[9840] in APO-L
BSA Amendments (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Gerald A. Schroeder)
Wed Oct 19 01:36:32 1994
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 22:01:29 -0400
Reply-To: "Gerald A. Schroeder" <gschroed@CAP.GWU.EDU>
From: "Gerald A. Schroeder" <gschroed@CAP.GWU.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L%PURCCVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
I forward this message again because, for computer reasons that are beyond
my comprehension, people are telling me that only my signature came
through on my last posting. I aplogize if this is a repeat, and thanks.
Jerry Schroeder
National President
Alpha Phi Omega
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 21:50:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Gerald A. Schroeder" <gschroed@cap.gwu.edu>
To: apo-l listserver <apo-l@purccvm.bitnet>
Subject: BSA Amendments
As I suspected, my earlier postings and attempts to explain the BSA
amendments were somehow messed up. >From numerous responses, I have even
concluded that one posting consisted of only my name and title. That is
not the way I sent it, but who can disagree? :)
In any event, my suspicions were apparently true that the transmissions
were somehow garbled or worse. In addition, it is obvious from private
postings to me that confusion still reigns, so let me try again.
I think it best to start with a summary of my remarks at the Boston
Convention during my state of the fraternity address concerning this
situation (which arose less than one month before the convention). I
said that I was involved in "discussions with the Boy Scouts of America
concerning the future course of our relationship. This dialogue was
initiated by BSA and primarily focuses on the impact, if any, of the
differences in our two organizations' membership policies on the Boy
Scouts of America.
"Let me make several points.
"First, it is my belief that all private, voluntary organizations
-- including BSA -- have a constitutional right to determine their own
leadership and membership standards. At the same time, Alpha Phi Omega
expects others to accord it the same respect for its rights.
"Second, unless and until a convention takes action in this area,
my job as national president is to conclude these discussions with our
relationship exactly where it has been for 67 years. Candidly, I think
the prognosis is guarded, but we must try.
"Third, I am sure many of you are concerned over the mere
existence of such discussions between APO and BSA. Friends often find it
necessary to talk about individual and mutual concerns, and the friendship
is what makes this possible. In fact, true friendship demands no less --
and that's what happening here."
With that introduction, let me say that some months later after prolonged
and sometimes difficult -- but always friendly -- discussions, the
dialogue was completed. Although I kept the Board of Directors currently
and fully informed of the negotiations, it was I who found myself
representing Alpha Phi Omega when it was time to speak and act on its
behalf.
The result was, in my opinion, a good one that benefits both organizations
and that could have been much worse for both organizations had it not been
for the good faith and friendship between both APO and BSA generally, and
the Chief Scout Executive and myself particularly.
We agreed that: (1) the mutually supportive relationship that has existed
between APO and BSA since 1925 would continue, (2) we both acknowledged
our respect for the constitutional right of all private, voluntary
organizations to determine their own values and policies, and that APO
would take steps by changing certain aspects of our bylaws and ceremonies
to reduce the erroneous perception of affiliation between our two
organizations among some members of the public.
My proposals to change our bylaws and ceremonies implement that agreement.
The specific changes were not negotiating with BSA, nor should they have
been. But they are a key ingredient to the agreement.
They do not rewrite our history or our founding, and one of the first
things the Chief SCout Executive and I agreed to was that neither of us
wanted or could do that. They do not eliminate all references to BSA from
our bylaws or anything else. They are designed to preserve our heritage
and history while, at the same time, reducing or eliminating any
perception of official affiliation between our two organizations.
Of course, I did not have to do all this. But I thought it was fair and
recognized, as should you, that BSA controls its own copyrighted symbols
as does APO control its symbols. There are some areas where we simply do
not have a choice, as someone said, "to do what we want to do."
But I want to emphasize several points. First, this is not a PC issue.
The issue is the relationship between two old and close friends.
Second, it is BSA that initiated this discussion and, while that is OK and
expected between friends where there are concersn, it is important to
remember.
Third, as national president I represented APO and was, properly, its
exclusive spokesperson. I did my best and am convinced the outcome is in
our best interests.
Finally and obviously, the convention is free to reject some or all of my
proposals. But I would hope that the history of these discussions and my
actions are given great weight. We are not writing on a clean slate here,
and the wrong response will result in the dialogue being reopened again.
I don't believe that is in anyone's best interests.
I would be happy to respond to anyone's concerns or questions -- privately
or publicly. Obviously, I will be speaking from the floor at the
convention to further explain this process. But cool, realistic heads
must prevail here. You elected me to do a job and I tried to do it under
very stressful circunderstanding of the Chief Scout Executive. I ask for
your support as your president.
Jerry Schroeder
National President
Alpha Phi Omega
