NEW YORK -- The Boys Scouts of America is considering a dramatic change in its controversial policy of excluding gays as leaders and youth members.

Under the change being considered, the different religious and civic groups that sponsor Scout units would be able to decide for themselves how to address the issue - either maintaining an exclusion of gays or opening up their membership.

The announcement of the possible change came Monday after years of protests over the policy - including petition campaigns that have prompted some corporations to suspend donations to the Boy Scouts.

Under the proposed change, said BSA spokesman Deron Smith, "the Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents."

The Longhouse Council, of Central New York, issued the following statement on Monday afternoon:

Next week the National Board of the Boy Scouts of America will consider a resolution to change the national membership standards which currently excludes openly gay Scouts and Scout leaders to a national position of No Policy.

The resulting effect would be each Scout unit through its Chartered Organization would decide the unit's policy, if any, for membership with regards to sexual orientation. A Chartered Organization is a sponsoring organization that oversees and delivers the Scouting program at an individual unit level.

The Chartered Organization is responsible for selecting leaders within a unit that are consistent with the organization's mission, principles and religious beliefs. At this time there is no change in national BSA policy.

Longhouse Council will have further comment after the February National BSA Board Meeting.