APO-BSA Connectivity
David Cho (dcctdw@MIT.EDU)
Fri, 4 Feb 1994 02:48:46 EST
Somehow Chris Harwell's original letter slipped by my attention, which I
wish to address, so I'll respond to the bits and pieces I see quoted in
yesterday's digest:
> I understand many chapters coordinate service projects
>of a large variety from volunteering as an over 18 adult for
>Webelos 1:1 ratio or scouting two deep leadership or helping with
>parking at large events. Do any of you know of projects involving
>APO and scouts?
Our chapter traditionally works with the BSA camps in the New England area
during our long weekends. (We have been attempting to establish similar
relations with GSUSA and Campfire, to little, but increasing!, success.)
Zeta Upsilon (Boston University) -runs- the Cub Scout Decathalon, which our
chapter used to run many years ago. We used to have a swim program for
Scouts (that died due to lack of interest on the part of the Scouts.
Oops.) I could keep listing...
> From rumors I understand one reason may have to do with
>our open membership policy. Though APO is discriminatory in
>requiring certain objective requirements like knowledge fraternity
>history, chapter operations and such we have an open membership
>policy which is approx. APO does not discriminate on the basis of
>race, creed, color, sex, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
>It's the last two that have apparently raised some eyebrows in
>National Scouting Circles. Again most of what I stated came word
>of mouth.
What? Not quite.
There are National Pledging Standards, but the actual objective criterion,
if any, are up to the specific chapter. Our chapter, for instance,
requires 6 service projects a term, 2 fellowship events, etc., but we ask
no one to memorize fraternity history, etc. (We are an exception. Mileage
may vary.) My point is that *one* chapter != *all* of APO.
Yes, we have an open membership policy. Yes, because of discrepancies
between this and BSA there is friction. I know this is a hot topic in APO.
I'm not surprised to find the same in BSA. <shrug> APO National
Convention is coming up; the nature of our relations will probably be
discussed like it was at the last convention.
> How do you as a scouter feel about those ties nationally
>between Boy Scouts and APO? Project? There has also been some
>talk of making ties with the national Girl Scout organization. Any
>thoughts?
I'm not a "Scout" as in "a former Boy Scout". So perhaps you don't want my
opinion :) but I (personally!) feel that APO should drop formal ties with
BSA and work on having general relations with -all- service groups. In the
future, these relations may be closer than the current APO-BSA one, but I
believe the first step is for APO to recognize that we are independent of
the BSA -- an implication that was made (imho) when APO was founded.
Not surprisingly, I think APO is great, and I greatly encourage you to look
at your local chapter. APO -is- different from the BSA, and I invite you
to explore, enjoy, and celebrate these differences. Like any other
organization, we have our good parts and our bad parts. Take a serious,
open-minded look. I don't think you'll regret it.
YiLFS,
dave
Dave Cho
dcctdw@mit.edu
President, Alpha Chi chapter (I, 96)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
