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Dear Scouting Volunteers,

While the timing of this message and information is not ideal, I wanted to share it as soon as I received notification from the National Council, Boy Scouts of America. 

Effective December 1, 2017, the national registration fee will increase $0.75 per month to $2.75 per month, $33 per year. 

I empathize with you, as your Scout Executive, and as Cubmaster for a Cub Scout Pack in Findlay, where my son is working on his Wolf rank.  So, I understand that many of our units have already done their budget planning for this Scouting program year.

Please remember, the national registration fee is not set locally. The local council only collects the fees on behalf of the National Council. The following is a sampling of the many support functions that our council receives back from the National Council:

  • Program development
  • Provide training to local council volunteers and staff
  • Maintain a national training center at Philmont Scout Ranch
  • Develop and maintain four year-round national high-adventure bases and execute national events (jamborees, National Eagle Scout Association and Order of the Arrow conferences, and National Council meetings)
  • Continue our leadership role in protecting our youth by providing youth protection resources, training, and criminal background checks for all registered volunteers and staff
  • Provide local councils with program as well as tools for camp and office planning and evaluation, extensive financial counseling, planned giving and fundraising information, and professional personnel support
  • Coordinate a communications network through magazines and literature (handbooks, merit badge pamphlets, brochures, training materials, and professional development training), including providing Scouting magazine to all registered leaders
  • Make available uniforms, equipment, and program supplies
  • Maintain and develop new relationships with chartered organizations that use the Scouting program (religious institutions, civic organizations, labor unions, professional organizations, business, and industry)
  • Serve in a leadership role with Scouting associations in other countries as a member of the World Scout Conference
  • Set and maintain program standards (e.g., advancement, health and safety, etc.) to ensure consistency of the brand throughout councils across the country
  • Ongoing advances in technology (internet advancement reporting, my.scouting, online training)
  • Liability insurance costs (registered volunteers are covered primary, except automobile related claims, which are secondary)

A FAQ from the National Council can be found at this link:  http://www.blackswampbsa.org/document/memberships-fee-increase-faq/175737

This fee increase will be effect for all unit recharters which expire on 12/31/17, which is all the units in our council. 

Our Commissioner staff and District Executives are ready to assist you and your unit through this change.  Please reach out to them if you have any questions or concerns. 

Again, I understand the challenge this presents. 

Thank you for all that you do for Scouting, because without your efforts, over 6,000 young people in Northwest and West Central Ohio would not experience the Scouting movement, making them Prepared for Life! 

Yours in Scouting,

Marc D. Kogan
Scout Executive
Black Swamp Area Council

      

Black Swamp Area Council
2100 Broad Avenue, Findlay Ohio
(419) 422-4356