[17621] in APO-L
Just some ruminations from an old lister...
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Richard D. Quodomine)
Wed Nov 19 11:17:35 1997
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 11:16:07 -0500
Reply-To: "Richard D. Quodomine" <rdq@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU>
From: "Richard D. Quodomine" <rdq@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
To Brothers All --
Some thoughts:
1) We, as in the Fraternity of Alpha Phi Omega, gave to the brothers of
the all-male
chapters our agreement that they were grandfathered, and if they wish to
remain All-Male,
such is their right. They believe that their chapters are best served by
remaining all-male, and that is their right. While I disagree that they
are better off and believe that women
are a valuable addition to any chapter, we gave our word. That, whether
it is over 1 year, 5 years, 25 years, or 100 years, is not breakable.
Brotherhood, and the principles of
Alpha Phi Omega as a whole, would be greatly harmed were we to abrogate
that promise.
2) As to APO and BSA, we must remember that our principles are very
often the same, but not necessarily our policies. They are two separate
organizations whose beliefs often, but not always coincide. We have no
right to dictate their policies, and they have no right as to ours. It
would be extremely unwise to tie our policies unto theirs. There is a
link, and it is valuable as both our past and our future. However, it
involves principle and belief in dedication to a higher ideal than just
self-serving. I and Brother Jerry Schroeder (for whom I have great
respect) were often at opposite sides of the 1994 Scouting debate, but
from that debate sprang principle and ideals, and we now have a clear
relationship which involves the binding of belief, but not membership or
policy.
Thank you for your listening.
-- Richard D. Quodomine,
Eagle Scout, 1991
Epsilon Sigma, 1992
Mu Omicron, 1996
