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I know of a council in NJ which is doing just the opposite, they just submitted a new policy which has a NON-descrimination clause for "sexual orientation". Seems the scouting executive can not properly fundraise since the Dale Case. Which means they WILL allow homosexuals.

It's a shame they are lowering their standards and in giving in to the liberals. I think the problem with fundraising stems from mismanagement rather than the Dale case.

Wait until National weighs in. Councils get their charters from National. Now, a Council can admit "non-avowed" gays, which can mean that there are people who know the guy's gay but he doesn't proclaim it in public media, etc. But if the local Council is too loosely defining "avowed", or if they are trying to eliminate that qualifier entirely, then National has the option of withdrawing that Council's charter, and finding another group of people who will constitute a not-for-profit corporation that will follow National policies.

National will try other remedies first, including decertifying the Council's Scout Executive (which means he or she can no longer serve as an SE and the Council will have to hire someone else), and sitting down with the Council leadership to try to get them to mend the error of their ways. It will take National a while to go through this process. Blowing up the local Council will be done only as a last resort.

Thought you might be interested in what the criteria are that are used in background checks.

"When an applicant or member has a criminal record (felony or misdemeanor) that includes the following categories of criminal offenses, he or she will be disqualified from membership in the Boy Scouts of America regardless of any other factors:

A. Crimes involving sexual deviancy, sexual abuse, sodomy, sexual assault, rape, sexual misconduct or pornography.

B. Any offense involving a child or dependent adult.

C. Manufacture or distribution of drugs or illegal substances.

D. Crimes of violence against persons including aggravated assualt, battery, manslaughter, homicide and any offense in which a weapon was used.

When a criminal record reveals information that disqualifies an individual under 1. above," the person involved will be told what agency the information came from. If the person can convince that agency to change their records, then the BSA will reconsider. Otherwise, you're out.

People with felonies other than those above can be considered for membership, but both the SE and the sponsor must sign off on it and explain why they figure the person is O.K. for membership.

Note that mere possession of drugs, with no intent to sell, won't disqualify you from BSA membership as far as National is concerned. Sponsors are quite free to keep you out for whatever reason they feel like, though.

The cost of the new nationwide background check will vary from $1.50 to $6.00, depending on the state. National will cover it in 2003 and 2004. It's expected that in most cases, they'll have an answer back in 24 hours.