While seeming to address a limited issue, this Diary is a parable for our times.
It talks of a good organization that espouses noble values, that is supposed to serve those it represents. But lately it seems to have lost its way, taken over by those more concerned with their own welfare than those they are supposed to serve. Unable to achieve real results they try to hide their failures. This organization wraps itself in "character" and regularly cites "God" and "Country." Anyone that questions their behavior is painted as "attacking their values." It has been VERY successful in hiding behind an image that is not supported by reality.
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Its leadership has become more extreme over the years, pandering to religious conservatives, while alienating a good number of members. Many have left in the face of increasing extremism - extremism where rhetoric has replaced real "values." There have been recurring scandals. They issue convoluted statements denying responsibility while refusing to ever answer questions directly. "Spin" cannot stem serious declines in support. But leadership "stays the course" - and refuses to take responsiblity for their failures.
Those that TRY to change things are driven out and the extremists tighten their hold. Many still believe in the "values" claimed and remain, but learn to keep quiet - fearing punishment. They still want to "believe" but do not understand what has gone wrong.
Thre are very real parallels within BSA to what's happening today. I wonder, was Karl a Boy Scout?
Unfortunately, I suppose that the "moral" in all this is unfortunately a very "amoral" one.
A person actually showing real "character" and "values", who acts morally and ethically, had better keep their mouth shut in organizations that espouse "character" and "values."
When rhetoric is more important than reality, character doesn't "count" - it's a liability.
Last night a Cub Scout Pack held its Pinewood Derby in a suburban school gym. This is a longstanding Cub Scout (Scouting for boys in grades 1-5) tradition - where cars are made out of blocks of wood.
The organizer had run over a dozen of these races for local Scouts over the years, and had built the track being used - at his own expense. A good number of the cars being raced were partially built in his basement workshop. This person is involved as a parent in both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and has been for going on a decade. He is one of the most active in Scouting in his community and comes from a family with generations in Scouting. But he is not a registered leader with Boy Scouts of America.
The same day he spent 5 hours setting up and running a Pinewood Derby, he filed suit against BSA for revoking his membership almost two years earlier. It took that long for his case to go through a sham internal BSA "Appeals process." He was not given any reason for his removal but all familiar wigh his situation have come to the same conclusion.
Free speech is no longer allowed in Boy Scouts. The only part of the Scout Law that BSA cares about is obedience.
He had been "Brave" and spoken up at a District Meeting - a "Fireside Chat" - a "town meeting " type of venue where BSA leadership is supposed to listen to the concerns of the volunteers they are supposed to serve.
Remembering the dozen facilities he knew as a boy in Scouting he spoke out against the sale of one of the last 3 places owned by BSA locally - waterfront property on Long Island Sound, a place with an indoor pool he had used as a boy, with docks for boating that his son had used. The Council head turned red at his remarks - "Who are you?" This only embarassed him more as the other volunteers were more than familiar with this person. It was clear that the Council head did NOT know his own volutneers very well. When this volunteer noted all the other long serving volunteers removed from District and Council positions for voicing opposition to this sale, another volunteer whispered to the speaker - "Watch out, you'll be next."
The speaker thought he was safe. he didn't hold any position in Scouting outside his own units. HE coulndn't be removed from a District position. ONLY those runing his units could remove him - unless there was "cause or grounds for legal action, misrepresentation or immoral acts." NO volunteer had been removed from Scouting in any volunteer's memory. There were stories that "Council" actually refused to remove a leader that pointed a loaded gun at a scout and ignored complaints about others that used alcohol at Scouting events. The only people thrown out of Scouting were pedophiles and this Council had managed to avoid that scandal so far.
But free speech can get you in trouble in Scouting.
BSA doesn't like it when volunteers aren't "obedient."
This long serving leader had been a former Cubmaster had been a Den Leader in Cub Scouts and was an active leader in his Boy Scout Troop. But he was thrown out of Scouting a month later. No specific reason was given. The units he belonged to opposed his removal - they had not been asked about it and had no idea why he had been removed.
