With the retirement of our Scout Executive Mark Barbernitz, the Executive Board wanted to provide transparency and clarity regarding communication during this transition period.
I know that you will join me in wishing Mark all the best as he embarks on his new adventure. Mark’s tenure has resulted in our council being on solid financial footing with record camp attendance.
A search committee has been meeting and we are actively engaged in the process of recruiting a new Scout Executive. The timeline is difficult to predict, but rest assured our singular focus is to attract the best talent to be our next Scout Executive.
In the interim, it is business as usual in the council and we are in good hands during this transition.
Your key council contacts remain in place and ready to serve you. In addition, we are joined by Stephen Hoitt, the Council Service Territory Director, who will serve as acting Scout Executive in the interim. His contact details are:
Stephen Hoitt Council Service Territory 10 Director Email: Stephen.Hoitt@Scouting.org Cell: 585-734-5706
As you are aware, the items that Stephen Hoitt should be advised of include:
- Council professional staff employee matters
- Youth Protection policy (YPT) required notifications
- Serious incidents & safety concerns (i.e., any threat or use of a weapon, any abuse of a child that meets state reporting mandates for bullying or harassment, etc.)
For everything else, please continue to contact your Council team.
I know that working together we will continue to deliver the best Scouting program to our youth. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued commitment during this period.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.
Kevin Kearney
Heart of New England Council President
Kevin.Kearney@hnescouting.org