Coleman D. Ross
Service to Volunteer Organizations
Do something for somebody every day
for which you do not get paid.
— Albert Schweitzer
In addition to my service to my profession, I have also been active in the community, principally with the Boy Scouts of America and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, my alma mater. Selected examples of volunteer service follow:
Boy Scouts of America
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A Scout is: — Boy Scout Law |
On my honor I will do my best -- — Boy Scout Oath |
Installation as Long Rivers Council's president
with my three sons, Andrew, Coleman, Jr., and Jonathan,
each of whom attained the Eagle Scout rank
I began my volunteer service with the Boy Scouts in 1977, soon after our relocation to Hartford and also as our three sons were entering Cub Scouts. Over the next 33 years, I served in leadership positions with the Hartford-based Connecticut Rivers Council and its predecessor, Long Rivers Council, as well as with national, regional, and local organizations. Following my relocation to North Carolina, I recently joined the board of directors of the Raleigh-based Occoneechee Council.
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National
Council
Finance Support Committee, 2008 – present Boy Scout Handbook Task Force,
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Northeast Region
Board of Directors, 1988 – present Vice President, Finance, 2004 – 2007 Vice President, Endowment, 2002 – 2004 Vice President, Program, 1993 – 1996 Area President – New England, 1988 – 1991
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Occoneechee Council
Board of Directors, 2010 – present
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Connecticut Rivers Council
Board of Directors / Trustees, 1978 – present Trustee for Endowment, 1999 – 2007 President, 1985 – 1988 Commissioner, 1983 – 1985
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Board of Directors / Trustees, 1994 – 2004 Vice President, Exploring, 1994 – 1995
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Simsbury, Connecticut Scout Troops Committee Member, Troop 94, 1983 – 1988 Committee Chairman, Troop 174, 1978 – 1983 Chartered Organization Representative,
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White-water canoeing on Maine's Penobscot River with my son Jonathan
Photo by Coleman Ross, Jr.
Sunrise on the summit of Philmont's Tooth of Time
with my sons Coleman Jr. and Andrew
Photo by Peter Rosario
In addition to the Regional and Council leadership positions that I have held, I have also enjoyed several challenging and inspiring outdoor Scouting experiences, including National and World Jamborees and Philmont and Maine High Adventure treks.
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National and World Scout Jamborees
National Scout Jamboree, Fredricksburg, Virginia World Scout Jamboree, The Netherlands, 1995 |
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High Adventure Treks Philmont High Adventure, New Mexico Maine High Adventure |
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National High Adventure Base Visitation Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico |
In 2010, the Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100th anniversary. In 2006 I was appointed to a national council task force to develop the 12th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook, which is being published for the BSA’s centennial year. The handbook has been the official manual of the Boy Scouts of America since the first edition was published in 1911; the latest edition addresses traditional topics such as camping, first aid, and hiking, as well as personal development and the internet.
To secure endurance, physical power, physical courage, and skill, the first thing needful is to take stock of one's physical makeup, put the body in the best possible condition for doing its work, and then keep it in good order.
— "Handbook for Boys", 1st edition, 1911
The human body thrives on exercise. Being active for 30 to 60 minutes most days … pushes you to become stronger [and] helps with circulation and digestion. Walking, biking, mowing lawns, and playing sports are all terrific ways to give your body exercise. Of course, hiking, backpacking, swimming, canoeing, climbing. and many other Scouting adventures are excellent choices, too. To give all parts of your body a good workout, add push-ups, chin-ups, and a few other exercises.
— "The Boy Scout Handbook", 12th edition, 2009
The
University of North Carolina
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Rams Club Board of Advisors, 2008 – present UNC Board of Visitors, 2001 – 2005 UNC Delegate to
the Inauguration of Trinity College's President, |
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With Katelyn Kaltenbach, cross country and distance runner.
Katelyn, UNC Class of ’09, was awarded the Coleman D. Ross
Educational Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
Photo by Bill Minton
With Stephanie Westen, MAC Class of 2010 in the
Kenan-Flagler Business School. Stephanie was awarded the
Coleman D. Ross Master of Accounting Endowed Fellowship.
Photo by Andrew Ross
The University of North Carolina is a special place. For most of us, it was a place of self-realization and personal development and we hold precious and dear memories of those very happy years. We learned, we grew, and later we understood that we must give back to society the best within us to improve the well-being of those less fortunate about us….
— William C. Friday (UNC Law School Class
of 1948
and President Emeritus of The University of North Carolina)
Other Volunteer Service
 McLean Foundation Board of Directors Investment Committee 2002 – 2006 |
 Asylum Hill Congregational Church Investment Committee 2004 – 2006 |
 United Way of the Capital Area Campaign Cabinet and Professional Division Chairman, 1984 |
 The Hartford Club Board of Governors 1977 – 1982 |
… a good man, one of the best of men, although a clergyman.
— Samuel L. Clemens (Mark
Twain) describing Reverend Joseph Twitchell,
his close friendand minister
at Asylum Hill Congregational Church
I said [Bermuda] was like being in Heaven. The Reverend rebukingly and rather pointedly advised me to make the most of it then.
— Samuel L. Clemens commenting on advice given to him by Reverend Twitchell