Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program

 

The mission of the Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

 

Aims and Methods | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)

Charter Organization

           Charter Organization expectations and responsibilities are listed in our Annual Affiliation Agreement. An example of our current agreement is at the following link: Aims and Methods | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)

 

         The equipment is the property of the Charter Organization and will be kept in good condition by the Pack.  An annual inventory will be made prior to recharter and with change in unit leadership.  In the event that all units do not recharter a suitable until will be found to donate all assets to determined by the Charter Organization.

Pack Organization

 

         The Pack Organization follows the Scouting America guidelines of organization:   How Cub Scouting is Organized | Boy Scouts of America

 

         Adult leaders should complete Adult Leader Training for their positions and perform duties based on Scouting America guidelines used in said trainings:  Adult Leader Training | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)

 

         Cub scouts deserve a quality program delivered by trained leaders. All leaders will adhere to the Boy Scouts of America Scouter Code of Conduct | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)

Scouting Safely

 

         In Scouting, we will not compromise the safety of our youth, volunteers, and employees. Safety is a value that must be taught and reinforced at every opportunity. We are all responsible and must hold each other accountable to provide a safe environment for all participants. We are committed to abuse prevention by utilizing:

We are committed to injury and illness prevention by integrating safety measures in our handbooks, literature, and training materials, including the Guide to Safe Scouting. We expect leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the program. SAFE Scouting measures include:

 

When incidents do occur, we expect a timely, clear, and complete incident report. We are committed to learning from the data and modifying program guidance for the prevention of future occurrences.

         Guide to Safe Scouting is available for anyone to review for most current information regarding Scouting America’s policies and procedures units must follow to scout safely.

 

         The unit leader must keep current, completed health history forms and insurance card copies for each youth and adult participating in Cub Scouting.  Health histories will be kept in a locked cabinet and maintained by the unit leader. Health information will only be available on a need to know basis.  Basic guide to the Annual Health and Medical Record | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org) may be found at Medical Information and First Aid | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org).

Registration and Finances

 

         Pack Treasurer will follow guides set in the position specific:  Adult Leader Training | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org).  Pack finances will be maintained in Scoutbook, a free app offered by Scouting America.  All scouts will be able to access and view all their transactions in the Scouting Mobile App for Scoutbook .

         Any subcommittees that handle income or expenditures, such as fund raising subcommittees, must submit an accounting of gross and net income/expenditures to the Treasurer.  A subcommittee is formed of adults interested in Scouting and the Scouts of the Pack. It has a chairperson who is responsible to the Pack Committee.  Fundraisers not offered by Council or Scouting America must be approved by the Pack Committee.  All fundraisers must follow the guide set by Scouting America and be Council approved.

         Pack committee approval is needed for all expenditures over $50.00. Three committee members must give their approval on such expenditures.  Expenditures less than $50.00 may be made without prior approval.  All receipts need to be given to the treasurer.

         At the end of the program year, the treasurer will provide a budget review and projected budget for next program year.  A program year runs from June to May (with the school calendar).  Necessary fees adjustments will be presented to the unit first for discussion and proposal, then the Committee for approval.  Any financial surplus at the end of the program year will be allocated as follows:

·         Be applied to advancement costs for each scout continuing in the next program year.

·         Be used for an end of the year reward outing for current scouts. The outing will be determined by the amount of money available.

 

         Unit re-charter opens in October.  The annual registration fee for adults and youths is set by the National organization.  The Council sets all insurance fees.  The re-charter should be completed by the second week of November, but no later than the second week of December. The Pack's annual Charter expiration date is December 31st. The re-charter and payment should be completed before December 31st each calendar year.

         Scout registrations vary based on their original registration with unit.  Scouts may use their “individual profits” to pay their annual registration fees, or the parents may pay National directly.  All scouts have 30 days to pay their annual registration. 

         The Scouts are given a percentage of profits made from fundraisers.  Which fundraisers and percentages of profits are determined by the Pack Committee.  The Treasurer will maintain an accounting of individual profits for each Scout who participates in fundraisers.  All scouts will be able to view their account balances in the Scouting Mobile App for Scoutbook . When Scouts wish to use the money in their profit records to purchase a Scout related item, pay for camp fees, or to pay for scout related activities, they must present proof of purchase (receipt) to the Treasurer. If a Scout signs up for a Pack paid activity/outing, then does not attend for any reason other than medical emergency, said Scout must reimburse the Pack for the activity/outing fees.  If a Scout does not re-charter with the Pack, the monies in his profit records will be moved to the general fund after 60 days.  If a Scout transfers to another unit, his monies will be used to pay any membership fees or registration fees due to the new unit.

         Scholarships may be available to any Scout who has financial need.  To be eligible for scholarships, scouts must participate in fund raisers offered by the unit.  Unit is required to  participate in Council offered fund raisers to request scholarship assistance.

        

  Fundraisers

 

         All Pack expenses are covered by fundraiser profits.   The Pack has three fundraising options:  Popcorn, Camp Cards, and Other Money Earning Projects.  Fundraisers not offered by Council or Scouting America must be approved by the Pack Committee.  All fundraisers must follow the guide set by Scouting America and be Council approved.  Procedures for distribution of profits and participation are as follows for each:

 

1)  Popcorn Fundraiser

a)  All profits from the popcorn fundraiser will be retained by the unit to fund the annual program for scouts and leaders, such as, but not limited to, advancements, craft supplies, awards, council/district outing expenses, outing food, etc.  Sales goals are based on the pack budget.

b)  All scouts are expected to participate in popcorn show and sells a minimum of 4 hours.  All show and sells are scheduled through the current popcorn supplier’s app and parents are responsible for choosing their scout’s time slots.  Procedures for the popcorn sales are provided by the council and current popcorn supplier.  Scouts will need an electronic device to record all sales at the show and sell.

(1)    Parents may opt out of popcorn sales by:

A. Paying unit dues of $10.00 per month. (determined by the current program calendar and budget)

B. Paying all the per scout outing costs and food for each member and scout in their family prior to attending each activity.

c)  All donations during popcorn fundraising will be deposited into the Pack general fund.

2)  Camp Cards

a)  Profits from sales of camp cards are divided as follows:

(1)   Council cost – currently 50% of retail sale amount

(2)   Scout – balance of retail sale amount

b)  Scout “profits” will be maintained in Scouting Mobile App for Scoutbook , and used for registration, camps, uniform, books, equipment, etc. All purchases must be scout related and have a receipt for reimbursement.  Requests for unordinary purchases or reimbursements must have committee approval.

c)  All donations during camp card fundraising will be credited to the individual scout that collected the donation.

3)  Other Money Earning Project(s) are fundraisers not offered by Council or Scouting America. The Pack Committee must approve new fundraisers.  All fundraisers must follow the guide set by Scouting America and be Council approved.  In order to present a new fundraiser, there must be a financial need to be fulfilled. All fundraisers must have a purpose.

a)  Profits from new fundraisers will be retained by the unit to fund the financial need of the unit.

b)  All scouts are expected to participate in the new fundraiser, following all guides set with the fundraiser.

c)  Parents may opt out of the new fundraiser by paying all the per scout outing costs and food for each member and scout in their family prior to attending each activity.

d)  All donations during new fundraisers will be credited to the Pack general fund.

 

 

All fiscal policies are subject to the unit program year and budget and can change with fiscal needs.  All fiscal policies and fiscal needs will be presented to the Pack for discussion and development of a proposal for Committee vote.