hbscouting

I know it is late to log on to this discussion but I need some advice. I am the CR for a Parents of Troop in Orange County Council. The initial email from the OCC Office statement was misleading. Only after another large Parents of CR and myself asked repeatedly for the National document citing the policy change, did the OCC come out and state it was an OCC policy, not a National policy. Instead of sending the "clarification" or retraction to all recipients of the original email, it was buried at the bottom of the weekly (or so) mass email called Scoutweek. By the way, it was the last item with the first a notice for all upcoming merit badge days, summer camp availability at Lost Valley, programs at other Council owned properties, etc. Many CRs missed it (or may not be on that distribution list). A bit of background on my troop. We originally were chartered to one of our founders' business (it had 3 employees, all members of the family). When the owners closed the business and moved out of state, at the urging of our DE, we changed to a parents of unit. We have been a parents of for 6 years and the troop is 26 years old. We have over 60 Scouts and have over 120 Eagles in the history of our troop. We have solid by-laws, fully trained leaders, monthly treasurer reports, all checks and financial statements reviewed/approved by 2 non-related people as well as an annual audit. In other words, we abide by the letter and intent of the rules and the laws. Oh, did I mention, we have one of the district's 3 YPT trainers on our committee. The CR from another large Parents of troop in our district has the same kind of organization. We asked for a meeting with the Council Board and were told that the Board did not take comments from the floor but would read a letter if we submitted it. In the meanwhile, our DE and 2 Field Directors spoke with us but just provided the party line (obviously did not have any power). We were "granted" a meeting with a few Board members. Unfortunately, the meeting was for a wide variety of Parents of units who had nothing in common with the other large troop and myself. Most were small packs or troops who had high turn-over/little continuity as the boys and parents moved on. Our two troops have multiple generations of leaders (our leaders' sons range in age from 35 down to future members) and a proven succession plan. Our alumni Eagles mentor our Scouts and our alumni leaders remain active to mentor the adults. The meeting did not address our concerns. We did not feel that they even listened to our concerns. One of our major concerns is our equipment. The other troop has an estimated $40K in equipment and we have about $30K. If we decide on a charter partner and after a year it does not work out to our mutual satisfaction, according the OCC (and confirmed by National's General Counsel) the equipment and all funds would remain with the charter organization. Our DE and one of the Field Directors suggested skirting the ruling by National by "gifting" the assets to a parent or myself. This seems unethical and in violation of the first point of the Scout Law. With regards to the equipment issue, the Board members said that it would never happen, but according to other posters (and my gut), it could and has happened. My concern was dismissed as irrelevant by the Board members. I am having a really hard time with this discrimination! Just as all faith based units are different, all parents of units are different. My troop has a very successful program in place (always one of the top units in Camporee, volunteer adults, volunteer youth, FOS donations, District Award of Merit, Silver Beavers, etc.). The other troop in my district is comparable. On the other hand, in the last 5 years, 3 troop registered to churches (2 Baptist) have folded -- with no help to turn-around the program. In fact, the churches said it was a Boy Scout issue, not theirs. Okay, so I rambled, but ... Does anyone have advice on an appeals process? The Board members (the meeting was led by the Vice Chairman, Membership Impact, Mark Wille and also Dr. John Hovanesian) are completely non-responsive. The other CR and I are completely disenchanted and discouraged after devoting so many years, heart, and energy to the program. Why mess with success? Thanks in advance.