"All we're asking is that you give just one hour a week of your time to volunteer for scouting ..." That's the punch line of a little joke frequently told whenever volunteer leaders gather, funny to no one but Scouting insiders, but funny to us because we all know Scouting demands far more of its volunteer leaders than just one hour per week.

If you're reading this it is because you are one of those adult volunteers who make this great movement we call Scouting possible. Our Troops, Patrols, Packs, Dens, Crews and Posts would fall apart, and Scouting as a worldwide movement would end, were it not for you. So, on my own behalf and on behalf of your Council Key 3 - thank you!

I wish I could tell you that the time and energy you give Scouting through your volunteer time and energy is all it takes to keep scouting going, but it is not. Scouting also thrives because of the great organizational structure we have in place, beginning with our professional Scouts, the highly trained District Executives, Program Director, Camp Director, and support staff we enjoy who provide us with the tools and training we need to succeed. It thrives because of that jewel we call Camp La-No-Che, a place where every boy in our Council can get a low cost, quality camping experience thanks to the subsidy we provide to keep camp fees artificially low. It thrives due to our efforts to grow Scouting in historically under-represented minority communities through Scoutreach, our minority outreach program. And it thrives because of the many community programs we use to keep Scouting in the public eye, whether our annual Scout Show, our 2013 Jamboree participation at the new National BSA High Adventure Base: Summit Bechtel Reserve, our advertising and school campaigns, or our annual Council Recognition Banquet for our Eagle Scouts and Silver Beavers.

All this takes money, however, and as I write this particular message because we are coming to the end of our annual fundraising season. By the time you read this all but one of our Golden Eagle Dinners will have occurred, our Friends of Scouting campaign will be close to wrapping up. And our Scouts have been participating in Camp Card campaigns to help provide additional funding to attend a Summer Camp.

Because of the role you have played in our fundraising, I think it is important that you know where the money you help raise goes. First, you should know that 99% of the money we raise in the Central Florida Council stays in our Council. Second, you should know that the money we raise either (a) is used to subsidize Summer Camp so we can keep camping fees below cost, (b) pays for our many Council programs used to promote Scouting and build camaraderie among our local Troops, Packs, and Scouts, (c) is spent on the maintenance and upkeep of our facilities or (d) goes to pay our staff to support building our membership; supporting programs; providing training and helping our volunteer leaders.

Thank you for making Scouting possible in Central Florida through your support of our Council's fundraising programs, whether personally or through your company or employer. Thank you, especially, for helping our parents and community know why we raise the money we do, which is to support and grow this great movement we call Scouting in Central Florida.