Advertising Policy
Advertisements for placement in Scouting publications and other media, in addition to meeting the standards in general use by publishers
of high-grade periodicals and other advertising media, must:
(a) Relate to a service or product that could reasonably be foreseen to render some service to the audience of the advertisement, or relate in
some way to the purposes of the Boy Scouts of America, and
(b) Merit the purchase price of the article or service offered in the advertisement.
No advertisement will use or display any logo, insignia, terms in common usage, or descriptive marks relating to Scouting without
conforming to all currently accepted procedures and guidelines as established by the National Council.
Policy Concerning Political Questions
The Boy Scouts of America must not, through its governing body or through any of its officers, chartered councils, Scouters, or members,
involve Scouting in political matters. However, this must not be interpreted to prevent the teaching of ideals of patriotism and good
citizenship as required to fulfill the Boy Scouts of America’s purpose. Faith-based teachings incorporated into the Scouting program by
religious chartered organizations in a manner consistent with the Bylaws are not considered political matters. This policy does not
prohibit the Boy Scouts of America from expressing its opinion upon matters of governmental concern when considered in its best
interest by the governing body of the Boy Scouts of America.
This policy does not limit the freedom of thought or action of any Scouter or member as an individual in a manner not directly or indirectly
implying a connection to Scouting.
Policy Concerning Military Training
Technical military training and drill must not be included in the Scouting program.
Conflict-of-Interest Policy
A fundamental principle of ethics is that any person who exercises discretionary authority on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America may not
use this authority for his or her own benefit.
It is therefore the basic policy of the Boy Scouts of America that all Executive Board members or members of any committee thereof or officers
or employees of the Boy Scouts of America have a duty to be free from the influence of any conflicting interest when they act on behalf
of the Boy Scouts of America or represent it in negotiations or advise others in the Boy Scouts of America with respect to dealing with
third parties. They are expected to deal with suppliers, customers, contractors, and others having dealings with the Boy Scouts of
America on the sole basis of that which is in the best interest of the Boy Scouts of America, without favor or preference to third parties
based on personal considerations. To this end, the following is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America:
(a) No member of the Executive Board or member of any committee thereof or officer or employee of the Boy Scouts of America may accept
from any person, directly or indirectly, whether by himself or herself or through his or her spouse or a member of his or her family or
through any partner or business or professional associate, any gift, favor, service, employment or offer of employment, or any other thing
of value that he or she knows or has reason to believe is made or offered to him or her with the intent to influence him or her in the
performance of his or her duties as a member of the Executive Board or member of any committee thereof or officer or employee of the
Boy Scouts of America.
(b) No member of the Executive Board or member of any committee thereof or officer or employee of the Boy Scouts of America who is a
partner, officer, or employee of a partnership, firm, or corporation or who owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 10 percent
of the stock of such corporation, may represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America in connection with the
acquisition or sale by the Boy Scouts of America of any interest in real or tangible or intangible personal property from or to such
partnership, firm, or corporation or any purchase of services from or to such partnership, firm, or corporation.
(c) No member of the Executive Board or member of any committee thereof may participate by discussion, voting, or by any other action
taken by the Executive Board, or any committee thereof, in the enactment of or defeat of a motion in which that member has an interest
as defined in paragraph (b) above. In case any such matter is discussed at any meeting where any Executive Board or committee member
who has such an interest is present, the member must promptly disclose that interest in the matter to be voted on to the chairman of
the meeting. The member may not vote on the matter and, at the discretion of the disinterested members present, may be required to
leave the meeting during the discussion and the voting on the matter.
(d) The Boy Scouts of America may not enter into any transaction with any individual or entity that is a “disqualified person” with respect
to the Boy Scouts of America under Section 4958 of the Internal Revenue Code, if such transaction would constitute an “excess benefits
transaction” under that same section.
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