His membership - and status as an official leader - was revoked under procedures drawn up to deal with pedophiles and felons. These procedures specifically state they exist to "protect boys" - though they are "classified" and have limited distribution. BSA will not even admit they exist. Due Process is conspicuously lacking and recourse limited. Woe to someone WRONGLY accused of child abuse.
But that was clearly NOT an issue here.
The Scoutmaster of this leader's Troop asked why this happened. The Scout Executive responsible for this refused to provide a reason. However, when pressed, he stated the reasons for this leader's removal did not involve boys and he was not a threat to boys. The Scout Executive said this person was still free to participate in any Scouting activities "as a parent."
Even though his membership was revoked under rules designed to "protect boys" could still go camping, go on hikes, do pretty much anything he had been doing with boys but now only as a parent, NOT a registered leader.
But since he wasn't a registered leader, he couldn't go to District or Council meetings now - which meant he couldn't ask about all the properties sold since he was a kid - if there are half as many boys in Scouting here now, why are there only 1/5 the facilities? Besides, removing one volunteer is a good way to stifle others - even if there was NO justification for the removal. Other BSA officials have done this. Few volunteers are willing to go to court and spend thousands on principle. BSA counts on that.
You see, this case is not unique.
Question finances and get thrown out
A 17 year Scoutmaster was removed after writing a letter to a local paper questioning whether spending $500,000 on new offices for his small Council (instead of on programs for boys) was as "ethical" decision. His removal is now final but his Chuch and Troop defy BSA and let him remain involved.
http://www.auburnpub.com/...
BSA reguarly throws out those that might embarass them.
BSA threw out an Eagle Scout and his mother after reporting a paid professional buying beer for underage Scout camp counselors. The "good Baptist" professional would never buy alcohol according to the Scout Executive there. After that same professional was arrested for DUI and the Scout Executive found to be responsible for "accounting irregularities" - these two people were (rightfully) reinstated. Only the tireless pressure of a few made this situaton "right" but those advocates are no longer welcome in that Council's Scouting circle.
In another case BSA first did the right thing in throwing out the Scout counselor who was sexually harassing a 15 year old girl Venturer (a felony in California). But when her Scout Leader mother aired her disappointment in a PRIVATE converstaion with another leader, both she and her daughter were thrown out. The Scout Executive - up for a promotion to a Regional Post did not want further embarassments to blot his record (another Counselor was arrested for child porn at Summer Camp the previous year and major complaints had been registered about the quality of summer camp food). This mother was told she should "be quiet" in no uncertain terms. She's still appealing her removal and her daughter's.
These last two cases have not received media coverage but I have copies of the reports in the first case provided by one of the advocates and had contact with the person involved in the second and no reason to doubt their account.
Keep in mind that the people being removed by BSA are dedicated volunteers that have spent years serving Boy Scouts. Their only "crime" was voicing an opinion different from that of BSA or its paid representatives or legitimately questioning Scout operations. They were following the Scout Law and being "Brave" - and were punished for doing do.
BRAVE
A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
These volunteers were punished for exercising "free speech" and demanding that BSA show the values this organization claims to represent. They were summarily removed from BSA without anything resembling "Due Process" in an organization that touts American values and requires a merit badge on "Citizenship in the Nation" to make Eagle Scout.
On how Boy Scouts works - for the uninitiated
BSA and its local Councils are corporation where - "elected" Board members are supposed to "oversee" paid personnel that run things. But most of the organization consists of volunteers - who are SUPPOSED to be like stockholders and have a voice in how things are run. The paid staff are supposed to serve and support the mass of volunteers in Scouting. But just TRY and hold those in charge accountable. It's like any other corporation where teh senior execs do what's best for THEM first.
