[21022] in APO-L
Re: [APO-L] APO and BSA campaign?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jason Rice)
Sat Jul 22 09:27:54 2000
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Message-ID: <20000722131749.22531.qmail@web906.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 06:17:49 -0700
Reply-To: Jason Rice <moonbug76@YAHOO.COM>
From: Jason Rice <moonbug76@YAHOO.COM>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
The originator of this is obviously upset over the
"discrimination" that the BSA is doing, and would like
APO, as a nonexclusionatory organiztion, to tell them
they are wrong. This all sounds very political, and,
if it is deemed to be such, an official statement from
the organization is not possible: number six (6) of
the Articles of Incorporation would forbid it.
However, if a statement were made it should go
something like this: "We of Alpha Phi Omega, in light
of the discriminatory policies of the Boy Scouts of
America, do hereby reassert our status as a
nonexclusionary organization. We do and will not deny
membership based on race, creed, gender, religion,
sexual orientation, etc., etc. . ."
Now, if we were to go full force into extracting
ourselves from the BSA as he wishes us to do, what
would be the result? It seems that it would not only
reduce our integrety as an all inclusive organization
and bring question to our belief in our roots, but it
would also cause a great disturbance within the
brotherhood itself. There are many members who may
feel that they would have to choose between APhiO and
the BSA; some would not agree with the severence and
would fight it as strongly as those who oppose the
integration of the all male chapters. It would bring
questions as to whether we should participate in
functions sponscerd by the BSA (such as merit badge
day, a huge project for many chapters). Those that are
scoutmasters or otherwise involved in BSA, would they
have to resign their positions?
The many questions that are brought up by taking such
course of action are so numerous and mind boggling
that it is hardly worth it. Our disaproval will do
little to change their polocies and will hurt us more
in the long run. I say we definitely should not sever
our roots, for no matter how rotten they may become,
we can help nurse them back to health; however, if we
cut them away, we shall surly perish.
--- Jason Risner <jarisner@MTU.EDU> wrote:
> The author of this website reminds me of General
> Patton, in that he needed
> someone to edit his statements so that he doesn't
> tick anyone off. I'd take
> issue with the insinuation that this is APO's stance
> on the issue, esp. if
> it leads to strained relations w/ BSA.
>
> Should APO encourage diversity? Sure! Should it do
> so at the expense of our
> relationship w/ Boy Scouts? That's a good question.
> Is it more important for
> us to have the bond w/ scouting than to have
> diversity? That's basically
> what we'd have to ask if we ever considered giving
> the Boy Scouts that kind
> of ultimatum.
>
> Frankly, as an organization it's not APO's place to
> dictate policy to BSA.
> Those who were previously involved w/ BSA on some
> level have that place.
> Never mind that we were based on scouting and have
> those ties; we're not an
> official voice of the scouts, and therefore we're in
> no position to demand
> anything.
>
> I agree with the statement he makes that changing
> BSA has to come from the
> inside out. Quite frankly, it makes sense. BSA has
> to want to change on its
> own. We're not going to help anything by taking a
> stand as a fraternity.
>
> Risner
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