Recently, the Boy Scouts of America unanimously passed a resolution to increase the traditional membership registration fee for all youth and adults to $15 from its current $10, effective Jan. 1, 2010. The last fee increase, which was from $7 to $10, was in 2003. The Exploring fee remains $10.
   A great deal of thought and consideration went into this decision by both the BSA's Executive Board and the Membership Fee Task Force. Consideration was given to the impact to program and council support, the necessary funding required over the next several years, the cost of implementing fee increases annually in systems and forms, as well as the overall fees paid by councils. Input was sought and received from staff and volunteers at the council level. Finally, given all these considerations, it was determined that the best approach was to increase the fee to the level chosen and make every effort to hold that level for a period of at least three years.
   Also, effective Jan. 1, 2010, the National Council will provide Internet rechartering at no cost to councils. This will result in a savings of more than $600,000 to local councils.   Finally, the following are questions and answers provided by the national council. Should you have further questions or concerns, please contact your Indian Waters Council staff at 803-750-9868.
   Why is the membership fee being increased, especially now, during such difficult economic times?
   The National Council is committed to providing added benefits to local councils and volunteers to support the delivery of high-quality Scouting programs in every community. A key investment continues to be in providing more user-friendly Web-based resources. For example, via MyScouting, volunteers will be able to complete even more training requirements on their own schedule, 24 hours a day, via online resources. This will complement their current ability to recharter and manage advancement records online, complete and submit tour permits, and participate in the Scouting Community social network, which continues to grow. Also, in the future, new-member registration will be available online.
   As good stewards, we strive to keep costs to a minimum. And, we are proud that, even with this increase, youth can receive the full benefits of Scouting membership for only $1.25 per month.
   The National Executive Board reviewed revenue and expense projections along with the planned initiatives over the next several years, recognizing that the annual registration fee would not meet expenses. The Board decided that the fee could be increased each year or every other year to keep pace with the expected expenditures, or that it could be raised to the level chosen and held in place over the next several years.
Q.When does the registration fee increase take effect?
A.All traditional Scouting registrations with an effective date of January 1, 2010, or later will pay the new $15 registration fee or prorated fee of $1.25 per month.
Q.How do you determine who pays the current $10 registration fee and who pays the increased $15 registration fee?
A.The registration fee is based on the effective date of the registration. Any registration for traditional Scouting with an effective date before January 1, 2010, will pay the $10 registration fee or prorated fee of $0.85 a month. Any registration for traditional Scouting with an effective date after December 2009 will pay the $15 registration fee or prorated fee of $1.25 per month.
Q.If a unit that expires December 31, 2009, submits its registration renewal online through Internet Rechartering before January 1, 2010, should they pay the current $10 registration fee or the increased $15 registration fee?
A.They should pay the$15 registration fee because the effective date of the renewal will be January 1, 2010.
Q.In November 2009, new boys join a traditional Scouting unit that expires January 31, 2010. What registration fee do they pay?
A.The new registrants will pay 2 months prorated registration fee at the $10 rate ($0.85 per month). Then when their unit renews, all renewing and new registrants will pay the increased $15 registration fee.
Q.Who pays the new $15 registration fee?
A.All youth and adults registrations for traditional Scouting with an effective date of January 1, 2010, or later will pay a registration fee based on the $15 registration fee rate of $1.25 per month. This includes all additional enrollments to current units, new units, and charter renewals.
Q.Who pays the current $10 registration fee?
A.All youth and adult registrations for traditional Scouting with an effective date of December 1, 2009, or earlier will pay a registration fee based on the $10 registration fee rate of $0.85 a month. This includes all additional enrollments to current units, new units, and charter renewals.
Q.What is the registration fee for Exploring?
A.The Exploring registration fee remains $10 for both youth and adults.