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Author and Scouter Mark Ray offers these thoughts on the the GSUSA lawsuit that’s been in the news lately;
Did you roll your eyes when you heard the news that the Girl Scouts of the USA was suing the Boy Scouts of America for trademark infringement? That’s perhaps understandable–until you dig into the complaint GSUSA filed.
… the words you use can … cause real harm to our movement (and to other youth-serving organizations) as well.
Also be sure to check out the resources Mark links in the article.
I recall wondering if this issue would come up when I first heard the name Scouts BSA. I think it is an awkward name, and treads into the gray area between the GSUSA and BSA. Hopefully this will get sorted out without much more drama. It’s not good for either organization.
Agree
I saw this reported someplace and was dismayed, mostly because most “news” about scouts, tends to be about the organizational drama, and tends to be negative. I find that unfortunate because I feel like it puts the Scouting Movement in a bad light, even when the drama is about the orgs.
Mark made some great points about the unfortunate legal circus that has been caused by the organization name and brand changes. I feel like the orgs are caught in a no-win situation these days.
Hopefully, the Scouting Movement itself will continue to flourish, despite the legal mess.
-adc
It also doesn’t help when there are grown men, BSA leaders, yelling into teenage girls faces, calling them names and telling them to stay in F@*@*@g Girl Scouts where they belong. It’s happening because it happened my Venturing girls!! .
Such a disgrace, Scouter mom. It’s a simple question too, to borrow from Clark’s advice on Scoutmaster Conferences:
In what way are your actions demonstrating Scout Spirit?
In fact, adult Scouters might ask themselves this question introspectively regarding their actions on a regular basis.
Adults that acted as described do not need counseling, they need to be shown the door.
Oh yes, couldn’t agree more. I didn’t mean the above as prescriptive. I just can’t believe folks claiming the banner of Scouting, would even dream such actions would ever be appropriate. So yeah, anyone who did this, good riddance, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
What you describe is a youth protection issue. You need to be sure that the Scouters who said this to your Venturers is reported to your Council Executive immediately, they will be removed from the organization in short order.