Relating to United Way Diversity / Agency Agreement Decision
What is an Agency Agreement?
The Agency Agreement is a document signed on a yearly basis between United Way Fox Cities and all member agencies. It stipulates what is expected of both parties.
What is changing in the Agency Agreement?
United Way Fox Cities' Board of Directors voted to amend the diversity clause in the agency agreement for 2002 to specify that all United Way funded programs be available to everyone in the community.
What impact will this have on Boy Scouts or other agencies?
Any agency that excludes a particular group of people will not be eligible for United Way funding through the community allocations process. The Boy Scouts of America decided not to sign this agreement because of their policy to exclude homosexuals from membership. They have relinquished their member agency status. All other agencies have signed the agreement.
What led to this decision?
In 1998, the allocations volunteers of United Way Fox Cities expressed concerns regarding the Boy Scouts of America policy of not providing service to homosexuals or those who do not profess a belief in God. They asked the Board of Directors for guidance. In response, the United Way Board adopted a position statement taking a 'wait and see' approach until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on BSA et al v. Dale. When that case was decided in June of 2000, the Executive Committee, with the support of the full Board of Directors, decided to study the issue. We spent four months doing research, studying the issue and hearing from all sides. In the end, we felt we had to live by our mission and vision. We also felt that whatever we did had to apply to all of our agencies.
Isn't this really about the Boy Scouts?
No. This is about accepting and valuing diversity. It's true the review of agency funding was prompted by the Boy Scout policy but we did not want this to be a one-agency policy. All agencies must sign the same Agency Agreement. United Way Fox Cities' mission is to build a stronger, more caring community for everyone. We have an obligation to the community to provide funding for programs that are available to all people in the community.
Can people still contribute to the Boy Scouts?
Yes. Our donor choice program allows contributors to specifically designate where their money goes, so an individual can designate their gift to the Boy Scouts or any other non-profit 501 (C)(3) organization.
How much money did Boy Scouts receive from United Way Fox Cities?
In 2001,the last year the Boys Scouts were a United Way partner agency the Bay Lakes Council of Boy Scouts of America received $186,250.
Is the decision final?
The Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of the new Agency Agreement with the intent of incorporating UWFC's mission, vision and diversity positions. As long as the change accomplishes the board's intent, we believe the Agreement will remain intact.
What if the Boy Scout policy changes?
Because the Boy Scouts did not sign their Agency Agreement for 2002, they have relinquished their member agency status. In the future, if they change their policy, they can re-apply for membership and funding.
In creating the new Agency Agreement, didn't you consider that the Boy Scouts have worthwhile programs?
Yes, that's what made the decision so difficult. The Boy Scouts do have worthwhile programs, but three of the four programs we fund also have a policy that may exclude teenagers or children. Because United Way raises money from everyone in the community, we believe that programs must be available to everyone.
Who was on your study group?
The 12 members of the Executive Committee took responsibility for studying this issue. When their schedules permitted, other board members attended the meetings as did the youth leadership of the United Way Fox Cities Youth Board. Over a four month period beginning in September 2000, we sought input from Boy Scouts and their supporters, individuals who believe the BSA position is misguided, parents, religious community, educators, business executives and community leaders.
How does the broadened diversity clause in the new Agency Agreement affect programs that target specific groups such as transportation for the elderly?
The amended Agency Agreement acknowledges that many United Way funded programs are in place to serve targeted populations. Agencies can still focus programming on specific needs. The agreement reads in part, "We recognize that agencies may identify special needs in the community and target services to a specific population based on those needs, however, the programs must be open to all people in those targeted populations."
