Why did the United Way “kick out” the Boy Scouts several years ago?
In 1992, the United Way revised its non-discrimination policy to indicate that it “shall not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability with respect to employment, volunteer participation, the provision of services and the funding of agencies. Compliance with this policy by agencies shall be a pre-condition of United Way funding.” When the United Way notified all of its member agencies of the new policy, the Boy Scout Council of America decided that it could not comply with this policy and consequently withdrew as a member agency. The Boy Scouts and the United Way continue to work collaboratively and the Boy Scouts receive donor designations through the annual United Way Campaign. Employees at the Boy Scout Council conduct a United Way campaign and their generous support has qualified them for an award in the United Way’s employee giving recognition program.
