Black Eye for Boy Scouts

On December 26, 2008 J.T. Dabbs III, CEO of the Capital Area Council wrote a letter to the editor of the Austin American-Statesman concerning the conviction and sentencing of Martin Turner, a former Boy Scout leader, to five years in prison for molesting boys. Mr. Dabbs of the Boys Scouts wrote "I am truly sorry for the pain Turner caused his victims and their families and (I) will continue to work to strengthen and enforce Scouting policies. These policies provide several barriers to protect young people from abusers, including: "two-deep" leadership, no one-on-one contact, youth protection training for adults and parents, criminal background checks for all adult leaders plus teaching our youth members to "recognize, resist and report." We encourage all our parents to review youth protection guidelines and renew their vigilance against sexual predators."

Martin Turner, a trusted Scoutmaster, was able to ruin so many young men's lives because he was trusted by parents and the Boy Scout protection rules were not followed by his Troop. Not following the rules in this particular case, had severe consequences.

At Troop 399 we follow the rules. We require "two-deep" leadership at all times, and this means that we need four or more parents at most events. We do not allow one-on-one contact. We continue to ask all our parents to become registered Adult Volunteers and to take Youth Protection training. I have been nick-named "Danger Ranger" because I repeat these requirements at every meeting; my diligence is solely to ensure the safety of our Scouts. The consequences of slack rule following has been displayed here in our own hometown of Austin, in a Troop that is a "neighbor" troop. Martin Turner would not have been able take advantage of boys if his Troop had followed the Boy Scouts requirements. I encourage you to register and become educated on Scouting rules and please review and discuss these Youth Protection guidelines with your son so he can become better educated as well.

At the next parent meeting I will once again call for registration of Adult Volunteers and I will ask each parent to please take the time to go on-line and take the Youth Protection training course. Please contact Leslie Benitez if you are able to serve in the capacity of our Adult Volunteer Coordinator to facilitate training for T399 parents.

Don B. Mauro
dmauro21@gmail.com
512/657-0195

"It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping them to install values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.

The values we strive to install are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law."