[15323] in APO-L
Re: As an Eagle must fly, so must we. (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Laurence Hart)
Thu Nov 7 12:12:11 1996
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 1996 11:49:19 -0500
Reply-To: Laurence Hart <Laurence_Hart@WATSONWYATT.COM>
From: Laurence Hart <Laurence_Hart@WATSONWYATT.COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Brothers,
I was recently passed a copy of what is being discussed and I had
several comments.
No, we are not a Scouting organization. There are no official
ties. HOWEVER, we are founded on the principles of Scouting. The
purpose itself says that 'the rich heritage of Alpha Phi Omega is
derived from the fellowship of the principles of the Boy Scouts of
America as embodied in its Scout Oath and Law.' These are the
principles that Frank Reed Horton saw and inspired him to found Alpha
Phi Omega. The National Bylaws also state in the Active Membership
section that members are encouraged, but not required, to be
registered with a Scouting organization. That part does not refer to
the Boy Scouts exclusively. Sounds like Scouting of all kinds would
be a good source of Brothers to me.
I would like to say that the reason that Alpha Phi Omega has
lasted as long as it has is from the Scouting principles from which we
were founded on. The admitting of women is NOT why we have lasted
this long, but is one reason why Alpha Phi Omega is as widespread as
it currently is. Please do not confuse the two. The fact that there
are still all-male chapters proves that Alphi Phi Omega would still be
around without women.
Don't get me wrong. I think that allowing women in Nationally
has been a good thing. However, I also value the PROMISE that has
allowed the all-male chapters to remain so. Someone said that the
agreement had lasted 20 years and that it was time to end it. I
disagree.
When you make a promise to someone, is it ever a good time to
break it. A promise is built on trust. A broken promise breaks
trust. As most of you know, trust is an important characteristic that
bind a Brotherhood together. Without trust, nothing lasts. The
promise of 76 was reaffirmed in 92. Going back on it now would be the
same as breaking the promise twice.
In my opinion, a promise worth making is worth keeping forever.
If it is not worth keeping, it should never be made, much less
reaffirmed.
Each Chapter is unique. Some focus on Leadership, some on
Friendship, some on Brotherhood, and most on Service. The one thing
that they all do is work on the two-fold purpose as set forth by Frank
Reed Horton. The best known one is 'to develop a standard of manhood
that would withstand the test of time.' This standard applies to
everyone, male and female. Each Chapter works towards it in its own
way. If all the Chapter did everything the same way, no debates would
ever take place. However to say that continuing the efforts of Scouts
is not the same as 'to become leaders, friends and to do service to
others' is incorrect. Anyone versed in the purpose of Scouting can
tell you that. Just look at the requirements for the highest awards
in Scouting and you will see that their goals are almost identical to
our goals.
I'm sorry that I have been so long winded, but I tire of this
debate year after year and the hostility that it creates. I am not on
apo-l, so if you reply, be sure to send the reply to me as well.
In Brotherhood,
Larry Hart, aka Piehole
Delta 1120, LM 14183
Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, OA, Woodbadge SR-008
Laurence_Hart@watsonwyatt.com
