FUNDAMENTALS

"Good tactics can save even the worst strategy. Bad tactics will destroy even the best strategy."

-General George S. Patton, Jr.

Recruited County Commissioner to chair district fall roundup and utilized relationships to open school access at 21 public elementary schools across 423-square-mile county.
Implemented sports-style signup nights held at 100% of private and public elementary schools to increase membership by double digits in consecutive years. Increased total traditional membership 53%, from 890 in December 2007 to an all-time high of 1,364 in December 2010.
Developed year-round membership strategies supported by dedicated membership committee. Tactics included:
- Halloween Candy Sticker Promotion
- Webelos-to-Scout transition plan
- "I-See-Five" style card campaign strategy to contact 100% of Scouts that expressed interest in joining but failed to register at a signup
- Guerrilla marketing recruit-a-friend campaigns and joining events
- Washout strategies and roster checks
- Creation of Google Maps unit locator tool, which has since been streamlined by BeAScout.org
Empowered volunteers to aid in strategic new unit development. Increased Packs, Troops, Crews and Explorer Posts by 27%, from 43 in 2007 to an all-time high of 55 in March 2011.

Increased sustainable support for council’s signature Corporate Campfire Gala by more than $250,000 in 4 years, setting all-time council fundraising event record of $676,000 in 20016. Growth attributed mainly to deepening engagement through cultivation and development of friendly competition between sub-committees.
Successfully staffed and implemented annual "I-See-Five" (IC5) Community Campaign that reached a high of $21,690 in 2010. Campaign Division Chair and I worked 238 prospects through 11 Captains, 47 workers resulting in 172 gifts averaging $126 each.
Systematically utilized Charts-that-Talk and key volunteers' leadership to reverse culture surrounding family campaigns in different regions. Exceeded Family goals prior to June 1 in all 4 years of field service.
Utilized relationship with Alpha Phi Omega to capitalize on overlooked Elon University community by conceptualizing and executing the Chick-fil-A Charity Dodgeball Tournament for Scouting. Event was expanded in second year and garnered significant publicity while generating nearly $10,000 in new revenue from college students and businesses.

Successfully implemented year-round district nominating committee process to build fully-staffed district committee of 49 volunteers. Instituted formalized succession plan for District Key-3 that extended 3 years into the future.
Established connections with more than 1,100 business leaders of my service areas through active participation in Chambers of Commerce, Civic Organizations and Networking Events to market Scouting and attract new volunteers of means and influence.
Expanded Corporate Campfire Gala from 45 to 85 volunteers, Hospitality Committee from 10 to 30 members and Technology Committee from 7 to 24 members in a 3-year period.
Established episodic volunteer opportunities for young alumni to reconnect in service to Scouting in meaningful ways.
Established a culture of excellence among summer camp staff backed by a "farm system" of Counselors in Training to sustain competition among seasonal employees.

Mark P. Saxon