Three Harbors Council, BSA
330 South 84th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53214-1468
414-774-1776
www.ThreeHarborsScouting.org

District Realignment 2019

Building Stronger Scouting


Three Harbors Council is consolidating operating districts from eight to four by merging existing districts.  The new district structure is in response to changing demographic trends and Scouting membership in southeast Wisconsin.  The realignment will strengthen Scouting’s outreach programs by creating a ScoutReach District dedicated to serving all communities in our council.  The structure will allow for a new staffing model to increase staff retention, career growth opportunities and facilitate a team approach which fits better with today’s workforce.
 
These changes will have substantial long-term benefits to the council with the goal of strengthening unit service and district programs for the packs, troops, crews and posts in Three Harbors Council.  The following district changes will take place on August 1, 2019:
 
A Northern District will be formed merging Polaris, Heart of Milwaukee and Iron Horse Districts. 
A Central District will be formed merging Root River and Southshore Districts. 
A Southern District will be formed merging Lighthouse, Fox River and Gateway Districts. 
A ScoutReach District will be formed to serve Scouting outreach programs in all three counties. 
 
Click here to view the new district map and additional information.  District volunteers will have the opportunity to select new names for each district this fall.    
 
Background
Three Harbors Council’s current district structure has been in place since 2001 in Milwaukee County and since the 1970s in Racine and Kenosha Counties.  A District Operations Study Group was formed last fall at the request of the Council President.  Executive Board Member Kathy Andersen and Council Commissioner Dave Boyer were appointed as co-chairs.  The Study Group members included district and council leaders from across our council.  The group, which has met monthly since November 2018, used local membership data and best practices from other BSA councils to guide the process.
 
New Volunteer and Staff Leadership
As the council is consolidating from eight to four new districts, the new structure will require a few changes in district volunteer and staff leadership roles. In the Southern District, Andrew Dodge will serve as District Chair and Tim Vaccaro will be the District Commissioner.  In the Central District, Mike Pierce will be the District Chair with Ryan Spellecy serving as District Commissioner.  Barry Waddell will serve as District Chair for the Northern District alongside John Ballogh as District Commissioner.  The ScoutReach District Chair and Commissioner roles are to be announced.  Three Harbors Council is incredibly grateful for the leadership of the new District Chairs and District Commissioners and for those who have served previously in these key roles. 
 
Each new District Chair is leading a District Transition Team to facilitate recruitment of District Committee members for the new districts.  District Nominating Committees will be formed in late fall to fill roles for the 2020 Scouting year.  The new District Commissioner positions will be announced shortly. 
 
Please click here to see the new staff structure effective August 1st along with the implementation timeline for the new districts and an FAQ sheet.  
 
Want to learn more?
Three Harbors Council will host an informational webinar and “Fireside Chat” to share additional information with our Scout Leaders and answer any questions you may have. 
 
The goal of the district realignment is Building Stronger Scouting for the youth of Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine Counties.  Thank you for your service as a volunteer leader and for all that you do for our Scouts! 
 
 
Chris Layden  
Council President      
Dave Boyer
Council Commissioner   
Andrew Hardin
Scout Executive/CEO
     
     
Informational Webinar
WED, July 10, 2019
Watch the webinar now
 
Fireside Chat
WED, July 24, 2019. 6:30 p.m.
Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – Franklin Campus
St. Joseph Heritage Mtg Room
10101 South 27th Street, Franklin, WI 53132
 

Three Harbors Council, Boy Scouts of America  I  330 South 84th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53214-1468

414.774.1776