Dear Reader:

Thanks to the responses of so many of you, we are adding a number of new local United Way organizations to the Watch List of those that have either cut off funding the Scouts in their area or appear to be taking steps to do so. They are listed in a separate section below.

The results of a recent national poll should give pause to any local United Way organizations that are considering cutting funding for Scouts. While it finds that 53% of those surveyed thought that non-profit organizations played a prominent role in solving social problems in their communities, only 39% said the same for local United Ways. Head to head in a fundraising contest, the United Ways are likely to fare less well than the Scouts, as has already been demonstrated in some areas. We have a link to an article giving more details on the poll.

We have also posted on the Web site several legal documents related to the lawsuit filed by the South Florida Council and the National Office of the Boy Scouts against the Broward County school board over the eviction of the Scouts from schools. The South Florida Council has been one of the most aggressive in the country in defending itself. These legal documents lay out their case in a clear and easily understood way. They should be useful to anyone facing a similar threat from a local school board.

Again, we appreciate hearing from so many of you and we continue to be impressed by your dedication and effectiveness in defense of scouting. Please let us know of any problems the facing the Scouts in your local area.

Peter Ferrara
Editor

P.S. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this newsletter on to others who might be interested. Thanks!

ADDITIONS TO THE UNITED WAY WATCH LIST

The following United Way organizations have stopped funding the Boy Scouts in their area and have been added to that category on the Watch List on the Defense Fund's Web site.

The following local United Way organizations appear to be in the process of cutting off funding the Boy Scouts in their area. Usually this means that they have adopted a policy that prohibits the organizations they fund from discriminating on the basis of "sexual orientation" or they are beginning to enforce an existing requirement. We will update their status as it changes, but people living in their service areas who are concerned about their policy may want to contact them or their local scout councils directly. Locator links to find both are on the Watch List page.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO SCOUTING AROUND THE COUNTRY

---SUPPORT FOR SCOUTING REMAINS STRONG.

Public Ranks Non-Profits Like Scouts Very High In Effectiveness

A recent national survey found that the public rates non-profit organizations, including groups like the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts, third highest in effectiveness just behind the police and churches in solving local social problems. United Ways ranked significantly further down in the list of effective organizations. (see article here.)

Increased Funding for Scouts Nationally, Most Displaced Troops Finding Homes

The National Scout Office reports that overall funding support for Scouting has increased since the Supreme Court's decision last June. Of those troops that have lost sponsorship, 99% have found other sponsors and new troops are being formed to continue to provide the benefits of Scouting. (see article here.)

---MEANWHILE, THE ATTACKS ON SCOUTING CONTINUE.

New York City Council Grants Reprieve While Local Scout Group Lobbies National Scouts.

The New York City Council has granted a 120 day extension of a ban on allowing scout units to use city facilities rent free. The extension was granted to give the New York area scout council more time to lobby the National Scout Office to change its policy on homosexuals. The council enrolls about 130,000 scouts and the CEO admitted that there may be a difference of opinion over the issue with the national office. (see article here.)

Portland Police Drop Explorers

The Portland, Oregon, Police Department has dropped its sponsorship of Police Explorer posts under pressure from the City's Mayor. She cites the city's policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. (see article here.)

---AND THE POLITICAL FALLOUT FROM ATTACKS ON SCOUTING ALSO CONTINUES.

Ohio City Council Chair Leaves Democratic Party Partly Over Attacks on Scouting

Charles Germana, President of the Parma, Ohio, City Council, announced that he was leaving the Democratic Party and would run for re-election as an independent. Germana, who is active in Scouting, cited what he said was the Democratic Party's hostile attitude towards Scouting as one of the main reasons he was leaving the party. (see article here.)

State Lawmakers Taking Steps to Defend Scouting

Lawmakers in at least three states are working on legislation to defend scouting. In Arizona and Georgia, lawmakers are working on legislation that would prohibit municipalities from withholding funds or access to public facilities from nonprofit organizations like the Scouts because of their beliefs. Wisconsin lawmakers are working on a resolution supporting the Scouts. see article:
 •Arizona - here
 •Georgia - no article available
 •Wisconsin - here

---AND SOME THOUGHTFUL COMMENTARY ON SCOUTING.

"BSA Supports Spiritual Direction in Life" by Jeff Herrmann, Scout Executive of South Florida Council, is an eloquent defense of the values Scouting instills against the attacks being made. The South Florida Council has been one of the most aggressive in the country in defending Scouting. (see article here.)

"Defending Boy Scouts in Massachusetts Public Schools" by Amy Contrada is one of an excellent series of analysis and commentary pieces she is doing on the attacks on Scouting in Massachusetts and related issues. This series contains general information and points that can be applied in other states as well. (see article here. Series accessible through the Massachusetts News Website, www.massnews.com)