Taking the "Boy" out of Boy Scouts of America

The radical shift the executive leadership of BSA has made, is of devastating concern to me. It is not with disregard that I would abandon an institution I consider to be a primary foundation of the man I see myself to be...as well as many of the men I deeply respect.

I grew up a member of an exclusive organization that made no apologies for it's foundation being solely oriented toward the growth and development of Boys into Men - as accepted by the collective morals and vision of a society enthusiastically-supportive of its mission...and the exclusive scope if its mission. At 53, I believe the mission of BSA was as successful as I could ever want it to be with those for whom I can confirm it's effectiveness - myself and my two Eagle brothers. I can't confirm this for my Eagle son (yet), but see no reason to doubt it. I am also witness to at least two generations of Eagles for whom I would argue the success of BSA's exclusive mission.

I view this latest move as part of a trend - both in Scouting and in society-as-a-whole. I completely understand concerns about the lack of a solid program for girls. I have a 17 yo daughter, with whom I am active in the [Co-Ed] Venture Crew Scouting program. I understand that Girl Scouts has long-needed a complete restoration of their value to the community and redefining how we make women from girls. Most assuredly, I would be supportive of whatever shifts in policies/procedures/resources/training/programs GSA sought to make to fill the obvious gap that exists there.
I can not, personally, make the connection between this lack of value GSA provides our girls, with the expansion (dilution/degradation) of the mission of Boy Scouts in order to fill that gap and call itself "inclusive". These organizations are exclusionary BY DEFINITION. I fail to understand how our society has become accepting of this "there's no difference between men and women/boys and girls" mentality that is so prevalent in almost every aspect of American life these days. God made us man and woman. Who could possibly question or deny this? I watch the "progressives" deliberately and definitively deconstruct the individual bricks that make up the foundation of the greatest country and greatest civilization in the world; education, marriage - and thereby the nuclear family, race relations, politics - and the policies it provides our society and economy, almost every source of news/information, even the use of public restrooms. Are we truly unable to see that we are following straight down the [21st century version of the] catastrophic losses of so many cultures before us?

I work hard and pass on my values to my children; in spite of their cultural/academic environment. I associate with and support the political party/candidates I believe best represent a sustainable policy platform to retain as much of America's foundation as possible. On a local level I serve on boards/commissions of public and private organizations that do the same - and impart my views as objectively as I can - and have served in an elected role, subjecting myself to the blessings/curses of doing so.

The ONE organization that has brought 40+ years of satisfaction/knowledge/wisdom/gratification and inspiration to me on so many levels has been Boy Scouts of America. My greatest contribution being -just the thought- that I might have contributed, even in the slightest, to the molding of a young man from what was once an unstructured boy. The thought that 20 years from now, grown men might remember their days at Troop 69 and tell stories and laugh about their experiences with "Mr. Monson" so long ago - brings me more joy that I can describe...as I hope it would for the adult leaders that influenced the lives of my scouting friends with whom I have these same conversations today.

The recent trend in executive decisions and policies for Boy Scouts of America has resulted in me understanding the experience my father had with me and my two Eagle brothers, and the experience I had with my Eagle son - will not exist for my son to have with my future grandson(s). Boy Scouts of America is not just an institution, it is a tradition - ask any Eagle father. The loss of the tradition is the loss of the institution. There is little to nothing I can do about the changes, but I am in control of my own actions - something heavily reinforced by the Scout Oath & Law. A Scout is Brave. A Scout is Loyal. A Scout is Reverent. An Eagle comes to realize as an adult, these are not just words one says with his hand in the air. These are part of the guiding principals that make up the foundation of his life, the expectations he sets for himself, the framework from which he will build his marriage, his family and his role in his community. I have now been married 23 years to a woman I love and respect. I am in the final stages of raising two amazing children. I have and will continue to serve my community to best of my abilities. All of which has been possible, in large part, due to the foundation Boy Scouts of America has afforded me and my family. And now I see the actions Scout executives - whom I doubt could even conceive of the above role Boy Scouts of America has played in my life and that of millions of American Eagles. You don't have to be a genius to see where this is heading, but I would strongly argue you'd have to be fairly naive to convince yourself to ignore it. How could any rational person, even those knowing absolutely nothing about BSA, believe that taking the "BOY" out of Boy Scouts of America - is in any way a positive move for the longevity/sustainability of the organization? Seriously, how could anyone possibly convince themselves, "This is a good thing"? The institution and the tradition of Boy Scouts of America simply means far too much to me to allow myself to support it's destruction. I will leave Boy Scouts of America now, so it's influence and presence in my life shall always be what it is [today] and not become tainted or somber in my reflections on this chapter of my life.

Even in the above environment, I still retain optimism. Remember -

"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.". (Margaret Mead)

I've been wrong many times in my life.
I pray that I am wrong again and that one day I will look back and say this was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made.