Resolution Number: 2015-C037
Title: Support and Sponsor Boy Scouts of America Units
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention congratulate the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for over 100 years of fine work with American youth, teaching leadership, cooperation, teamwork, and ethics in a non-sectarian program emphasizing outdoor and life skills, a program which has reached millions of boys; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention commend the BSA for its recent change to a non-discriminatory membership policy, welcoming all youth to be scouts, irrespective of their sexual orientation, a change consistent with Resolution C031 adopted by the 73rd General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention recommend that vestries and clergy in charge of congregations sponsor or continue to sponsor scouting units (packs, troops, posts and crews), especially those units recently displaced by decisions from other denominations to cease sponsoring scouting units as a consequence of the BSA’s recent change to a non-discriminatory membership policy concerning sexual orientation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention urge that parishes strongly consider, at the time they charter or renew the registration of their Boy Scout unit, communicating to the Boy Scout Council and to the public that The Episcopal Church strongly disagrees with the BSA’s policy of discriminating against qualified adult leaders based on sexual orientation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention encourage qualified adults to volunteer as leaders, and otherwise to support the BSA work with youth in their communities; and engage in educational programs within their churches to inform members and others about these nondiscrimination issues; and be it further

Resolved, That insofar as the 77th General Convention affirmed our full inclusion, support, and love for our brothers and sisters in the transgender community at all levels of church leadership and membership, the Episcopal Church is eager to work with the BSA in hopes of making the great benefits and life-long lessons of scouting available to all; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention directs that the Office of General Convention send a copy of this resolution to the BSA’s National Office and the National Executive Board of the Boys Scouts, and to seek discussions to alter its membership policy for adult leaders which discriminates against qualified adults based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), pp. 302-303.

Legislative History

Author: Diocese of Virginia
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Social Justice and United States Policy

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #19 on Resolution C037 (Sponsoring and Supporting Scouting Units) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C037)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention:

Congratulate the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for over 100 years of fine work with American youth, teaching leadership, cooperation, team work, and ethics in a non-sectarian program emphasizing outdoor and life skills, a program which has reached millions of boys;

Commend the BSA for its recent change to a non-discriminatory membership policy, welcoming all youth to be scouts, irrespective of their sexual orientation, a change consistent with Resolution C031 adopted by the 73rd General Convention;

Recognize that sexual activity has never been part of the BSA program and that BSA requires its adult leaders to complete thorough youth protection training;

Continue to encourage the BSA, consistent with C031 adopted by the 73rd General Convention, to change its membership policy for adult leaders, especially with regard to scouting units sponsored by Episcopal congregations, so that all qualified adults are welcome to serve, regardless of their sexual orientation, and

Recommend that vestries and clergy in charge of congregations sponsor or continue to sponsor scouting units (packs, troops, posts and crews), especially those units recently displaced by decisions from other denominations to cease sponsoring scouting units as a consequence of the BSA’s recent change to a non-discriminatory membership policy concerning sexual orientation;

Strongly consider, at the time they charter or renew the registration of their Boy Scout unit, writing to the Boy Scout Council for that unit, making it clear that The Episcopal Church strongly disagrees with the BSA’s policy of discriminating against qualified adult leaders based on sexual orientation; encourage qualified adults to volunteer as leaders and otherwise to support the BSA work with youth in their communities; and engage in educational programs within their churches to inform members and others about these issues; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention recommends that the Office of General Convention send a copy of this resolution to the BSA’s National Office and to seek discussions with the BSA National Office about ways to avoid requiring scout units sponsored by Episcopal congregations to discriminate against qualified adults based on sexual orientation.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention congratulate the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for over 100 years of fine work with American youth, teaching leadership, cooperation, teamwork, and ethics in a non-sectarian program emphasizing outdoor and life skills, a program which has reached millions of boys; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention Ccommend the BSA for its recent change to a non-discriminatory membership policy, welcoming all youth to be scouts, irrespective of their sexual orientation, a change consistent with Resolution C031 adopted by the 73rd General Convention; and be it further

Recognize that sexual activity has never been part of the BSA program and that BSA requires its adult leaders to complete thorough youth protection training;

Continue to encourage the BSA, consistent with C031 adopted by the 73rd General Convention, to change its membership policy for adult leaders, especially with regard to scouting units sponsored by Episcopal congregations, so that all qualified adults are welcome to serve, regardless of their sexual orientation, and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention Rrecommend that vestries and clergy in charge of congregations sponsor or continue to sponsor scouting units (packs, troops, posts and crews), especially those units recently displaced by decisions from other denominations to cease sponsoring scouting units as a consequence of the BSA’s recent change to a non-discriminatory membership policy concerning sexual orientation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention urge that parishes Sstrongly consider, at the time they charter or renew the registration of their Boy Scout unit, writing communicating to the Boy Scout Council for that unit,and to the publicmaking it clear that The Episcopal Church strongly disagrees with the BSA’s policy of discriminating against qualified adult leaders based on sexual orientation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention Eencourage qualified adults to volunteer as leaders, and otherwise to support the BSA work with youth in their communities; and engage in educational programs within their churches to inform members and others about these nondiscrimination issues; and be it further

Resolved, That insofar as the 77th General Convention affirmed our full inclusion, support, and love for our brothers and sisters in the transgender community at all levels of church leadership and membership, the Episcopal Church is eager to work with the BSA in hopes of making the great benefits and life-long lessons of scouting available to all; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention recommendsdirects that the Office of General Convention send a copy of this resolution to the BSA’s National Office and the National Executive Board of the Boys Scouts, and to seek discussions with the BSA National Office about ways to avoid requiring scout units sponsored by Episcopal congregations to alter its membership policy for adult leaders which discriminates against qualified adults based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #64)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #10 on HD Message #64 on Resolution C037 (Sponsoring and Supporting Scouting Units) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #155)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 30.

Abstract:   The 78th General Convention commends the Boy Scouts of America non-discrimination policy for youth members, encourages congregations to support scouting units, and urges a non-discrimination policy for adult leaders.