Volunteers do most of the real work in Scouting. They run units, conduct training for new members, run events, staff camps and fill most of the postions needed to run a Scouting program someplace. Baden-Powell felt that ther eshould not be paid staff in Scouting - that it should remain a volunteer organization. Competition among different organizations to represent "Scouting" in the US ended when BSA was granted a Congressional Charter - a "monopoly" that they defend in the courts (even fighting Girl Scouts - and independent organization - over use of "Scout" in their name). The winners wrote their own rules.
BSA is like a "franchise" with BSA National "licensing " Scout franchises to local Councils - each of which is an independent non-profit corporation. But BSA National calls the shots and provides the "professionals" to run things.
There are a few paid "professionals" in a local Council (measured in tens and often less than a dozen)- the head (like a CEO) Scout Executive and various lower level personnel. There are hundreds (thousands) of volunteers.
Professionals are supposed to serve and support the efforts of the FAR larger of volunteers in Scouting. But most Scoutmasters will joke that the only time they see a "professional" is when they show up to ask for money (much of which goes to pay their own salaries). Note that low level paid "professionals " in BSA are NOT paid well and have huge turnover. They are under intense pressure to "increase numbers" and "raise money." However Scout Executives - in effect the CEO of the local Council - are VERY well paid. BSA National officials are very well compensated as well (Roy WIlliams - the head of BSA had a compensation package of over $913,000 in 2003 - making him one of the highest paid non-profit CEO's in the US - even though membership has declined continuously under his "leadership."
Volunteers are supposed to decide how things are run (within the guidelines of Scouting) - BSA states it is a "representative Democracy." They "elect" the Executive Board that runs their local Council and that local board elects representatives that oversee BSA National.
But BSA is about as Democratic as Bulgaria was under Communism. The head paid professional handpicks a "nominating committee" - political loyalists who will do as they are told. They choose a slate of "candidates" - one candidate per elected position. A few volunteers having voting rights get to vote "For" or "Against" the WHOLE slate. They cannot vote for or against specific individuals and cannot propose alternate candidates. The ONLY group that can remove a professional - a Council's Executive Board - is chosen BY the head paid professional.
Oppose Property sales and TRY to change leaders and get thrown out.
Even when volunteers manage to organize and actually vote a Council's leadership DOWN, it seems like BSA won't let them do so. In Chicago Area Council, volunteers managed to vote down the hand-picked slate for their Executive Board TWICE. But they were not allowed to run a slate of candidates they WOULD approve. The existing leadership would NOT leave their positions and voted to change thebylaws to let themselves stay in place. SO, even when successful in using rules stacked against them, volunteers cannot get 'elected' leaders out. Volunteers have won TWO rounds in court but their leadership has yet to step down. Of note the volunteers here were outraged over the continued sale of properties there, including one of Boy Scout's oldest camps. This whole mess is chronicled here:
http://scarlet_sassafras.tripod.com/
Of note, the volunteers in Chicago who worked to oust their Council Leaders were first "suspended" and then completely thrown out of Scouting. The sheer "arrogance" of the people who expect their leaders to follow he rules and the law.......THEY get punished and thrown out, so (lacking legal standing) they cannot sue BSA
It seems that - despite claims to the contrary - Boy Scout Councils are defacto dictatorships - many times benevolent ones where the Scout Executive is a good guy and listens to the volunteers he is serving, but sometimes you have REAL "little Dictators" running loose.
Possible ominous parallels to the larger events in this country.... even though finally voted out after rigging the system, those "in charge" simply won't leave.
The discontent in Chicago was first spurred by property sales. Property sales are a source for discontent nationwide. Volunteers are furious at the willingness fo BSA to sell off property meant to be used by boys. Instead of "Build it and they will come" - or more accurately "Keep it and let them use it" - BSA seems to be determined to LIMIT use of property in efforts to justify its sale. And too often the deals made raise questions about conflict of interest - questiosn that are rarely answered. Money trumps facilities for boys. And where does all that money go? In most Councils, camping and activity fees cover costs.
http://www.realestatejournal.com/...
