New policy makes clear that Council opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation
VALLEY FORGE, PA–Last week, the Board of Directors of the Cradle of Liberty Council, Boy Scouts of America unanimously adopted a membership and employment standards policy that makes clear that the Scouting organization in the Philadelphia area imposes no membership or employment restrictions based on sexual orientation. The policy reiterates the Council’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity and to offering opportunities for any qualified person looking to be a leader for Philadelphia-area youth or employed by the Cradle of Liberty Council.
The new policy is as follows:
Discrimination in any form, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, is contrary to the Scout Oath and Law, and we in the Cradle of Liberty Council will vigorously oppose it from whatever source. The Cradle of Liberty Council is an inclusive organization. We welcome any person of good will seeking to advance our mission of character development, citizenship training and fitness in young people through our programs based on the Scout Oath and Law.
“We are proud that our Council welcomes any person of good will desiring to assist in achieving our mission to advance the values of our Scout Oath and Scout Law, whether a youth member, adult member or employee,” said Jim Papada, President of the Cradle of Liberty Council Executive Board. “The Boy Scout Handbook has – since its inception – instructed us that a Scout is kind and a friend to all, and adopting this policy allows us officially to make clear to others that we intend to live out that part of the Boy Scout Oath and our mission. We are excited to make this announcement because we believe it is the right thing to do, and because we want our Council to welcome and engage the best people to lead the youth we serve. We value diversity and look forward to becoming a stronger youth-serving organization and community partner.”
About the Cradle of Liberty Council: The Cradle of Liberty Council serves more than 15,000 youth throughout Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware Counties in more than 500 Scouting groups chartered to civic, faith-based and educational community organizations. It provides youth with dynamic outdoor programs that build character, foster participating citizenship, and encourage personal fitness.
Nationally, Boy Scouts of America remains the largest group dedicated to youth across the United States, with 2.7 million youth members and more than 1 million volunteers. The Boy Scouts of America was established in 1910, providing a program for young people to build character through wilderness and outdoor activities, educational programs, and community involvement and continues true to its original mission today.
For more information on the Cradle of Liberty Council, Boy Scouts of America, its mission, programs and policies, please visit www.COLBSA.org.
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