Dear Friends,

As you all know, our Scouting family just went through a very tumultuous 6 months where we conducted one of the largest and most comprehensive examinations of our membership standards in our history.  This literally involved millions of scouts, leaders, family members, and chartered partners.  Many of you were involved in some aspect of that discussion and research.  You also know that it culminated in the development of a resolution to change our membership standards to allow young people who are wrestling with issues regarding sexual orientation to be able to stay in our program and continue to receive guidance and counseling from their adult mentors rather than resulting in immediate expulsion.  This new resolution is effective January 1, 2014. 

I know from conversations, emails, letters, and discussions both before and after the Vote at the national meeting that there are many opinions - pro and con – regarding the wisdom of this decision and what it all means now.  Likewise, I know from reading emails, blogs, and press clippings on this issue that there are numerous opinions about how this will likely affect Scouting.  Much of what I am reading and hearing is just dead wrong, and has been designed to confuse, inflame, create fear, and argue a particular position on one side or the other.  It speaks to the passion surrounding this issue and reaffirms that this remains among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.

Therefore, I thought that it might be helpful if I took a minute to explain the new standards, what they mean, and how they may affect the operation of your individual scouting unit.

Amended Membership Standards Policy(s)

The adult membership standards policy was not under consideration and remains unchanged, as follows:

While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.

Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the youth membership policy will be:

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.

It is imperative to clearly understand what this policy means along with what changes and what does not change.

What has not changed?

·         The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

·         Scouting’s vision is to serve every eligible youth in America, and this policy would allow it to serve more kids and focus on their development.

·         The Scout Oath begins with duty to God, and the Scout Law ends with a Scout’s obligation to be reverent, and that will always remain a core value of the Boy Scouts of America.

·         Any sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.

·         The BSA handbook defines morally straight as, “Scouts should be clean in speech and actions and faithful in religious beliefs,” and a clean Scout as “someone who keeps his body and mind fit, chooses friends who also live by high standards, and helps keep his home and community clean.”

·         Members must 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.

·         The BSA has stringent polices that protect the safety and privacy of youth and adult members and has always worked to ensure that it is a supportive and safe environment for young people (www.bsayouthprotection.org).

·         The organization will maintain its current membership policy for all adult leaders and within the framework of this policy chartering organizations have the right and responsibility to choose their own unit leaders. The Boy Scouts of America fully supports our chartered organizations.

What has changed?   

Youth are still developing, learning about themselves and who they are, developing their sense of right and wrong, and understanding their duty to God to live a moral life. Accordingly, a youth member simply stating he or she is attracted to the same sex, but not engaging in sexual activity, does not make them ineligible for membership.  Therefore, it is about behavior, not thought…Understandably, a change to the BSA policy raises many questions among parents and unit-serving volunteers.  I will endeavor to ask and answer some of them here.

1. Is the BSA endorsing homosexuality and forcing its chartered organizations to do the same?

No. That is not the role of the organizations, and Scouting is not the place to resolve divergent viewpoints in society. By reinforcing 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, and that no member may use Scouting to promote or advance any social or political position or agenda, this policy rightly recognizes there is a difference between kids and adults while remaining true to the long-standing virtues of Scouting.

2. If a chartered organization does not agree with allowing gay members, can it deny them membership or defer them to another unit?

No. Effective Jan. 1, 2014, no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone. However, any sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting. As they always have, chartered organizations can require members to 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.

3. How does the BSA define “morally straight”?

The BSA handbook defines morally straight as, “Scouts should be clean in speech and actions and faithful in religious beliefs,” and a clean Scout as “someone who keeps his body and mind fit, chooses friends who also live by high standards, and helps keep his home and community clean.” Any sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.

4. Why was the policy amended only to include youth and not adults?

The review confirmed that this remains among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today. Even with the wide range of input, it was extremely difficult to accurately quantify the potential impact of maintaining or changing the current policy. While perspectives and opinions vary significantly, parents, adults in the Scouting community, and teens alike tend to agree that youth should not be denied the benefits of Scouting.

5. What will you do when a youth member becomes an adult?

When a member is no longer a youth participant, he or she must meet the requirements of our adult standards.

6. What are the next steps?

The policy change will be effective on 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. As the National Executive Committee just completed a lengthy review process, there are no plans for further review on this matter.

I have heard a great deal of fear that we are on a “slippery slope” and that this is “just the beginning”.    The truth is that the National Organization has no plans to consider this question in the immediate future.  I can’t speak about what is going to happen 10-12 years from now, but I am reasonably confident that this change is the last change regarding this issue in the immediate future.  The BSA has been and remains committed to engaging in discussion with its members about this policy. To learn more about the policy, please visit http://www.bsamembershipstandards.org Also, following are additional helpful resources.