Report fraud and get thrown out
A number of membership scandals hit thenews last Spring. One broke out in Greater Alabama Council. The volunteer there who borke the scandal was thrown out of Scouting the same day his claims of overstatement were proven true. He has also filed suit in Court. BSA tried to make his case - over failure to follow corporate bylaws a federal court "membership" issue - a venue BSA has had greatere success with but they were unsuccessful this time.
From: http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Boy Scouts Suspected of Inflating Rolls
By Manuel Roig-Franzia
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 29, 2005; Page A01
...........
Federal subpoenas have been flying around. FBI agents have been asking questions, and the administrators down at the Boy Scouts' Greater Alabama Council headquarters in Birmingham have had to fess up to hundreds of volunteers that their 22-county organization is under federal investigation. The same U.S. attorney's office in Birmingham that this week opened its case against HealthSouth executive Richard M. Scrushy, one of the marquee corporate corruption probes in the nation, is also investigating the local Boy Scouts.
Volunteers say paid Scout leaders have created fictitious "ghost units" for years to pump up membership numbers to trick donor groups and charities, including the United Way, into giving them more money. In some cases, the alleged membership scams do not even appear to have been very clever. Volunteer Tom Willis, a 1960s Eagle Scout who is also the father of two Eagle Scouts, says he was presented with a roster for a supposed group of 30 youths in Fort Payne, Ala. -- each had the last name Doe.
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The uproar in Alabama, the latest in a string of at least five bogus-membership scandals in Boy Scout councils around the country since the 1990s, has exposed an undercurrent of tension between unpaid volunteers and the professionals who are paid -- sometimes handsomely -- to run Boy Scout programs.
...........
Stark and other Boy Scout volunteers here describe a high-pressure recruiting environment, something akin to the get-the-numbers-up hype of a sales convention. Boy Scout enrollment has been declining at the same time that the organization has been dealing with lingering controversies about the dismissal of gay and atheist Scout leaders. The number of youths in Scouting programs -- including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and coed Venturing groups -- dropped more than 5 percent in 2003 from the year before, to 3.2 million, according to Boy Scout statistics.
.............the possible manipulation of numbers, both here and elsewhere, worries them even more.
The Boy Scouts have a long history of membership imbroglios. In the mid-1970s, a large council in Chicago was caught boosting minority enrollment figures. During the 1990s, councils in Los Angeles, Vicksburg, Miss., and Jacksonville, Fla., were tangled in ghost-unit controversies. In the past few months, as the Alabama case has grown from suspicions to a publicly acknowledged investigation, a civil rights leader in Atlanta has accused local Boy Scout leaders of falsifying minority enrollment figures to get more grant money. U.S. Postal Service investigators and a federal grand jury in Dallas have looked into allegations as recently as 2003 that a large Boy Scout council manipulated membership numbers. ...........
But while BSA is quick enough to remove volunteers who raise questions about operations, they seem to take little action against the paid professionals who commit the fraud volunteers are complaining ABOUT.
from the same article:
.............
A common denominator in the Dallas and Alabama cases is Ronnie Holmes, the top-ranking executive in the Greater Alabama Council, one of four Boy Scout councils in the state. Holmes was a regional administrator when allegations of numbers-fixing arose in Dallas in 2000. Dale Draper, a Dallas Boy Scout employee who discovered the phony membership figures, said his concerns were "swept under the rug" by Holmes during an internal audit.
"Before they did the audit, he told me, 'I can tell you, we won't find anything,' " said Draper, now a Scout volunteer in Utah. "It seemed like the good-old-boy network."
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BSA has no qualms about lying to claim "success".
Probe: Boy Scouts Lied About Black Members
By DANIEL YEE
The Associated Press
Tuesday, May 31, 2005; 11:21 PM
ATLANTA -- An independent investigation of the Atlanta-area Boy Scouts found that the organization inflated its number of black Scouts by more than 5,000 in a program for inner-city youth.
