[15235] in APO-L
BSA and APO
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Benjamin A. Kuperman)
Mon Nov 4 23:40:27 1996
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 18:30:57 -0500
Reply-To: "Benjamin A. Kuperman" <bak@JUPITER.CSE.UTOLEDO.EDU>
From: "Benjamin A. Kuperman" <bak@JUPITER.CSE.UTOLEDO.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
To all those concerned:
I have been reading the discussion about the proposal regarding the
Un-re-wording of the purpose of Alpha Phi Omega. I was a member of
the Scouting Relations Committee in 1994 that made the recommendation
to change the purpose. I am an Eagle scout, Vigil Honor, active in
Alpha Phi Omega for almost 4 years, etc. I hope I can shed some light
on why it was decided to recommend the motion for passing on the
convention floor.
This was a matter of quite some debate within our committee. We even
were called in to Jerry's suite at midnight to discuss our decision
regarding this proposal. I don't have my notes with me from the
convention, but I will do my best to remember the reasons why we
recommended this change.
1) The BSA asked us. Yes, this was viewed as a legalese request from
their governing board to ours. We didn't like this as the reason
behind their request, but it was there.
2) APO (via the National President) asked us. His reasonings were
stated earlier in this discussion, so I won't repeat them here.
3) APO and BSA have differing views on members (i.e. Girls, Gays, and
Athiests). Even though our organization was founded on Scouting, by
Boy Scouts, it has grown and changed differently than the BSA. We have
our own sets of beliefs, ideals and rules separate from the BSA and we
felt that we could reflect that difference better by indicating that we
had "derived" ourselves from scouting rather than "assembling"
ourselves around THEIR principles.
4) Provided better emphasis on OUR cardinal principles: Leadership,
Friendship, and Service. The current wording (in my view) better
emphasises OUR principles instead of the BSA's. [Yes, I know we are
founded on those principles (which I myself hold), but we are LFS much
more than the Oath and Law]
5) Would be more inclusive of the other "Scouting Movements" each
being somewhat unique, especially as we move towards an international
organization. It was our hope that APO can begin to work closely with
more of the scouting movements in the US (GSUSA, Guides, etc.) We
were informed that some of those movements had interpreted from our
purpose that we were a Boy Scouts of America organization, not a
Service Fraternity.
We knew this might be quite controversial, and it has proven to be. I
still believe that the current purpose is a marked improvement by
reflecting our unique beliefs better, and not implying an official
relation (they control us, or vice versa).
I realize that many might disagree, but I felt that this "historical"
information might help explain why what was done, was done.
I am quite willing to answer any questions people might have about
this. Remember we are all Brothers together, regardless.
Yours in Leadership, Friendship and Service,
Benjamin Kuperman
Zeta Lambda Chapter
University of Toledo
bak@cse.utoledo.edu
