National Council, Boy Scouts of America Fee Increase FAQ

Q: Why are the fees increasing now?
A: While costs increase every year, the Boy Scouts of America has worked to keep the annual membership fee as low as possible to make Scouting available to as many young people as possible by subsidizing core costs, including liability insurance we must carry to cover all official Scouting activities. As the organization’s financial situation has shifted, it is no longer possible to subsidize at the level we have in the past, especially as the cost of insurance has increased dramatically.

Q: Does this apply to youth members and volunteers?
A: Yes, the new fees apply for youth and adult members. Effective January 1, 2020, the new fees are:
– $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts,
– $36 for youth members in Exploring, and
– $36 for adult members (includes cost of background check and Scouting Magazine)
– $60 for unit charter fees

Q: Is Scouting still a good value?
A: Absolutely! While most extracurricular activities are seasonal, Scouting is a year-round program that remains one of the most valuable investments we can make to support young men and women today so they can become the leaders we will turn to tomorrow. For most of our youth members, the new registration fee amounts to $5 a month, which is an enormous value when you consider that many seasonal extracurricular activities often start at $100 for programs that last a few weeks.

Q: Does the fee increase apply to council-paid memberships?
A: No. The cost for council-paid membership, sometimes known as Scouting in Every Neighborhood, will continue to be $24 for each youth member.

Q: What will the money be used for?
A: Every dollar of membership fees will go to cover the cost of essential services, including liability insurance for members participating in approved Scouting activities, background checks for adult leaders, program development and training resources, continuously updated youth protection and youth safety training, improved IT/digital experiences and services to our councils nationwide.

Q: Is this increase being implemented to cover the cost of the additional background checks?
A: No, the cost of background checks is not the prompting the fee increase.

Q: Why is this being announced now?
A: We recognize the timing of this fee increase creates challenges as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process, and we would not make this difficult decision if it were not absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the cost of liability insurance we must carry to cover all Scouting activities has increased dramatically over the past several months, and the organization is no longer able to offset the cost of insurance. We are committed to supporting you through this process and are making necessary adjustments to the online rechartering system to ensure units can carry out the recharter process.

Q: Does this increase cover financial challenges the organization is facing?
A: The increase was prompted because the cost of liability insurance we must carry to cover all Scouting activities has increased dramatically over the past several months, and the organization is
no longer able to offset the cost of insurance. The national membership fee also enables us program development and training resources, continuously updated youth protection and youth safety training, improved IT/digital experiences and services to our councils nationwide.

Q: When will this increase take effect?
A: The new membership fees will take effect starting January 1, 2020 for the 2020-21 program year.

Q: Is financial assistance available?
A: We are committed to ensuring that all youth can experience the character-building benefits of Scouting regardless of their financial situation. In addition to the many existing council and unit membership assistance funds, we have established the donor-funded Growing Future Leaders Fund to provide financial support to those who need it.

Q: My council currently requires members to pay a council fee that offsets insurance costs. Does this change mean that fee is no longer necessary?
A: No, the liability insurance that we need to carry for all Scouting activities at the national level is different from local fees that are collected to address local needs, which can include expenses such as local property and accident insurance, as well as unique local programming costs.

Q: In addition to the national membership fee, my council has implemented a program fee. Is that allowed?
A: Councils currently charging a program fee must ensure that their fee is consistent with new rules for these fees within one year. Councils can choose to charge a local program fee, up to but no more than the national membership fee – up to $60 for youth members in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts; up to $36 for youth members in Exploring and up to $36 for adult members. The local program fee can include local insurance costs (i.e., accident, property, etc.), as well as cost to administer unique local programming efforts.

Q: What happens if my council’s program fee is more than the national membership fee?
A: Councils that are currently charging a program fee more than the national membership fee have one year to adjust their fees in order to be in compliance with the new rules.

Q: What measures has the national organization taken to offset the financial challenges?
A: In addition to ongoing efforts to streamline and simplify the organization, the national organization has taken a number of steps in addressing its financial challenges, including the recent elimination of more than 35 positions at the National Service Center and ongoing consolidation of departments for the most effective utilization of resources in support of Scouting.

Q: Will the national membership fee continue to increase?
A: Although no decision about future increases have been made, the cost of operating our organization and services increases every year. Should it be necessary to increase fees in the future, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America has agreed to evaluate the needs and make such decisions, whenever possible, at the National Annual Meeting in May or early in the summer so that they can be announced with as much lead time as possible to allow for councils and units to be able to plan accordingly.

