Charity to Scouts?

"I DON'T CARE WHAT BANK OF AMERICA does," fumed Lynn Martin at a meeting of the board of direc- tors of Baytown Company, a San Francisco Bay Area firm that runs four different family-oriented restaurants and owns a string of six popular fast-food take-out establishments (called "Tip-Top"). "We took a principled stand at the time," she con- tinued, "and don't think there's enough evidence to justify changing our minds now.'"

Like a lot of local companies, Baytown supports various charitable causes in the Bay Area. The company has always figured that it had an obligation to give back more to the com- munity than good food; besides, people in the Bay Area expect local companies to display a sense of social responsibility. Among the groups that Baytown has always helped support is the regional Boy Scouts district. Not only did Baytown think the Scouts worthy of its corporate help, but giving to the orga- nization seemed to fit well with Tip-Top's all-American theme and with the family character of Baytown's other restaurants.

A simple thing suddenly got complicated, however, when the San Francisco Bay Area United Way decided to pull $1 million in annual funding for the Scouts because of the group's refusal to admit gays. Soon after that, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, and Levi Strauss & Co. also decided to stop funding the boy scouts. A month Later Baytown Director resolve to follow suit.

We were pretty clear at the time, Continued Martin, that we did not have any business supporting an organization that was perceived as discriminatory.

"Not me," said Tom Boyd. "I always thought that since the Boy Scouts are a private group, they can do whatever they want."

"Well, maybe they have a right to discriminate if they want, but that's not the point," said Ed Framers. "The rest of us agreed with Lynn that as a company we shouldn't be helping a group that discriminates. Of course, that was before everybody around the country started making such a fuss about companies' stopping their funding of the Scouts. We all know about those anti-gay groups demonstrating against the United Way and threatening to boycott the bank

"Those groups hardly represent thinking in the Bay Area," Lynn Martin shot back.

"That's true," agreed Scott Arming, "but still we run a

family-oriented business."

"What's that supposed to mean? Do you think gays and lesbians don't come to our restaurants? Do you think they don't have families? Do you think-"

"O.K., O.K.," Arming interjected.

"Lynn's right about that," Ed Framers said. "In fact, as far as I know, our customers never said much about it, one way or the other."

Executive Director Susan Lee then spoke up: "Well, got a few phone calls about it, but there weren't really complaints. It was more people wanting to get more information about the situation. Of course, you always get a few cranks...." "Ain't that the truth," murmured Boyd to Framers.

"Anyway," Lee continued, "things are different now. Bank of America has reversed its decision and is resuming funding to the Boy Scouts because the Scouts have lifted their bag on gays

"That's what the bank says," said Lynn Martin. "But the whole thing is pretty murky if you ask me. Here, look at the newspaper story. The article reports company spokesman peter magnani as explaining that

the bank had first interpreted the Scouts membership policy as banning gay members. But after consulting with Boy Scouts national President John Clendenin, the organization clarified its policy and 'made it clear' that membership is open to all boys who subscribe to Scouting oaths and laws. 'We take that to mean all boys, regardless of their sexual orientation,' said Magnani.

"But then," Martin continued, "the newspaper goes on to quote a spokesperson for the Boy Scouts of America as say- ing that there has been 'absolutely no change in our policy. We do not believe that homosexuals provide positive role models.' What are we supposed to make of that? It looks as if the bank is trying to wriggle out of a stand that turned out not to be as popular as it thought it would be."

"That sounds pretty cynical," Ed Framers said. "The bank says here that its decision 'was based solely on the Scouts' clarification of its policy,' and the Scouts' national president is quoted as saying that the organization is 'open to all boys as long as they subscribe to the Boy Scouts Oath and Law.' You weren't a Scout, Lynn, but was, and the oath and law are only basic stuff about trustworthiness and honesty; there's nothing about sexuality. Besides we're talking about boys, not adults. I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion .

Martin quickly responded, "Don't you think boys have sexual feelings? Come on, Ed, give me a break. And besides, if there is nothing in the Scout oath or whatever it is about sexuality, why does the organization have to take a stand one way or the other?"

"Maybe the Scouts shouldn't have taken a stand," Susan Lee inserted, "but at this point it looks as if we have to. When we stopped giving to the Scouts, that sent one message; if we reverse our decision now, that sends another. Frankly, I don't like being in the position of having to impose our val- ues, one way or the other."

"Yes, but you yourself said that there's no way to avoid it," Lynn Martin shot back. "So we should at least stand behind the right values

"And what are those?" asked Lee. "I don't have the slightest idea myself," Tom Boyd whispered to Scott Arming.

Arming ignored him as he turned to the group: know, I think we are and should continue to be a sociall responsible company. But maybe we should reconsider whether being socially responsible means giving to chan table causes in the first place. Is that something we are truly obligated to do, or are we just following a fad? I mean, I hate to bring up the bottom line, but every dollar we give to the Boy Scouts or anybody else is one less dollar for the company and its stockholders.

"Come on, Scott, you know it's not as simple as that," responded Susan Lee. "Charitable contributions bring us good will, and it's the kind of thing the community expects an enlightened company to do.

"You may not be persuaded, Scott," Ed Framers added, "but think what Susan says is right. In any case, we don't need a debate about general principles. We need to figure out what we are going to do about the Boy Scouts." The meeting continued...

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What do you think Baytown should do? Explain your reasoning. What business factors are relevant to your decision? What moral factors?

2. Are Baytown's directors operating with a broad or a narrow conception of corporate responsibility?

3. Were Baytown and the other companies right to have withdrawn their support from the Boy Scouts? Is there anything wrong with companies' attempting to influence the policies of an organization like the Scouts?