Boy Scouts of America’s Post

Reflecting on my journey, my relationship with Scouting has been complex. At the age of 12, I was unfortunately expelled from the organization simply because of my sexual orientation. It was a challenging experience, as Scouting was something I deeply enjoyed. During my college years, I harbored resentment towards Scouting and initially had no desire to engage with their issues. I asked my professor to pair me with a different company for my Marketing Capstone and my mind was set on not helping Boy Scouts of America. It wasn't until I discovered the profound impact community involvement, enrichment, and diversity can have in Scouting that my perspective shifted and I decided to stay and help research BSA’s issues. Despite my negative experience, I found myself drawn back to Scouting's potential for positive change. I began working to foster a more inclusive environment for all youth. Reflecting on my experiences, including my involvement in the Spring 2023 Marketing Research Capstone at OSU and ongoing advocacy efforts at Simon Kenton Council for diversity, inclusion, and equity, I feel grateful for the opportunity to have potentially contributed to this significant change. I believe that my contributions, alongside many others pushing for more ESG-based principles, have played a role in fostering an environment where such progress is possible. Now, I'm a queer, gender non-conforming POC deeply involved in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within Scouting. My past experiences have fueled my passion for ensuring that no one faces discrimination like I did. It's a journey that's both personal and meaningful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of scouting for the better. As we celebrate this milestone, I look forward to continuing to support and champion initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and belonging within our community and beyond. #DiversityandInclusion #Scouting #NonProfit #SocialImpact #AdvocacyMatters

This is encouraging, if long overdue, news from across the pond. I had the pleasure of visiting a number of Boy Scouts of America troops eleven years ago on a backpacking/couchsurfing trip (jesus that makes me feel old). At that time they'd just moved to allow openly gay members into the organisation, and having come from UK Scouting, where such things had been far more acceptable for far longer, it all felt behind the times and a bit bonkers. This new feels much the same - good, though why on earth has it taken this long? Though, if you do some digging, there have been branches of Scouting America that have been open to boys and girls (and coed) for years. Plus, the comments thread on this post has some very agitated exchanges of view lurking in it (well worth a read if you're got a spare moment in your lunch and want to be mildly concerned about some members of society). So, what are we to think of it? I suppose, thinking with my writing/messaging/communicating ideas hat on, this post leaves me with the following thoughts: ⚜️You can celebrate progress while still pushing for more progress. You don't have to do one or the other. There's still work to be done, in BSA and everywhere, on inclusion for non-binary and transgender youth. But moves like this are stepping stones to that world and are good things. ⚜️While it's not as much fun, researching your own standpoint is always a good idea if you don't want to look silly. For instance, there are lots of people in the comments asking why Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts can't be merged in the US. The answer is that, despite their similar names, they are both members of different worldwide organisations and so subject to different policies, rules, and goals. A little bit of Googling would have saved quite a few arguments in the comments thread. ⚜️ Critical thinking will often make your argument better, too. For instance, I saw a few reactions to this news mourning the loss of a boys-only space where men can teach boys how to be good men. There's a tribal part of my brain that agrees with that, but it only takes a moment's reflection to realise a few things: Human beings have always existed in a co-ed environment called The World, where they learned how to be men from men and from women, and everyone in between. A lot of Teaching Men How To Be Men involves discussions of how to treat people with other gender identities. The notion that this education of how to interact with the world should happen in a space where a significant portion of that world is not allowed, is logically bonkers. If your boys are truly desperate for a boys-only space, then they can hang out with their boy friends in their own time. Nobody is against that, and nobody wants to police that. There's just no need for a formal organisation like scouts (or school or Scouting) to enforce that separation, at least not for boys. What do you think? #TheGrumpyCopywriter #Scouting #gender

Boy Scouts of America is rebranding to "Scouting America." This change underscores the commitment to inclusivity, welcoming every youth to experience the benefits of Scouting. Notably, the Scout Oath, Law, and motto remain unchanged, preserving the core values. With a century-long legacy of character development and leadership training, "Scouting America" represents the next chapter, focusing on preparing youth for lives of purpose and impact. https://lnkd.in/ggCkTEJ2

