LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Letters of Recommendation: Publications

JEFFREY ALLMAN

Council President, Gamehaven Council

November 19, 2020

Deputy Scout Executive Selection Committee

RE: Jason Dugan
Gamehaven Council Scout Executive
Rochester, MN

Jason asked that I write a letter of recommendation regarding a potential new assignment within Boy Scouts of America. He is well regarded and disclosed his interest in potential reassignment before proceeding. We appreciate that a successful career in BSA typically includes numerous postings and will miss him if selected.

In crafting this letter, I reviewed our history together the four years I have served as Council President and three years Jason has been Scout Executive. The Council is in far better shape than we found it.

We inherited a stagnant Council that had survived seven years of substantial annual operating deficits by heavily borrowing from undesignated and capital reserves. The prior Scout Executive had been in the position nine years, was at loggerheads with key volunteers and coworkers, was unknown to the local community, and had his own significant health problems. The ambitious Dining Hall Capital Campaign to fund a partially donated building had stalled for years mid-construction. The extraordinarily committed adult volunteers that mowed and maintained the Gamehaven Scout Reservation were out of policy and Staff control, and ready to abandon Scouting. Professional staff were disgruntled.

Knowing this, Jason accepted the Gamehaven Scout Executive position in January 2018 and faced the challenges. Financial Management improved by selling the aging local office and relocating to better rental space a fraction of the cost of the owned facility. The Council now has no third-party debt. New and retained Membership and Fundraising have exceeded comparable Councils’ performance, including the shifting paradigms of Covid-19, girls in Scouting, competing youth activities, Sexual Abuse claims, BSA Bankruptcy, remarkably little school district and city cooperation, and no United Way funding. He emphasized one District of the three that felt underserved due to an extended open District Executive position. Jason’s daughters have both been Scouts, his wife has pitched in, and he has hosted work events at his apartment complex social areas. Relationships have improved with the camp volunteers, the Camp has been reaccredited by BSA, and Staff is in control where needed. Paid staff have undergone the challenges of unreplaced resignations, outsourced accounting, appropriate Performance Improvement Plans, and unpaid furloughs. Jason leads the way with open, ethical, transparent communication to all. He voluntarily took a salary reduction beyond the furlough he shared, regularly opens and closes camp for users on his own time, and networks with community groups including Sertoma, United Way and others. He mentors both new and experienced staff directly but with humility. His commitment to youth and BSA has not waivered; his empathy for troubled youth is unflagging; and he has somehow managed to respond to ten times the Youth Protection complaints that he had experienced in all his prior twenty years of service.

Jason is not without his own issues. He enjoys the program part of Scouting very much and would like a lesser office component to his workday. More food and campfires would be nice. He is not a very good speller and prefers less coat and tie days. Some of the organizational issues, particularly the burdensome annual membership renewal software, service cutbacks at BSA, and significant reductions in his eventual retirement benefit, have been hard. I consider us good colleagues that have spoken plainly, resolved discrepancies creatively, and found shared visions without a single instance of unreasonable anger or withdrawal in our work together. We frequently draw strength from each other.

Working with Jason has made me a better Scouter and Gamehaven a stronger Council. He embodies those qualities we seek to teach our youth. Someday we will leave Gamehaven, but I hope we will always be friends and colleagues. I heartily recommend him for a more responsible assignment.

Best Regards,

Jeffrey Allman
Council President, Gamehaven Coumcil

CHRISTOPHER HAHN

Council Commissioner, Gamehaven Council

November 24, 2020

Dear Scout Executive Selection Committee:

I am proud to offer a letter of recommendation for Jason Dugan.

When Jason Dugan arrived at Gamehaven Council, in Southeastern, MN, he was immediately tasked not only with strengthening our current stakeholder relationships but repairing personal and fiscal relationships that had become neglected over the past decade. Gamehaven Council's many challenges required robust and experienced leadership to get us back on track. Jason Dugan delivered!

Jason quickly established himself in the Rochester, MN community and began rebuilding relationships with community stakeholders, donors and Scouting volunteers. Additionally, Jason made sure that our council office was adequately staffed Council office moving forward, clear goals and objectives and accountability for all areas of responsibility.

Jason's Scout Executive experience, strong communication skills and leadership are evident when you first meet him. It has proven invaluable as our council navigated the sale of the outdated scout office. It continues to prove essential as we navigate ongoing litigation at the national level and a global pandemic. Jason also understands how to build a diverse team, utilizing each individual's skills to achieve the Gamehaven Council's broader goals.

