Tiffany Bumgardner-Scheffler is the chief operating officer and director of field service for the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America. She is the first woman to hold this position in NCBSA history.
Bumgardner-Scheffler began her Scouting career in 2006 as district executive in Kansas City, Mo. She studied public-affairs administration with an emphasis on nonprofit administration at Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis. She is a certified nonprofit professional, having earned a nonprofit certification from the IUPUI’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs and certification from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. In her current dual role, she leads staff efforts in recruiting, begins new units and works to grow the Narragansett Council.
PBN: As a youth, were you interested in or possibly involved in a local branch of the Boy Scouts?
BUMGARDNER-SCHEFFLER: No, that wasn’t an option for me as a girl, but I am grateful that girls will now have the opportunity to participate in the Cub Scout program. I am fortunate to have grown up a part of some meaningful nonprofit organizations. As a child, I was a Girl Scout – my mother served as my group leader, and [I was] in the Masonic International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Participating in these groups led me to where I am today.
PBN: You have held two historic positions with the Narragansett Boy Scouts – as the group’s first female development director and now the first female COO. Do you think more women should be involved in the managing of the Boy Scouts?
BUMGARDNER-SCHEFFLER: Absolutely. The Narragansett Council has a long track record of enriching the lives of boys, young men and their families. The council is proud to have women at many levels of leadership, including troop leaders, camp staff, staff trainers and members of the central office. We are lucky to have a host of talented women helping us deliver our programming. Across the nation, there are six female Scout executives or CEOs and I’m proud to be a part of the change within this organization.
PBN: What are your opinions of the move to include girls in younger Boy Scout troops?
BUMGARDNER-SCHEFFLER: I am thrilled to offer the Scouting program to families in our Cub Scout packs this year and our Boy Scout troops in 2019. It is incredibly rewarding for boys to receive individualized experiences through Scouting and that isn’t changing.
Our program is still single-gender and we will provide those same experiences for girls in female-only dens. This transition will allow us to better meet the changing needs of Scout families and will make Scouting even better. Many girls want to be a part of our programs, including sisters of Cub and Boy Scouts who have been participating alongside their brothers for years. Now, they will have the same opportunity as their brothers to earn various awards and ranks. We want to make sure every youth has the opportunity to benefit from Scouting.
PBN: What are your goals as the organization’s newest COO?
BUMGARDNER-SCHEFFLER: My primary goal is to continue to put Scouts and their families first. If I can help meet their needs, I’ll know I have succeeded. I feel lucky to be a part of a council that works hard to instill the organization’s values and helps develop leadership and resiliency in youth.
Our priorities in 2018 are to grow membership, serve more youth, strengthen our adult leadership, deliver adventure with a purpose and get the word out about how great Scouting can be – we want Scouting to continue to thrive in southeastern New England!
PBN: What challenges do you think face the Boy Scouts organization in an era of digital entertainment when children might need more encouragement to play outdoors?
BUMGARDNER-SCHEFFLER: All children thrive when they’re able to participate in outdoor activities and just be children. These days, Scouting is that much more important for children and their families – it gives them an opportunity to unplug and develop leadership skills alongside their peers in a real-world environment. From canoeing to fly-fishing to hiking, we offer many activities [that] make Scouting attractive. The diversity of programming is what really helps keep children engaged and involved.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