The executive director of the Atlanta Boy Scouts resigned after the report was released.
Auditors said Scout officials assigned to inner-city areas may have felt pressure to demonstrate membership growth, which is a part of their performance evaluations. Membership numbers also are used to help determined funding from the United Way, a major Scouts donor.
The audit found that former Scouts too old to participate remained on the memberships lists and that boys who had only attended informational meetings about the program were signed up.
In one example, an official changed the birth date of 87 Cub Scouts so they would be old enough to participate in the program. In another case, an official continued to report membership of a church Boy Scout unit although the church had burned down three years earlier.
The inflated numbers also included 200 Scout units that did not exist.
Edgar Sims Jr., an attorney with the law firm that conducted the audit, said the Atlanta Area Council claimed there were 10,238 Scouts in Operation First Class in 2004, but the audit found that only 5,361 were registered.
..................
Joe Beasley, regional director of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, claimed in October that the 13-county Boy Scouts council was reporting twice as many black participants as were actively involved.
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Similar allegations have been made in Alabama, where the FBI is investigating whether the Birmingham-based Greater Alabama Boy Scout Council padded its membership rolls.
Other still remaining (many are now in newspaper paid access archives) references are:
http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/...
http://kipesquire.powerblogs.com/...
The web site referenced below was set up by a Scout Leader in response to the enrollment scandal in Atlanta. The article above was actually faovrable to BSA as they had actually at various time claimed 21,000, 15,000 or 10,000 in this program. Just over 5000 were found by a BSA audit - with just over 3000 of them "active." A local civil rights leader has publicly challenged BSA to show 1000 boys in a public muster - a challenge to my knowledge still unmet.
the following, from
http://www.boyscoutsfortruth.com/...
It's easy for a BSA executive to control those that are SUPPOSED to control him (and this probably applies in business as well)
Rumor has it that Scout Executives are taught that there are two kinds of Board Members. There are those who think for themselves and who can bring creative ideas to the organization (along with a certain amount of chaos) and those who are yes men who will not bring much energy to the process but will not bring much disruption either. Smart Scout Executives populate their boards with the latter. Whether or not they are taught to do this, my experience with Scout Boards is that they are largely filled with people who, by habit and inclination, defer to the professionals.
It should also be noted that the professionals have what amounts to veto power over the appointment of all key volunteers. Boat rockers, whistle blowers and agitators, who are all too rare to begin with, can be effectively screened out by denying them any power positions (and therefore, information access) in the organization.
The combination of lap dog boards and control of senior and middle volunteer management positions give the pros an immensely powerful position from which to block reform (and protect their own positions). It will take a grass roots rebellion or a determined legal attack at the top to actually reform the system nationally. Small determined groups with strong ethics and strong stomachs can achieve local results but, unless the tide shifts nationally, the system always tries to return to the old status quo.
This web site set up in response to the membership scandal in Atlanta explains the operations of local Boy Scout Councils well ( I would not be surprised to see this site disappear after mention here - it has had "low visibility" previously, only among the Scout community. Its sponsor is trying to work "within the system" and may feel pressure to shut that site down)
And HOW are Dissidents removed?
It is ironic that BSA removes "dissidents" under procedures drawnup to protect boys because even when professionals have failed to follow state law in reporting child abuse, they somehow remain employed. Grand Teton Council has had an abuse scandal exposed by the Idaho Falls Post-Register in a series "Scout's Honor" (behind a paid subscription firewall). Another reference:
http://old.heraldextra.com/...
Even though two separate Scouts reported two different abusers to this professional, and he failed to follow even BSA's own rules on this topic as well as state law, he was not terminated and remains employed by BSA - making substantially more than the median salary in the region.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/...
In the account below, Bird is talking about a separate abuser from that referred to in the last paragraph.
