Kuhfuss

I've been conducting BSA training for some time. I'm a Pack Trainer so I've participated in the Trainer Development Conference several times as a trainee and trainer. I've recently been elected as a District Committee member-at-large so I'm taking the District Committee Training Workshop (Basic Leader Training for District Committee members) this weekend. What, if any, are Basic Leader Training requirements for a District Training Committee Chair or Member that National, your council, or district?

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credit: a Rhode Island Scout camp

used by Hatboro (PA) Troop 3 forever

For some other opinions see the following.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/5981415.htm

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/columnists/5985552.htm

You could ask COL Council Scout Executive Bill Dwyer, but he is in an awkward position here, being paid by Irving to support the Council volunteers.

As one on those volunteers I only speak for myself, but I have heard the opinion of others and I have some understanding of area politics. The Council includes Philadelphia and two suburban counties, Delaware and Montgomery. Philadelphia is primarily Democratic. Suburban county voters are primarily registered Republican, but, being well educated and affluent, tend to vote for Democrats as often, if not more than, Republicans. (The area has voted for Clinton, Clinton, and Gore; we recently chose the liberal Jewish former Philadelphia mayor as our new governor.) We tend to favor an 'inclusive' policy toward others.

I have heard some Scouters speak against homosexuals, but I've heard more speak against the 'exclusion' policy. Some are concerned that this policy has hurt our recent recruitment efforts. Our United Way funding has not been reduced and I have not heard anyone express the opinion that we should compromise our standards to maintain funding. Our desire to be inclusive is about morals, not lobbying, pressure, or money.

Furthermore, rules do change. Until some time in the 50s or 60s, it was possible to become an Eagle Scout at 42. Women could not hold certain Scouting positions because of a national exclusion policy until a Council in the 70s registered a woman as a Scoutmaster. That defiance of national policy eventually led to a change in national policy; see http://members.aol.com/randywoo/bsahis/women.htm. My council (along with other Councils) has submitted a resolution to change the homosexual exclusion policy; see http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/New/Attempt/attempt.html. That resolution was rejected.

Nationals policy is inconsistent with our promise to obey the Scout Law by being friendly: "A Scout is a friend to all. He offers his friendship to [others] ... even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own." The Cradle of Liberty is engaging in the process of changing the rules.

Who can become a Scout? Any boy (regardless of race, ethnicity, physical or mental capabilities) who subscribes to the Declaration of Religious Principle. Except homosexuals. That is a discriminatory policy that the Cradle of Liberty Council does not condone and seeks to change.

Yours in Scouting,

Bobwhite Bill Kuhfuss, Cradle of Liberty Council

Here's what one of the 'rank & file' had to say in news:rec.scouting.issues at news:bb636002k0f@enews1.newsguy.com.

"We Philadelphia area Scouters have discussed this issue a great deal over the last few years. Some expressed the view that homosexuals are immoral and have no place in Scouting. (I suspect many of those fear the 'affect' a respected gay man may have on their son.) Others have stated that 'sexual orientation' doesn't matter.

"I believe that Scouting 'happens' within the patrol (or den) and unit. A unit committee should determine its own policy about the 'sexual orientation' of its leaders. Scouts and their parents who disagree with the committee's policy can join another unit. National should not dictate to units a policy regarding gay unit leaders.

"I am proud of my council for taking this stand."

I expect that most rank and file members will support the stand their council has taken.