Re: Taking Away Eagle Scout (or any rank)
Deirdre LaRock (butterbuns@EARTHLINK.COM)
Sun, 11 Aug 1996 17:41:27 -0400
Forrest Carper <frostc@3LEFTIES.COM> wrote:
>It seems someone asked a question about this subject. I have not seen aan
>answer so here is mine. No, you cannot take away an Eagle rank for a crime
>that person may commit after the award of the rank.
>Anybody else have any takes on this subject?
Yep. Since 1922, the Boy Scouts of America has WITHDRAWN (as they have
a right to do so) the Eagle Scout Badges from 8 men, 7 of which are
in various jails and the eighth because of actions "inconsistant with the
spirit of the award". All of these people were involved in or were convicted
of gross felonies, and all of the action was taken through the BSA's National
Executive Board...the ONLY body which can "take away a rank".
Your local Council CANNOT take away a rank, and despite what you may have
heard, neither can you or I as a Scouter. This right is reserved ONLY for
the National Executive Board, upon recommendation from a Council Scout Executive
(and he or she had better have COMPELLING REASONS why, or there will be
questions asked of him or her!!!!). Once it is done, it is done.
The badges and insignia are ALWAYS the property of the BSA, even though we
think, feel and act as if they are our own. The reference to this is found in
both the BSA's Insignia Guide as well as in the Rules and Regulations of the
BSA. I have been a party to and have witnessed Scout Executives coming into
homes, accompained by the Sheriff or other law-enforcement agents, and retriving
any and everything with the BSA's seal on it, the BSA's logo, or which is a BSA
emblem or patch from people identified as using such materials in connection
with crimes against children. The most recent example of this was in 1992,
when a gentleman harming children was "hiding behind" the fact that he was a
Scoutmaster of a local unit in middle Tennessee. The Council Scout Executive,
along with a representative of the then Southeast Region, went into the home
and
picked up everything dealing, relating or even connected with Scouting. Those
things were destroyed afterwards.
So, yeah, it *can be done* but National has to do it and it has to be something
totally out of the ordinary...for instance, former Eagle Scout Charles Manson's
killings removed him from the Eagle Scout Registry.
And remember, even though YOU physically hold the badge, the BSA can and HAS
THE RIGHT to request it back. It is *their award to you* and you are
*holding it
indefinately*.
Hope that helps out your search for the answer....
(thanks again, Dee!!)
Settummanque!
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
