My pack just instituted the "Ideal Year of Scouting" concept that was promoted by the Trails End Popcorn people, but we expanded it to include not only the Council popcorn sale, but also the unit's established fundraisers. We determine our program and build a budget on the activity costs and 100% advancement goals for every rank. We add the cost of rechartering and leadership training (Fast Start through specifics, BALOO, Trainer Development, Den Chief, OWL & ITOLS (for Webelos leaders going to our brother troop as leaders) and then we divide it equally between our registration goals for the year and that becomes our cost per boy. For every boy who successfully fundraises that goal, all his activities (including summer camps) and recognitions are paid for by the pack. For those boys who fail to meet the goal, they pay for their activities as they go and pay dues equivilent to their anticipated recognitions, recharter costs and their share of leadership development. We are 100% Boys Life and we buy our incoming Tigers their handbook. Still having some speed bumps, but parents and leaders are liking this concept and our participation in activities have increased significantly. Obviously, I'm a strong supporter of the individual scout account concept when used in this format. If the scout desires, he can fundraise beyond the set goal and this is placed in his account for uniforms and equipment that he may need during the year. Since we are suppose to give our boys an opportunity to earn their ownway in the program, this is an excellent opportunity for them to experience personal budgeting goals. If a boy quits scouts, it is understood that his balance is then applied to the general use of the pack for large purchases, like a new PWD track, and for application to camperships or hardships. Unfortunately, our pack has experienced a few parental deaths, so we underwrite the cost for any boy who has lost a parent(s) to death during their tenure and that money comes from the abandonned money of the boys who quit or don't continue on into a troop. Those who do go into a troop have their money transferred to their troop. We also maintain a "veteran uniform" exchange and this helps greatly with uniforming costs. Initially it's a lot of paperwork, but I think its benefits are worth the effort on many fronts.
Spending the boys' account money
in Unit Fundraising
Posted
My pack just instituted the "Ideal Year of Scouting" concept that was promoted by the Trails End Popcorn people, but we expanded it to include not only the Council popcorn sale, but also the unit's established fundraisers. We determine our program and build a budget on the activity costs and 100% advancement goals for every rank. We add the cost of rechartering and leadership training (Fast Start through specifics, BALOO, Trainer Development, Den Chief, OWL & ITOLS (for Webelos leaders going to our brother troop as leaders) and then we divide it equally between our registration goals for the year and that becomes our cost per boy. For every boy who successfully fundraises that goal, all his activities (including summer camps) and recognitions are paid for by the pack. For those boys who fail to meet the goal, they pay for their activities as they go and pay dues equivilent to their anticipated recognitions, recharter costs and their share of leadership development. We are 100% Boys Life and we buy our incoming Tigers their handbook. Still having some speed bumps, but parents and leaders are liking this concept and our participation in activities have increased significantly. Obviously, I'm a strong supporter of the individual scout account concept when used in this format. If the scout desires, he can fundraise beyond the set goal and this is placed in his account for uniforms and equipment that he may need during the year. Since we are suppose to give our boys an opportunity to earn their ownway in the program, this is an excellent opportunity for them to experience personal budgeting goals. If a boy quits scouts, it is understood that his balance is then applied to the general use of the pack for large purchases, like a new PWD track, and for application to camperships or hardships. Unfortunately, our pack has experienced a few parental deaths, so we underwrite the cost for any boy who has lost a parent(s) to death during their tenure and that money comes from the abandonned money of the boys who quit or don't continue on into a troop. Those who do go into a troop have their money transferred to their troop. We also maintain a "veteran uniform" exchange and this helps greatly with uniforming costs. Initially it's a lot of paperwork, but I think its benefits are worth the effort on many fronts.