Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation

July 2015 Cross Timbers Round Table

Topic of Discussion: Changes to BSA Membership Standards and the Texas Longhorn Council

Tuesday July 14, 2015 7:30 – 8:30 PM

Pantego Christian Academy

Address: 2201 W Park Row Dr, Arlington, TX 76013

For tomorrow’s Round Table, there is a change to where we will meet at Pantego Christian Academy.

Because the Academy is remodeling the cafeteria where we usually meet, we will meet in the MS Cafeteria.  The MS Cafeteria is located in the eastern most building of the campus.  It is labeled as the Middle School on the outside of the building.  Entrance is through the front, main doors.  The cafeteria is located at the back side of the building.

After you enter, you go to the right and then make two lefts through the hallway to the cafeteria.

If we still need a Cub Scout RT breakout, then the library is available as usual.

Regards,

Craig Marx

District Commissioner

Cross Timbers District

Texas Longhorn Council

July Round Table

BSA Membership Standard

Cross Timbers District Members-at-Large:

For those of you that aren't aware, on May 21 Robert Gates gave a speech at the 2015 National Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Ga.  In that discussion he indicated that another change would likely be forthcoming from National regarding the policy currently restricting LGBT leaders from being part of the BSA.

The full speech can be found at https://youtu.be/nAr0XR74b_4?t=519

(the link is cued to the point in the speech where Dr. Gates discusses the change in membership standard.)

Some of the topic highlights are as follows:

•       We face increasing legal challenges at the federal, state, and local levels. Today, 21 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 140 cities and counties have enacted laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

•       Impending legal action means a court could make an overly broad ruling forbidding any kind of membership standard, including our foundational belief in "Duty to God." The best way to avoid this possibility is for the BSA to set its own course.

•       The BSA is considering the removal of the national adult leader restriction related to sexual orientation, while preserving the rights of our religious chartered organizations and respecting their diverse beliefs.

On Wednesday  June 17, Longhorn Council held a meeting of all the Key 3 District Leadership to discuss the speech and the possible impact on our organization.  While there hasn't been any formal announcement from the National office, the Longhorn Council leadership believes that the BSA Board may be implementing this change to our bylaws within the next 30 to 90 days.

It remains the position of the Boy Scouts of America that the ideals and principles of the Scout Oath and Law are central to teaching young people to make better choices over their lifetimes. As a result, when the national policy is changed, we believe that the membership qualifications will be pushed down to the charter organizations so that they can define what's allowable or not based on the charter's bylaws.  With this change, charters exercising their First Amendment rights, will still be allowed to decline any application based on the tenants of their faith. 

•       This revision will allow Scouting's members and parents to select local units, chartered to organizations with similar beliefs, that best meet the needs of their families.

•       No one in Scouting will be asked to join a unit that compromises their personal religious values.

•       The BSA will continue to legally defend (indemnify) the rights of its religious chartered organizations.

•       Legal consultants believe this position/paradigm will survive legal challenge based on First Amendment rights.

•       Scouting has always held that sexuality is a topic for family and religious discussion.  That has not changed and remains Scouting's position – emphasized now more than ever – Discussions concerning sexual matters are prohibited in Scouting contexts and left to parents and religious leaders.

•       Scouting will continue to emphasize YOUTH PROTECTION and lead the nation in this area.  Our YPT program will protect our youngsters and new standards call for an even greater emphasis on no tolerance for YPT violations.

•       Boys and girls who come from religious traditions where homosexuality is accepted will still be able to participate in Scouting.

Our District Leadership Key 3: Tracy, Craig and I ask you take time to prayerfully consider your commitment to the BSA and our scouts.  If you feel that you can no longer support our organization with these changes, please let us know in the next few weeks because we need to ensure that our leadership is committed to the success of our mission, the youth of our community. 

Those who are willing to continue to serve, with enthusiasm, need to pull together all the more cohesively and powerfully as our movement responds to this transition.

If you have any questions or opinions on the pending policy change, you can email Dr. Gates at mailto:key3@scouting.org

He has committed to read all the communications, but cannot guarantee that he will respond to each member directly. 

Tomorrow night at the District Committee meeting I will review a Power Point presentation that was presented by our Council President, Jim Patton, at the June meeting.

