The BSA’s National Membership Policy - Update on May 23, 2013
Dear Fellow Scouters:
We appreciate your participation and support of Scouting as we help equip your children with the life skills to become good, strong citizens. Throughout Scouting’s 103 years, our focus has remained the same — to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve.
During the recent membership policy review process, we have continued to stay focused on that which unites us, reaching and serving young people to help them grow into good, strong citizens. As an integral part of the Scouting family, I want to take a moment to briefly update you about our membership policy.
In February, the Boy Scouts of America embarked on the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history to consider the impact of potential changes to its membership standards policy on the organization and gather perspectives from inside and outside of the Scouting family. This review created an outpouring of feedback from both those who agree with the current policy and those who support a change.
On May 23, following this review, the approximately 1,400 voting members of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Council approved a resolution to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone. The resolution also reinforces 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.
A change to the current membership policy for adult leaders was not under consideration; thus, the policy for adults remains in place. As the National Executive Committee just completed a lengthy review process, there are no plans for further review on this matter.
While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting. Going forward, our Scouting family will continue to focus on reaching and serving youth in order to help them grow into good, strong citizens.
America’s youth need Scouting, and by focusing on the goals that unite us, we can continue to accomplish incredible things for young people and the communities we serve.
Sincerely, Wayne Brock
Chief Scout Executive
Boy Scouts of America
A special message on the next step for the Boy Scouts of America from Rex Tillerson, BSA Past President at the 2013 National Annual Meeting.
National Jamboree Troop Contingent has ONE youth opening. For more information on how you can participate this July at The Summit in River Gorge, WV, contact either Ron Walsh (686-5167) or Steve von Dohlen. For more information, check out the Council Contingent's webpage. Financial payments can be arranged for any Scout wanting to go at this late date.
Become a Friend of Scouting
“Scouting Builds Future Leaders"
Each year, our Scout parents, leaders and community friends are asked to support some of the hidden costs of Scouting. The Los Padres Council, which serves more than 9,000 youth and adults within San Luis and Santa Barbara counties, provides numerous benefits and annually spends in excess of $150 per youth to provide the Scouting program.
Friends of Scouting (brochure) provides for our Scouts and to numerous others. Our goal this year is to have 100% of our Cub Scout packs, For the special LDS unit borchure, click here. Boy Scout troops, Varsity teams, and Venture crews to hold a Friends of Scouting presentation. Each units full participation will guarantee that our Scouts and the thousands other Scouts across the central coast will receive the Scouting program in 2013.
Please contact your District Executive at your local council service center to schedule your Friends of Scouting (FOS) presentation today!
The Camp Mabel French Committee was recently reorganized into the Camp Mabel French Sustaining Campaign Committee. The reason for the change is the committee’s immediate objective to raise $75,000 in operating funds to keep the camp open for this year. Any monetary donations have to be received by the Council or pledged to the camp no later than the April 30th deadline. The Council Executive Committee will address the situation at its May meeting. Tom Parsons, a member of the Los Padres Council Board and Executive Committee, and a major contributor to the camp, was appointed to chair the committee.
This is an urgent situation and an immediate need. Currently, Camp French operating expenses – utilities, maintenance, sewage fees, wages, etc. – far exceed the revenues the camp generates annually. The situation has escalated over recent years because of the age of the camp and the increases in fees the Council has to pay to operate the camp. The fund-raising campaign is not for capital improvements. We can look to those improvements once the Council secures the operating funds to keep the gates open.
As a supporter of Scouting, you may want to contribute to the campaign or you may know people who might want to contribute. Please contact Tom Parsons via e-mail at tom.parsons@rabobank.com or by phone at (805) 473-6845 if you want to donate funds or if you would like more information. Again, this is an urgent need and request. The committee has less than seven weeks remaining to come up with the money. Any large contributions will receive permanent recognition in the camp’s dining hall.
Camp Mabel French is a peaceful, safe haven for young campers from all over the state and for many different groups and organizations and family get-togethers. It would be a shame to lose this facility for lack of support from our local residents and Scouting families.
To make an online donation for this specific cause, click here. To view a special edition on Camp French which was published last year in our Council newsletter, please click here.
