[17592] in APO-L
Re: BSA discrimintation (WAS Addition to Alcohol Discussion)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Benjamin A. Kuperman)
Mon Nov 17 18:41:10 1997
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 18:17:43 -0500
Reply-To: "Benjamin A. Kuperman" <kuperman@CS.PURDUE.EDU>
From: "Benjamin A. Kuperman" <kuperman@CS.PURDUE.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199711172017.PAA20286@arthur.cs.purdue.edu>; from Theodore W.
Love on Mon, Nov 17, 1997 at 03:15:22PM -0500
I'm sorry that I opened this sort of debate. It appears to lead
people into unfriendly/unscoutlike arguments. However, I think
everyone will agree that Alpha Phi Omega sets our own standards of
membership that are COMPLETELY SEPARATE than what the Boy Scouts of
America dictates. (If at this point you still disagree, please
explain how and for bonus points explain why this doesn't conflict
with our own National Bylaws).
My point in this example is that APO is a separate organization and
is quite capable of determining our own policies and procedures
independent of "outside" organizations such as the Boy Scouts of
America. We are not Beta Sigma Alpha[1] - the boy scout fraternity,
but a completely distinct organization that shares a common heritage.
My objection is that former/current scouters assume that whatever
scouting policy dictates is true for APO.
It especially important that the active members of this organization,
think about these types of issues (Membership and alcohol included)
and determine FOR OURSELVES what our policies should be. Our National
Board of Directors lack the legislative power, because the Actives
hold this and exercise it at National Convention. This means that
every chapter is involved in deciding what our policies shall be. We
should not expect, nor even desire, that such policy decisions will be
handed down to us because we are the decision makers, and it is our
responsibility.
Let scouting handle scouting, and let us focus on APO.
In Leadership, Friendship, and Service,
-Benjamin Kuperman.
--
[1] Apologies to any real organization that uses this name.
