Looking Ahead - Financial Stability

Fourth in a series of thoughts about looking ahead . How will we reach and or maintain financial stability?

Great Scouting is not dependent on a lavish budget; just ask your Council Executive.

Every Troop, Pack and Crew I know of raises money to support its program.

I am not concerned here with the specifics of how money is raised and the rules of fund raising so much as the broad concepts involved. The Unit Money Earning Application (PDF file) explains the official guidelines for unit fund raising.

Raising funds should have obtainable goals, be simple and minimally disruptive, and represent value for money. Fund raising is an opportunity for Scouts to learn a little more about the world.

Washing cars, serving meals, delivering goods or performing a service is a real learning experience for Scouts. Like the rest of your unit program a fund raiser needs to have heart; to be something everyone can get behind and support rather than something everyone dreads. It took a few tries before we developed a fund raiser that we actually look forward to (a spaghetti dinner).

Financial stability also means setting and maintaining a budget. This is principally responsibility for the unit committee although all of the unit leadership should be involved. It surprises most people to know that our Scout Troop of thirty or so has an annual budget of fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. We earn about a third of this in fund raising and the Scouts pay for two thirds. We are able to maintain our gear and our program reasonably inexpensively.

I try to write this blog with a minimal amount of complaining and griping. If you don’t like griping stop reading and have a nice day.

I am normally a pretty upbeat kind of guy but no discussion of financial matters and Scouting can be complete without the popcorn.

I do not like the popcorn.

I am sure that the product itself is delightful, I have never tried any of it.

I know it brings our council much needed funds.

I am disappointed that we sell it all at a hyper-inflated cost.

Popcorn and snacks at $16.00 (or more) a pound? It’s embarrassing.