Boy Scouts of America: Membership Resolution
Boy Scouts of America
National Statement
For 103 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a part of the fabric of this nation, with a focus on working together to deliver the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.
Based on growing input from within the Scouting family, the BSA leadership chose to conduct an additional review of the organization's long-standing membership policy and its impact on Scouting's mission. This review created an outpouring of feedback from the Scouting family and the American public, from both those who agree with the current policy and those who support a change.
Today, following this review, the most comprehensive listening exercise in Scouting's history the approximate 1,400 voting members of the Boy Scouts of America's National Council approved a resolution to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone. The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting. A change to the current membership policy for adult leaders was not under consideration; thus, the policy for adults remains in place. The BSA thanks all the national voting members who participated in this process and vote.
This policy change is effective Jan. 1, 2014, allowing the Boy Scouts of America the transition time needed to communicate and implement this policy to its approximately 116,000 Scouting units.
The Boy Scouts of America will not sacrifice its mission, or the youth served by the movement, by allowing the organization to be consumed by a single, divisive, and unresolved societal issue. As the National Executive Committee just completed a lengthy review process, there are no plans for further review on this matter.
While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting. Going forward, our Scouting family will continue to focus on reaching and serving youth in order to help them grow into good, strong citizens. America's youth need Scouting, and by focusing on the goals that unite us, we can continue to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve.
Mt. Diablo Silverado Council Statement
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council's focus remains to deliver the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The information our Council provided on this issue helped provide perspective to the process, and we respect the integrity of the national decision-making process. As the Scout Executive of the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, I believe this update to our policy will allow all kids who sincerely want to be a part of Scouting to experience this life-changing program while remaining true to the long-standing virtues of Scouting. While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting. We believe good people can disagree and still work together to accomplish great things for youth. Going forward, we will work to stay focused on that which unites us. -John Fenoglio
Membership Policy
The following is the membership standard for youth members of the Boy Scouts of America, effective Jan. 1, 2014:
Youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all youth who meet the specific membership requirements to join the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs. Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.
Press Conference Video
BSA Membership Standards Process
From Mt Diablo Silverado Council:
At the direction of the National Executive Board in February, the Boy Scouts of America began a dialogue within the Scouting family about its values and membership standards. A process has been developing in stages:
March 1-April 5 - Listening: The BSA's standing committees engage key stakeholders for input and develop a summary report. You should be receiving a Voice of the Scout Survey sometime between March 8 and March 15. As a part of that survey, all adults will be asked some questions about possible changes in the BSA membership standards, as well as their opinions about Scouting programs.
If not, you can still get the survey by clicking here to register your email. You will need your membership ID number to register (if you don't know it the council can help). If this link does not work paste the following URL into your browser: http://scouting.us.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0lecWOay3bPbczP
April 5-17-Evaluating: The BSA's officers review the summary report and prepare a resolution for consideration by National Council voting members.
April 18-May 24- Educating: The report and resolution are shared with the voting members of the National Council.
May 22-24-Deciding: The BSA conducts on-site information sessions for registered participants at its National Annual Meeting, followed by a vote.
May 24-Ongoing- Implementing: Based on the resolution and vote, the BSA will determine and implement next steps for the organization.
There are many questions about this process, and to assist you, the Boy Scouts have launched a special website at www.bsamembershipstandards.org
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council has nearly completed our Membership policy survey. We have had nearly 5,000 responses to the survey. A summary of the survey will be presented to our Board, this month. The survey will help our Nat'l Council Representatives formulate a position concerning the upcoming May National meeting vote on this issue.
If you are a registered leader or Scouting family, who did not have an opportunity to take the survey and would like to take it, please email [email protected], with your name (or your son or daughters), unit number or registration number.
John Fenoglio
Scout Executive/CEO
Blue & Gold FOS Reminder- Feb 15th
Dear Cub Scout Parent,
This is a brief reminder that in support of the Friends of Scouting (FOS) program, we will be passing out a FOS brochure/pledge card explaining how your FOS dollars benefits the program. There are several ways to invest in Scouting:
- You may give with a check
- You may charge your Visa or MasterCard by including your card number and expiration date on the pledge card
- You may make a pledge in which case the council will send a pledge reminder in the month you indicate on the pledge card
If you intend to pay by check, please bring your checkbook to the Blue & Gold as we will be collecting the pledge cards the same evening. If you do not intend to participate, please put down zero as the pledge amount, as we need to collect all the cards that are handed out.
Here is an example of the pledge card you will be receiving.
On behalf of the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council and Pack 1776, we thank you for your support.
