On October 24, 2018, the Executive Committee of The Scout Association of Belize paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of The Belize Scout Foundation Dr. Rene Villanueva.
From left to right: Jennifer Larrieu – Director of Operations, Aliza Vasquez – Director of Support Services, Armando Aban – President of The Scout Association, Rene Villanueva – Chairman Endowment Foundation, Hilberto B. Riverol – Executive Director, Scout Foundation, Nephtali Palma – Field Executive and Roberto Lopez – Director of Education
At the start of the meeting Mr. Aban explained that the purpose of the courtesy visit was to introduce his new directive which is a mandate from the National Scout Committee.
He continued by saying that he was happy to report that all vacant posts at the National level have been filled and that the Regional Office has been informed. He also said that the Association recently completed their Belize Leadership Training Course.
He went on to say that the National Scout Committee has taken the following decisions:
- Establish contact with all Sustaining Members
- In view that Scout membership is down, launch a campaign to increase membership through consolidation
- First Groups to be targeted are 1st Belize Holy Redeemer and 1st Corozal
- Orange Walk and the south need to be targeted since Scouts are non-existent
- Camp Oakley needs refurbishment due to damage caused by Hurricane Earl
- Camp Oakley lacks proper water supply
- Mario Puck has agreed to be Camp Oakley Coordinator
He then said that basic infrastructure at Camp Oakley need repairs to the tune of $26,000.00 for the following:
- Repairs to the solar system $10,000.00
- Repairs to the water system $10,000.00
- Repairs to cabañas and other buildings $6,000.00
This would bring Camp Oakley to where it could be rented as an income generation project
Other issues brought up are as follows:
- That the Regional office will be conducting an assessment of the Association
- That they are requesting representation on the Foundation with a vote
- That Mr. Mario Puck and Mr. Eric Neal will represent the Association on the joint Scout building committee
Dr. Villanueva for his part informed Mr. Aban that the Foundation is there to support The Scout Association which it has been doing since the Foundation was established. He also said that, being aware of the difficult time the Association has had in not having its own headquarters building, the Foundation is committed to constructing a building for the Scouts. In addition, the cleaning of the Scout lot will be done within the next few days and the Foundation will continue to support the Association with funding for specific projects that meet the Foundation’s requirements.
He closed off by thanking the members of the Executive Committee for the courtesy visit.