Here We Go, Dissolving the Troop

[Eagle94-A1]

So I am in the process of dissolving the troop, and it is getting me depressed.

I have been doing paperwork, making sure records are up to date so wherever they go, they won't have any advancement issues. I do not want my Scout to face the issues I had back in the day, or issues I have seen over the years. Also wanted to see what we can do to finish up advancement. Also created a calendar with remaining commitments: court of honor, Christmas party, and service project.

I meet with the CC later today, and get to tell him we are dissolving the troop. That is going to be a challenging conversation. He has a long history with the troop, and sometimes I think his loyalty is to the troop, not the Scouts. But the CC has  not been active since May, and has not been seeing what has been happening. The de facto CC and I realized that even if we did get 1 more Scout, because of the troop's make up,  Some Scouts would be unable to do camp outs due to school activities, and it is hard to have a good camp out with fewer than 5 Scouts. And that is a disservice to the Scouts.

This week we meet with the parents, and hopefully they will come. But last time I asked for parents to attend, regarding summer camp, no one showed up. I feel this is an issue we tell folks in person, and not in an email. Bad enough I got to tell the two college Scouters via text or phone. And I am also telling the Scouts.

Keep me in your prayers.

[InquisitiveScouter]

1 hour ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

So I am in the process of dissolving the troop, and it is getting me depressed.

I have been doing paperwork, making sure records are up to date so wherever they go, they won't have any advancement issues. I do not want my Scout to face the issues I had back in the day, or issues I have seen over the years. Also wanted to see what we can do to finish up advancement. Also created a calendar with remaining commitments: court of honor, Christmas party, and service project.

I meet with the CC later today, and get to tell him we are dissolving the troop. That is going to be a challenging conversation. He has a long history with the troop, and sometimes I think his loyalty is to the troop, not the Scouts. But the CC has  not been active since May, and has not been seeing what has been happening. The de facto CC and I realized that even if we did get 1 more Scout, because of the troop's make up,  Some Scouts would be unable to do camp outs due to school activities, and it is hard to have a good camp out with fewer than 5 Scouts. And that is a disservice to the Scouts.

This week we meet with the parents, and hopefully they will come. But last time I asked for parents to attend, regarding summer camp, no one showed up. I feel this is an issue we tell folks in person, and not in an email. Bad enough I got to tell the two college Scouters via text or phone. And I am also telling the Scouts.

Keep me in your prayers.

Thanks for staying with it until the end, and making sure those who wish to continue in Scouting may have a good transition to wherever they may go.

Agree all this should be done in person.  Best to tell the two remote college members on the phone... a text would be impersonal, depending on how attached they are to the unit.

I have been following your situation as you have related it here in the forum, and from my foxhole, it looks like you have made a great effort of it.  I commiserate with you, as I am beginning to see a downward slide in our unit as well.  Our best hope is to latch on to a few dedicated adults such as yourself, to keep it all going.

Well-trained and motivated adults are the real heart of Scouting.  Best wishes in the next Scouting task you take on 😜 

[Eagle94-A1]

Well, the meeting with the CC went better than expected. He concurs with the exit strategy. 

But one interesting thing happened today. Ran into someone whose troop recently folded. Found out the council went after both the troop's money and equipment.

 

 

[Tron]

12 hours ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

Well, the meeting with the CC went better than expected. He concurs with the exit strategy. 

But one interesting thing happened today. Ran into someone whose troop recently folded. Found out the council went after both the troop's money and equipment. All councils are being evaluated on their unrestricted net assets now; be prepared for dirty hands trying to swipe everything they can. 

 

Seems pretty standard in some of the councils. 

[Eagle94-A1]

2 hours ago, Tron said:

Seems pretty standard in some of the councils. 

Once upon a time, everything belonged to the CO: money, equipment, memorabilia, etc. Sometime in the past 20 years that changed. Challenge is that our troop is so old, that some of the stuff we have predates the council. Also the council has been of NO  help whatsoever, for over a decade now.

Worse, they have been more of a hindrance than a help. The CC still remembers when he was district CC and was politely call a liar at a council meeting regarding a project he asked to work on. And I have relayed my stories of their interference in other threads. They have lied to us about events being cancelled last minute and why they sold property.

So no Scouter active in the unit wants the council to get anything.

[InquisitiveScouter]

I know you know these options... but for the benefit of others who may not know...

1.  Spend the money on Scout things:  Summer Camp tuition for those continuing, adult training courses, patches and books you will give to a deserving unit nearby, etc.

2.  With COR approval, donate the money to a good Scouting cause... here's one... The Memorial Scout Camp, in Maine, run outside of council/national influence... https://www.memorialscoutcamp.org/  They give gear and camperships to Scouts all over the country.  Some of our Scouts have benefitted from their program.  Here's another... Friends of Treasure Island (FTI)... https://www.friendsoftreasureisland.org/  think of these folks as a Scouting History Preservation Society.  The private owner of Treasure Island (Scout Camp) allows Scout units to camp there for FREE from Labor Day to Memorial Day.  The FTI is a non-profit group that staffs and runs program for those free weekends, including an awesome Scouting Heritage museum.   I'm sure you could find others, if desired.

