Select Board packet for June 16th

Stephanie,

When I finished my term on the Select Board this April, one thing I knew I
would miss is the information in the weekly packet, but the posts here go
a long way to keeping all of us better informed.

Your efforts are much appreciated,

Rob

Comment on Select Board materials for Amherst Independence Day Parade.

Apropos of Select Board commentary on Kendrick Park Use by Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts of America Resolution February 6, 2002

WHEREAS the national officers further agree that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the traditional values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law and that an avowed homosexual cannot serve as a role model for the values of the Oath and Law; and

WHEREAS, the national officers reaffirm that, as a national organization whose very reason for existence is to instill and reinforce values in youth, the BSA's values cannot be subject to local option choices, but must be the same in every unit; and

WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America respects the right of persons and individuals to hold values and standards different than the Boy Scouts of America, the national officers also agree that the Boy Scouts of America is entitled to expect that persons and organizations with different values and standards will nevertheless respect those of the Boy Scouts of America;
www.scouting.org resolution

You cannot judge a person’s values from their sexual preference. A principled person, whether he is a heterosexual or homosexual, can hold the same values and be equally effective teaching those values to boys and young men. Homosexual’s and pedophiles are also apples and oranges but many people confuse them as one of a type, namely the Catholic Church and most likely, the Boy Scouts.

The argument here is not about protecting the Boy Scouts from harm but about whether a homosexual troop leader can hold the same values as a heterosexual troop leader... and I think the boy scouts are just plain wrong. That said, I believe it is entirely inappropriate for Town of Amherst to create a town policy that discriminates against the local boy scout troops because of the national organizations policy that excludes "avowed" homosexuals from being troop leaders. Official town policy that is punitive to the fund raising efforts of local troops that serve Amherst boys well, by teaching duty and civic responsibility would be misguided, wrong-minded and harmful to the people who deserve our support and not to the people who made the policy. Here's what guides boy scouts in scouting:

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country. On my honor I will do my best to obey the Scout Law—and the Law is this: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

I don't know about you but I believe we could all do with a little more, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent in our young people.

As you can see below, the Boy Scouts take their responsibility for protecting its member’s safety quite seriously and have adopted policies that help accomplish that end.

Youth Protection The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members.

[…]

The adult application requests background information that should be checked by the unit committee or the chartered organization before accepting an applicant for unit leadership. While no current screening techniques exist that can identify every potential child molester, we can reduce the risk of accepting a child molester by learning all we can about an applicant for a leadership position—his or her experience with children, why he or she wants to be a Scout leader, and what discipline techniques he or she would use.

Barriers to Abuse Within Scouting

The BSA has adopted the following policies to provide additional security for our members. These policies are primarily for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve to protect our adult leaders from false accusations of abuse.

- Two-deep leadership. Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, or other adult, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. The chartered organization is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for all activities.

- No one-on-one contact. One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require personal conferences, such as a Scoutmaster's conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths.

- Respect of privacy. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.

- Separate accommodations. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. Councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers.

- Proper preparation for high-adventure activities. Activities with elements of risk should never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.

- No secret organizations. The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.

- Appropriate attire. Proper clothing for activities is required. For example, skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting.

- Constructive discipline. Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.

- Hazing prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.
Junior leader training and supervision. Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.

- Member responsibilities. All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, drugs, and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout's membership in the unit.

- Unit responsibilities. The head of the chartered organization or chartered organization representative and the local council must approve the registration of the unit's adult leader. Adult leaders of Scouting units are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. Parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for assistance in dealing with it.

The "three R's" of Youth Protection convey a simple message to youth members:

Recognize situations that place you at risk of being molested, how child molesters operate, and that anyone could be a molester.

Resist unwanted and inappropriate attention. Resistance will stop most attempts at molestation.

Report attempted or actual molestation to a parent or other trusted adult. This prevents further abuse and helps to protect other children. Let the Scout know he or she will not be blamed for what occurred.

www.scouting.org youth protection