Yuji Yamada
Committee Chair
BSA Updated Statement on Membership Policy
From BSA:
For 103 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a part of the fabric of this nation, providing its youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. In the past two weeks, Scouting has received an outpouring of feedback from the American public. It reinforces how deeply people care about Scouting and how passionate they are about the organization.
After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy.
To that end, the National Executive Board directed its committees to further engage representatives of Scouting’s membership and listen to their perspectives and concerns. This will assist the officers’ work on a resolution on membership standards. The approximately 1,400 voting members of the National Council will take action on the resolution at the National Annual Meeting in May 2013.
Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?
Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?, the National Geographic Channel reality show will start airing at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) on Monday, March 4. The six-episode series continues every Monday night until the season finale on April 8. Find out more at the new website for the show: toughscout.com.
Cub Cast February 2013
Scout Sunday / Scout Sabbath and Religious Emblems
Happy birthday, BSA! Our birthday is Feb. 8, but did you know there’s a whole week to celebrate Scouting? It starts on Scout Sunday, Feb. 3 and ends on Scout Sabbath, Feb. 9. Download this episode and you’ll hear some great ideas on ways to celebrate. We’ll also be talking about changes to the religious emblems program and the connection between a Scouts faith and the values of Scouting. Joining us this month is Mark Hazelwood, who teaches a course on religious emblems at Philmont Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico, and has been the CEO of P.R.A.Y. for 26 years. He currently serves on the Program Impact Department's Religious Emblems Task Force.
BSA’s Statement on Membership Policy
Update January 31, 2013: Due to the high volume of calls and e-mails to the Boy Scouts of America National Office, individuals who wish to submit feedback regarding the ongoing membership policy discussion are encouraged to do so by visiting www.scouting.org/ContactUs
From BSA:
Boy Scouts of America
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013
Attributable to: Deron Smith, Director of Public Relations
“For more than 100 years, Scouting’s focus has been on working together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Scouting has always been in an ongoing dialogue with the Scouting family to determine what is in the best interest of the organization and the young people we serve.
“Currently, the BSA is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation. This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families.
“The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs.”
Amateur Radio Operator Rating Strip Introduced
The National Radio Scouting Committee is pleased to announce that the BSA Awards and Insignia Committee has approved the Amateur Radio Operator rating strip for wear on youth and adult uniforms. This rating strip recognizes the member’s availability as an amateur radio operator for communication services for events and activities, as well as for emergencies.
All registered youth members and adult leaders who also hold a valid amateur radio license, of any class, issued by the Federal Communications Commission are eligible to wear the rating strip. The Supply order number is 617431.
The rating strip is worn on the right sleeve, in position 3 or 4, under the U.S. flag (position 1), patrol emblem or den emblem (position 2). If a unit award is present in position 3, the rating strip is worn in position 4.
It is hoped that the new strips will help encourage more people to join amateur radio clubs so the useful skill is taken up by a greater number. If clubs see an increase in members then they may have to look at a HAM or a Two Way Radio Review to find the best ones to buy for the club to accommodate the new members.
This rating strip is similar to the Amateur Radio Operator Badge offered as a proficiency badge by Scouts Australia, as well as the recently introduced badge by Scouting Netherlands. It follows in the footsteps of the Scout Radioman personal interest badge for Senior Scouts and Explorer Scouts that was offered by the BSA in the 1940s.
(Read more in Scouting magazine’s Bryan on Scouting blog.)
Pinewood Derby Champ Camp
Have you started working on your Pinewood Derby car yet? Do you need help? You do? You are in luck because January is Pinewood Derby® Month at all BSA Scout shops!
From dreaming about the design to crossing the finish line, your local Scout Shop supports your Pinewood Derby® every step of the way.
And now, January is officially Pinewood Derby® Month. Stop in any time, all month long, for:
- A free, accurate weigh-in for your car
- Test runs on a practice track
- Answers to all your building and racing questions
- Speed secrets — ways to shave seconds off your race time
- Step-by-step info, including four great how-to books
- Start-to-finish supplies — ask about new items for 2013!
Then, join us for our first-ever Champ Camp... on Saturday, January 12, for a one-day info session that’ll get you race-ready in no time, including demos on precision tools! And just for attending, you’ll receive a free sheet of Pinewood Derby® decals.
Contact your local Scout Shop for more details, store hours, and event specifics.
Pinewood Derby® Champ Camp takes place during regular store hours on Saturday, January 12. Decal giveaway offer is valid January 12 only; does not apply to previous offers. All Cub Scouts must be accompanied by an adult.
