[POLICY] The Purpose and Method of These Forums

[optimist]

It has been brought to my attention that there is some concern about several discussions which have included misinformation about the Scouting program. I have been told that this kind of thing must be nipped in the bud. One specific poster even went to the trouble to list several incidences of misinformation which occurred on these boards. Unfortunately, they failed to acknowledge that the members, moderators, and administrator of these forums provided corrections in every case.

I wish to make the following abundantly clear. The purpose of these forums is to encourage the spread of accurate information. It is my personal belief that the only way incorrect information will ever be corrected is if it is first discussed. It is also my belief that the only way people will ever discuss such things is if they feel comfortable enough with what has already been said here that they can open up. If people visit these forums and they turn around and leave because the posts are not friendly exchanges then these forums will be useless.

Please understand, unlike the other major Scouting web sites which opened forums years ago, I did not because I was afraid that it would turn into a fight between the true believers, the moderates, and old school. I will not allow this to happen. This board is for the people who want to learn, not for the people who already know all about Scouting. If this displeases you, there are other forums on other web sites and I wish you the best.