12/21/2021
Dear Friends:
Grace and peace be with you.
As anticipated, a settlement has now been reached in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) bankruptcy case. This settlement is the result of months of mediation and has the support of both the BSA and the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice. Below is a link to today’s press release which gives specific details about the settlement and our commitments as United Methodists going forward.
What does this mean for us? As I conveyed yesterday, every church that filed a proof of claim last fall is now strongly encouraged to vote again on the bankruptcy settlement. As was advised last month before the deadline for voting was extended, most (if not all) of us voted to ‘reject' the bankruptcy plan. Some of us faithfully mailed in our ballots, while others held off on doing so after receiving a last minute word that the deadline had changed and that another vote may be coming. Either way, we are all now asked to meet and vote one more time to ‘accept’ the settlement plan since all objectives have been achieved. Because the settlement has been reached before the deadline, an additional meeting and vote is required rather than a deferral to lawyers making requests for a change of vote in court. The final vote received from your church will be the one that counts. An earlier ’no’ vote will not negatively impact your church in any way.
The deadline to complete the ballot is still December 28 at 4 p.m. Due to the short turnaround time and the holidays, you can move forward with voting beginning today (rather than waiting until December 23) and sending a paper ballot as soon as possible via overnight with tracking, or you can use the eBallot system. Specific instructions for obtaining a new ballot or filing electronically are located below.
If filing electronically, please do so as soon as possible after meeting to vote. If it does not work for some reason, you still have the option to send a paper ballot.If voting by paper ballot, you can:
-take the photocopy of the blank ballot (with BallotID in upper left) that you made before voting and use it;
-try to contact Omni Solutions for technical help with a new ballot--call the restructuring hotline at 866-907-BSA1 (2721)
or email the Solicitation Agent at [email protected];
-take the ballot that you already voted on if you still have it, white out the ‘reject’ vote, make a photocopy so it looks clean, and use the
photocopy to vote ‘accept’, etc.
Please check with whatever service you intend to use to confirm whether or not they are guaranteeing overnight delivery to CA at this time.
Please remember that you are also strongly recommended to check Item 3 on the ballot entitled the ‘Optional Release Election'. This is different from the separate ‘opt out’ form in the packet that we were told to destroy. If you did not check it on a previous ballot, you can still do so on this final ballot.
Regarding Item 4 on the ballot, do not fill in any social security numbers. Instead, put the church’s EIN number on the line that asks for a social security number. The local church treasurer or the person who fills out employee W2s is the most likely person to know the church’s EIN. If you cannot locate the EIN in time, submit the vote without anything on that line. If the church has multiple EIN numbers, use your best judgment on which to include on this ballot.
Again, I recognize that this is a very busy time of year for all of us. Please do your best to accomplish the task as you are able with the information that you have now received.
The Bishop expresses his profound thanks for your faithfulness and patience throughout this process. The District Superintendents, myself included, also extend our sincerest gratitude for you. We covenant to continue to pray for the survivors of abuse and for healing, and to work toward greater justice in the future.
If you have any questions please call me at 207-242-2770 or email. me at [email protected]. May God bless each one of you, Jackie
BSA Settlement Press Release December 21, 2021
United Methodist Communications Office of Public Information
FOR RELEASE December 21, 2021 12:30 pm ET
United Methodists reach settlement in Boy Scouts’ Bankruptcy Case
United Methodist leaders have reached a settlement in the matter of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) pending bankruptcy proceedings. Upon final court approval, the settlement would absolve any claims of sexual abuse that may have occurred in congregation-sponsored Scouting programs.
Under the terms of the settlement, United Methodists would raise and give $30 million over a three- year period into a fund that will be utilized to compensate survivors, and United Methodist congregations that charter Scout troops and packs would be released from all abuse claims involving Scouting activities. A team has been formed to identify strategies and materials that may be used to raise the funds. The church would also agree to work for the healing of survivors and recommit to work toward ending sexual abuse of young people. Through the General Commission on United Methodist Men, United Methodists will work with the BSA to continue to ensure Scout safety and grow Scouting ministry as part of its mandate through The Book of Discipline.
“We are sorry for what occurred and are praying for all those who experienced harm through Scouting activities. We are committed to the protection of children and youth, and the United Methodist Council of Bishops will be working with the church, the Survivor Working Group and BSA to address policies, programs, and procedures in order to keep Scouts safe from abuse,” said Bishop John Schol, chair of the UMC leadership team created to support the United Methodist chartering organizations in the bankruptcy matter.
The settlement follows months of mediation by an Ad Hoc committee of bishops, chancellors and general agency employees that has been advocating for United Methodist interests.
“I want to thank everyone who has been working through the mediation process for the healing and just resolution of the survivors,” said Schol. “Our settlement agreement has the support of both the BSA and the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice.”
The United Methodist Church has long worked proactively to prevent child abuse. The percentage of claims in the last 20 years potentially related to United Methodist congregations’-sponsored scouting units is less than 1 percent of all UMC claims.
Under the terms of the agreement, denomination leaders will intensify efforts to prevent and raise awareness of child sexual abuse.
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has committed to lead the church in carrying out the following:
Work with all United Methodists to raise funds for the Survivor Trust Fund.
Tell the story of harm done to survivors through a series of articles to be published by the
denomination and by each U.S. annual conference to draw attention to child sexual abuse and
call upon the church to be vigilant in working to prevent child sexual abuse in churches, homes
and the community.
Carry out a denomination-wide review of all Safe Sanctuaries and other policies to safeguard
young people from sexual abuse and update policies as necessary and ensure the policies are
being followed.
Provide opportunities for sexual abuse survivors to share their experiences with United
Methodist leadership if they choose to do so.
Work with all United Methodist ministries and with the Boy Scouts of America to continue to
make programs safe for all young people.
Provide leadership to help all BSA chartering organizations to make a $100 million contribution
to the Survivor Trust Fund.
Participate as a member of the Survivors Working Group
The Ad Hoc Committee recommends that churches who filed a proof of claim vote “yes” on the plan and for those who previously voted “no,” the Ad Hoc Committee recommends congregations change their vote to “yes.” An email from conference leadership will be sent to churches that filed a proof of claim on how to vote “yes” and how to change a vote from “no” to “yes.”
Media contact:
Diane Degnan [email protected] 615.742.5406
BSA+Voting+Guide+122121.pdf