Mayflower Council Registration Fee Increase FAQ

Q: Is this fee increase applicable to units rechartering in December?
A: Yes, all Mayflower Council units are subject to the National registration fees. Unit charters are valid from January 1 – December 31 annually.

Q: Is the council activity fee increasing?
A: The Mayflower Council Executive Board has decided there will be no increase in the program activity fee. It will remain at $30 per youth member. Lions, Venturers 18 – 21 and adults are exempt from the program activity fee.

Q: Can you provide total fees by program for youth & adults in Mayflower Council?
A: Total fees for Scouts and leaders in Mayflower Council will be as follows:
Lions & Venturers 18 – 21:
$60 National registration fee
$12 Boys’ Life Magazine (optional)

Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts & Venturers
$60 National registration fee
$30 Council program activity fee
$12 Boys’ Life Magazine (optional)

Adults & Exploring Participants
$36 National registration fee
$12 Boys’ Life Magazine (optional)

Unit Charter Fee
(Unit Liability Insurance Fee)
$60 per unit

Q: Will the council waive the program activity fee in 2020?
A: Because local councils do not receive any funding from National, the registration fee increase will not directly benefit the Mayflower Council. Local costs for insurance and providing program to our participants have not gone down nor are offset in any way by the increase in National registration fees. As a result, the Mayflower Council $30 activity fee will continue in 2020; unchanged from 2019.

Q: Is there a discounted membership fee for families with multiple children?
A: The registration fees are set by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The National Council has not informed the council of any plan to offer a membership fee discount for families with multiple children in the program.

Q: Will the Mayflower Council be able to assist families who cannot afford the council program activity fee because of the National registration fee increase?
A: The Mayflower Council is committed to ensure that no family is turned away due to financial constraints. The Mayflower Council has created the program fee waiver program to provide financial assistance to deserving Scouts who would otherwise not be able to afford participating in Scouting. The Mayflower Council, in administering funds provided by concerned individuals, foundations, and others, will act as good stewards by offering careful judgment in providing program fee waivers and will act in complete confidence. Visit bit.ly/programfeewaiver to begin the application process.

Q: Do adults need to pay the council program activity fee?
A: No, the council program activity fee only applies to youth members with the following exceptions, Lions and Venturers 18 – 21 years old.

The Mayflower Council is utilizing the power of Scoutbook to enhance the functionality of our merit badge counselor list.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE LIST
Go to Scoutbook.com and login to your account. If you have the proper rights, you will see it towards the bottom of your troop’s page in Scoutbook (MB Counselor List on your dashboard).  This list is available to adults who are indicated in Scoutbook as adult leaders and committee members in your troop.

If you do not see it, go to My Dashboard > Administration > My Account > My Positions and make sure there is a green shield next to your troop leadership position. If it is missing, one of your unit admins will need to approve your position.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who will be on the list? 
Registered and council-approved merit badge counselors in the Mayflower Council.

Who will see the list?
Adult leaders in troops who are on Scoutbook will see all the merit badge counselors who have indicated to Mayflower Council that they are willing to counsel within your unit or ones who have indicated they are willing to counsel more broadly.

What does it mean for me?
When adult leaders (including committee members) search for merit badge counselors in Scoutbook, you can be confident that the listed counselors are qualified to counsel on the merit badge, have been approved by the Mayflower Council advancement personnel, and have stated a willingness to work with your unit or units across the council.

Why can’t parents see the list? 
The merit badge process directs the Scout to the Scoutmaster for a recommended merit badge counselor.  That is why the Scoutmaster has access to the list and the Scout and parents do not.  It keeps the Scoutmaster in the process.  The merit badge process is as follows:

1. The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin working on the requirements.
2. The Scout discusses his interest in the merit badge with his unit leader (i.e., Scoutmaster).
3. The unit leader signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one counselor contact.
4. The Scout contacts the counselor.
5. The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the unit leader.
6. The Scout, his buddy, and the counselor meet (often several times).
7. The Scout finishes the requirements.
8. The counselor approves completion.
9. The Scout returns the signed blue card to his unit leader, who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.
10. The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record.
11. The unit reports the merit badge to the council.
12. The Scout receives his merit badge.

How often will the Scoutbook list be refreshed? 
We will be refreshing the list by the seventh of each month.

