Message Points for Registration Fee Increase

This question-and-answer document is provided to support your communication with key audiences and stakeholders regarding the decision made by the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board to increase the traditional membership registration fee for all youth and adults to $15 from its current $10 effective January 1, 2010.

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.

When was the last registration fee increase?

In 2003, the registration fee increased to $10 from $7-an increase of 43 percent. The new registration fee will be implemented a full 7 years since the last increase and at 50 percent, only slightly higher than the 2003 increase.

How long do you expect this fee to be in place?

The National Executive Board, in its approved resolution, noted that it would endeavor to hold this new fee level at least three years.

How do we implement this fee increase? When will the materials be available?

The Membership Resources Team within the Membership Impact Department is preparing a detailed project plan that will implement this change across all the information systems, the applications, and other documents. Early information will be shared with council registrars via the News & Notes newsletter. Other detailed information will be available early in the fourth quarter to ensure a smooth transition on January 1, 2010. Fortunately, the National Executive Board made an early decision so that all this could be planned and implemented over the next several months. Note, too, that a larger increase at this time will forego the costs that would be incurred by implemented several smaller changes more frequently.