The backbone of the troop's new platform is Entra ID, a service of Microsoft 365. Accounts are created for members of the troop, gaining them access to all of the troop's internal services. These include the troop's SharePoint site, used for sign-ups, announcements, document sharing, etc., as well as troop-sanctioned email services through Microsoft Exchange. Additionally, for certain users, additional services through Google Apps are currently available, and will become available to all members in coming months.

If you are a different troop interested in learning more about our troop's platform, send an email to helpdesk@bsa259.com. We'll get back to you with more details about how to gain access to these services for your troop for free. Know that Microsoft administration IT knowledge is required to set up and use these tools effectively.

We are always working on improving features, as well as adding new ones. Over time, you may notice improvements in functionality, as well as the ability to access new features. Be on the lookout for new features in the pipeline:

• Single Sign-On (SSO) for all troop applications (✅ implemented as of 2023):

  • Microsoft Office

  • Microsoft Exchange

  • SharePoint

  • Google Apps

  • My Scouting and Scoutbook do not currently support this feature, so SSO integration will not be available for these applications at initial rollout. Please use your my.scouting.org credentials to access these resources.

• Improved SharePoint calendar (✅ implemented as of 2023)

• Improved event/campout sign-up forms (✅ implemented as of 2022)

Is there a new feature you would like to see added? Let us know by sending an email to helpdesk@bsa259.com!

You can always e-mail the troop's SharePoint Administrator at helpdesk@bsa259.com. If you need more help, though, feel free to contact client support at (503) 809-4646, and press 1 to speak to a customer service representative.

Phone Support Hours:

Monday though Friday: 7 a.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

All email addresses ending in @bsa259.com, @scout.bsa259.com, and @guardian.bsa259.com are the property of Scouting America Troop 259. 

Scouting America Troop 259 respects your privacy, and does not regularly screen content connected to the account. However, for the protection of all members, all data stored on all Troop 259 accounts is subject to screening if necessary. The necessity of data screening/auditing in all situations is determined at the sole discretion of the Troop Committee.

Troop 259 also reserves the right to suspend access to account and review its contents if policy violations are suspected. In short, absolute privacy should not be expected when using a Troop-managed account.

Please contact the Webmaster if you have further questions regarding these topics (helpdesk@bsa259.com).

All account data is permanently deleted 90 days after your departure.*

*Data may be retained  in the event of a litigation hold or other obligation. Certain data may also be retained if it is relevant to other members of the troop, i.e. shared documents and forms, etc.

Thanks to a donation from Microsoft, our troop will have access to Microsoft 365, and all its accompanying online services. Members of 259 will be assigned a Microsoft 365 account, which will gain them access to services such as Outlook, Microsoft Office for Web (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access), and SharePoint, our new intranet platform.

All members have access to Microsoft's mobile SharePoint, Outlook, and Office apps.

Accounts were issued on September 13, 2021, and Shutterfly was decommissioned at the same time.

Microsoft offers a wide variety of highly-rated apps for both iOS and Android devices. We recommend the Outlook app for your troop email account, as well as the SharePoint app. Unlike other mobile apps we have used in the past, these are well-optimized for all common platforms, and are available for free download from the App Store and Google Play Store.

Your Troop 259 email address can also be added to your favorite mail clients, including iOS Mail, Gmail, Outlook, and others. Most modern email clients support direct integration with Microsoft Exchange.

Scouts, parents, and troop leaders have been assigned accounts that are managed by the troop in a similar fashion to workplaces and schools. All members will have access to SharePoint, Office, and Outlook. Accounts will be issued and managed by the troop, and members will be assigned an account ending in @bsa259.com, @scout.bsa259.com, or @guardian.bsa259.com, depending on their position within the troop.

Registration is now open to all members of the troop who want to take Microsoft 365 for a test drive. Send us an email at helpdesk@bsa259.com to get started!

While we encourage all users to take advantage of the online services provided through the troop, we will assist you in forwarding all emails from your Troop 259 account to your personal one. This will allow you to receive all your mail in one place, without the need to remember to check your 259 inbox. Keep in mind that you will still need to use your troop account (ending in bsa259.com) to access SharePoint and other services.

All data will be hosted on Microsoft's platform, which is trusted by countless businesses, both large and small, as well as many colleges, universities, and government agencies. Microsoft has advanced security features available to their customers, and the troop is able to monitor for potential data breaches. All incoming and outgoing mail is scanned for potentially sensitive data, such as credit card information and SSNs. This is done automatically using Microsoft's own services, and troop administrators are only notified if a data breach is suspected.

Our accounts have a minimum password strength requirement, which helps keep data secure. Users are also highly encouraged to use two-factor account authentication to protect their accounts.

Microsoft's platform offers many more security insights than our previous platforms and allows for many security enhancements, such as allowing special characters in passwords — which are not supported in Shutterfly.