Yours in Scouting,

Gregory Schadt, District Chair

Cross Timbers District

Longhorn Council, BSA

817.925.7370

Bass Pro & Cabela's

Hello Everyone,

***** see the link at the bottom of the page******

This coming Thursday morning at 9:00 am be at your computer and log on for the "lottery win" of the season.   FOR THOSE NEW FOLKS, THIS IS HOW WE GET A WEEKEND FOR SHOW AND SELL AT CABELA'S OR BASS PRO.  WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO IN AND SOLICIT THE STORE OURSELVES FOR A WEEKEND.  Any questions get with Renee Horton,rhorton@bsamail.org.  After 9am on Thursday the 9th of July it will be too late.  These slots are usually taken up rather quickly!  Please don't be discouraged if you do not get a weekend at one of these 2 locations.  

There are many other locations to get a weekend to do sales in front of a store front.  YOU just have to hit the pavement, preferably in uniform and have your calendar with you…speak with a storefront manager, ask if your unit may sell in front of their store and if so, when…have them and you log it on a calendar, get a confirmation note if at all possible, especially when dealing with major store fronts.  

Cabela's and Bass Pro shifts go live on July 9^th at 9:00 a.m., popcorn page on Longhorn Council website, click the link and sign up.  Remember if you do not get a confirmation (you did not get a slot) do not go to the store and ask someone to share with you.  We have had that happening and we are not allowing that this year.  If you have a confirmation that you have a shift take that to store please.  Thank you for your help resolving this issue.

 Here's the link to the signup page for Cabela's and Bass Pro shifts.  (Please remember if you sign up early, we will have to delete to be fair.  Starts July 9^th at 9:00 a.m.)

http://longhorn.kintera.org/2015CabelasAndBassProShifts

Kathy McLean

Finance Secretary

Longhorn Council, BSA

817-231-8561

NYLT-TA Banquet

Please share this with all your contacts involved in NYLT-TA!!
NYLT-TA Banquet - Saturday, August 15

In Scouting Service,
Diane Morrison
LHC Training Chair

"We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it."
-Sir Baden Powell

Follow us! 
 

Crosstimbers Calender

Cycling Merit Badge Class / Team

Cycling Merit Badge Class / Team

Alternative MB for Eagle Scout Required

(may replace Hiking or Swimming MB)

Saturday, June 27, 2015

First Group meeting at 1PM in River Legacy Park

at the picnic tables on west side of park near the playground.

David Shuford and Steve Willey, Merit Badge Counselors

Scouts are required to bring a buddy and/or a parent to the

meeting.  A Bicycle is optional for the first meeting.  Those

who bring their bicycle can ride the first qualifying ride for

the badge.

This class will work on the Road Cycling option of the

Participants should purchase a Cycling MB booklet and bring

a merit badge blue card signed by their unit leader to the

We need at least 4 participants, and will limit this class to 12

scouts. Please email David Shuford, if you plan to attend .

Who Should Attend?

Scouts who will be capable of cycling at least 7 rides starting at a 10

mile distance, and culminating with an organized ride of 50 miles or

more, should attend. Riders of all abilities will be welcome. A Road or

Hybrid bicycle in good working condition, with appropriate

accessories will be required.

Cycling Merit Badge.

meeting.

Contact: David Shuford, Cross Timbers District, 817-692-1764

davidshuford@tx.rr.com

District Committee Meeting Tuesday night June 2 at 7 PM at the Lions Club building in Pantego

 Meeting Tuesday night June 2 at 7 PM at the Lions Club building in Pantego

Thanks

Gregory Schadt

June District Committee Agenda

I've attached the agenda for Tuesday's meeting.

A draft copy of the calendar will be sent before Tuesday night.

Gregory Schadt, District Chairman
Cross Timbers District
Longhorn Council, BSA
817.925.7370

Retreats, Retreats are Coming to Town Soon!

Unit Kernels:

Sorry for delay, our volunteers are ready to train!   Your dates and locations are on this flyer.  Troops we have new incentives for prizes at retreats for you, so please send a representative.  Sea Base Contingency and all!  Please register on this site so we can know you are coming, if you receive this and you are not doing popcorn forward to your Scout Master or Cub Master so they can help us by assigning someone else.

  

Please forgive us if you receive this more than once, we do our best to get it out to the masses.

Let's Start Our Engine and Pop Some Popcorn!

We have attached Popcorn Dates, Commission, Printed Sheet for Show and Sell Sites for Product Cost, and Show and Sell Forms for your convenience.  At retreats this year, we will have fill it up prize (remote cars), Take Order Forms, Show and Sell Signs, and Military Receipts, so Register by June 25^th so we can have your materials ready to hand to you.

Renee Poppin Horton