Most importantly, Jason Dugan is strongly committed to and cares deeply for the Scouts BSA program and the many people (professional staff and volunteers) that make it possible for Gamehaven Council to continue to offer the best programming available. I am confident that any Scouts BSA council would benefit immensely with Jason Dugan at the helm. As for Gamehaven Council, we are already better for having experienced his leadership, character and commitment to our community.

Best Regards,

Christopher J. Hahn

Eagle Scout, 1988

Council Commissioner, Gamehaven #299

PAM SWAIN

Council President, Pacific Skyline

August 14, 2017

Dear Scout Executive Selection Committee:

I am thrilled to provide a letter of recommendation for Jason Dugan. The Pacific Skyline Council located on the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula serves approximately 7,500 youth. As Vice President for Program and currently Council President, I have worked with Jason as the Assistant Scout Executive since he joined Pacific Skyline Council. I have always considered Jason a key member of our council professional staff. Jason would be a great Scout Executive for your Council.

He has been instrumental in increasing our popcorn sales campaign every year culminating in our biggest year as we start our 2017 campaign. Jason has gone above and beyond to insure that the units have the inventory they need as well as transporting popcorn within the state to meet the needs of our units. Beyond his ASE responsibilities, Jason has been the support for several of our Council Committees, i.e. training, camping and advancement maintaining critical continuity for the volunteers during professional transitions. As well, with district executive turnover, he has stepped in to support the volunteers allowing them to continue providing program without the necessity of taking care of the myriad of details involved with each event/activity. Jason is also a key active contributor to our successful FOS annual campaigns, making many of the presentations himself. He was a key component of our National Jamboree success this year as he kept the committee on track and informed on the ever-changing details that were taking place leading up to their departure.

Over the years, I have been impressed with Jason’s commitment to the Scouting program. He is quick to respond to volunteer requests and a constant support – even while on vacation! Jason is an unfailing role model for our values of trustworthy and loyal and has been involved in every step of our growth during his tenure with Pacific Skyline Council. If selected, I will deeply miss his stewardship and sense of humor, but again have no reservations about his ability to be your Council Scout Executive.

Thank you for consideration of my letter of recommendation, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at either of my numbers (650-233-4981 – office; 650-576-9155 – cell) or by email at pswain@aimlp.com.

Best regards,

Pamela K. Swain

Council President, Pacific Skyline Council

Western Region Area 3 Committee

BRIAN CURTIS

Scout Executive, Pacific Skyline Council

November 23, 2020

Recommendation for Jason Dugan

To whom it may concern:

I have had the pleasure of working with Jason as a member of my team serving as Assistant Scout Executive in the Pacific Skyline Council for several years. Jason is a very hard worker and always kept the Council big picture goals in focus while working on his own personal goals at the same time. He is a team player, very professional and conducted himself along the lines of the Scout Oath and Law. Jason led the field staff in a way that empowered the team to achieved all major goals and objectives.

Jason has gone on to become a very successful Scout Executive the last few years. I cannot recommend Jason enough for any position in the BSA he would aspire to serve in next.

Sincerely,

Brian E. Curtis | Scout Executive/ CEO
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Pacific Skyline Council

MICHAEL MEESE

Chairman, Eagle Scout Reunion Dinner

July 25, 2016

Dear Scout Executive Selection Committee,

It is an honor to provide this letter to strongly recommend Jason Dugan to be the Scout Executive for a council that needs a dedicated, resourceful, and motivated leader. I worked with Jason for three year when he was the Senior Development Director of the Hudson Valley Council in Newburgh, New York. I know of the high caliber of person that we need as Scout Executives as I am a Distinguished Eagle Scout, have served on the Hudson Valley Council Scout Executive Selection Committee, and recently chaired the National Capitol Area Council Northern Virginia Good Scout Dinner honoring Secretary Michael Wynne. Jason is exactly the kind of person who would be great as a Council Scout Executive.

The Hudson Valley Council is in upsate New York and includes the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which is where I worked when Jason was our senior development director. He was instrumental in annually coordinating one of the region’s largest fund raising and community events—the annual Eagle Scout reunion and dinner. Those dinners included military and civilian VIPs including General Officers, U.S. Representatives, Cabinet Secretaries, and National Scout leaders. In every way, Jason brilliantly led our team and had the perfect level of attention to detail with minimal drama, resulting in hugely successful dinners. In 2011, Jason ramped up the dinner to honor the top 100 Scouters in the History of the Hudson Valley Council, which was a great way to recognize and publicize Scouting.

