Eagle1993

There wasn’t much beyond the first paragraph. This is one key “Filing for bankruptcy would put the brakes on the litigation and give the nonprofit the chance to negotiate with victims who have sued.” I think the GSUSA damages (if any) could be lumped in. However, bankruptcy could lead to some ugly outcomes.

I think anyone looking at the annual reports could see this coming. This is horrible news and I am very concerned about loss of camps and property. One glimmer of hope.... many organizations rise from the ashes and prosper.... I certainly hope BSA will.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/boy-scouts-of-america-considers-bankruptcy-filing-amid-sex-abuse-lawsuits-11544649657

As a Cub Scout Leader who is going through recharter, I can tell you we are losing scouts to sports and busy parents. I have had 0 parents tell me that girls, gays or god made a difference with their membership. What I have been told has been 2 major reasons for not joining or dropping.... - both parents work schedules are too much to support their child in scouts... if they could simply drop them off at meetings and outings... that could work. They don’t have time to help their son with PWD, etc.... already too busy. - Sports....they see sports, especially for boys, as the best w

So much discussion about the names got me thinking about the famous Romeo and Juliet line that fits this discussion .... “What's in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet." That got me thinking that someone could rewrite Romeo and Juliet to be a tragic story of two lovers... one from the house of BSA and the other GSUSA. I then switched Juliet to Juliette given the GSUSA reference.

Usually it is about cub scouts crossing over this spring... so in that case the parents are right (correcting me when I say Boy Scouts). That said, I have also had the snarky response from a few like you mention.

I was wondering where they would define what to call members of Scouts BSA... thanks for the link. I’ve only remembered seeing references to the program name. I expect if 5-10 years, perhaps 50 based upon our UK friends’ experience, scouts will clearly mean Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts will be GSUSA. That is unless GSUSA changes to Girl Guides. So, if a girl is in Scouts BSA she would say... I’m a scout. If she is in Girl Scouts she would state I’m a Girl Scout. Boys will probably either call themselves scouts or Boy Scouts.... either should work. Just had a thought.... I see

They want us to say “Scouts BSA”. Where do you see BSA staying “We are Scouts....”?

Some good guidance and info regarding Scouts BSA recruiting and how to handle questions about GSUSA. I would highly recommend reviewing these if you plan to setup a Scouts BSA Girls Troop. This was released to councils today. Brand-Guidance-Talking-Points-for-Scouts-BSA-Info-Sessions-1.pdf BSA-Messaging-to-Staff-and-Volunteers-12-5-18.pdf FINAL Brand Training 12-4-18.pdf

More info just announced... Not sure how you get added yet. In anticipation of the Scouts BSA launch on February 1, 2019, families are already looking for units forming in their area. To help youth join scouts, the BSA has added new functionality that allows councils to display “Coming Soon” units in BeAScout.org.

Actual this partially true. Chartering of new Girl Troops is underway. If girls are to join Feb 1 you need to have a lot of work complete by then. See attached for an example of a plan. Note the contact names will be different for your council. I’m sharing this from a private FB account that is supported semi-officially by Nationals. I recommend searching Facebook for “BSA. Family Packs/Girl Troops” and request to join. There is a lot of info there. Note: This isn’t official and just one example from a leader. Scout BSA New Troop Kit.pdf

ILL...

More info... https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Girl-Scouts-suspend-Green-Bay-troop-leader-behind-vigils-and-memorial-patch-500884872.html AP is also running this story.

GSUSA has now dismissed the Troop Leader for raising funds. Not sure why, but seems to be a policy violation. https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2018/11/19/green-bay-girl-scout-leader-dismissed-after-organizing-event-crash-victims/2060509002/

I looked back at some of the Pepsi vs Coke lawsuits. Coke responded once that “... (it) seems as if Pepsi would prefer to fight in the courts rather than the marketplace.” While I don’t see this as a fight, GSUSA seems to, and instead of focusing inward to see why girls are not joining (or leaving) they are fighting in the media and court. That may work short term but long term parents and kids will find and choose the best fit for them (or none)... regardless of program names. BSA is offering refunds to any girls who joined Cub Scouts thinking it was Girl Scouts. Surbaugh also notes

Interesting NY Times article regarding the lawsuit. What I find interesting is that some GSUSA leaders are expressing frustration with their leadership not listening to the girls with GSUSA. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/09/us/girl-scouts-sue-boy-scouts.html

According to the video, BSA would be liable. For example, Pack xyz sent our flyer that includes term “girls scout”. Is sounds like GSUSA would have to prove damages from that specific flyer and BSA would be liable. For a single unit flyer, What are the damages ... 1-3 lost members? $60? I think that is the point the lawyers were making as to why cease and desist letters make sense. At least that is how I interpreted their video.

I also think the opinion of the ladies who join BSA would also be included in the equation, perhaps girl members of Venturing would have been a great group to ask. I don’t believe GSUSA should have the only and final input. They have made it clear they want nothing to do with BSA going forward. I’m sure their answer would be Backstabbing Scouts of America. I hope that is repaired long term but I don’t see a name conversation happening short term as it would appear that they are approving of this change.

The 1 hour video above, by a Trademark attorney and a patent attorney seems to make clear the only thing GSUSA can enforce is the use of the term “Girl Scouts” or very similar “girl scout” or “girl ... scout”. They seem to indicate that scout is a generic term and no organization has the right to reserve a market for that term. There is no way to protect a market (for example, Apple cannot use Trademark laws to prevent other PC sellers to sell “computers” to girls). Just as GSUSA cannot use Trademark law to prevent BSA from selling scouting services to girls. They can be called scouts,

@NJCubScouter Would be interested in your take. It seems like they believe BSA will win the big battle (the name Scouts BSA) but GSUSA may see some wins in damages (but they would have to prove them and these two expect they will be minimal). They called the BSA response “brilliant”, taking the high road and clarifying the brand do and don’ts. After listening to them I question several of GSUSA’s examples as they are not strong indicators of Trademark infringement (for example the quote from Juliette is no longer copyrighted due to age of the quote). Overall interestin

I’ve never used the terms BSA or GSUSA with new parents. I say Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. If parent is interested in scouting for little Sally I say, yep, she can join our Cub Scout Pack. I also say we have a great Girl Scout program at our school and if she is interested I can give you their contact info. Never had confusion after that.... and I will continue to help GSUSA regardless of some of their tactics.

They are fighting the trademarks for both Scouts BSA and Scout Life and they want $.

Finished reading that GSUSA guideline. I have no problem showing the uniform, emphasizing their unique brand, ensuring GSUSA money is spent on GSUSA events. Recruiting separate... sure. Many valid points. Telling a Troop of Girl Scouts that they can no longer participate in Scouting for Food because it is a BSA event crosses a line. It crosses the line of an organization more self interested in $ than doing service. I haven’t seen that and GSUSA in my area still does some joint BSA activities when it involves community service... I hope that remains.

Found this to be interesting “Girl Scouts of the USA prohibits events co-sponsored or co- branded with the Boy Scouts.” “Do not participate in, allow, or promote any co-sponsored or co-branded events or programs that use either Girl Scouts’ name, logo, colors, or likenesses together with Boy Scouts. This includes long-standing events like Scouting for Food and Pine Car Derbies.” Yep... screw the hungry if Boy Scouts are involved. What a load of crap. My sympathy for GSUSA went down a few notches...

https://scoutingwire.org/this-infographic-shows-the-right-way-to-refer-to-girls-who-will-join-scouts-bsa/