Dear Scouting Leaders and Parents:
You may have received or may soon receive a legal notice from Omni Agent Solutions and the National Council, Boy Scouts of America regarding the BSA National Council’s Chapter-11 bankruptcy. This is a requirement of the Bankruptcy Code as part of the process of BSA’s reorganization. Over the coming months they will communicate with more than 10 million individuals as they seek to assure that no potential claimants are unaware of how to make a claim. In addition to these email and mail notifications, the BSA will run targeted advertising this fall as a required part of the bankruptcy notice process. At the same time, the law firms who are attempting to get more claims before the bar date, will be using social media, the internet, late night cable TV, radio, TV, newspapers, etc.
To be clear, receiving a notice does not mean that it is believed you have a claim or that your child was harmed.
The BSA is just being as thorough as possible. The BSA encourages all victims of abuse to file a claim by November 16, 2020. More information about how to file a claim is available at
www.BSArestructuring.org
.
We know that youth are and have always been safer in Scouting than in the community at-large (also proven by research) and we work diligently to ensure our programs incorporate the latest and best youth protection practices, so it is upsetting for a family to receive a letter like this. Child sexual abuse is a crisis in our society. We have a zero-tolerance policy and are committed to being part of the solution. I can assure you that our volunteers and employees take youth protection extremely seriously and do their part to help keep youth safe.
You can learn more about how we as leaders, parents and staff are in a position to help, as well as review Scouting’s youth protection policies and practices, referred to as the “Gold Standard” for youth-serving organizations by child safety experts, by visiting
www.scouting.org/youth-safety
.
At Greater Los Angeles Area Council, we remain as committed as ever to delivering Scouting’s unparalleled experiences to young people throughout our communities.
Thank you for everything that you are doing for youth through your leadership in Scouting. Please contact our Scout Executive should you have any questions.
