Boy Scout leaders in Minnesota say they've implemented new child safety policies in the years since sexual abuse allegations surfaced and are moving forward after the national Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy Monday in the wake of misconduct settlements across the U.S.
New guidelines established last year require any adult troop or pack leader to complete two hours of online instruction and have a background check every year as part of the Scouts' mandatory youth protection training.
The national organization doubled its fees for leaders to cover the extra expenses, and volunteers with the Northern Star Council that serves about 54,000 Scouts in Minnesota and Wisconsin said those efforts make the organization stronger.
"Boy Scout leaders have pushed really hard on tougher requirements," said Garry Lowenthal, who is on the President's Cabinet that guides the Northern Star Council in the Twin Cities. "We've talked to a lot of people about the changes and we are leading by example."
The more than century-old national organization filed for bankruptcy protection in court in Delaware late Monday in what could be one of the biggest, most complex bankruptcies ever seen, given the nonprofit's presence in 50 states. It's the first step toward creating a huge compensation fund for potentially thousands of men who were molested as youngsters decades ago by scoutmasters or other leaders.
"We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children," CEO Roger Mosby said in a statement, adding that the court process "will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA's important mission."
In the Twin Cities, the Northern Star Council, which has about 11,500 adult volunteers, said it doesn't receive money from the national organization for its $21 million budget and is "separately incorporated, financially sound and will continue to keep Scouting strong for youth in our area," spokesman Kent York said in a statement.
Anne Varberg of Brooklyn Center, who helps supervise other volunteers who lead troops, said that the Twin Cities organization piloted mandatory youth protection training for leaders and was the "vanguard of youth protection training for a number of years. And really the experience for our young people we serve should see no changes," she said, adding that the organization has undergone policy and cultural changes to be more diverse and inclusive.