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 1978, soon after our relocation to Hartford and also as our three sons were entering Cub Scouts. Over the ensuing years, I have served in leadership positions with the Hartford-based Connecticut Rivers Council (and its predecessor, Long Rivers Council) and the Greater New York Councils, 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 National Advisory Council, 2010 – 2020 Council Finance Support Committee, Boy Scout Handbook Task Force, 2006 – 2009 |
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Southern Region Board of Directors, 2011 – 2019 Finance Committee, 2011 – 2019 |
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Northeast Region Board of Directors, 1988 – 2011 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 Executive Committee, 2011 – 2013 |
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Connecticut Rivers Council Board of Advisors, 2011 – present Board of Directors, 1978 – 2011 President, 1985 – 1988 Commissioner, 1983 – 1985 |
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Greater New York Councils 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, Fredericksburg, 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 Assessments Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico Florida National High Adventure Sea Base |
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Philmont Training Center Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico |
In 2010, the Boy Scouts of America celebrated 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 was 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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UNC Class of 1965 50th Reunion Committee, 2014 – 2015 Rams Club Board of Advisors, 2008 – 2011 UNC Board of Visitors, 2001 – 2005 UNC Delegate to the Inauguration of Trinity College's President, |
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With my wife Carol and Bill Friday.
Photo by Andrew Ross
Carol Ross with Victoria Soltis-Jarrett, the Carol Morde Ross Distinguished Professor in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing in the UNC School of Nursing.
Photo courtesy of School of Nursing
With my wife Carol and Caroline Alcorta, cross country and distance runner.
Caroline, UNC Class of ’18, was awarded the Coleman D. Ross
Educational Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
Photo by Jonathan Ross
With Madison Williams, who received both the Coleman D. Ross Master of Accounting Fellowship and the Master of Accounting Outstanding Graduate Award for the Class of ’17 in the Kenan-Flagler Business School.
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 Past President of
The University of North Carolina)
Other Volunteer Service
 Asylum Hill Congregational Church Investment Committee 2004 – 2006 |
 McLean Foundation Board of Directors Investment Committee 2002 – 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 friend and 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