Construction and planning are buzzing along at break-neck pace in the largest project ever in Scouting history. We're getting ready for the 2013 National Jamboree. Are you?
Here are 3 videos to get you up to date:
If you haven't already, better get registered for the jamboree. Sign up now at www.bsajamboree.org!
Do you know someone else who could use this news update from the Summit? Forward this messageto the Scouts and Scouters in your address book!
Upcoming Council Scouting Events
Below you will find a list of the next 35 upcoming Council-wide events for Los Padres Council. To register and/or pay for any of these events, click on the line and it will take you directly to the registration page. For events beyond the last date, click on the link to the calendar
Check here for news releases and stories about upcoming Scouting events and changes. After each title is given a short synopsis of the article. Click on the title to read the entire article. Additional stories may be accessed by using the bottom link.
New Eagle Required Merit Badges Cooking will become an Eagle Required Merit Badge in 2014; Sustainability is a new Eagle-Required Merit Badge that can be earned in place of Environmental Science.
New BSA Medical Form in Effect A new bilingual BSA medical form has been released; its use should be implemented immediately. Read more...
New LDS Scouting Handbook Issued The LDS Church has issued a new handbook on Scouting in the LDS Church. May be downloaded. Also check out resources for LDS Units
Memorial Day Honor Roll Memorial Day Honor Roll being established for Scouts and Scouters of Los Padres, Mission, and Santa Lucia Councils.
Training Trails Want to learn the latest on Training opportunities in the Council. Check out the August 2011 issue of Los Padres Council Training Trails
Celebrating 100 Years of Scouting in the LDS Church July 15 - 21, 2013
For a copy of this poster,click here
Youth Protection and Risk Management Information
To report a suspected case of child abuse in Scouting, download this form with instructions.
Hot Air Ballooning Activity From the official BLOG of Scouting Magazine, BSA announces that certain forms of Hot Air Ballooning are now permissible activities. Read the details to find out what is permissible.
California's New Child Safety Seat Law Effective Jan. 1, 2012, the definitition of children having to use a booster seat was increased to the 9th Birthday and even further for smaller children.
Important Insurance Information for Volunteers REVISED INSURANCE POLICY FOR VOLUNTEER and SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS:
The Boy Scouts of America has revised its fact sheet on insurance coverage provisions for volunteers and sponsoring organizations.
Working with Scouts with Autism Most units have Scouts with learning challenges and leaders are not prepared. Prepared as a Woodbadge project, this article may help the leader with extending the Scouting experience to Scouts with autism.
Promoting Scouting Events on the Website and in the Newsletter
Los Padres Council will only promote approved Scouting events on its website, in its newsletter, and in social media. If you have any question about approval, contact either Rebecca Fields (rfields@bsamail.org) or Ron Walsh (rwalsh@bsamail.org).
Copy, fliers, forms, and photographs should be sent to volunteer Webmaster (RanchoAlegre@cox.net). Please send this material well in advance of the event. During 2013 we plan to issue our Bi-weekly Council Newsletter on the 1st and 15th of each month.
Los Padres Council Serving Scouting in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties
Santa Barbara Service Center Main Administrative Office
4000 Modoc Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Office: (805) 967-0105
Fax: (805) 967-5094
Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Monday thru Friday
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Santa Maria Service Center
228 Town Center East (2nd floor)
Santa Maria Town Center Mall
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Office: (805) 925-1955
Fax: (805) 925-9206
Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Monday thru Friday;
Saturday: 11 am to 5 pm;
closed Sunday
Atascadero Service Center
7350 El Camino Real, Suite #201
Atascadero, CA 93422
Office: (805)461-4018
Fax: (805) 461-4021
Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday thru Friday;
Saturday: 10 am to 2 pm
closed Sunday & Monday
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The Camp Mabel French Committee was recently reorganized into the Camp Mabel French Sustaining Campaign Committee. The reason for the change is the committee’s immediate objective to raise $75,000 in operating funds to keep the camp open for this year. Any monetary donations have to be received by the Council or pledged to the camp no later than the April 30th deadline. The Council Executive Committee will address the situation at its May meeting. Tom Parsons, a member of the Los Padres Council Board and Executive Committee, and a major contributor to the camp, was appointed to chair the committee.
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