Former Young Men General President Selected for Top Scouting Post
Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer
“Scouting reinforces the work ethic taught in the home and helps Scouts of all ages build feelings of self-worth as they accomplish various tasks and progress through the ranks.” —Charles W. Dahlquist II, national commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America
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Charles W. Dahlquist II—a veteran Scout leader and former Young Men General President—has been named the national commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America.
A lifelong Church member, he will serve as one of the top national volunteers in the storied youth program. He is charged with helping chartered organizations and BSA leadership “achieve the aims of Scouting to benefit 2.3 million youth members the BSA serves today,” according to a BSA release.
He is only the 10th national commissioner in BSA history, replacing longtime commissioner Tico Perez.
“The energy that Charles Dahlquist brings as the incoming national commissioner uniquely reflects his deep understanding of the instrumental role our many valued charter partners play in bringing Scouting to life for youth across America,” said Mike Surbaugh, BSA’s chief Scout executive. “We look forward to the powerful impact we know Charles will have in this role as he further grows and strengthens relationships with our charter partners.”
In an email to the Church News, Brother Dahlquist said Scouting is more relevant today in the lives of Aaronic Priesthood holders than at any other time.
Charles W. Dahlquist II.
“Scouting helps young men not only develop vital character traits that will help them be better prepared for missionary service, to become husbands and fathers, and live lives of service, but it also provides them with life skills as well, such as goal setting, project management, serving hearts and hands, communications skills, time management abilities, survival skills, and many more,” he said.
“Scouting also helps reinforce important values taught in the home and at church—in many cases, being the ‘lab experience’ for those important values. Scouting reinforces the work ethic taught in the home and helps Scouts of all ages build feelings of self-worth as they accomplish various tasks and progress through the ranks of Scouting, Varsity, and Venturing.”
A former Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Explorer, Brother Dahlquist has served in Scouting at many levels. He is a former Scoutmaster and Explorer adviser and has also served as vice president of Exploring and as council president of the Great Salt Lake Council of the BSA. He has twice served on Scouting’s National Executive Board and has received the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Silver Buffalo Awards as well as the National Venturing Service Award, and served as assistant head chaplain and head chaplain for the 2005 and 2010 National Scout Jamborees, respectively, as well as the contingent chair for the BSA’s participation in the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan.
Besides serving as the Young Men general president (2004–2009), Brother Dahlquist has chaired the General Church Scouting Committee and presided over the Germany Hamburg Mission from 1992 to 1995.
Another LDS Scout leader, Paul L. Moffat, was recently named the national chairman of BSA’s Religious Relationships Committee, which builds and maintains relationships between the many religious organizations that sponsor Scout units across the country.
“Paul is known to many throughout the United States and world from his very active role in Scouting,” said Amanda T. Ballenger of the National Association of Presbyterian Scouters. “We are delighted to welcome him aboard.”
A Las Vegas, Nevada, resident, Brother Moffat has served as a chaplain at national jamborees and chairman of Scouting’s annual Duty to God Breakfast.
