Become a charter member of the Summit Bechtel Reserve Staff Association

You were one of the first to serve on staff at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. Now be one of the first to join the official community of SBR staffers.

Current and former SBR staff members — including those who staffed the 2013 jamboree — are invited to become charter members of the Summit Bechtel Reserve Staff Association.

Today the official website for the Summit Bechtel Reserve Staff Association, or SBRSA, went live at sbrstaff.org.

Any person who is a currently registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, or who is currently eligible to be a registered member of the BSA, and who has worked at SBR in any capacity since its opening as a permanent staff, seasonal staff or jamboree staff member can become a charter member of the SBRSA beginning today and continuing through Dec. 31, 2015.

That means now’s the time to get in on the ground floor of this exciting community. You’ll stay connected with SBR, support the activities of Scouting through events held at SBR, and get discounted SBR visitor passes and other merchandise.

Oh, and did I mention the patch?

Of course there’s an official patch for everyone who becomes a member. The patch will look like the awesome-looking logo pictured above.

Joining takes just a second, and costs vary depending on the length and type of membership you choose. Here’s a look at the Summit Bechtel Reserve Staff Association fees and benefits:

SBRSA fees and benefits

Regular membership

• Fees
  • 1 year, individual: $30
  • 1 year, family: $50
  • 2 year, individual: $50
  • 2 year, family: $75
  • Seasonal staff: $15 (if paid while employed)
• Benefits
  • Official SBRSA membership patch
  • The right to purchase other SBRSA merchandise
  • Discounted (50 percent off) visitor passes during SBR summer programs
  • Right to vote in SBRSA elections and serve on boards and committees
• Term
  • Annual/regular memberships begin on May 1 and end on April 30 the following year.
  • The exception, of course, is this year. The first group of annual membership will be valid until April 30, 2016

Life membership

• Fees
  • Charter life membership: $500 (can be paid over up to 24 months in installments; installments must be at least $50 each)
• Benefits (in addition to regular membership benefits)
  • Official SBRSA life membership patch
  • Free visitor passes during any SBR event, including jamborees
  • 10 percent discount on all SBRSA branded merchandise sold onsite

Future SBRSA benefits

Other benefits (for SBRSA members of any level) expected in the future include:

• Subscription to SBRSA magazine or digital newsletter
• Opportunities to participate in special programs just for SBRSA members
• Opportunity to give back to SBR by participating in special service projects

How to join and get more details

Visit the official Summit Bechtel Reserve Staff Association website to join SBRSA and get more info.

You can also connect with SBRSA on Facebook and Twitter.

SBRSA Executive Committee

All individuals who apply and are accepted for membership in the SBRSA by April 30, 2015, will be eligible to vote in the first election of the four regional SBRSA Executive Committee members, as specified in the SBRSA charter.

The elections will be held by electronic ballot, and terms will begin on June 1, 2015, and run for three years — until May 31, 2018.

Other communities of high-adventure staff

The idea of a staff association at the BSA’s national high-adventure bases isn’t new. The Philmont Staff Association, Sea Base Alumni and Friends Association and Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association all are going strong. The SBRSA joins in this proud tradition.

 Why SBR is such a special place

Summit benefactor Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. shared why SBR is such a special, important place.

“​​​​​The Summit itself is symbolic for the Scouts,” he said. “It was very meaningful to us to be able to help the Boy Scouts of America, in its hundredth year, be able to point at a great project and say, ‘This is for the next century.’ We finished the first century, and as we’re going into the second century, we’re building on the foundation, values, virtues, beliefs, and activities of the first century of Scouting. The Summit and all of the activities that will be hosted here will attract even more boys to Scouting’s message and values.”

Thanks to my Scouting colleague and all-around great guy Russell Smart for the post idea.