([Portland], [Or], [04/22/03])— The Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America, is disappointed with the decision to reverse the local 2000 United Way Board vote to continue their funding. Under the revised policy, effective July 1, 2004, the organization would no longer comply with the guidelines to be a Community Impact Partner (partner organizations that receive United Way allocations). At issue is the Boy Scouts policy which does not permit avowed homosexuals or atheists to serve in leadership positions in the organization. At stake is the right of parents to establish standards for those who would be role models for their children.
"We are disappointed that this decision, especially given our long-term partnership and our known value of community service, did not provide an opportunity to partner on a mutually acceptable solution. We had hoped United Way would place greater value on community service and support organizations on the merits of local community contributions. The Boy Scouts of America has a profound impact on the youth in this community and that fact is undeniable," said Scout Executive Ron Garland, Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council.
The most recent United Way funding for the Scoutreach program is used to provide Scouting to families that could not afford to participate, at-risk children need Scouting the most. According to local Scout officials this decision will not change Scouting's commitment to serve at-risk youth and families, however, funding of these programs will have to come from other sources now.
"We remain confident that our members and many others will support us in a multitude of ways despite funding obstacles. After all, our children are the country's most treasured asset," said Garland.
The Cascade Pacific Council partners with ten other United Way chapters that do provide funding to the Scouts. Many United Way chapters around the country have determined that Scouting provides significant contributions to the community, and those contributions out-weigh other political considerations.
CONTACT: Don Cornell, Cascade Pacific Council
(503) 225-5754
dcornell@cpcbsa.org
Boy Scouts of America - Connecting youth with communities and families.
About the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America
The Cascade Pacific Council is the seventh largest geographic Boy Scout council in the United States (out of 319) and the twelve largest in terms of membership. The Cascade Pacific Council serves more than 54,000 youth in 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and is supported by more than 16,500 adult volunteer mentors.
Local Boy Scouts of America Accomplishments
This last year Scouts of the Cascade Pacific Council reached out to the community and achieved the following outstanding accomplishments:
Goodwill/Good Turn-Scouts collected approximately 350,000 pounds of usable clothing and household goods for Goodwill Industries.
Camping Program-The Cascade Pacific Council has one of the strongest outdoor camping programs in the country, camping 12,000 boys at 9 summer resident camps and 10 day camps last year.
Scouting for Food-Scouts collected approximately 555,000 pounds of food for local hunger relief agencies through the Scouting for Food drive.
Guy Miller Tree Plant-Over 2,200 youth and family members planted nearly 32,550 tree seedlings in our forests and neighborhoods in support of the Guy Miller Tree Plant program. This program has accounted for the planting of nearly 2 million trees since its inception.
Community Service-Scouts contributed more than 1.3 million hours of service to local communities last year.
Violence Free Spring Break-In partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, the Police Activities League and other organizations the Scouts have assisted with numerous programs and activities including “Violence Free Spring Break,” an event where over 350 at-risk youth members utilized Scout facilities.
Outreach-Over $36,000 in scholarships was awarded to over 590 youth members for summer camp.
For more information, visit the council's website at www.cpcbsa.org