What do I do if a Scout earns a merit badge at summer camp or with a merit badge counselor not on the list? 
If the Scout earned a merit badge from a registered and approved merit badge counselor, then a troop adult who has the authorization inside Scoutbook to mark merit badges or merit badge requirements as completed or approved will still be able to do so.

Can troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators sign a Scout off on a merit badge? are not authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are not also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge.
Troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators are only authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge. However, you can record it in Scoutbook as completed and approved after the merit badge counselor has signed off (even if he/she does so outside of Scoutbook) after verifying that the Scout has a signed blue card from a registered and approved merit badge counselor.

Where can units who do not utilize Scoutbook go to find a list of registered and approved merit badge counselors?
Units should activate the Scoutbook account for their troop in order for leaders to be able to see the current list of merit badge counselors. Click here to find out how to get your unit started with Scoutbook.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Mayflower Council are committed first and foremost to keeping youth safe. Part of that commitment includes continually updating our youth protection policies to help ensure we are always on the forefront of youth safety.

As you know, one of the BSA’s many barriers to abuse is a mandatory criminal background check during the adult volunteer application process. The BSA will now also perform periodic rechecks of criminal backgrounds to support the continued safety of youth in our programs.

In order to conduct these background checks, we need a couple things from all registered leaders. Please complete the process listed below at your earliest convenience to help us continue to provide the safest environment possible for our Scouts and leaders. Please note that these steps must be completed before your 2020 membership renewal and unit rechartering can be processed.

1. Review the Background Check Disclosure.
2. Then, review the additional disclosures on the “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form, then complete and sign it using an ink/wet signature. Note: Digital signatures from third-party providers are acceptable. Email confirmations, permissions or typed names on the form are not acceptable substitutes for wet signatures.
3. Turn in the signed “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form promptly depending on your registration.
   • If your primary registration is with a unit, please give the form with your original signature to your unit leader who will submit it with the recharter paperwork.
   • If your primary registration is NOT with a unit, please give the form with your original signature to your district executive, mail it to the Marlborough Service Center, 2 Mount Royal Avenue – Suite 100, Marlborough, MA  01752 or you may email it to membership@mayflowerbsa.org.

If you choose to decline the background check, or if you do not complete and return the Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form, your personal registration for 2020 will not be processed; this may delay the processing of your unit’s rechartering paperwork. Please note we need a signed authorization form from every registered adult leader.

Thank you for making this investment of time to help protect our Scouts. We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to keeping youth safe and for helping them learn, grow, and thrive through Scouting programs.

FAQ on the background check disclosures & authorization form

As a valued member of our Mayflower Council Scouting family, we know we owe it to you to be transparent and communicate information we receive promptly.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the National Council informed us that registration fees for the Scouting program will increase effective January 1, 2020. This change is primarily due to increasing liability insurance costs associated with delivering a quality program across the country.

While we do not know the exact amount, the National Council committed to having the amount finalized in the next six weeks, once the National Board reviews the recommendations from a task force of volunteers and professionals assigned to review this matter. Unfortunately, this change will impact registration fees to be collected at rechartering.

We sincerely apologize for the timing and the inability to convey the amount of the new registration fee at this time, but felt compelled to quickly communicate what we learned as soon as we learned it. We recognize the timing of this fee increase creates challenges as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process.

Thank you for all you do to support and deliver Scouting to the youth of the Mayflower Council.

Yours in Scouting,

Michael Rotar
Council President

Bryan Feather
Scout Executive / CEO

Mark Niedzielski
Council Commissioner

Registration Fee Frequently Asked Questions Document

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus Information

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced on 8/19/19 that EEE virus has been detected in mosquitos collected from areas within the Mayflower Council boundaries. As a consequence of this detection the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised the EEE risk level for many of these areas.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.

By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant. Avoid outside areas with obvious mosquito activity
• Clothing Can Help to reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Sleep with mosquito netting.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dawn and dusk.

The Mayflower Council will continue to work with the Boards of Health, the MDPH and other agencies.

For the most up to date information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts visit the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito

If you’re a den leader, you’re going to love the latest update to Scoutbook! The Boy Scouts of America’s online tool for tracking Scouting advancement just rolled out a new update that’s going to make it easier than ever for den leaders to prepare for and lead meetings, track advancement and attendance, and more.