Purpose of Council BSA AA Committees

The most important element of BSA AA is the local council BSA AA committee. That is where the action takes place.

Keep in mind that the local council is responsible for most of the different connection points individuals have with Scouting, whether it is a local Cub Scout pack or Scout troop, a chartered organization, or the council’s Scout camp. In each case, the local council is the key to those experiences and is, therefore, an integral part of building alumni support and interest. What is a BSA Alumni Committee and what it can do?

Purpose Of Council BSA AA Committees

The purpose of the council BSA AA committee is to establish, promote, and enhance programs and activities that foster continued active engagement with Scouting on behalf of Scouting alumni, friends, and those who are currently active (both youth and adult participants). 

This purpose can manifest itself in many ways, including activities such as:

• Spreading the word to nearby alumni and supporting a council camp alumni association event

• Aiding all scouting units in securing a subject matter expert for unit programs

• Sharing positive Scouting stories with alumni and the community at large

• Providing networking opportunities for alumni

In sum, council BSA AA committees are the support mechanism upon which the entire alumni program rests.

Relationship To Other Scouting Associations At The Local Level

There may be several local associations or groups already active and engaging alumni in the council. Examples include but are not limited to a council National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) committee, a camp alumni association, unit alumni groups, Wood Badge Alumni, and the Order of the Arrow.

These groups do not “report” to the council BSA AA committee. Rather, the council BSA AA committee assists these groups in the following ways:

• Coordinating events between all groups (it is suggested that members of specific associations have representation on the council BSA AA committee to aid incoordination)

• Assisting with keeping contact data up to date

• Communicating group activities to internal and external audiences

Relationship To National BSA AA Committees

At the national level, the BSA AA is led by the national BSA AA committee. The national committee is organized into subcommittees that provide direction to the national programs of the BSA AA, coordinate national programs of the BSA AA, coordinate national alumni events and initiatives, and broadly manage the association.