Posted on 11/13/2003 7:41:48 AM PST by WinOne4TheGipper
After a 76-year partnership, the United Way Capital Area and the Boy Scouts are parting ways because the Scouts organization excludes gays.
"Our value is that we raise money from the entire community," said Clarke Heidrick, chairman of the United Way board. "We need to allocate the money to agencies that serve the entire community."
Boy Scouts of America, Capital Area Council, will lose approximately $157,000 a year, a little more than 5 percent of its $2.9 million budget. The group will ask its supporters to make up that loss with additional contributions, said Bruce Walcutt, the organization's president.
"Frankly, the Boy Scouts are a resourceful bunch," he said. "That's what we're taught to be. We'll continue to keep our programs alive."
Under the terms of an agreement unanimously approved Wednesday by the United Way board, the Scouts will remain a partner agency until June 30, 2004 and will receive about $157,000. Then -- although it will no longer be affiliated with the United Way -- the group will receive another $157,000 for 2005 as transition funding, Heidrick said. Then funding will stop.
Both sides say the split is amicable. The Boy Scouts have been a United Way Capital Area partner since 1927.
"The Scouts have conducted themselves very honorably during this process," Heidrick said.
Wednesday's decision comes after more than two years of discussion.
In June 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Boy Scouts have the right to exclude gays.
That decision spurred more than 50 local United Ways to change their relationship with the Scouts.
Some immediately cut ties with the group. Some phased out funding.
Others started working with Learning for Life, a Boy Scout-affiliated organization that allows gays to participate in its programs.
Many have remained firm supporters of the Scouts, which provides educational programs focused on character, citizenship and personal fitness.
United Way of America, the parent organization to the 1,400 affiliates across the country, did not take a position on the issue.
"We're convinced that's a decision that needs to be made on the local level," said Philip Jones, spokesman for the United Way of America.
After the 2000 court ruling, United Way Capital Area -- which raises money for 44 health and human service organizations -- scrutinized requirements for its agencies.
In March 2002, the board adopted an inclusion policy requiring all partner agencies to serve people without regard to issues such as race, color, gender or sexual orientation.
Of the 44 groups, 43 were in compliance with the policy. But the Boy Scouts organization was in violation because it does not accept "avowed homosexuals," according to the Scout's literature.
United Way and Boy Scouts officials met several times, then agreed to a friendly divorce.
Donors -- who can use the United Way to donate to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered with the IRS -- will still be able to give to the Scouts through their workplace campaigns.
But the Scouts will not be entitled to money raised through the United Way's community investment fund, which totaled $4.1 million last year.
The Scouts received about $157,000 from that fund in 2002.
"It's a big deal," Walcutt said. "We have a lot of supporters in Central Texas and we're going to ask them to do more."
Randall Ellis, executive director of the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas, called the split a "bold step" for the United Way.
"It will go a long way to fostering tolerance and acceptance in Central Texas," he said.
Others say the United Way's decision smacks of political pressure that will hurt families.
"I think what it says about the United Way is that they are easily intimidated by a very politically active homosexual lobby that pushes a homosexual agenda," said Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, a Dallas-based conservative group. "It's a travesty."
Heidrick said the United Way did not receive pressure to cut ties with the Boy Scouts.
The group cannot determine whether it has lost donations because of its affiliation with the Scouts, he said.
The Boy Scouts will remain a partner agency of the Georgetown Area United Way and the United Way of Hays County.
Here is a sampling of the trash that fills our mailboxes:
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DID YOU KNOW??????????
A gift of $3 per pay period for one year will immunize 50 children against measles.
CFC was started by President Kennedy in 1961 to consolidate all workplace solicitation into one comprehensive campaign.
All charities in the CFC brochure have to apply each year and meet certain criteria to participate in the CFC.
"People have to believe in their capacity to bring about a good result. All effective action is fueled by hope." -- John Gardner
Let's make our community, our country and our world, a better place to live. Please join me and give to your favorite charity during the 2003 CFC.
If you need a Contributor's Guide or a Pledge card, please contact me or your Directorate's keyperson.
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Don't give through the Combined Federal Campaign if...........
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The last check United Way will ever get from me was written 15 years ago. Sadly, my company was recently bought by an outfit that has an annual United Way fundraiser, so I have to endure all the little gimmicks they do to meet their goal.
They met it this year and gave a little box of chocolates to everyone as a thank-you; I returned my box, unopened, to the department secretary.
The organization I work for is one of the largest contributors to the United Way Capital Area. This will be the last year I will donate to their cause. My dollars will go to the Boy Scouts only.
There are several other service organizations I can donate money and clothing to that serve the entire community, other than United Way.
?
Doesn't that sound real commie-like?
Oh yes. Oh yes it does.
I believe that this is already happening. I live in a suburb of Seattle, and just read in the local paper about a downturn in funding from United Way because they haven't met their revenue goals. Just say no to this corrupt organization.
Perhaps this person needs to hear from Texans.
OK, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this premise a lie? I understand the Scouts serve anyone. It's Scout leadership that can't be gay.
I must say that if any Scouters are identifying themselves as gay before the age of, say, 16, they really need the Scouts to help set them straight anyway and should be encouraged to join.
Shalom.
I suspect that if you moved the Longhorns that Austin would much more accurately reflect the great state of which it is a capitol.
Shalom.
Agreed.
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