On May 23, 2013, the National Board of the Boy Scouts of America voted to adopt a Resolution, which revoked its sexual preference membership standard for youth members, but not for adult leaders. As a result, the National Membership Standard will now allow gay youth as members, but will not permit openly gay adults to serve as leaders.
While the Greenwich Council of the Boy Scouts supported the proposed Resolution as a first step in the right direction, we were very disappointed that it did not revoke this discriminatory standard in its entirety. Over the past few weeks we have canvassed our sponsoring organizations, scout leaders, scout parents and Board members about this issue, and we can report to you that the vast majority of our Council believes that discrimination of any nature is inherently contrary to the tenets and purposes of Scouting and at odds with the values of our community.
The Greenwich Council has always adhered to behavioral standards for membership, and does not discriminate against any individual, whether youth or adult, on the basis of his/her sexual orientation. In order that our position may be clearly understood by the community, which we serve, the Executive Committee of the Greenwich Council has adopted the following Non-Discrimination Policy, effective immediately:
The Greenwich Council, Boy Scouts of America, Inc. welcomes every youth and adult member without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, disability, marital status or economic status. We do not discriminate, but we require every member, whether youth or adult, to conduct himself or herself in a manner that is consistent with the Scout Oath and Law, and not disruptive of the Council’s programs.NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Ernest Thompson Seton founded the Greenwich Council in 1912, and we have just celebrated our 100th Anniversary as a Council. Since our founding, thousands of Greenwich youth have been involved in our Scouting programs, and a total of 768 have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Scouting. We now serve over 2,400 youth through the efforts of 450 adult volunteers. It is our continuing mission to develop future leaders for our Town and Country, and we are grateful for the substantial support of the Greenwich community over so many years.
We look forward to continuing the highest level of Scouting programs for our youth, and to working with the people of Greenwich for the betterment of our Town.
Sincerely,
M. Robert Delaney
President
www.GreenwichScouting.org
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.
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is:
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,
Brave, Clean, Reverent
