Re: Applications
James A. Sheckels (sheckej@EARTHLINK.NET)
Mon, 9 Sep 1996 18:08:09 -0700
OKAY PEOPLE, LET'S CALM IT DOWN!!!
First off, are we talking a misdemeanor or felony? Where in the BSA Rules &
Regulations and Charter and By-Laws does it state a convicted felon cannot
be registered? Specifics, not generalization. I don't see it in there. I
do see in the Charter and By-Laws, in Article VIII, in the General portion,
Section 1, the following: "No person shall be appointed as a leader unless,
in the judgement of the Corporation, that person possesses the moral,
educational, and emotional qualities deemed necessary for leadership and
satisfies such other leadership qualifications as it may from time to time
desire." Looks like BSA actually expects us to use our brain in these
issues ("In the judgement of..."). Imagine that!
Secondly, shouldn't we allow a person room to improve? Hey, a mistake in
the past can't be corrected? Isn't that what our judicial system looks to
accomplish? Pay the debt and move on? Certainly, if the person continued
to to live non-productively we should keep him/her off our roles, but that
does not seem to be the situation mentioned here.
Third - where does it say serving a sentence while being registered is
"absolutely wrong'? I refer you to "first off.." above. Yes, a tenuous
situation, but "absolute". C'mon now!
Fourth - The SPONSOR is repsonsible for the leadership, not the SE. If the
sponsor approves, and the policy/rules & regs are complied with, why
shouldn't the SE approve? Maybe YOUR Council policy is to do the background
check, but it is not the policy of every Council. The first step in the
APPROVAL process rests with the SPONSOR, not the BSA.
Certainly, as Kathie said, you should discuss this with your Scout
Executive. AND with the involvement of the sponsor (IH/CR). Calmly, cooly,
collectively. Depends on the Council policy in concert with the National
policy and sponsor's policy. Things just aren't cast in stone, at least I
don't think so.
Let's not knee jerk and throw people away. That doesn't come close to what
Scouting is about.
Kathie wrote:
>Contact your D.E. and/or council immediately. First of all we do not allow
>convicted felons to register. That is why they need to be checked. (that
>has been so for the 28 yrs. I have been with BSA).
>
>And, you stated he`served his sentence while holding an asst. Cubmaster
>registion.' That is absolutely wrong.
>
>I would NOT myself out on that limb. I would have him complete a new
>application AND he must list his charge, conviction, and sentence. AND the
>council executive staff MUST check.
>
>IF your council deems it right to ignore the clear directive from national,
>that is their problem. In any case, you, your family, and those of your
>unit are doing what we have always been required to do --- report someone
>who has been convicted.
>
>Kathie
>
>>Got a tough questions for all of you. I am not sure how to handle this
>>one.
>>
>>It has come to my attention that a registered scouter was convicted of
>>illegal drug possession(marijauana). He was not using it or distributing
>>it. He was just growing it in his back yard before his involvement with
>>scouting. He served his sentence as a registered scouter..
>>
>>He seems to have cleaned up his act. He is a very down to earth guy and
>>tells you like it is.
>>
>>He was assistant cubmaster at the time of his sentence. He has since
>>then become a den leader.
>>
>>The matter has been discussed with the committee and was decided to allow
>>him to stay in the unit, since the crime occurred before his time as a
>>registered leader.
>>
>>A member of the committee is now questioning as to if he should continue
>>as part of the unit leadership. He has recently become Assistant
>>Cubmaster again.
>>
>>This person wants the man to fill out a new application and see what the
>>council does. How do I go about this without drudging up what has long
>>been decided. The man that doesn't want the assistant cubmaster in that
>>position can really be a trouble maker.
>>
>>Please I need your help.!
>>
>>Eaglely yours,
>>Ellen Rohr
>>Southbrook District Tiger Cub Chair, RT Staff, Unit Commissioner
>>plus anything else I don't say NO to loud enough
>>Potawatomi Area Council, Brookfield, WI
>>
>>
>Kathie Cerveny Exp. Div. Service Team
Chrmn.
>Northwestern University Troop Committee member
>2145 Sheridan Rd. Pack Committee Chairman
>Evanston, IL 60208-3118 BSA Trainer
> Antelope EC-CS-2
> Eagle EC-215W
> Council Executive Board
>Member
>
>
YIS, Jim Sheckels - I used to be a Bobwhite...SE 308-7 '82/'72-WWW-B'Hood
CR & CC Troop 742, Hope Mills United Methodist Church, NC
Member of NAUMS/District Advancement & Training Committee
sheckej@earthlink.net/910-426-2766
3501 Farm Circle Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28306-8303
Scouting IS NOT an exact science, so use your brain - noone else is! <]:->
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