The Baptist Standard:   An Open Letter to Southern Baptists

·         The Washington Post: Catholic Church sees ‘hopeful future’ in the Boy Scouts, even if openly gay scouts allowed

·         The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom: Church Responds to Boy Scouts Policy Vote

·         The Deseret News: What the Boy Scouts of America decision means for your son

Regardless of our varied opinions on the wisdom of making this change, I hope that we can all agree that youth are better off when they are involved in Scouting.  My focus, and I hope yours as well, is on our mission to serve young people.  Over the past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time at summer camp.  I see young men learning new skills and becoming more self-sufficient.  Last week I got to see 32 junior leaders finish their NYLT course and become better leaders.  I saw 100+ students in our Hispanic Youth  Leadership Council programs enjoy an outdoor experience at Camp John Mensinger and learn about leadership and values.  I saw 200 parents and Cub Scouts enjoy Day camp.

There were no debates about membership standards, and what it all means.  There were no raised voices except songs, skits, and laughter.  There were young people doing Scouting with quality adult leadership.  They were learning about life, and having a great time doing it.  As we move forward, let’s remember to keep the “Main Thing” the “Main Thing”.  And, the “Main Thing” is to serve an ever-increasing number of young people with the positive, life-changing values of Scouting.  Let’s move forward together, and make the next 100 years better than the first, because we are needed now more than ever.

Thank you for all that you do.  If you have follow-up questions or would like to discuss this matter or anything else further , please feel free to contact me anytime for an appointment.  My email is rmccartn@bsamail.org.

Monroe Elementary

What a great way to end the school year!  Monroe Elementary, Greater Yosemite Council, and the YMCA completed the First Year Cub Scout Program in South Stockton.  Fourteen young Scouts became Bobcats in a ceremony performed by their leader Chris Huffman and Luis Jimenez – Scoutreach Executive. 

Each Scout worked on the Bobcat Promise, Law, Salute, and Handshake.  Each Scout had fun learning about the Scouting Program and of course learning team work!  These scouts will be our future and showed great promise in serving their community.  The principal at Monroe Elementary has enjoyed having the program at his school and look forward to more of the program at his school in the coming years.

View entire photo album: South Stockton Cub Graduation

The young Scouts can hardly wait for next year to continue their Scouting fun!  The Greater Yosemite Council and YMCA look forward to bringing the program back to Monroe Elementary and to other schools in South Stockton.

Safety Fair

A Safety Fair was held at Herald General Baptist Church in Modesto. Sierra Valley District had a booth and a lot of fun talking to people about Scouting and safety. We sponsored a hula hoop activity that included McGruff the crime-fighting dog.

View entire photo album: Safety Fair

Membership

ScoutReach Update

This year we had a very successful afterschool program with our outreach efforts.  We graduated 14 cubs from South Stockton at Monroe Elementary and 35 from South Merced from Sheehy, Don Stowell, and Gracey Elementary.

Fun, Family, Fútbol!

Scouting brings together the most exciting and fastest-growing youth sport in the United States with the nation's foremost youth program of character development and leadership training. Soccer and Scouting combines the character building values for which Scouting has been known for the past 100 years with the competition and excitement of youth soccer. At every opportunity, time is devoted to an activity meant to develop a skill, teach a lesson, or provide an educational opportunity. Utilizing Scouting philosophy as a resource, youth gain experiences and knowledge that are vital in today’s world.

We are currently in the middle of our Soccer and Scouting program with over 200 youth participating in Salida, Modesto Airport, and Weed and Seed areas.  GYC has been successfully operating the Soccer and Scouting trough out the council for over seven years.

Attention Scouters: we are looking for Packs; Dens; Troops/ Patrols; or Crews to help run some activities at this year’s Soccer and Scouting Day Camp. 

The Soccer and Scouting Day camp is designed to highlight what scouting is all about and the type of activities scouts do trough out the year and get this kids excited and motivated to Join or start a year round pack.  Most of these kids have never been camping, shooting, fishing or experienced what scouting is all about.

The event will take place at Camp McConnell on Saturday 27^th from 9 am to 3pm for those who are going for the day, and there will be an opportunity to do an overnighter.  For further questions or ideas please feel free to contact me either via email or phone at 209-566-7705.

Thank you,

Camp John Mensinger Update

2013 Council Popcorn Sale

The 2013 Popcorn Sale is already underway!

The following units are already on board:

Wait a minute!!!  Is your Unit NOT in this list???  Here's what you need to do...

1. Download the 2013 Popcorn Sales Guide
2. Print out the Unit Commitment Form, complete it and bring it to one of the Council offices (or fax to 209-545-6321)
3. E-mail Sara Heitz or call (209)566-7703 to let her know you're on board!
4. Make an appointment to meet with your District Executive and/or District Kernel to conduct a sales planning session.
5. Place your Show & Sell Popcorn order by the deadline of Monday, July 29th.

Council Camp Cards

Camp cards are still available to be checked out and sold.  After all, the offers on the cards are good until December 31st!

Brand new Scouts who need financial help with getting to camp this summer can sell cards and help pay their way to camp.

Call Jenni for more information.

Congratulations to our $25 Amazon Gift Card winners:

2013 Greater Yosemite Council Official Jamboree Merchandise

ON SALE THROUGH OUR BRAND NEW ONLINE STORE!

Check it out!