Please read ASM Mike McCarthy's Facebook Post, a letter to the Scout leaders, asking them to allow Sydney to join immediately. Sydney Ireland, the daughter of Gary Ireland of Troop 414 Manhattan, is fighting an uphill battle to become an Eagle. I had the good fortune of meeting Sydney this summer at Camp Keowa when Troop 414 shared a campsite with Troop 777. During our time camping together I got to observe Sydney and her interaction with the other Scouts. And got to watch her work on rank advancement activities with some our of ASMs and senior scouts. I was very impressed with her poise, drive, and natural leadership ability. This young lady is serious about Scouting and is working hard to get it done. Now that the Scouts have decided to admit girls, things should be great - but Sydney may age out before the change in policy takes effect. This would a tremendous loss for both the BSA and Sydney. Can you do me a personal favor? Send a note to our senior leaders at the BSA and ask for: 1. Allow Sydney to join Troop 414 immediately 2. Recognize her rank advancement that she has already completed Here are the e-mails of senior BSA leaders-- Randall.Stephenson@scouting.org; pr@scouting.org; myscouting@scouting.org; rs2982@att.com; michael.surbaugh@scouting.org; Charles.Dahlquist@scouting.org I don't know about you, but I do Scouting to give these kids a great experience and help develop our future leaders. Sydney is a trail blazer and the kind of leader we all look for for our Troops. Let's support this young lady and help her get the opportunity to earn Eagle. Yours In Scouting Mike P.S. The letter I sent is below in the comments. P.S.S. Feel free to share this. See below, Michael McCarthy's letter to Scout leaders: President Randall Stephenson, Chief Scout Executive Surbaugh, and Commissioner Dahlquist. Randall.Stephenson@scouting.org; pr@scouting.org; myscouting@scouting.org; rs2982@att.com; michael.surbaugh@scouting.org; Charles.Dahlquist@scouting.org Gentlemen; I am writing on behalf of Sydney Ireland. Sydney, as you may know, is a young lady living in Manhattan who is trying to become a Scout and earn the Eagle rank. I met Sydney this summer. Her unit, Troop 414, shared a campsite with our Troop at summer camp at Camp Keowa, Ten Mile River. As the two Troops worked together on joint projects, I had the opportunity to meet Sydney and her troop. She is a bright young lady and a natural leader. It was easy to recognize that she is viewed by the Scouts of Troop 414 as a strong leader, and now, by the Scouts in my Troop as well. This summer Sydney asked some members of our adult leadership team and senior Scouts to work with her on rank advancement activities. Sydney was raised in a Scouting family and this girl is motivated to become an Eagle Scout. I was quite excited for Sydney when I heard the BSA announcement that they would allow girls to join. However, it appears that the timing will not work for her; unfortunately, she appears likely to age out before the Scouts have started their program for girls. For this young lady, we do not have the luxury of time. I am writing to request that the BSA allow Sydney to join Troop 414 immediately and recognize the work that she has already completed for rank advancement. Sydney Ireland is a trailblazer. She is a great example of the qualities we look for in our finest Scouts. If we do not to allow this young lady the chance to try to earn the Eagle rank, it would be a tremendous missed opportunity both for Sydney and the BSA. I believe she would make a great Eagle Scout and will be a credit to our organization. Thank you for your consideration. Mike Michael J. McCarthy ASM, Troop 777 Manhattan