p13 - National Registration Fees & Council Program Fees
Media Advisory
For October 24th, 2019; updated on October 30th, 2019
To: Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, and Committee Chairs
CC: Scouters, Parents, and Scouts
We have heard from BSA National regarding the updated membership registration fees and are posting links directly to the new National Policy as well as the Council Program Fee Policy here:
National BSA Membership Fee Increase Letter
Istrouma Area Council Letter- Program Fees
2020 Re-Charter Registration Costs:
To Register with Scouting for the 2020 year the fee is:
$72 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA (old Boy Scouts), Venturing and Sea Scouts. ($60 National, $12 Council Insurance)
$48 for youth members in Exploring ($36 National Dues, $12 Council Insurance)
$48 for Adult members ($36 National Dues, $12 Council Insurance)
Then in August of 2020 Units will need to collect $30 for the Council Family Program Fee. (see Q&A) To make things easier on collecting this fee. A recommendation is that the fee is collected at the Cub Scout Lever for families that have multiple youth in Scouting. I.E. one child in Cub Scouts, one Child in Scouts BSA and two children in Venturing. So that families only pay one fee. The Council is currently working on the logistics regarding the collection of the Program Fee.
| 2020 (January) Upcoming Recharter | August 2020 | 2021 (January) |
|---|---|---|
|
$72 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA (old Boy Scouts), Venturing and Sea Scouts. |
$30/Family Council Program Fee |
$60 National Registration Fee $60/Family Council Program Fee |
| $48 for youth members in Exploring | $30/Family Council Program Fee |
$36 National Registration Fee $60/Family Council Program Fee |
| $48 for Adult members | $30/Family Council Program Fee |
$36 National Registration Fee $60/Family Council Program Fee |
Istrouma Area Council - Family Program Fees
Q: Why a Council Program Fee?
A: To cover the cost of insurance, facilities maintenance, personnel and taxes related to BSA programs. The net proceeds from events like camporees, trainings, and camps are not enough to cover all the fixed costs of the Council. All registration fees paid to the Istrouma Area Council are passed on to National. None of it is kept at the local level.
Q: Insurance?
A: The Council’s insurance costs for property insurance including vehicles, general liability, directors and officers, workers’ compensation, and participant health & special risk are on the rise every year.
Q: Are other Councils charging program fees and how much?
A: There are several councils that have been charging a program fee for the last two years and their fees run from $27-$150 per registered individual.
Q: How will fees be used?
A: The program fee will be used to pay for the cost of insurance, facilities maintenance, data processing, personnel, and taxes.
Q: Where do the registration fees go?
A: The National Office keeps all the registration fees to help offset their programs and expenses. None of these fees stay local. National has liability insurance premiums for their high adventure bases and other things.
Q: What other costs are associated with the Council Operations?
A: Avondale Scout Reservation: gasoline, equipment rental, routine maintenance & repairs, Ranger services, Ranger homes, telephone, security system, internet access, office supplies, equipment, etc. Scout Office: electricity, water, computers, internet, telephone, office supplies, copier charges, accounting program, website provider, data processing, office staff, District Executives and maintenance.
Q: What improvements have been made to program and facilities over the last 5 years?
A: The cost of improvements have been made over the last 5 years were done at little or no cost to the membership. Funds for this purpose were raised outside of normal operating income and came from generous donors and grants.
A shortlist of these improvements:
- 5 air-conditioned buildings at Avondale Scout Reservation
- Items purchased for camp operations: new shotguns, 22’s, archery equipment and target machines, Lego Mindstorms and Vex Robots, 3-D printers, laptops, microscopes, Remote Control Cars, and Night opts-vision goggles.
- Items built or improved - gaga pits, table/benches, buildings painted, Remote Control race track built, Drone Racing area built, ATV program
Q: What cost reduction have been made over the last 5 years?
A: The personnel of the Istrouma Area Council has been reduced. We eliminated two District Executives, a finance director, and the office manager. We’ve cut back on travel expenses and kept a tight rein on office operations.
Q: Is the Council receiving United Way Funds?
A: The Council stopped receiving United Way funds four years ago. However, we still receive some donor-designated funds from out of state donors which amounts to less than $3,000 per year.
Q: What are the sources of income for the Council?
A: The Council is self-sustaining, meaning it is responsible for earning all of the income needed to run the Council. We receive no money from BSA National. We raise money through the following sources: Investment in Character (annual giving) from corporations, businesses, and families; Product sales such as popcorn and camp cards; Special Events; Endowment interest; grants; foundations and now, the program fee.
Q: How is this Program Fee Collected?
A: In 2020, the program fees will be collected by the Units and paid the Council Office by August 17th, 2020. These fees will be prorated in 2020 at $30/fee. In 2021, the program fees will be collected by the Units during the normal re-chartering process at $60/year.
Q: Who is the Family Program Fee for?
A: The Family Program Fee includes all Scouting Programs.
Q: What if I'm an Adult Volunteer but do not have any active kids in the Program?
A: Adults with no children in the program pay the $36 registration fee and the $12 Insurance fee.
Q: Is there help available to cover fees?
A: The Istrouma Area Council will have a special 30-day “Take Order” popcorn sale starting November 1, 2019 where a unit can sign up to do “Take Order” sales only and simply keep a 32% commission on the sales…no prizes will be offered. Additionally, we will offer a quality Camp Card in early 2020.
On behalf of the Istrouma Area Council thank you for your leadership in Scouting and for standing by the Boy Scouts of America.
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The Istrouma Area Council, (IAC) serves 13 parishes in Louisiana and Wilkinson County, Mississippi. We provide a quality Scouting program to more than 5,000 co-ed youth. Over 3,000 adult volunteers support 285 Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Venturing Crews and Exploring Posts.
It is the mission of the Istrouma Area Council, Boys Scouts of America, to build character, citizenship and total fitness while preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over the course of their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.