Beyond these main events each year, Jason was an exceptionally productive member of our council management team, maintaining critical continuity as we transitioned between Scout Executives (from Stephen Gray to David Horton). He actively contributed to our 2012-2016 Hudson Valley Council Strategic plan, which became the model for many other councils. His development skills are exceptional, as he increased contributions through Friends of Scouting with a net 16% increase in 2011. Additionally, he deftly leveraged the commitment to the Armistead Entrance of our Council Support Center to promote the Second Century Club as part of our “Always Prepared” legacy campaign.

The bottom line is that Jason Dugan was an exceptional Senior Development Director in 2013 when I knew him and would have recommended him to be a Council Scout Executive then. Now, he is even more prepared and I believe he will be a tremendous leader for any council who would be fortunate enough to select him.

If you have any questions about Jason or this recommendation, please contact me at michael.j.meese@gmail.com or (571) 388-8777.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Meese, Ph.D.

Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired)
Eagle Scout, 1974; Distinguished Eagle 2103

JUDD STIFF

Area 3 Commissioner, Western Region

VP Membership, Pacific Skyline Council

15 August 2017

To the Scout Executive Selection Committee:

I would like to offer a hearty recommendation for Jason Dugan to become your Scout Executive. I have worked closely with Jason in his role as Assistant Scout Executive for the past four years through my roles as the Council Vice President for Membership, the Western Region Area 3 Vice President for Membership and more recently as the Area 3 Commissioner.

During his time with the Pacific Skyline Council, we have been a JTE Gold Council twice, a Silver Council last year (barely missing Gold) and are headed to returning to Gold status this year. Jason's belief in and knowledge of the various JTE metrics has contributed to our successful scores. Jason not only has an in-depth understanding of the policies and procedures of the BSA, but he knows how to apply them in a very practical and effective manner. His knowledge of the ins and outs of ScoutNet, MyBSA, and My.Scouting is thorough.

Jason' leadership in our membership campaigns, Friends of Scouting, and Popcorn sales have been noteworthy and are illustrative of his leadership skills.

In this modern computer world, we were very glad to have Jason on-board to provide hands-on guidance in maintaining our in-house computer network. While we have some very capable volunteers to oversee our computers, Jason has helped solve day-to-day issues and to provide knowledgeable liaison to our computer system volunteers.

I have gotten to know not only Jason but his wife Lauren and his two daughters during the time they have been in California, and the entire family would be a great addition to your council's "Family".

Jason has had success as the Assistant Scout Executive in our council and is ready to take the next step as a Scout Executive, a step for which I recommend him.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Jason or want any more information. I can be reached by email at jstiff@pacbell.net by phone at 650 941-7338.

Judd Stiff

Area 3 Commissioner

NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout

CLINT TAKESHITA

Vice Chairman – National Events

National Order of the Arrow Committee

Council Commissioner, Pacific Skyline

August 17, 2017

To: Scout Executive Selection Committee

Fr: Clint Takeshita

Re: Jason Dugan Scout Executive Recommendation

It is my pleasure to provide this letter of support on behalf of Jason Dugan’s scout executive application.

Our council’s success as a generally consistent JTE gold council with membership growth and stable finances can be attributed in large part to Jason’s role as our assistant scout executive. His ability to mobilize and motivate our professional staff has played a key role in the development of a very successful, effective and efficient team.

However, what I’ve seen firsthand and what I’d like to focus on is Jason’s interaction with volunteers. Jason is an extremely refreshing professional to work with. What stands out about him is his ability to listen to volunteer’s opinions but more importantly, to steer them towards a realistic course of action.

In my role as council commissioner, Jason has served as our primary staff adviser. My council’s commissioner corps is like that of any other council with a number of longserving volunteers, each with their own personal experiences and opinions. There have been countless instances I’ve witnessed Jason listening to the opinions of a volunteer and as opposed to politely nodding his head, really engaging with them to bring a realistic and pragmatic perspective to address the volunteer’s thoughts. In many instances, Jason brings a volunteer interaction to resolution either by satisfactorily addressing the volunteer’s concern or driving to a realistic and value added course of action. He doesn’t just let an idea or conversation fester; he drives to it to resolution and solution.

