Dear Scouting Friend,

Several of our members and supporters have received mail from various conservative cause organizations soliciting gifts to help them “save Scouting.”    During the last several years, a few of these organizations have tried to capitalize on our efforts to maintain national leadership standards and keep God in our Scout Oath and Law.   These groups send direct-mail solicitations to the public and to those they can identify as Scouting supporters asking for contributions to help safeguard the BSA.  There are a few important facts you should know about these groups and their relationship to our council and the BSA. 

First, rest assured that if you received such a solicitation letter, the sender did not get your personal identification from the Boy Scouts of America.    We hold individual registration information and donor records completely confidential.  We do not sell or give Scouts’ , Scouters’ or donors' personal data to anyone.

The Boy Scouts of America does not rely on outside groups to safeguard our values and institutions.    The BSA has great teams of volunteers, executives, lawyers, and media specialists who coordinate our public relations and legal efforts.  Often, their work becomes more complicated when outside groups enter the arena with their own agendas.

Perhaps most importantly, the funds these groups raise rarely (if ever) find their way to us to help deliver the Scouting program to the youth who need it.    Since these groups are not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, we never know in advance about their solicitations, nor do we receive an accounting of anything raised in the name of Scouting.  

Please contact us if you receive such solicitations so we can respond appropriately.    And if you really want to preserve Scouting for future generations – keep giving your time and donations to our council.   We will continue "the good fight" locally by making Scouting and its character building programs avaliable to the new and diverse members we reach out to each and every year. 

Sincerely,

John O. Thurston

Council President/CEO/Scout Executive

jthurston@stxbsa.org