Another BSA Attack
Bert Austin (austin@APS.ANL.GOV)
Wed, 31 Jul 1996 08:44:54 -0500
This morning's Chicago Tribune is carrying a story about the ACLU's latest
assault on the Boy Scouts (Why so many in Chicago? Does someone with
money/influence have an ax to grind with the Boy Scouts?). It seems the ACLU
has now sent letters to governmental agencies warning that sponsorship of
BSA units may be a legal liability since the BSA "discriminates" against
gays (the Chicago Council declined the employment application of an openly
gay man) and atheists. The ACLU is further urging others not to sponsor BSA
units.
This article led me to thinking that too often our chartering organizations
are not made aware of the benefits of the program they are sponsoring.
Perhaps, each unit should make a concerted effort to identify any and all
good and beneficial outcomes from the BSA unit. Certainly publicize
advancement (esp. Eagle) and be sure the chartered organization is
identified with the unit. Write a quarterly letter to the head of the CO
thanking them for support and highlighting activities, advancement, and how
individual boys have benefitted from the program made possible through their
support.
Maybe negative campaigns, like that of the ACLU, will have little or no
impact if the COs and their influential members are more aware of their
local impact on boys lives and the benefits to their communities. YiS
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Bert Austin {austin@aps.anl.gov} |Unit Commissioner
Riverside, IL |I used to be a Fox
Voyageur Trace District |EC-443W
DesPlaines Valley Council |
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Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |