RememberSchiff 3682 Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 from Barre Montpelier Times Argus http://www.timesargus.com/article/20120812/THISJUSTIN/708129867 Link to post Share on other sites
Hal_Crawford 15 Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Strangely written article. "Less stringent non-discrimination policy"? Less stringent that who or what? I am also not sure about the SM talking from a "military standpoint." Perhaps the GMC's approach is to not say anything that is clear and then do whatever they plan to do. Link to post Share on other sites
RememberSchiff 3682 Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 Agreed. Those interviewed were uncomfortable and their comments guarded. It is what it is, McCollin (SE) said. Every local council has to deal with it as best they can, based on the makeup of their constituents and customers. Were trying to do the best we can here. Like politics, scouting is local. My $0.02 Link to post Share on other sites
moosetracker 132 Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 They are more carefully worded, so they try to look more inclusive without having National focus it's radar beams on them.. It really is just restating the Don't ask, Don't tell policy.. Still it is a voice of another council stating they would prefer local option, that everyone does not prefer the National policy. That the council will try and be as blind and unnoticing as possible.. Not sure what would happen if someone came in with a complaint about another Scout or Scouter.. They may be just going through life hoping they will never be put into that type of a bind. Link to post Share on other sites
NJCubScouter 1389 Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 How is their policy any different from National's? The one portion that is directly quoted, about not asking people about their orientation, is very similar (maybe identical) to statements that have been made by National. But that statement does NOT say that an openly gay person can be a leader or Scout, or that the units get to choose. There MAY be something about this council's policy that is different from National's, but I don't see it in the article. Link to post Share on other sites
AZMike 173 Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Sounds like they are just reiterating the current policy: Don't ask, don't tell. Link to post Share on other sites
Oak Tree 15 Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 They have some more discussion on their web site. The way I read it, they are clearly painting the existing policy as negative. http://www.scoutingvermont.org/News/BSANonDiscriminationPolicy They don't argue for the national policy. They pretty take it as a problem that they don't agree with. The policy is only portrayed as a drag on membership. "If however, they [parents] feel that the values, life lessons, fun and outdoor excitement and education outweigh this current policy, then they may choose to continue to stay active with their son and receive the full benefits of Scouting." Their full policy statement, from 2001 : http://www.scoutingvermont.org/files/d/usr/76/GMC%20-%20Non%20Discrimination%20Policy.pdf While clearly a reiteration of don't-ask-don't-tell, the policy also appears to be the most a council could do to indicate that it didn't like the current policy. The real question is, what do you do when you are told? Link to post Share on other sites
Oak Tree 15 Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Teh Mohegan Council say that it does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. The BSA Mohegan Council, Inc. operates in compliance with all relevant laws, codes, ordinances, statutes and regulations. The council does not discriminate with respect to employment, volunteer participation or the provision of services, on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, disability or handicapped status, veteran status, marital status, or political affiliation. The council policy forbids sexual harassment. The council has a right to exclude membership inappropriate for the defined mission and values of the council. http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.aspx?LinkKey=6073 Councils can rise up, but it the end they'll have to enforce the national policies. Maybe with enough councils complaining, things might tip. Link to post Share on other sites
nldscout 18 Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 There is nothing new there. The council's policy is dated in 2001, so nothing has changed. They haven't done anything different, so I don't know what the uproar is here. Don't ask has always been the policy. Link to post Share on other sites
Oak Tree 15 Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 "don't ask" may have always been the de facto national policy, but can you point to some place where that policy is specifically stated? Since the Green Mountain Council has had this policy for a long time, there is nothing new, other than the media is now noticing that their policy is intentionally more inclusive in its statement than the national policy is. Link to post Share on other sites
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