THERE IS NO MEETING ON MONDAY, MAY 4TH.
FROM DONNA PATEL … OUR MEMBERSHIP CHAIR.
I wanted to send out a big THANKS to all of you from me and Francie!
The meet and greet last week was successful. If nothing else, people seemed to have great conversation, tasty food and to leave with a positive impression of Rotary. And hopefully, we will have some new members from the event.
I have sent follow-up emails with an invitation to join us at one of the 2 May lunch meetings and the membership application to everyone who attended as a guest
I sent corporate memberships to Family Promise, GRACE and SAGE. I explained to the Dwyers that they could join together, as well.
In attendance were:
- Peter Corso (Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Andrew Macurdy)
- Chantal Landman (Summit Common Council Member)
- Liz Skoler (current Common Council candidate)
- Annette and Terry Dwyer (MONDO, Scouting America, longtime Summit residents
- Diane Esty (Family Promise Union County)
- Peter Jacob (Executive Dir - Family Promise Union County)
- Amanda Parrish Block (Founder of GRACE)
- Sydney Williams (Dir of Operations for GRACE)
- Galina Muller (SAGE Eldercare)
And if you have any other prospective members who were not able to attend last night, but who you think we should invite in May, please let me know. I am happy to invite them or I can share the text I used for you to reach out yourself.
Thanks again!
LAST WEEK we gained significant insight into the American scouting movement and its recent evolution. Most notably, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) officially rebranded as Scouting America in early 2025, marking a pivotal shift in the organization's history. Since its founding in 1910, the program has focused on outdoor proficiency, character building, and citizenship; however, it has faced immense challenges in recent years. In February 2020, the BSA filed for bankruptcy following the exposure of a decades-long pattern of sexual abuse and systematic efforts to conceal it. This era of scandal and restructuring has coincided with a sharp decline in participation; while the program boasted over five million members in the mid-1970s, that number has since dwindled to just over one million.
Currently, roughly 200 councils across the United States support these one million active scouts, bolstered by approximately 475,000 adult volunteers. Scouting America is now fully inclusive, welcoming girls and young women alongside their male counterparts; female scouts now account for roughly 17% of total membership. On an annual basis, the organization awards approximately 1.3 million merit badges, with about 30,000 scouts reaching the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. It was also clarified that the Girl Scouts of the USA remains an entirely separate, active, and independent organization.
On a local level, the Patriots’ Path Council serves more than 11,000 youth and 4,000 volunteer leaders across Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties. We were privileged to hear from Council President Jack Flood, District Executive Brian Day, and long-time volunteer Terry Dwyer. Their presentation highlighted that scouting remains vibrant in our immediate community: Summit hosts two Cub Scout packs with 93 members and 17 advisors, while New Providence supports 83 youth and 22 advisors. Summit has one scout troop consisting of 52 scouts and 28 dedicated volunteers and NP has two troops consisting of 40 scouts and 29 volunteers.
We are grateful to Jack, Brian, and Terry for sharing this update on the renewal of the scouting movement and look forward to its continued progress.
DISTRICT EVENT COMING UP!
Just two weeks to go for our
Connect For Good Summit on May 16
The organizing committee, the sharks and our district leaders are all actively planning to make our upcoming D7475 Connect For Good Summit an enriching experience for all.
And.. it is just two weeks away. Are your registered?
Do not be left behind, there is still time to REGISTER -> HERE
The sharks are actively preparing, our keynote speakers are looking forward to sharing insightful messages with you, and the Foundation and public image committees are busily working to assess awards for Rotarians and participating clubs.
All across the district, engaged Rotarians and club leaders are already making plans to be there on May 16, at the Imperia, Somerset NJ to Connect For Good.
Would you be left behind ?
There is a seat waiting for you, REGISTER -> HERE
If you need information, or have questions please do not hesitate to reach out by email or call.
Kalpana Patel
Rotary District 7475
District Governor 2027-2028
Phone: 732-259-5555
