work towards a resolution. Other chartered organizations will also receive significant protections under the agreement.

I want to underscore that Glacier’s Edge Council is separate and distinct from the national organization. Our camps, properties, and all local contributions are controlled by our council – and our planned programming continues to move ahead as scheduled. We are looking forward to a very successful 2022, which will be filled with adventures and unparalleled experiences for our members as we gear up for a Council Klondike Derby, return to the Council Program Dinner, and Summer excitement at the Ed Bryant Scout Reservation. These are the experiences that make the BSA such a great organization, and we are committed to ensuring these opportunities exist for youth in our area well into the future.

Thank you for your continued support of Scouting. If you have any other questions about the national organization’s financial restructuring, please visit www.bsarestructuring.org.

Yours in Scouting,
Ronald E. Timmons
Scout Executive/CEO
Glacier’s Edge Council, BSA
October 4th, 2021

Dear Glacier’s Edge Scouters,

As a valued member of our Scouting community, I am reaching out to provide you with an update on the national organization of the BSA’s financial restructuring and how the Glacier’s Edge Council is participating in the efforts to equitably compensate survivors and ensure the future of Scouting’s vital mission. Specifically, I’d like to share an update regarding local council contributions that will be used to compensate survivors.

Our Council’s Contribution:

As part of the Boy Scouts of America’s financial restructuring, the specific contributions each local council will make to help fund the Trust for survivors was filed with the Court. These figures were determined through a combination of information filed in the claims process and what local councils could meaningfully contribute while ensuring Scouting can continue in their areas.

Our council participated in the process and our contribution was determined to be approximately $620,000, which will comprise a combination of cash and other assets.

The Glacier’s Edge Council is legally separate and distinct from the national organization. Our camps, properties, and local donations are controlled by our council. We share in the BSA’s commitment to equitably compensate survivors of past abuse. We are carefully reviewing how we can fund our contribution to the compensation Trust while ensuring that Scouting can continue to serve our youth, families, and communities for generations to come. Specifically, the executive board has taken steps to fund our contribution including the sale of Camp Indian Trails. The net proceeds from the sale will pay off the outstanding debt on the property and GEC’s contribution to the trust. We look forward to celebrating Scouting and Camp Indian Trails during the upcoming Council Camporee; October 15th through the 17th. The final day of operation at CIT will be October 17th.

It is important to note that restricted donations can only be used for their designated purposes and are legally protected so that they are used as the donor specified. Local donations through Friends of Scouting (FOS) go straight to supporting Scouting in our communities today; these donations are used in real-time and are critical to maintaining local operations.

The BSA’s Path Forward:

There is still much to be done to obtain approval from the Court to solicit survivors to vote for the BSA’s amended Plan of Reorganization. However, the BSA is wholeheartedly committed to working toward a global resolution. The BSA intends to seek confirmation of the Plan this fall and conclude its financial restructuring around the end of this year.

While this is an important step forward in the national organization’s financial restructuring, I also want to take a moment to recognize the exciting things happening in our council. There has never been a better time to be a part of Scouting. This fall, we look forward to welcoming new members to our ranks as we actively launch our recruitment campaign. We look forward to welcoming new families as well as welcoming back those that left during the height of the pandemic. There is no better character and leadership program than Scouting and simply put Scouting is the best way to Escape the Indoors!

Thank you for your continued support of Scouting. If you have any other questions about the national organization’s financial restructuring, please visit www.bsarestructuring.org.

Yours in Scouting,