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February 7, 2005
To: Scout Executives
From: Roy L. Williams, Chief Scout Executive
Subject: Local Council Media Reports
The Boy Scouts of America is dedicated to accurate reporting of its membership. Our movement was built on honesty, integrity, and trust, and we require our
employees, volunteers, and chartered organizations to act in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law.
Recent media reports have highlighted allegations of inflated membership rolls in the Greater Alabama and Atlanta Area councils. We
believe more media reports are forthcoming, and we want you to have updated information on the status of these situations.
Each council has taken quick, responsive action to the allegations.
The Atlanta leadership sent out a
press release that includes the following statements:
We are taking the situation very seriously and are taking steps to find out exactly what happened.
To that end, the board commissioned a third-party review that is presently under way. As soon as the report is completed, we will share its findings with the public and outline steps we will take to rectify any problems that are discovered.
Everyone in the Atlanta Area Council wants the same thing to allow boys to gain the life experience, character, and citizenship that come with being a Scout and we are committed to making that happen.
In Birmingham, the council is cooperating fully with the US Attorney Generals office in reviewing the allegations.
It was reported in the press that two units in the Birmingham council had used John Does for members names. In
each case, the chartered organization was actually an institution which required anonymity for its youth.
We are confident that the leadership of these councils will continue to take all appropriate measures to ensure the
integrity of their membership rolls.
Please contact Gregg Shields, national spokesman, at 214-443-7580 for any other media support you may need.
cc: Office of the Chief Scout Executive
Regional directors
Group directors
Area directors
Division directors
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