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Another Day, Another Survey...
The National Council of the Boys Scouts is doing a survey on the membership policies. This National survey is different from the recent Council survey, so it is very important that you request and complete it.
If you are registered for "Voice of the Scout" (VoS) you may automatically receive a survey (check your Junk E-mail file and SPAM filter). If you are not registered for VoS or have not received a survey you can sign up to get one if:
- You are a scout 14 years old or above (optionally parents may fill in the survey instead of the scout).
- The parent of a scout less than 14 years old. In this case, use the scout's BSA number to register for the survey.
- You are a registered adult with your own BSA number.
Your BSA number is available at:
- The bottom of the little membership card you are supposed to recieve every year from one of your unit leaders (good luck finding that).
- The units chartering information (a great help if you happen to be the keeper of the troop's records).
- You can call the council and ask (MDSC - (925) 674-6100) (Only works during normal business hours.)
- A really nice and dedicated unit leader sends you an e-mail with your number in it. (Hint to really nice and dedicated unit leaders.)
The request for the survey is available at:
Request National's Survey here
You will need to fill in:
Member ID Number
First Name
Last Name
E-Mail Address
Then click on the continue button on the lower right labeled ">>"
Council:
Choose "Mount Diablo Silverado" from the drop down list
Region:
Choose "Western" from the drop down list
Chartering Organization
Choose the appropriate type of organization for your unit
Fill in the rest of the questions and then:
Click on the continue button on the lower right labeled ">>"
A screen telling you more about the process will appear.
Eventually they will send you the survey. Assuming all of the surveys have the same questions, this is very different than the survey that the council did.
For example these questions form the heart of the survey:
Bob is 15 years old, and the only openly gay Scout in a Boy Scout troop. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the troop leader to allow Bob to tent with a heterosexual boy on an overnight camping trip?
Tom started in the program as a Tiger Cub, and finished every requirement for the Eagle Scout Award at 16 years of age. At his board of review Tom reveals that he is gay. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the review board to deny his Eagle Scout award based on that admission?
Johnny, a first grade boy, has joined Tiger Cubs with his friends. Johnny's friends and their parents unanimously nominate Johnny's mom, who is known by them to be lesbian, to be the den leader. Johnny's pack is chartered to a church where the doctrine of that faith does not teach that homosexuality is wrong. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for his mother to serve as a den leader for his Cub Scout den?
A troop is chartered by an organization that does not believe homosexuality is wrong and allows gays to be ministers. The youth minister traditionally serves as the Scoutmaster for the troop. The congregation hires a youth minister who is gay. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for this youth minister to serve as the Scoutmaster?
David, a Boy Scout, believes that homosexuality is wrong. His troop is chartered to a church where the doctrine of that faith also teaches that homosexuality is wrong. Steve, an openly gay youth, applies to be a member in the troop and is denied membership. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for this troop to deny Steve membership in their troop?
A gay male troop leader, along with another adult leader, is taking a group of boys on a camping trip following the youth protection guidelines of two-deep leadership. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the gay adult leader to take adolescent boys on an overnight camping trip?
There are also comment boxes to be filled in:
What is your greatest concern if the policy remains in place and openly gay youth and adults are prohibited from joining Scouting?
What is your greatest concern if the policy is changed to allow charter organizations to make their own decisions to admit openly gay Scouts and leaders?
How likely is it that you would recommend volunteering in the Scouting program to other friends or acquaintances? <Not Likely to Extremely Likely scale>
What is the primary reason you gave this rating?
SFE-GG Extra Credit Question:
Can you match the names in the questions to their real life counterparts?
Please pass this e-mail along to other scouting families.
Best Regards,
Wendell Baker
Scoutmaster
Troop 234 Moraga
(Scouts for Equality - Golden Gate)
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