............Bird, who contacted the newspaper to share his story, said he twice reported the rape -- the first time within days of the incident to then-Island Park Scout Camp director Kim Hansen, the second time a decade later to a Mormon church official. Hansen, who now holds the top job in the Grand Teton Council, was less than supportive, Bird said.
"I was still quite scared, shaky and was tearing up as I spoke to him. I told him that when Dennis and I were alone, Dennis had me stay in his tent. I told him that Dennis had touched me in a bad way," Bird said. "Kim Hansen was very stern with me and told me that he appreciated my 'efforts as a staffer' and would really like to hire me again next year, but part of the decision about who to hire would be made on how well I could get along with others at the camp.
"To my knowledge, Kim Hansen did not notify the Scouting organizations or the sheriff's office about what had happened to me," Bird said.
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Grand Teton Council executive Kim Hansen has maintained that that Scout leaders couldn't have done anything to stop Stowell because the counselor was too slick. Court records have indicated, however, that the council was warned several times about Stowell's behavior.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/...
It seems that - following a chronicle in the Post-Register - all those that did the RIGHT thing in this case are all out of Scouting while those that "covered up" somehow remain involved and were even promoted. While the Post-Register series is firewalled, this gives an overview:
http://old.heraldextra.com/...
The whole issue of child abuse is a sore topic for BSA. Incidents regularly appear in the news (and their own head of "Youth Protection" was arrested last fall for distributing child pornography - focused on MALE children, a fact most accounts omitted (but allowed to "retire" - WITH benefits.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
Ironically, this occurred a week after he fired a long time staffer for being gay. Though wldely praised for his performance and with NO cause for legal action against HIM, this gay staffer was fired and receives NO benefits.
One has to wonder, a preference for male boys lets someone "resign" and keep benefits while an (apparently closeted) preference for male adults is cause for dismissal........ Does BSA really have is priorities right? The guy that went to PRISON got to "retire" and the other guy - who did nothing illegal and was NOT accused of any wrongdoing was fired?
BUT don't even MENTION such things - you'll get thrown out.
"BSA listens to its members and responds to their concerns." Really? How can you change something if you get thrown out for even mentioning the issue?
BSA is adament about protecting boys from contact with homosexuals but seems less successful in protecting them from pedophiles. The politicization of the issue prevents ANY rational discussion of the topic and anyone, no matter how long or honored their service will be thrownout of BSA for even MENTIONING the topic. The person in this link - with 59 years of service to BSA was removed over the objections of pretty much anyone that knows him simply because he stated BSA should be more "tolerant" - and this at his CHURCH not at any Scout function.
http://www.scoutingforall.org/...
But at least things are well run, right?
And to further the ominous parallels to "larger events", BSA's National Jamboree was a planning disaster for the organization whose motto is "Be Prepared.
http://www.boston.com/...
A CDC report reams BSA for the HUNDREDS (actually well over 1000) of Scouts who fell ill to heat exhaustion. Ironically waiting for a finally cancelled photo op with President Bush. The deaths by electrocution fo leaders erecting a tent under power lines was a "tragic accident" - but still hard to understand for anyone familiar with BSA safety rules.
http://www.co.caroline.va.us/...
The deaths of a number of Scouts via falls, drownings and lightning strikes this summer is also a sign of serious failings in protecting those under its care.
But somehow, BSA is never responsible. It has rules and regulations. It can't make sure everyone (including it seems, its leaders) follow them. Professionals are NEVER fired for ANYTHING (well, unless the FBI shows up and they really don't have a choice).
Some of the incidents cited show disregard of BASIC safety rules or raise VERY serious questions about how well they were followed. Even long serving Scouters were "perturbed" by all the problems arising last spring and summer.
But at the same time BSA has SO MANY legalistic CYA rules and regulations, volunteers joke that you CAN'T follow all of them. Most seem to exist not to protect boys but to make sure BSA itself is never legally culpable for ANYTHING.
