Quad Cities Affirming Diversity

Social Justice Awareness Program and Fundraiser
Friday, 17 June 2006, Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa

Dave Rice¹s talk
(after the showing of the documentary Scout¹s Honor)

Outline
(with key points underlined)
Thanks for inviting me and for coming tonight

Tom Sheperd¹s documentary, unrehearsed, [500 minutes of tape edited to 50] won two prizes at Sundance Film Festival, Park City, strangers hugged me on the street in front of my wife!

Scouting is a great movement and a great program for youth; it makes a difference in the lives of youth
Example: Tim was a wimp, dropped from one 50-miler, forced himself togo the whole way the next, became outstanding SPL: Dad told me,"Thank you for making my son a man I can be proud of." Example: my experience, age 14: Scoutmaster brought mother to Scout meeting, she thanked us for giving her "different" son good Scouting. I thought that was what we were supposed to do, Scoutingis for everyone, even the "different" Scouting is worth saving!

The Boy Scouts of America has become corrupt.

It¹s a corporation, all about power, finance, growth, personal promotion, It¹s in trouble:

Big membership fraud in Dallas, Birmingham, Atlanta, trying tojustify extra funds to serve" inner city kids who don¹t exist

Local council hired 4 pedophiles for camp staff in Idaho Falls [two responsible professionals promoted, one still on the job]
BSA claim the boy asked for sex in a NYC molestation case

BSA dismissed a gay professional, but supported the professionalwho fired him, despite the latter¹s collecting and disseminatingchild pornography

Membership has declined 10% in last six years, across the board

Financial problems in local councils, as United Ways withhold funds

Too many are deciding that Scouting is discriminatory and irrelevant in today¹s world

In 1970s BSA pinned its future on conservative religions

1978: first policy memorandum excluding gays

Has claimed it is a religious organization

Therefore exempt from laws on discrimination

But still claims government support, from the cabin in the city parkto the Jamboree at Fort A P Hill BSA can¹t have it both ways

The issue is a moral and ethical one about human rights Not just discrimination against gays

BSA discriminates against religious beliefs of those it disagrees with(UCC, UUA)
BSA departs from its claim to serve all youth, in a movement itclaims is inclusive
BSA ignores its own rules in kicking out those who disagree with it
BSA teaches that it¹s OK to hate and harass gays
BSA causes depression and even suicide by youths it kicks out

There is a way for the BSA to get out of this morass and to return to the high standards it proclaims
Return to pre 1978 rules, when chartered organizations (sponsors, 60%religious organizations) and Scout unit (parent) committeeschoose the leaders and decide what the program will be There will be many ways to do Scouting, liberal and conservative, even accepting or dismissing gays
1913: LDS first chartered organization
1920s: LDS forced the BSA to make clear the rights of charteredorganizations
In a sense we can thank the LDS for our rights!
Without change, the BSA will become a smaller but probably successfulorganization for conservatives only
Or it can become an organization for all Americans, reflecting thediversity that is the USA

You CAN have inclusive Scouting now!
Don¹t deal, just do it!
Chartered organization (church?) and Scout unit (parent) committee decide on a policy of openness to all
(or form a new unit with that policy)
Don¹t discuss it with the local council Scout executive, who has been ordered by the BSA to comply
(but do talk with volunteer Scout leaders)
If asked, say you¹re following the letter and the spirit of the Scout Oathand Law, the Congressional Charter, and the BSA Bylaws and Rulesand Regulations, because you are!
What to do if the BSA thinks you have a gay member
What do if the BSA makes noises about "dechartering" you
Don¹t deal, don¹t discuss, just do it!

Conclusion:
Scouting is in trouble
The BSA is doing it wrong
Don¹t let them subvert Scouting, save it by taking action
Scouting is worth saving!

The story of Billy: frightened he would get lost on his first 50-miler, came to a trail junction and asked me the way ("You¹ve got the map!"), examined map and said, "We go that way, don¹t we?" ("You¹ve go to be sure!"), looked at map for a long time, stood up and said, "Bye Mr Rice, we¹ll see you in camp!" He now had self-confidence. Billy made Eagle Scout, and now is RN in intensive care unit. Does it matter that he¹s gay?

Scouting is for all!

Present awards to Ken Croken and Dave Perry

Questions?