John Fullerton Announces Retirement Effective 12/31/2021

Dear Members of the Long Beach Area Scouting Community,

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the news that John Fullerton has announced to the Council Board that he will be retiring from the Long Beach Area Council this coming December.

John will be retiring after 32 years of service in the Scouting Organization with 12 of those years as the Scout Executive/CEO of the Long Beach Area Council.

I know that many of you, like me, will miss John for his professionalism, his organizational skills, friendship, experience, insight and endless energy in making Long Beach Scouting one of the premier youth organizations in Long Beach.

Please join me in thanking John for his commitment to our youth, our community, and to Scouting. We wish John and his wife Chris well as they begin a new chapter in retirement.

Sincerely,
Albert Guerra
President, Long Beach Area Council

A Note From John Fullerton:

Dear Scouting Family:

On Wednesday morning, August 25, I informed the Executive Board that I will be retiring at the end of this calendar year. This is a decision that I have considered carefully, and believe that the timing is right for both the Long Beach Area Council and for me personally. I have served the Boy Scouts of America in various capacities for over 32 years — 12 of those as your Scout Executive.

Never have I seen a time that has had more change or challenge. However, I firmly believe that through the hard work and dedication of many volunteers and staff, that the foundation has been prepared for the next phase of Scouting here in the Long Beach area.

We are coming off a record summer season at our Sea Base, we are developing more family programming at Camp Tahquitz, we have developed a 5-year budget plan that demonstrates fiscal sustainability, and families are showing great interest in joining our programs. We need to “Be Prepared” to welcome in these new families and to deliver the promise of outdoor adventure that youth crave and need.

I had initially hoped that many things that were in process would be completed before I left, but upon reflection, decided that there will always be important things still to do – that Scouting is never done.

I am extremely grateful to the many friends, volunteers, and youth leaders I have worked with over the years and for the opportunity to serve together in fulfilling Scouting’s mission. You are the reason I have dedicated these past 32 years in service to Scouting.

Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said in one of his last addresses:

“The ‘encouraging promise’ lies in the fact that the hundreds of thousands of boys and girls who are learning our ideals today will be the fathers and mothers of millions in the near future, in whom they will in turn inculcate the same (Scouting’s) ideals — provided that these are really and unmistakably impressed upon them by the leaders of today.

Therefore you, who are Scouters…, are not only doing a great work for your neighbor’s children, but are also helping in practical fashion to bring to pass God’s Kingdom of peace and goodwill upon earth. So, from my heart, I wish you God-speed in your effort.”

I firmly believe these words still hold true today. One of the greatest pleasures I have had as Scout Executive has been reading our Eagle Scout candidates’ Statement of Life Purpose. Reading about their plans and aspirations gives me great hope for our future as a nation.

Thank you all for your unwavering support of me and the Council, and I hope to see you down the Scouting Trail in the future.

Yours in Scouting,
John Fullerton