3.  Tell the COR they may keep those funds, per Charter Agreement, in a reserve fund, should they be able to start a Scouting unit in the future.

--- see CO responsibilities at https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/524-95625-Annual-Charter-Agreement.pdf

 "Administer the assets of the Unit, including all funds, real property, and personal property (e.g., trailers) that are acquired by the Unit either for the benefit of Scouting or in the name of Scouting and administer the assets for the benefit of the Unit."   Nothing there says they return those funds or equipment to council.

 See also https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Fiscal_Policies_and_Procedures_for_-BSA_Units_20210513.pdf  

The only time a unit must turn over gear and money to the council is when the unit is chartered with council as its CO.

 

 

 

[RememberSchiff]

Sheesh... found this

[qwazse]

Having closed and reopened once (and now with fairly robust numbers), I have tried to keep our assets lean. It’s hard to do with a steady stream of donations. Two months ago, we got a hundred flea market knives. Food donations covered the booth at a local carnival. Weekend campground fees are paid for the year. Last week we were given brand new axes.

We are looking for troops who need gear, but that would require successful launching, which the council is not doing.

I continue to encourage the committee to not have revenue in excess of expenses. The last thing we need is a huge balance in our checking account.

[InquisitiveScouter]

1 hour ago, qwazse said:

Having closed and reopened once (and now with fairly robust numbers), I have tried to keep our assets lean. It’s hard to do with a steady stream of donations. Two months ago, we got a hundred flea market knives. Food donations covered the booth at a local carnival. Weekend campground fees are paid for the year. Last week we were given brand new axes.

We are looking for troops who need gear, but that would require successful launching, which the council is not doing.

I continue to encourage the committee to not have revenue in excess of expenses. The last thing we need is a huge balance in our checking account.

LOL, I have two Eagle Scouts at Pitt who could bring some gear home on Thanksgiving break.

Our Troop is looking for some flint and steel sets, draw knives for shaving spars, and an axe or two, if they are 3/4 axes.  If you have any of that, we'd be happy to make sure it continues a life in Scouting.  (Also, canoe paddles... Scouts are merciless on that gear 😜 )

One day, I'll get out that way and have a coffee with you...

[FireStone]

23 hours ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

Well, the meeting with the CC went better than expected. He concurs with the exit strategy. 

But one interesting thing happened today. Ran into someone whose troop recently folded. Found out the council went after both the troop's money and equipment.

 

 

Pretty sure that's theft. As others have mentioned, the CO technically is the holder of the assets of the unit. It's why a lot of troop trailers are registered by the CO, insured by the CO, etc. They're not Council assets, they belong to the CO. Folding the troop doesn't default the assets to Council. 

 

[InquisitiveScouter]

1 hour ago, FireStone said:

Pretty sure that's theft. As others have mentioned, the CO technically is the holder of the assets of the unit. It's why a lot of troop trailers are registered by the CO, insured by the CO, etc. They're not Council assets, they belong to the CO. Folding the troop doesn't default the assets to Council. 

 

I would not call it theft, because council does ask the CO for the assets.  In my limited experience with this, though, the CO's usually do not understand the stuff is theirs to keep, just earmarked for future Scouting.

Does "predatory opportunism" better describe the practice? 

[Eagle94-A1]

8 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

Does "predatory opportunism" better describe the practice? 

Very apt.  As mentioned a lot of COs do not know what their actual duties are. And councils take advantage. A lot of CORs do not know they are voting members of the council, and if massed together can prevent somethings from happening. And councils depend on that fact to get things they want done that may not be in the best interest of the Scouts.

[MikeS72]

11 hours ago, FireStone said:

Pretty sure that's theft. As others have mentioned, the CO technically is the holder of the assets of the unit. It's why a lot of troop trailers are registered by the CO, insured by the CO, etc. They're not Council assets, they belong to the CO. Folding the troop doesn't default the assets to Council. 

 

I would hazard to guess that most units and COs do not read everything before signing.  This is cut and pasted from the most recent version of the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America.

Council or Unit Assets Upon Dissolution Consistent with the Bylaws, in the event of the dissolution of a council or the revocation or lapse of its charter, the Executive Committee may, at its option, authorize the National Council to assume charge of the affairs of the council and continue operation pending reorganization or re-establishment of the council or wind up the business of the council. All funds and property in the possession or control of such council must be applied to the payment of the council’s obligations. Any surplus funds or property may thereafter be administered as deemed to be in the best interest of Scouting. In the event of the dissolution of a unit or the revocation or lapse of its charter, unit funds and assets must be used to first satisfy any outstanding unit obligations. Any remaining assets obtained with funds raised in the name of Scouting must be redeployed for Scouting use in the local area. Any assets obtained with funds from the chartered organization or parents of registered members may be redeployed as agreed upon by the chartered organization and local council. Any property or funds acquired by the National Council upon the dissolution of a Scouting unit or local council will be administered so as to make effective, as far as possible, the intentions and wishes of the donors.

I would read the first highlighted line as money raised through things like popcorn sales, camp card sales, or other unit fundraising and therefore subject to redeployed locally.  I would read the second highlighted line as perhaps something like a unit trailer that rather than raise funds for, parents all kicked in and bought, in which case the CO could lay claim to keep.