Narragansett Council & Annawon Council, Boy Scouts of America Approve Merger

Narragansett, R.I. – New Combined Entity Will Provide More Programs to Local Scouts
and Greater Reach in Communities.

 The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America announced today following its Special Council Meeting the approval of its merger with the Annawon Council, Boy Scouts of America.  This follows on the heels of the Annawon Council approving the consolidation earlier this week.  The decision to combine the two Boy Scout groups will expand the Narragansett Council’s territory from the southernmost portions of Rhode Island up into Massachusetts, including many suburbs south of Boston. This added region includes the communities of Attleboro, North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton, Lakeville, Carver, Middleboro, Raynham, Dighton, Berkley and Taunton, among many others.

Leaders from the two councils began meeting nearly six months ago to plan the merger.

“This is a historic step for our Council,” said John Mosby Scout Executive/CEO of the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America.  “Exciting times are ahead for us as we build an even greater program for our youth in this expanded territory.”

Dennis Dion, current volunteer Board President of the Annawon Council, has provided significant leadership to this effort of consolidation during the entire past year.

“We selected the Narragansett Council for our merger because both of our operations represent the highest ranked Scouting Councils out of the 12 in the New England area,” said Dion.  “Together we are certain our combined program will provide parents in our area with a first-rate option for their child.  No other program can provide the same leadership training and character development as Scouting.”

The newly merged operation, which will take the name of the Narragansett Council, includes all of Rhode Island, 34 communities in Massachusetts and 1 in Connecticut, and boasts nearly 14,000 Scouts.  The Narragansett Council’s main headquarters will remain at its current location in East Providence.

“Our organization is growing, allowing us to provide the best programs for our Scouts,” said George Shuster, Board President of the Narragansett Council.  “We look forward to working with members of the Annawon Council and providing the youth of our combined area top-level programs that can only be found in Scouting.”

The merger will provide resources for all Scouts in the area never before offered by the previous individual Councils.  In addition, the consolidation will allow for even stronger volunteer and professional guidance, providing the Scouts and volunteer unit leaders with unparalleled facilities, training, and camping programs.

It is expected that the State of Massachusetts will formally approve the merger later this month, but efforts are already underway to combine the day-to-day operations just in time for the Fall Join-Scouting Campaign for new youth interested in joining the Boy Scouts.

“The future is looking very bright for the Boy Scouts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts,” said Mosby.  “We couldn’t have asked for a better group to collaborate with and now is a great time for parents to sign their child up for Scouting in our area.”

To learn more about the Narragansett Council, visit: www.narragansettbsa.org

About the Narragansett Council: The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America’s mission is to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The Narragansett Council offers a program for boys and young men ages 6 to 21 and young women ages 14 to 21, serving nearly 14,000 in Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. For more information, please log on to www.narragansettbsa.org

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