Proposed BB Youth/Briged Putera Belia Constitution

I received this via email: the proposed BB Youth Constitution (click here to download). 

I think some of the most interesting (and, in my humble opinion, quite alarming) proposals include: 

ARTICLE 4: OBJECTIVES

The Object of The BRIGED PUTERA BELIA shall be the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Members and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian Character.

The object of The BRIGED PUTERA BELIA shall be pursued by the development of the upmost potential of members in a holistic manner; socially, physically, intellectually and spiritually and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect, and all that tends towards a true noble Character.

Like whoever commented on the document, I also strongly object with the wording of the second paragraph because it completely removes the Christiaan identity of the BB’s activities. It also defeats the original intent of Sir William Alexander Smith in starting the BB and hence, makes us no different with other youth organizations like The Boy Scouts.

I also wonder about this: 

ARTICLE 5: MEMBERSHIP

5.1 Membership shall be by invitation alone to any suitably qualified Malaysian 

who are above the age of 15 years and below the age of (40) such persons being proposed and seconded by the Brigade Executive of the Boys’ Brigade Malaysia the BRIGED PUTERA BELIA Secretary who shall present the application to the Board for consideration and approval. The Board reserves the right to reject any application without assigning any reasons thereto. The decision of the Board on matters of membership shall be final.

Seems to me that all this is just about how the current leaders can keep being the current leaders? The new members of BB Youth still require endorsement from BBM before they are allowed to join. And "The decision of the Board on matters of membership shall be final". 

Also: 

5.3 University students or College-University students shall not be accepted as the members of the BRIGED PUTERA BELIA except with prior written consent from the Vice-Chancellor of the University or College-University concerned.

What will this mean for our older Members - typically our higher ranking Members (SSGTs, SGTs, Primers, WOs, etc.)? They need to get approval from their university/college authorities before continuing their membership in BB? 

Also: 

5.5 There shall be two types of membership :-

5.5.1 Ordinary Members -  Open to all irrespective of sex, race, colour, creed, nationality, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability so long as the individual is able to participate in the programme.  There shall be no limit to the total number of this category of membership.

5.5.2 Honorary Member – The President of the Brigade Executive of the Boys’ Brigade Malaysia shall sit ex-officio as an Honorary Member. The Board may recommend from time to time and confer this type of membership upon any person whom the Board thinks fit and proper to become an Honorary member. There is no limit on the total number of Honorary members at any one time. Such members shall normally be resident in Malaysia. Honorary members are exempted from paying any subscription and they enjoy the same rights as ordinary members except the right to vote and the right to hold executive posts in the Committee.

I agree with the comment that this subjects the BB to the "problem"of accepting Muslims into the movement, since it is against Malaysian law to convert Muslims. This concern might have been addressed by article 4.  Also, homosexuality (by use of words “sexual orientation" in the article) should not be accepted as it does not abide by biblical teachings. 

However, the Honorary Member part seems dodgy - as it seems like yet another way for "people who can't let go" to "not let go". I'm not saying that this is true of certain people now, but I worry about this if we really do have some person who just "doesn't want to let go" (for the lack of a better example, Samy Vellu and MIC). 

Forgive my "slowness" but I think the Constitution makes it sound like the BB Youth are a completely separate and independent organization. This leaves me with 2 questions: 

1. What is the relationship with BB Malaysia then? Is there any? Will BBM even exist anymore? 
   
2. If independent, then I think there are many little "backdoors" for the current BBM leaders to continue their influence. Not a problem to me, but I think it really seems insincere - when we should be championing the younger generation to lead, we keep finding ways for the "older generation" to stay and continue leading. 
   

FYI, when you check the Properties of this document, it was prepared by Mr. Michael Chong, 1st Batu Pahat. 

Personally, I am left to wonder... BBM had THREE years to prepare for change, yet we spent that time looking for ways to conduct "business as usual". Now that we have no choice, will we end up making hasty decisions which might later prove to be unwise? 

I look at the proposed Constitution and I get a little worried. 

God help us, please. 

And please be there for the EGM - aware and alert. The destiny of the Boys' Brigade depends on it.