To Whom it May Concern;
I met Joe in 2015 as we were embarking on our first ever Game Dinner as a fundraiser for the Connecticut Yankee Council (CYC) of the Boy Scouts of America. While the cook team had worked together in the past, the team had never taken on a task this unique.
Joe was new to the organization and lucky for Joe, he was assigned as the Staff Advisor for this event. At this time, Joe met a group of scout volunteers who had been with Council for a number of years and in differing capacities (parent, Den Leader, Scout Master, Committee Chair, OA Advisor to name a few). Joe was also encountered a group of volunteers who were disillusioned with the CYC program and leadership. It was a group dedicated to supporting the scouting program for the youth but also a group that felt that were not being heard nor supported by the Council Leadership.
Joe walked into the kitchen and asked, “How can I help?”; we were all skeptical as other Staff Advisors had asked similar questions. Joe was different. In no time, Joe was up to his elbows plucking pheasant off the bone followed by dicing several cases of peppers and onions. All during this time, Joe was listening, truly listening to our concerns about the program, listening to ideas and suggestions on how to make it better…
And then Joe took action, not only was the Game Dinner a success, but we, as volunteers, were being heard at the Council level, through Joe.
While this may be a simple story, it gives insight into Joe, the person and the Scouter; he is dedicated and willing to work hard and side by side the volunteers. In doing so he forms a working and respectful relationship with the volunteers. He listens, which can be a rare commodity, but a truly necessary skill in today’s society. Joe cares: he cares about the youth, about providing the best program to help them grow. He cares about the volunteers and works to engage and support them. He also realizes that financing the program is also important. He creates unique ideas for raising funds such as the Great American Steak Out and Lobster Bake: low key, family friendly and fun events.
This team is now working on our 10th Game Dinner with Joe and have vowed to continue the event with Joe working hand in hand. He continues to be Joe: a great person, someone who cares and truly listens, someone dedicated to the Scouting Program to help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
I personally would recommend and love to have Joe as our Scout Executive. He would be a great Leader with not only his experience but the soft skills necessary to manage and grow a successful Council.
If you would like to discuss Joseph Andreo further, please feel free to contact me and hear more stories of Joe’s dedication and support of not only the volunteers but the entire Scout Program.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Lewis