BSA Membership Policy Decision

From: "Longhorn Council BSA" <lhcinfo@longhorn.org>

Subject: BSA Membership Policy Decision

Date: May 24, 2013 3:00:21 AM CDT

To: "Longhorn Council BSA" <lhcinfo@longhorn.org>

LONGHORN COUNCIL  BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

 

Dear Longhorn Council Scouting family, Over the past six months, the Boy Scouts of America has embarked on the most extensive research exercise in the 103 year history of our organization. This has been a broad-based listening exercise involving thousands of participants and hundreds of thousands of man-hours. The process has been inclusive, democratic and fair. Today, 1,400 volunteer delegates, representing every BSA Council and corner of our Scouting family, convened in Grapevine, Texas to vote on a resolution proposed by the National Executive Board of Directors that would change our membership policy stating that "No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation alone".  This resolution would continue the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for adults regarding participation as adult volunteers. Please click here to view the full resolution. The vote was taken and the resolution was adopted. The BSA Executive Board has previously stated that, following the vote, they will immediately take the appropriate action through various sub-committees to make certain that implementation goes as smoothly as possible.  This policy change will be effective on January 1, 2014. We recognize that this process has been difficult for many in our local Scouting family. We respect all opinions and positions. To be clear, Longhorn Council stands united with the BSA and we sincerely hope that all of the Longhorn Council family will put aside their differences in order to focus on the main thing - the young people we serve. For 100 years, Longhorn Council has been serving young people in North and Central Texas. The impact in our community speaks for itself:28,757 registered youth members; 4,500 young people supported by our ScoutReach programs; more than 600 Eagle Scouts per year; and hundreds of thousands of service hours performed each year.  Longhorn Council has a reputation as one of the best councils in the BSA. Our priority continues to be serving more youth, building character and teaching the values represented in the Scout Oath and Law. The leadership and Executive Board of Longhorn Council is committed to fulfilling our mission and remaining one of the top Councils in the BSA. We will continue to deliver quality programing that positively changes lives. We understand that we may have some in our family that are disappointed in the outcome of this vote, but we must concentrate on minimizing disruption while delivering a positive program for the youth we serve. Thank you for your prayers, patience and support as we move forward. And please remember, you are invited to attend one of the following fireside chats with the Longhorn Council leadership/Key 3.  We have scheduled four locations and dates within the Council, so hopefully one will be convenient for you.  Each event will begin at 7:00 PM. June 5 – Baylor University Sciences Building, Room E125, 101 Bagby Avenue, Waco June 6 – Arborlawn Church, 5001 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth June 12 – St. Joseph's Catholic Community Parrish Hall, 1927 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington June 13 – LDS Ward Building, 1100 Stapleton, Flower Mound   What will be on the agenda? ·         We will have the latest information following the vote on the membership standards resolution. ·         A state of the Longhorn Council report, including updates on the improvement projects being conducted in our camping and activities facilities. ·         A look ahead at the capital improvements still needing to be addressed and an opportunity for you to give us your input. ·         Q and A with Council leaders. We sincerely hope that you or at least one representative from your Scout unit will be able to attend.  We are not limiting attendance and encourage anyone to attend that would like to be updated on the National agenda, as well as learn more about how Longhorn Council is driving the mission statement of Scouting through membership growth, camping opportunities and more.    Thank you for your involvement in Scouting and we look forward to visiting with each of you that can attend one of the meetings.         850 Cannon Drive                  PO Box 54190            Hurst, Texas 76054              817-231-8500            Fax 817-231-8600