[15227] in APO-L
Re: As an Eagle must fly, so must we.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Deb Gallagher)
Mon Nov 4 16:52:39 1996
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 16:54:05 -0500
Reply-To: Deb Gallagher <dag900z@MAIL.ODU.EDU>
From: Deb Gallagher <dag900z@MAIL.ODU.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199611041950.OAA10729@tahiti.cc.odu.edu>
Hi all!
Fisrt let me say a few things before I dive in on this topic......
First, I am in no way against the BSA, I gew up with a brother in boy
scouts, and a father that was a scout leader. I hold the ideals of the
scout law close, not so close that I feel that the 12 points are handed
down from a superior being from above. I also grew up as a Girl Scout,
all the way from Brownies to Seniors. And yes, I am one of the few who
have earned the Gold and Silver Awards. Having said that.........
> Yet I'd
> like for you to consider why I was not accepted into the girl-scouts.
Just as the case of little league used to be, my guess is that
there was a cub pack in the same area as the girl scout troop. Trust me,
when I was little my dad and I went round and round on this one. I grew
up as a tomboy and I thought I shouls be part of the cubs because they
were going comping and fishing and the like. However, because there was a
girl scout troop in the same area, I couldn't be a part of the cubs.
In
> fact, when I first was a cub scout, I thought the Girl Scouts were the better
> of the two organizations. But as I grew up with scouting, I saw the Girl
> Scouts becoming less a committed organization, but rather an organization for
> social ties.
Now, this paragraph above has really upset me. I can say in no
uncertain terms that the girl scouts that I was apart of was not for
social ties. We camped in lean-to's (forgive my spelling) when out
camping in the summer, built things (how about a bridge at a girl scout
camp), I even got to spend a weekend working and observing in a nuclear
power plant. But to say that the girl scouts was for merely creating
"social ties" is total bull. It that to say that you never made any
friends through scouting, because for all intensive purposes friends are
considered social ties.
>
> I would remind many of you who are Girl Scouts, such as my sister, that the
> Girl Scouts actually have similar clauses in their creeds, mottos, and
> handbooks.
As a matter of fact we do. I only wish that I had my book with
me. However, our oath says that we will serve god (left up to your
interpretation of who god is), mankind and to live by the girl scout law.
That girl scout law is very similar to the BSA law. I can't remember
exactly if it has 12 points or not. I know the number of points is close.
Why then are we singling out the BSA? Because it is the right
> thing to do? Because we have become so polically correct, that attacking or
> castrating a maledominated institution is acceptable? Because we want to
> achieve our own levels or standards of humanity?
The reason BSA is being held out for all to inspect is because the
ideals of BSA are what we were founded upon. Personally, I would like to
see this organization evolve to accept the ideal of the girl scouts just
as much as the boy scouts. I know that has just ruffled some feathers but
has anyone ever considered that APO is often mentioned to girl scouts
because of APO's scouting history and the service aspect???? Believe it
or not, girl scouts are now being told that once they get into college,
there is APO, an organization that they can continue to be active in the
ideals of scouting.
>
> If we take my last because as our reasoning, I might accept it better, but as
> I see the debate waging war on our organization, I see it more as the attack
> and non-friendly move to either strengthen or reduce ties with the BSA.
I don't think we should diminish our ties with BSA, I feel that we should
create and strengthen ties with the girl scouts as well.
> Remember the words we often hear at inductions and initiations about the
> founding of APO... that our founding brothers saw it as a model to follow,
> rather than just a creed to adopt ... that it shall serve as a standard for
> all nations in all world.
True, but as we enter the 21st century, shouldn't that model be
expanded to accept all those who wish to hold up the ideals of APO, BSA
and the Girl Scouts???
Here's something else that's been bugging me.... in the chapter
where I was inducted, the fact that I was a girl scout was held against me
in the way that I wasn't as good as an eagle scout. We had a particular
with things like the construction of a wooden box. Because we had eagle
scouts, it was decided that, and yes it was stated as such, because they
were eagle scouts they know the better way to make the darn thing. Now
forgive me if this doesn't pertain to many chapters out there but....I
know that this chapter can't be alone. I know how much work and
dedication goes into earning the distinction of eagle scout but I think
that some of the cast it up edge needs to be taken off. What I mean is
that just because someone is an eagle scout they are NOT any better than
someone else, especially a female who happened to be in the girl scouts.
The feeling that was created was that just because you were in the girl
scouts you were less able to do real work. Take it from me, I can do
anything that an eagle scout can do (except pee standing up :):):):) hee
hee) but if an eagle scout is going to be held in high regard, then I
think it's time to do the same especially with those of us who worked hard
to earn the distinction of eraning the Gold and Silver Awards, which on
several instances have been likened to a boy scout earning his eagle
status.
Now I know that paragraph was a bit rambling but if the issues of
whether or not to make stronger ties with the BSA, I think the
consideration needs to be given to creating the equivalent ties with Girl
Scouts. If the ties with the girl scouts aren't there on the national
level, I think they need to be. If we decide to not reopen and strengthen
the ties with the BSA then I think some of the emphasis that is being
given to the BSA and eagles needs to be toned down a bit. That's not to
say that we as a fraternity forget our historical ties. I think the
history of APO should still be there and taught to the pledges.
Anyway, feel free to reply as I am sure I have ruffeled several
feathers, but these are my opinions and it's what I have been seeing and
feeling since I pledged alomost 2 years ago.
thank you for your time,
In l, f, & s,
Deb Gallagher
Life Member -- Alpha Phi Omega
"It's not much of a tail, but I'm sort of attached to it."
-----Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh
PS the chapter I pledged is Alpha Beta Omega chapter at Old Dominion
University, in Norfolk, VA.
