The BSA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

The Boy Scouts of America promotes a culture where each youth, volunteer, and employee feels a sense of belonging and builds communities where every person feels respected and valued. Leading by example and encouraging each other to live by the values of the Scout Oath and Law, we welcome families of all backgrounds to help prepare young people to serve as successful members and leaders of our nation’s increasingly diverse communities. 

Chief Seattle Council’s Beliefs, Acknowledgements, and Commitments

We believe our membership should reflect and serve an increasingly diverse population.

We acknowledge:

  1. Our council was named in honor of Chief Si’ahl (1780-1866), a Duwamish and Suquamish leader, for whom the city of Seattle is also named. Our council and programs are on the ancestral lands of Coast Salish Nations, whose people still steward this land.

  2. The legacy of our Council in promoting tolerance and acceptance, and influencing national membership policies on LGBTQ youth/adults, girls/women, and gender-fluid individuals. 

  3. The legacy of troops in the Council serving the needs of specific racial, ethnic, and special needs communities. 

We commit: 

  1. To land-acknowledgement in our meetings and on our properties; to be better listeners and learners from Indigenous communities; to be stewards of the natural environment through Council-wide service projects; to evaluate appropriate use of Indigenous customs and names on our properties in our programs.

  2. To engage at the local, regional, and national level to create a welcoming and inclusive culture, and to develop and adopt best practices that move Scouting forward.

  3. To openness and flexibility to adapt certain program elements to meet the needs of the Chartering organization’s community, while preserving the core program elements of rank advancement and achievement. 

The new merit badge encourages Scouts to explore important topics around diversity, equity, inclusion and ethical leadership and learn why these qualities are important in society and in Scouting. Click here to learn more.

View press releases, program updates, and training resources.

Download instructions for viewing this training on my.scouting.org

Chief Seattle Council DEI Committee

Headshot (002)

Manny Ramos
Chief Seattle Council
Scout Executive
LinkedIn

Kat Randolph
Chief Seattle Council VP DEI 
Microsoft
Scoutmaster Troop 8015
LinkedIn

Paul Pineda
Chief Seattle Council VP Scoutreach
Asymmetric Advantage Capital Management
LinkedIn

Joe Gooden
Chief Seattle Council
Scoutreach Director
LinkedIn

DeMarco Best
Chief Seattle Council Board Member
Alaska Airlines
LinkedIn

Ash Hennessey (they/them)
Card Kingdom
LinkedIn

1625855562806

Conner Huey
United States Youth Forum
LinkedIn