As a member of the national OA committee, I have the pleasure of meeting and working with scout executives and other professional staff throughout the country. I have seen professional staff who are successful and some who struggle in their role. I believe that measured against his peers, Jason is a unique and valuable talent who is well equipped through his experience to perform well at this next level of professional service. While I would be happy for Jason personally, I know that I and the entire Pacific Skyline Council board, volunteers and staff would miss him and his leadership terribly.

I wholeheartedly recommend him for this role. Your council will not be disappointed.

In Service,

Clint Takeshita

Pacific Skyline Council Commissioner

Vice Chairman – National Events

National Order of the Arrow Committee

JOSHUA GILLILAND

Western Region Sea Scout Commodore
Board Member, Pacific Skyline

Western Region Commodore, Sea Scouts BSA

588 King George Ave, San Jose, California 95136

Tel: 650-421-5234 Email: sailwestward@gmail.com

Dear Scout Executive Selection Committee:

Jason Dugan is an excellent Assistant Scout Executive for the Pacific Skyline Council. I have had the privilege to work with Jason as a member of the Council Executive Board, supporting our Sea Scout Ships, and on the Council Marketing Committee. I fully recommend him to serve as a Council Executive.

Jason lives the points of the Scout Law of being Cheerful and Helpful. In one meeting where we discussed how to help recruiting for the council Sea Scout Ships, we logged in to myscounting.org and updated all of the Ship pins on BeAScout.org with current contact information for unit. This one simple ten minute project helped all of the Ships be easier to find for prospective members.

Being a skilled diplomate is one of the most important skills for working with volunteers. There are volunteers who often fixate on events from decades in the past. Jason has excelled in resolving conflicts by those encumbered with history to focused Scouters on our mission of service to today’s youth.

With our major regattas held in Northern California, Jason has helped secure certificates of insurance and other administrative paperwork. Jason also visited many of our Sea Scout events to show his support for the program. His attendance was very meaningful to volunteers, as many Sea Scout leaders have not experienced that level of council support.

Jason does the behind the scenes work to help make many council initiatives successful. At our annual Distinguished Citizens Dinner, Jason is the one working quietly in the back with the audio visual equipment for the video presentations. Jason also was pivotal in the months of preparation in organizing the program which helped fund our ScoutReach program that enables over 1,000 at-risk youth to participate in Scouting.

I greatly enjoy working with Jason. He is dedicated, fun, and knows how to solve problems. Jason will be an excellent Council Executive who believes in Scouting, has innovative solutions, and knows how to run a successful council.

Yours in Scouting,

Joshua Gilliland

Western Region Sea Scout Commodore

National Sea Scout Support Committee

HOWARD HELLMAN

Immediate Past Council President, Hudson Valley Council

July 28, 2016

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Re: Jason Dugan

It gives me great pleasure to speak in only the highest regards about Jason Dugan. When Jason was employed by the Hudson Valley Council he and I worked hand in hand on fundraising activities. I also could depend upon him to undertake tasks and complete them better than I could ever expected.

Jason would be a great asset to any council, bringing with him both knowledge and enthusiasm.

Sincerely,

Howard Hellman

Chairman

ROGER CARDIN

Membership Chairman, Narragansett Council

Jason Dugan

To Whom It May Concern:

During the six years that Jason Dugan served as Program Director in Narragansett Council ending June 2010, he enthusiastically added several new youth and family based programs that benefitted our registered Scouts, directly. Some of these are still an active part of our Council’s program features out side of a Unit’s or a District’s level programing opportunity.

Jason’s energy to provide a quality program opportunity that would benefit our youth retention was very evident during his stay with us.

Several of the most successful program opportunities that benefited from Jason’s professional guidance worthy of mentioning are: 1] a Cub Scout Overnighter at the Boston Museum of Science; 2] a Webelos’ Sleepover at McCoy Stadium; and 3] the OA Abnaki Lodge membership growth. All three are thieving!

I served with Jason as our Council’s Vice-President of Program. I totally enjoyed my four brief years as a volunteer working with such a high caliber professional. May his presence continue to benefit our Youth and the Boy Scouts of America.

Roger Cardin

170 Providence Pike, Unit 109 N. Smithfield, RI 02896-8087 email: cardinr@cox.net

cell: 401.447.4803