the occoneechee council, boy scouts of america and the triangle united way

the Occoneechee Council,

Boy Scouts of America

and

the Triangle United Way

Occoneechee Council and the Triangle United Way

Time Line

April 2000BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA presents case to United States Supreme Court.

June 2000

Supreme Court rules in favor of BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA


August 2000Triangle United Way adopts a two-tiered standard of required practices and best methods. Requirements on sexual orientation are considered best methods and not required.


September 2000Triangle United Way moves to upgrade Best Methods to Required Practice. Triangle United Way representatives and Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, representatives visit each other’s board meetings and make presentations.


October 2000Triangle United Way and Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, agree to a joint committee to further a dialog.


December 2000 – March 2001Triangle United Way and Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, joint committee meets.

• Willie Iles, Deputy Regional Director, Southern Region, BSA, attends one meeting and presents national viewpoint.

• Both sides swap several drafts of statements.

• No language is agreed on.


Key Points of Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, presentation:

We believe in the national policy

We follow the national policy

We will not give leadership to change of policy.


Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, is granted a charter by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America.

We do not deviate from that charter of National Council, Boy Scouts of America.


We cannot and will not accept amendments or abridgements to charter.

We cannot change the charter locally.

We will not give leadership to change on a national level.


With regard to youth members:

Again, no inquiry made at time of joining. We feel that is it improper to impose this issue on CHILDREN.

Let CHILDREN live as CHILDREN.


At six, eight, and eleven, this is not an issue.

We know teens begin to question. See Chapter 11, page 135 of the Scoutmaster’s Handbook for answer.

No one involved has known a youth to be expelled.


The issue:

Has been decided by the Supreme Court.

Boy Scouts of America makes no inquiry into the sexual orientation of any member.

Certain lifestyles and behavior are deemed improper and not acceptable with respect to the Scout Oath and Law.


Time line Continued

March 2001 Joint committee stands down with

no agreement.


April 2001 Triangle United Way passes a policy of

non-discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, and sexual orientation with regard to client service, but give county boards the option to go further – with one-year compliance. (Occoneechee Council did not agree to language or to amendments or abridgements to charter.)


A caution• Raleigh paper quotes Scout Executive as

saying, “Local units do not have a problem with this.” Article outlines the Boy Scouts of America’s position in detail, but some regard this as an acceptance. Occoneechee Council did not accept policy or agree to draft.

• At this point, no agency was asked to sign on the line.


April 2001• Orange County, North Carolina goes

further and extends the policy to include volunteers and staff.

• Durham County, North Carolina adopts client service by one vote.

• Wake County, North Carolina, adopts client service.


May 2001• Occoneechee Council officially responds

and expresses its rejection and disappointment. Response sent to over 200 news outlets with only one response. At this point, it is not a story because there has been no funding cut.

• Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, communicates response to its membership.


June 2001• Triangle United Way chairman responds to

Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America with hope that things can work out. (Apparently, the last correspondences are not shared with the Triangle United Way board or staff.)

• August 2001• Triangle United Way staff becomes aware

of problem as campaign kicks off.


September 20019/11 occurs. United Way campaign suffers delays and setbacks. Campaign extended into December and announces achievement of $26 million goal.


February/March 2002•Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts

of America, applies for certification as usual but does not accept “non-discrimination” policy – certification is denied. Occoneechee Council files an appeal.


April 2002 Appeal made by Occoneechee

Council, Boy Scouts of America to be certified. United Way board next day votes not to certify followed by flurry of media activity.


May 2002• United Way calls agencies together and

informs them of $26 million raised. Only 8 million to allocate, which is 25% less than last year. Designations in 2001 campaign for Occoneechee Council increased 10%.

• Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America applies and is accepted as a “Preferred Donor” designee.


August 2002• Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of

America educates membership on issue through newsletter and direct mail piece.

• Popcorn program funds $25,000 in TV advertising to promote Scouting and popcorn sale.


October 2002• Direct Mail effort results in $49,000 in direct

donations.

• Popcorn sales achieve $1,670,000.

• Triangle United Way’s campaign strategy discourages designations to any member agency or Preferred Donor Designee.

Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, Strategy

NO street fighting or name calling.

Treat Triangle United Way with the deference that they were once our largest contributor and now are no longer a reliable source of income. Strengthen friendships with United Ways that stay with you.

Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America Strategy

Grow other sources of income – budget the loss.

Communicate to public through media, be clear in message, and speak to all. Stand up, speak up, and then shut up. Do not keep the media activity alive.


Move on to a positive message of impact of Scouting in your community.

1) 310 young men earned the Eagle Scout award.2) Local businessman gives $950,000 for Eagle

Scout scholarships.3) 26,000 youth and adult members.4) 7,000 people attend council camporee.5) Positive membership growth.6) Organize new units; make new friends.


Results

Membership in 2001 grew. 2002 continued growth, 7 Percent growth in traditional members.

Friends of Scouting overachieves goal by $100,000 in 2002. In 2003, achieved 100 Percent of goal by May 10th.

Capital funding campaign soon to be announced.

Faithful United Ways need us more now then ever.

Remember

Stay focused on mission.

Do not street fight.

Stay close to those who support you.

Focus on individual donors, as well as business and organized philanthropy.

Communicate with national, your board, your members and friends with United Way chapters.

People you thought were your friends may disappoint you. You will meet friends you did not know you had.

People believe in the Boy Scouts.

Deliver the Promise

Occoneechee Council has . . .

•Made improvements in council program features

•Expanded program support staff.•Revitalized old and built new facilities at Occoneechee Scout Reservation. (Archery range, Shotgun range, Aquatics center, COPE, staff housing and new equipment).

•Added a new U.S.E. position.

•Conducted a quality focused realignment of districts.

•Launched capital campaign.

Epilogue

Triangle United Way Campaign2001 - $26,170,1542002 - $22,245,606 (-14%)

Occoneechee Council, B.S.A., Designations2001 - $172,2122002 - $290,743 (+69%)

June 2003 –The Salvation Army announces they will leave the Triangle United Way.

the occoneechee council, boy scouts of america and the triangle united way

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