Curated by Michael “Mike” Matzinger
Lead by Serving
Opportunities to give your time and treasure as a servant leader, close to home and around the world.
The idea
What is servant leadership?
Servant leadership turns the usual idea of leadership upside down. Instead of asking “How can others help me succeed?” a servant leader asks “How can I help others grow and succeed?” The term was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970, but the idea is as old as service itself: the best leaders put the needs of others first, and in doing so build people, organizations, and communities that are stronger than any one person could build alone.
You don’t need a title to be a servant leader. It can look like:
🤝
Mentor
Mentoring a young person and helping them discover what they’re capable of
🏕️
Lead
Leading a Scout troop, coaching a team, or guiding a youth program
🏛️
Govern
Serving on a nonprofit board and helping an organization plan for its future
💼
Lend your skills
Lending your professional skills, such as communications, finance, or technology, to a cause you care about
🎁
Give
Giving financially so that others can lead and grow
👂
Show up
Showing up, listening, and doing the work that needs doing, even when no one is watching
Below are organizations where I serve, organized from local to international. Each one welcomes people who want to invest their time, talent, or treasure. If one speaks to you, follow the links to learn more, or reach out to me and I’ll gladly help you get connected.
🏡 Local
Local opportunities
Right here in Greensboro and Guilford County, North Carolina.
Scouts BSA Troop 219
A Scouts BSA troop of 64 girls, founded in 2019, meeting in Oak Ridge, NC. Its Scouts camp, backpack, paddle, sail, and serve their community.
Ways to serve
- Youth ages 11–17: join as a Scout
- Adults: serve as an assistant Scoutmaster, committee member, or merit badge counselor
- Support the troop with gear, transportation, or a donation
My role · Founding Scoutmaster
Scouts BSA Troop 600
A Scout-led troop of 84 boys meeting Monday evenings in Oak Ridge, NC, with a high-adventure program that includes backpacking, whitewater, SCUBA, caving, and climbing.
Ways to serve
- Youth ages 11–17: join as a Scout
- Adults: serve as an assistant Scoutmaster, committee member, or merit badge counselor
- Share a skill or career on a merit badge night
My role · Founding Scoutmaster
Sea Scout Ship 3
Sea Scouts is Scouting America’s program for young adults built around sailing, boating, and seamanship. Ship 3 is one of the oldest Sea Scout Ships, operating from Hagan Sea Base, one of the oldest Sea Scout bases.
Ways to serve
- Young people ages 14–20: join the crew
- Adults: serve as a mate or committee member, or share boating and maritime skills
- Help maintain and equip the ship’s vessels
My role · Skipper
Black Suit Initiative
Helps middle and high school young men in Greensboro grow into confident leaders through mentoring, life skills, career exposure, and civic engagement.
Ways to serve
- Mentor a young man in the program
- Share your career or teach a life-skills session
- Give to help provide suits, programming, and scholarships
My role · Board Chair
Guilford County Partnership for Children
Works with families, educators, and the community so that Guilford County children from before birth through age five thrive in school and life.
Ways to serve
- Volunteer at community events and early literacy programs
- Give to support health, literacy, and early education
- Advocate for young children and families
My role · Board Member
🗺️ Regional
Regional opportunities
Across North Carolina and the Southeast.
Scouting America Council Service Territory 15
One of Scouting America’s regional service areas, supporting 19 local councils in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.
Ways to serve
- Help your local council recruit new Scouts and volunteers
- Serve on a district or council committee
- Find a Scouting unit near you at BeAScout.org
My role · Membership Lead
🇺🇸 National
National opportunities
Serving Scouting America across the country.
Scouting Alumni
Scouting America’s official program for former Scouts, volunteers, and supporters who want to stay connected and give back.
Ways to serve
- Register as a Scouting alum
- Join or start a local alumni group
- Volunteer on a national committee, such as communications or membership
My role · Vice Chair, Membership, Communications & Data
National Membership Engagement Committee
Helps Scouting America grow and keep its youth and adult members, including through Brand Ambassadors who share the Scouting story in their communities.
Ways to serve
- Unit leaders: share your experience and ideas
- Assist with the creation of tools that support membership growth
- Help with membership recruiting and retention efforts
My role · Unit Leader Advocate & Communications Chair
🌍 International
International opportunities
Connecting with Scouting and service around the world.
Scouting America – Scouting International
Connects American Scouts and leaders with a worldwide movement of more than 60 million Scouts through international events, travel, and programs like JOTA-JOTI and Messengers of Peace.
Ways to serve
- Attend a World Jamboree or international Scouting event
- Take part in JOTA-JOTI, the world’s largest Scouting event
- Serve as your council’s International Representative
- Give to support World Scouting
My role · Pillar Chair
International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians
Brings together Rotarians who share a commitment to Scouting, strengthening both Rotary and Scouting around the world.
Ways to serve
- Rotarians and Scouters: join the Fellowship
- Connect your Rotary club with a local Scout unit
- Help your club charter a new Scouting unit
My role · Area Coordinator
Rotary Club of the Friendship Knot
An international Rotary club, part of Rotary International’s global network of people committed to “Service Above Self.”
Ways to serve
- Visit a meeting as a guest
- Become a Rotarian and join the club’s service projects
- Lend your skills to club committees
My role · Public Relations Chair
About me
Mike Matzinger
I am a scientist, business leader, and lifelong volunteer based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since 2009 I have served as President of Burlington Chemical Company, and I am the primary inventor on 32 patents. I hold a B.S. in Chemistry from NC State, a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Emory, and an MBA in Finance from the University of South Carolina.
Service has been part of my life since I joined Cub Scouts in 1969. I earned Eagle at 14, both of my sons are Eagle Scouts, and I have founded seven Scouting units. I built this page because the most rewarding thing I can do is help others find their own place to serve.
Ready to serve?
Follow any of the links above to learn more, or email me at mike@scoutdude.com and I’ll help you find the right fit for your time, talents, and interests.