POSITION STATEMENT ON THE CRADLE
OF LIBERTY COUNCIL'S STANCE REGARDING THE
LEADERSHIP STANDARDS OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
MONDAY,JUNE 9,2003,9AM
1. Recently the Cradle of Liberty Council Board of Directors held
discussions concerning a non-discrimination disclosure that the
council has signed in order to qualify for United Way funds.
These United Way funds are used specifically for the council's
Learning for Life program at the request of the local United Way
executive board.
2. This non-discrimination disclosure was directed to the use of
United Way funds in the Learning for Life program and was not,
and was not intended to be, an indication of any desire by the
board to depart from the National Council policies nor should
it be construed as any indication that Cradle of Liberty Council
will fail to uphold any policies of the Boy Scouts of America.
3. The Learning for Life program working through schools, businesses
and other community organizations delivers values based programs
to thousands of children. This program is not a membership program
and selection of the adults who deliver the program is up to the
institution that sponsors the program.
4. The Cradle of Liberty Council is chartered by the National
Council, Boy Scouts of America to conduct its various programs
in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. As such the
local council affirms that it will carry out all policies as set
forth by the national organization.
5. Cradle of Liberty Council, Boy Scouts of America is strongly
committed to the moral and spiritual development of Scouting
youth in accordance with the values in the Scout Oath and Law.
In the Oath and Law, the Boy Scout promises to do his duty to
God and to be morally straight, as well as to be clean in his
thoughts, words and deeds.
6. The traditional membership programs of Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting,
Varsity Scouting and Venturing have specific requirements and
standards of leadership pertaining to all volunteers of which
there are approximately 10,000 registered in this council.
7. Applications for leadership and membership do not inquire into
sexual orientation. However, an individual who declares himself
to be a homosexual would not be permitted to join Scouting. All
members in Scouting must affirm the values of the Scout Oath and
Law, and all leaders must be able to model those values for youth.
8. Consistent with the obligations of the Scout Oath and Law,
Scouting teaches youth to show tolerance and respect for all human
beings. The Scout Law requires youth to be helpful, friendly,
courteous, and kind to all, and Scouts are taught to be respectful
of those whose views may be different from their own. Scouting
teaches both tolerance and clear moral values. Tolerance for all
does not mean that all behavior must be accepted as appropriate
for those in Scouting.
Cradle of Liberty Council offices can be reached at 215-988-9811
or 610-688-6900.
Signed: William T. Dwyer,III
Scout Executive
Cradle of Liberty Council,BSA
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