Though BSA failed to inform authorities of THOUSANDS of abuse cases - detailed in Patrick Boyle's 1994 "Scout's Honor" ther eseem to have been limited consequences for the organization. Court cases are sealed. BSA claims they have "procedures in place" and cannot be held accountable for abuse. BSA stonewalled "60 Minutes" and allothers that tried to investigate this and the story died. As some noted, "It's a 'feel-bad' story - nobody wants to believe their kid can get abused in Boy Scouts."
So what can members do?
You now have an interesting dichotomy within the volunteers in Boy Scouts. All believe in "Scouting" and that it is a great program for boys. The problems detailed here are NOT everywhere and NOT always visible to volunteers when they DO exist in a Council. Only the more involved volunteers are even aware there is a larger structure above their own Boiy Scout Troop, and most simply have no real interest in any controversy about "God or gays." They're in it for the boys and that's all they really pay attention to (a fact BSA counts on).
For those that DO see what's going on:
Some remain involved in spite of the problems they see. They try to effect change, to "take back" Scouting from those that have subverted it. But it's hard going.
Others are slavishly "loyal" and completely buy into the BSA stance that any questioning is an "attack." They are a bit scary and more than willing to drive out any opinions that do not match their own. "If you don't like it - leave" You can see this attitude in some Scouting forums. Those raising valid issues are attacked and the questions they ask remain unanswered. sound familiar?
And then there are those that TRY to raise these issues however they can - this forum is a powerful tool in that respect and the reason for this diary. It creates a record in the ether of the web that ANYONE can see and research on their own. Too many in Scouting think the problems they see are "unique" and "local" - they are not. In this respect DK is a valuable anv VISIBLE tool. Previous posts have clearly had an effect in the more liberal Scouting Community - what remains of it. It seems they've also infuriated a few of the more conservative members who refer to DK as a "Communist" site.....lol..... Ceasar Chavez is some real serious threat to the American Way, right?
As far as parables go.....
BSA has been EXCEEDINGLY successful in wrapping itself in the flag while "carrying the cross."
You sure can't depend on the media to look TOO closely when you're hiding behind "values and character."
When questioned or caught in wrongdoing, they hide behind rhetoric about values and disparage their critics.
They manipulate statistics to show "success" when none exists.
They sell off all they were supposed to protect and show stewardship for.
They manipulate procedures and rules hold onto power, even refusing to give up when finally ousted.
Corruption is only an issue when people point it out- and then the solution is to get rid of those pointing out the corruption.
A minority can determine the behavior of a far larger organization - even when most of those participating do NOT agree with the extremist positions taken by that minority.
As I have noted in the past, I do NOT believe that these issues exist everywhere in Scouting. They are a serious problem in a minority BUT that minority has a disproportionate influence on the "culture" of the organization." Scouting is a great concept, a great movement for youth.
But BSA, the representative of Scouting in the US, has been "hijacked" by a group out to use it for their own benefit. They have made alliances with conservative relious movements - notably LDS (the Mormon Church) to try and keep membership numbers up. But despite all they try, membership is going down.
They try to hide drastic drops in membership by using political connections to fund a contrived program called "Learning for Life" which receives governmental funds that BSA is inelegible for. Earmarked funds pay for BSA to run a program in schools for "members" it would not have otherwise. On its current path, BSA continues to lose members, continues to sell off property and FAILS to serve a wide corss section and number of youth. They seem to be oblivious that to succeed they need to LISTEN to their members (who ARE volunteers and have been walking away in droves - something like a 27% drop in volunteers at senior levels in a few years). BSA needs to offer a GOOD program for kids that holds onto them - instead of conning them into the door for one meeting and then counting them as if they've been there all year. BSA uses very creative accounting to boost counts further even WITHOUT outright fraud.
Yet it sits on $500,000,000 in liquid assest at BSA National alone with far more held by local Councils. Even if NOBODY is in Scouting, there will be money to pay salaries, benefits and pensions for some time.
A few are making a lot of money from THEIR involvement with Boy Scouts and will continue to do so no matter how much they fail.