UNITED WAY GROUPS CONTINUE TO DE-FUND BOY SCOUTS

From: Autosend2@grassfire.net (Grassfire.net) Date: Fri, Apr 12, 2002, 6:29pm (EDT-1)

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + GRASSFIRE.NET BOY SCOUTS UPDATE FIELD REPORTS PAINT GLOOMY PICTURE FOR SCOUTS IN THE WEST.

WE WILL BE DELIVERING PETITIONS TO THE UNITED WAY AT THE END OF THIS MONTH! FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS AND URGE THEM TO SIGN THIS IMPORTANT PETITION TO HELP THE SCOUTS. http://www.grassfire.net/scouts.asp?PID=960194 (AOL Users click the line below, all others use the above link: ) Click here 4/12/02

During our last update, we confirmed that the United Ways of Broward County, Florida, Tucson, Arizona and Everett, Washington had withdrawn funding of the Boy Scouts.

Sadly, these are not isolated incidents. Your reports have confirmed our worst fears. THE ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD, AND COULD SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE SCOUTS.

Based on your Field Reports (we received thousands-thank you!), and our team's follow up work, here is what we have learned...

The California United Ways in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Santa Barbara and Woodland are ALL using policies to limit or deny funding to the Scouts.

In the Silicon Valley, numerous reports of United Way de- funding have been confirmed. In fact, one United Way staffer said, "The Boy Scouts exclusionary practices keep them from receiving funds."

Further up the coast in Oregon, we've confirmed that United Way agencies in Benton and Jackson Counties have decreased public funding due to the Scouts refusal to sign the non- discrimination policy.

In Washington State, United Ways in such counties as including King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom has stopped supporting the Scouts from the general fund. In our nation's heartland, a similar story is unfolding in states like Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin where Scouting has historically thrived. United Way agencies in these states are using so-called "anti-discrimination" policies to de-fund the Scouts.

And finally, on the East Coast, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Florida have all been confirmed as states where widespread de- funding is taking place.

Sadly, some Scouts troops are yielding to the pressure from the United Way. We have confirmed at least two reports (in California and Iowa) that indicated Scout troops have suspended their moral code of honor and decency, and signed the non-discrimination policy allowing homosexuals entry into the Scouts.

IF THIS PROUD ORGANIZATION IS FORCED TO COMPLY IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT OUR NATION?

Yes, many, many United Way agencies are still allowing funding to the Scouts. But your field reports have confirmed our greatest fears--that many Scout troops are being bullied and intimidated into compliance.

In fact, the Washington Times recently reported that many local United Ways are denying funds to the Scouts--and your reports have added many, many more to this list!

To answer this attack, our goal is to deliver 400,000 Scouts petitions to the United Way headquarters by the end of April. But we need your help!

* * * * * * ACTION ITEM THIS IS A CRITICAL ISSUE THAT DEMANDS 100% SUPPORT, AND WE'RE COUNTING ON YOUR TO HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF 400,000.

Please, forward this update to EVERYONE in your personal directory--urging them to stand up for the Scouts by signing this important petition.

P.S. We are still compiling our official report on United Way discrimination and will be publishing that later this month. Everyone who signs the petition will receive a link to this exclusive report. Please alert your friends: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + STAND WITH THE SCOUTS. CLICK BELOW:

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + COMPLETE YOUR CONFIDENTIAL FIELD REPORT ON YOUR LOCAL UNITED WAY'S POLICY REGARDING THE SCOUTS:

Friday, April 12, 2002 5:31AM EDT

9-11 hits United Way funds

By LORENZO PEREZ, Staff Writer

Triangle United Way's 80 member agencies took a surprise budget hit Thursday, the result of more local donors than expected designating their money to help victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Although they met a $26 million annual fund-raising goal, United Way officials told member agencies to expect a 25 percent cut.

When money for Sept. 11 victims, pledges designated for nonmember agencies, administrative costs and other expenses are deducted, only $8.6 million is left in the coming 2002-03 budget year for member agencies such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County. That's $2.8 million less than Triangle United Way gave member agencies last year.

Although the amount doesn't take into account pledges specifically earmarked for member agencies, it means tough times for nonprofit agencies that get the bulk of their United Way money through its general pledge fund.

"We had asked for an increase for next year," said Ralph Capps, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County. "Obviously, we're going to have to be more aggressive in raising funds ourselves."

The club relies on the United Way to provide about 40 percent of its operating budget, Capps said. A 25 percent cut in United Way money could mean turning away as many as 300 children from the clubs' youth development programs, he said.

Roger L. Perry, chairman of Triangle United Way's board of directors, said the agency now must do a better job of communicating local needs to potential donors. With state and local governments facing drastic budget cuts, public funding of local charities is a challenge.

"We recognize that we've got to do a better job of demonstrating the tremendous work that the United Way agencies do, what the needs in our community are, and we need to get people engaged and sensitized," Perry said.

Triangle United Way, the largest local private benefactor of human services, has set fund-raising records five years in a row. Last fall, it extended its campaign three weeks to reach its goal. It announced that in addition to the $26,170,154 raised, it had collected $676,191 in pledges for The September 11th Fund.

After sorting through all the campaign pledges, United Way officials said, they realized many of the donations to the general pledge fund were really earmarked for New York's American Red Cross chapter and other agencies serving victims of the attacks.

"Sept. 11 was a huge tragedy, and we're glad that we are able to get the community together to donate," said Jill Cox, Triangle United Way's spokeswoman. "But now we have to look at the home front."

Directors of member agencies braced for bad news when told to expect an announcement Thursday. But at worst, they expected a 15 percent budget cut, said Linda Ornt, executive director of Triangle Reading Service.

"This took the wind out of a lot of people's sails," she said.

Ornt's agency, a radio newspaper-reading service for the blind in 16 North Carolina counties, has an annual operating budget of $116,000. The agency recently learned that the city of Raleigh is cutting its contribution to about $2,250, about half what it gave last year, Ornt said. Last year, the agency got nearly $21,000 in general United Way money and about $14,000 in designated pledges.

It counted on more money this year, not less, Ornt said.

"We're scrambling to find money everywhere we can," she said. "It was definitely not the news we needed today."

This falls under the category of "I Wonder Why -- NOT"

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.