Boy Scouts call for community help to replace United Way funding

The Miami Herald ^ | 5/15/03 | Elaine De Valle

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Why the heck don't the parents of the Boy Scouts cough up more money for their organization? Taking money from the United Way is just stupid. The Boy Scouts are a private organization. Parents who put their kids in it can kick in the money for their kids!

In many cases the parents are coughing up more money for Boys Scouts via their United Way donation. The BSA is a charter member of United Way.

The Chief Seattle Council of the BSA operates under the principle that no boy will be denied a Scouting experience because of lack of money. I run a Cub Scout pack in an upper middle class community. The pack, through collection of dues and some fundraising effort, is self sufficient. Some of our dues and funds raised go to the National and local councils to run the program, but funds from United Way have historically played an important role in subsidizing summer camp programs so that all can afford the experience (through camperships when necessary) and in compensating leaders in those unfortunate disadvantaged communities where no one will step forward and volunteer to lead a pack or troop. All boys can benefit enormously from Scouting, but boys in neighborhoods where no one cares enough to devote their time to the program, unless paid to do so, are perhaps those most in need.

Many parents of Scouts contribute additional funds to the program on the national and local levels via the Friends of Scouting campaign held in each local council. This program started up when United Way began breaking their contracts with the BSA. United Way doesn't see a nickel from me, but FOS gets a good contribution every year.

Anyone who has been involved in Scouting knows how effective it is--25% of boys get to experience the program, but 75% of our society's leaders came out of that 25%. It's precisely because of this track record that liberals love to bash Scouting. Rather than celebrate the success of the program, the liberals would rather destroy it on the altar of unhealthy perversion. Such individuals can only be described as evil.

[FourPeas]

BuMpItY BuMp

[Amelia]

People can still give to the scout programs through the United Way if they mark that they specifically want the funds to go there.

That's what I do.

Yes, I could send the money directly to the Boy Scouts, and they'd probably get a little more of it...but I do it this way to make a point.

[TaxRelief]

I'll happily donate $10 even though I am not a Florida resident.

Refusing to bend over for the homosexual lobby shows true courage on the part of genuine conservatives.

[John Galt's cousin]

I am an active Scouter, and I hope you will reconsider your position. I can understand the emotion from the name change, and I will not try to defend the Council. We recently had a emotionally charged meeting when two of our districts were combined into a new district. Because of longstanding traditions, people were upset about the change. However, after a bit of time, I noticed that all the volunteers were still involved and the anger gone. The reason - we all remembered why we are here. IT IS FOR THE BOYS. In your Council, assuming you intended your contributions to benefit the scouts, they are still there! And they need your contributions. I firmly believe, as a Scouter for a dozen years, that most of the problems we find in scouting are the result of adults and their agendas, and forgetting why we are really here, which is for our scouts.

well said!

IT IS FOR THE BOYS

[jwalsh07]

I donate to the BSA, I don't give United Way the time of day and never will.

[breakem]

...........reneged on an agreement...........

[TaxRelief]

But no matter how many people designate that donated funds are to be channelled towards the boy scouts, it will not happen in Miami.

Donating to the United Way, whether they send the money to the charity you select or not, still fattens their coffers. They still get to deduct "administrative costs" from your donation, and they still get to rule over their very huge empire. The United Way needs to be permanently flattened and freepers are just the ones to spearhead a campaign.

If your employer demands that you participate, demand that he provide alternative funds for you to donate to. Heck, let's just do that any way, before the next campaign even begins. Fund options: Arts and Science Councils, Boy Scouts, Muscular Dystrophy, American Cancer Society, YMCA, American Red Cross or Mission Groups.

[Scenic Sounds]

Yes, I could send the money directly to the Boy Scouts, and they'd probably get a little more of it...but I do it this way to make a point.

I like that idea, Amelia. It's so you. ;-)

[TaxRelief]

Please, send your donation to our council, I can assure you that we will never be politically correct. Or send it to those poor folks in Miami.

[j_tull]

...........reneged on an agreement...........

That's the spun version anyway.

[breakem]

Notice the BSA did not deny it, as far as we know. Why would they enter into an agreement that was contrary to their values and then not meet it. Let's hear the denial and I'll withdraw.

[FourPeas]

BuMpItY BuMp BuMp

[j_tull]

I do not have a source, only what I heard on O'Reilly...The local leadership "reneged" when they got a look at the curriculum. Why they would have agreed to something without knowing what they were signing up to, I couldn't guess. They may well be in the wrong here. I'll be watching too.

[breakem]

The BSA has taken a strong principled stance which I support. Why they would agree to a sexual curriculum of any kind is beyond me.

BTW! I stopped giving to the UW years ago when I realized the administrative costs were duplicates of those of the charities themselves, so why have a double expense. Also the UW showed a disregard for good practices by allowing limos and the like for top folks.

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks for the ping.

My check goes in the mail tomorrow morning.

Pinging more FL FReepers to join this support of the Boy Scouts!

[Ben Bolt]

Thanks for the ping Julie . I heard this on the radio this afternoon . Joe posted a locale address so I'll be their on the morrow . This group of people have been under assault for years . Enough is enough .

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks, Ben.

I'd loved to see the Boy Scouts get twice as much from supporters like us than what the United Way would have given them!

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

Your Governor Kulingowski (Tax and Gouge me), the one who cut the birthday cake to celebrate the anniversary of Roe v Wade, recently had the Boy Scouts removed from state employee Combined Federal Campaign UW drive. They are a hate group according to him and won't give his employees the opportunity to donate to them.

[Grampa Dave]

My gov.? Hey having Davis is bad enough without giving me Culinginis or however his name is spelled on top of Davis.