Frequently Asked Questions
Can't we just accept that the decision has been made and move forward ?
"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." - Winston Churchill
If we suddenly lost the majority of our camps due to a disaster, then yes, we would move forward without them.
But Girl Scouting is not just about camping. It is a code of ethics (the Promise and Law) and a mission (to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place). The code of ethics was violated - profoundly, publicly, and repeatedly - on April 16, 2011 when Brent Gardner lied to the General Assembly. It was further violated when the GSNEO board and staff continued to defend the lies. The mission was pulverized when the board ignored the passage of the real estate resolution which was brought to the assembly with great difficulty and expense so that the girls would get to have a say in their own organization.
What does it say to girls when on one hand we are encouraging them to take a stand for what they believe in; and on the other hand we show them that their opinions and their votes don't really matter? It says "Hypocrisy". And the organization will not survive acceptance of hypocricy.
Therefore - as dedicated Girl Scouts - we will continue to insist that the GS Promise and Law be followed, and the GS mission adhered to. Once the management accepts this, then TOGETHER we need to figure out which camps we are keeping.
There has been some talk about "healing" after all this is over, and "re-embracing the dissidents". But if the plan is to disregard the members and the the mission until after it's too late and then look for reconciliation; forget it. That's just oppression at its sugar-coated sneakiest.
If the GSNEO management believes in the mission of Girl Scouting - or even if they just want to keep their membership - they have the power to start the healing process right now. They can accept the real estate resolution.
Here is another pertinent quote :
"We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then continuing on in the same direction does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means turning back and finding the right road. The person who turns back the soonest is the most progressive person. We have all seen this when doing arithmetic. When I have started a sum the wrong way, the sooner I admit this and go back and start over again, the faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pigheaded and refusing to admit a mistake. I think that if you look at the present state of the world , it is pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistake. We're on the wrong road. And if that is so , we must go back. Going back is the quickest way to move forward"
(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)
"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." - Winston Churchill
If we suddenly lost the majority of our camps due to a disaster, then yes, we would move forward without them.
But Girl Scouting is not just about camping. It is a code of ethics (the Promise and Law) and a mission (to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place). The code of ethics was violated - profoundly, publicly, and repeatedly - on April 16, 2011 when Brent Gardner lied to the General Assembly. It was further violated when the GSNEO board and staff continued to defend the lies. The mission was pulverized when the board ignored the passage of the real estate resolution which was brought to the assembly with great difficulty and expense so that the girls would get to have a say in their own organization.
What does it say to girls when on one hand we are encouraging them to take a stand for what they believe in; and on the other hand we show them that their opinions and their votes don't really matter? It says "Hypocrisy". And the organization will not survive acceptance of hypocricy.
Therefore - as dedicated Girl Scouts - we will continue to insist that the GS Promise and Law be followed, and the GS mission adhered to. Once the management accepts this, then TOGETHER we need to figure out which camps we are keeping.
There has been some talk about "healing" after all this is over, and "re-embracing the dissidents". But if the plan is to disregard the members and the the mission until after it's too late and then look for reconciliation; forget it. That's just oppression at its sugar-coated sneakiest.
If the GSNEO management believes in the mission of Girl Scouting - or even if they just want to keep their membership - they have the power to start the healing process right now. They can accept the real estate resolution.
Here is another pertinent quote :
"We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then continuing on in the same direction does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means turning back and finding the right road. The person who turns back the soonest is the most progressive person. We have all seen this when doing arithmetic. When I have started a sum the wrong way, the sooner I admit this and go back and start over again, the faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pigheaded and refusing to admit a mistake. I think that if you look at the present state of the world , it is pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistake. We're on the wrong road. And if that is so , we must go back. Going back is the quickest way to move forward"
(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)