Mayflower Council’s new Scout Executive, Juan F. Osorio, arrived from the Chattahoochee Council in Columbus, Georgia, where he served as Scout Executive starting in 2018. Previously, Juan held roles in the Narragansett Council (Providence, RI), where he grew up as a Scout and earned his Eagle Scout rank. He began his tenure at the Mayflower Council at the beginning of March.
Read the first part of Juan’s first interview here.
Part 2 of 2
John Bishop for MayflowerBSA.org: You came in and were very complimentary of our council. If you had your druthers, what would be the one thing, as you come in, that the Mayflower Council would not change under your leadership?
Juan Osorio: That’s a difficult question, given that I’ve only been on the job a few days. However, the Mayflower Council has a great operation and program. The councils that merged into the Mayflower Council had impressive legacies. The program we deliver in the Mayflower Council is top quality. We serve about 3% of our youth population, which might seem low, but it’s not. We serve more youth than the national average, providing a great program that retains youth and keeps them engaged. With this in mind, I would work diligently to ensure we maintain the quality and delivery of the program that our volunteers provide weekly; this, combined with the great programs we run at the council level throughout the year and our summer operations, will work together to improve and deliver an excellent overall experience for our Scouts and families.
MayflowerBSA.org: What will be some of your priorities as you begin your work at Mayflower?
Juan Osorio: Again, being here only a short time, that’s a difficult question. I have yet to learn all the intricacies of the council’s operations. However, one of my strengths is streamlining processes to ensure we work as effectively and efficiently as possible as a nonprofit organization and a movement. That will be my focus in the first 60 to 90 days.
Scouters take a selfie with Juan.MayflowerBSA.org: In terms of your personal enjoyment of Scouting, having gone through it yourself and with your children participating, are there one or two things that you think Scouting delivers better than all other programs?
Juan Osorio: Character education and leadership! For example, my daughter — although not an Eagle Scout — had the opportunity to be in Scouting. Before girls were admitted into the program, she would follow me around day camp, enjoying the program. When our programs were opened to females, she participated in NYLT. She tells me that the values and leadership learned through her association with Scouting allow her to excel as a leader in her college sorority and within her classes; I believe this gives her an edge in soft skills and leadership compared to her peers.
MayflowerBSA.org: What is your favorite tradition in Scouting that you hope every kid enjoys?
Juan Osorio: It’s the crossover from Cub Scouting to Scouts BSA. It’s a challenging time in our program as some families may think Scouts BSA is just a continuation of Cub Scouting. Yet, it marks a transition from an adult-led program to a peer-led one. Witnessing the Scout’s evolution over the next few years after Cub Scouts is incredible.
MayflowerBSA.org: When you’re putting on your Class A uniform, what is your favorite item on the shirt?
Juan Osorio joins leaders in congratulating new Eagle Scouts.
Juan Osorio: As I mentioned, I have about 17 Eagle Scouts and six mentor pins under my belt. I wear one to represent all six. So, my Eagle Mentor pin is the piece on my uniform that I cherish the most.
MayflowerBSA.org: You still need to decorate your office. What is the one item that you are really excited to show off?
Juan Osorio: Well, there are a few. There’s a photo of the Jenks Park Tower in Central Falls, Rhode Island. It reminds me of where I came from and the adversity I faced to get here. There are also eagles around the room, gifts from Eagle Scouts who earned their rank under my leadership as a Scoutmaster. Their success, especially considering they were low-income kids, will be my real lasting legacy.
MayflowerBSA.org: When we were hiring you, many Scouters were thrilled about your background in New England, believing that New England Scouting is different from Scouting around the country. Yet, you also have exposure to other councils. Why do you think these two perspectives will allow you to see the field differently than someone from just New England or another region?
Jenks Park Tower in Central Falls, Rhode Island (photo: GRP photography).
Juan Osorio: I am a New Englander, but I’ve also lived in Georgia for six years. One thing we need to continue doing better is sharing best practices across councils. Boy Scout councils, over 240 of them, often work in silos. Having worked in two different regions, I’ve seen the benefits of sharing ideas and resources. I love to bring some of those practices here to New England. Remember, it’s not about being better than our neighbor but working together to improve our Scouting program.
Be sure to watch for more updates from Juan as he begins his work in earnest. Meanwhile, listen to his interview with Rob DiFazio on the latest Around the Campfire podcast.