My kids are part of the 1 million+ youth who are in Scouting America. Today is our Blue & Gold Celebration and I am reflecting on what my family has gained from participating. This wouldn't have been possible without Scouts BSA evolving to become a more inclusive organization, which pre-empted the name change to Scouting America. This Forbes article describes some of what the brand is getting right. Speaking as a den leader and Scout parent, I agree. #ScoutMeIn https://lnkd.in/gz6Rqfew

Get to know The Better Institute! Better Institute Co-Founder and COO Rob Bumbaco is passionate about supporting young athletes, especially in hockey. One of his favorite local organizations is Pittsburgh Ice. The mission of Pittsburgh Ice is “to provide youth of all socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to play the game of hockey while using the sport as a platform to encourage positive youth development, promote academics and foster life skills to engage our athletes to achieve success both on and off the ice.” Learn more about Pittsburgh Ice at PittsburghIce.org

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One key aspect of The Belonging Playbook is the goal to promote diversity in community sport, and create a more inclusive and welcoming space for participants of many different identities and backgrounds. Learn more by accessing the toolkit online: https://lnkd.in/egag7Xq4

Aims and Methods of Scouting During my tenure as Camp Director at Scout Camp Emerald Bay in the late 80s to early 90s, I cherished teaching a class on the Aims and Methods of Scouting. Philosophy has always fascinated me and introducing Scouting’s elegant, yet straightforward, premise was an enriching way to commence each week. The class was tailored to Troop Leaders, the dedicated parents who devoted their week to sharing the adventure of Scouting with their children and the children of others. At that time, Scouting was centered around three aims: Character Development, Citizenship Training, and Personal Fitness (now complemented by Leadership as the forth after being elevated from one of the Methods). I often likened these Aims to the legs of a sturdy stool, emphasizing their individual significance while highlighting their collective strength and integrity. Throughout the week, we delved into various challenges and opportunities, always circling back to how these Aims and Methods could be seamlessly integrated into life lessons. Let’s revisit those Aims of Scouting in more detail: Character Development: What a person’s relationship is between themselves and others. Encompassing one’s values, outlook, and connection to the community, influencing how individuals prepare for, respond to, and react to daily experiences. Citizenship: What a person’s relationship is to others. It delineates one’s responsibilities to society, government, and community, nurturing a sense of duty and active engagement with others. Fitness: What a person’s relationship is to self. Beyond just physical health, it encompasses mental, moral, and emotional well-being, equipping individuals with problem-solving skills, self-control, and self-respect.   Leadership: Elevated recently to one of the Aims, leadership transcends mere management, focusing on enabling others to reach their full potential and achieving collective objectives that surpass individual capacities. That’s it! Those four simple yet profound goals underpin the Scouting Program, enriched by the volunteer efforts of parents and mentors who embark on a shared journey of growth and building good people. Western Los Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of America #aimsandmethods #scoutmein #character #leadership #citizenship #fitness #scoutingforall

Club Mission Doncaster Eagles Basketball Club is a volunteer - run based community club where we are driven by a singular goal: to nurture and elevate every individual who enters our doors, empowering them to be the best versions of  themselves while engaging in the joy of basketball. We are committed to inclusivity, ensuring that no person is left behind on their journey. Core VALUES * Resilience: We embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. In the face of adversity, we demonstrate resilience, learning from setbacks and using them as stepping stones to success. * Sportsmanship: We prioritize fair play, respect, and integrity. Win or lose, we conduct ourselves with dignity and exhibit good sportsmanship on and off the court. * Dedication: We are committed to continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence. Through hard work and dedication, we strive to reach our full potential as individuals and as a team. * Discipline: We adhere to a strong work ethic and disciplined approach to training. We recognize that success is a result of consistent effort and focus. doncastereagles.com

Did you know that over 14 million kids play basketball in the USA alone? And Canada isn't far behind, with more than half a million young ballers hitting the courts each year. Whether you're passionate about introducing young players to the game or eager to host off-season camps and clinics, there's never been a better time to increase youth sports participation in your local area. Ready to make a real difference in your community? Dive into our latest blog post where we provide essential steps to help you start your very own basketball league. Let's turn your passion for the game into a powerful opportunity for young athletes to thrive! Click the link below to read the blog post and get started on your journey to empowering the next generation of basketball stars! https://buff.ly/4ctpuik