Finances

Troop Budget

The Troop Committee approves the annual Troop budget, and it approves all expenditures in advance, except those spent by the Treasurer or Scoutmaster in accord with the approved budget. The Committee is responsible for conducting a simple annual audit of the previous year's income and expenses, assisted by the Treasurer and the Scoutmaster.

Scout Accounts

Each Scout has an individual “Scout Account” created within the records of the Troop. Proceeds from all Troop sponsored fundraisers are included in this account. The money in this account can be used to pay dues, registration fees, outing fees, etc. Any “refund” of an excess fee collected for a Troop outing will also be placed in this account. A Scout or Parent can obtain an account balance upon request. A monthly Account Balance report that summarizes the current balance in each Scout Account is presented at the Troop Committee.

Dues

Each Scout has a “Dues Account” created within the records of the Troop. Payments for annual BSA registration fees and monthly dues will be included in this account. Funds may be transferred from a Scout Account upon written request to the Finance Committee.

All new Scouts joining our Troop will pay the full year’s cost of dues regardless of the month the Scout joined.

Scouts will not be awarded their Rank Advancement or merit badges unless they are current with their monthly dues. Scouts will not be automatically re-charted with our Troop unless dues are current.

Eagle Scouts do not pay monthly dues but will need to pay annual recharter and Boy’s Life fees to remain on the Troop Charter.

Troop Termination

If a Scout transfers to a different Troop, his personal Scout account money will be forwarded to his new Troop.

If a Scout leaves the Scouting program and has a balance remaining in his personal Scout account, he must use the balance within six months or the balance will be transferred to the general fund.

The Scout account balance can be cleared by the Scout prior to the six month termination date as follows:

1. The Scout may use his funds for purchase of Scout related items. Money is to be requested using the “Scout Account Funds Transfer Request” as described above.
2. The Scout can choose to have his balance, less the processing fee, in an amount rounded to the nearest $10.00 on a gift card from www.Scoutstuff.org. The remaining balance will be transferred to the general fund.
3. The Scout may transfer his balance to a sibling.

Outing Costs

It is Troop Policy that all outings (campouts, day trips, Summer Camp, etc.) “pay their own way” and that all participants, including all Leaders except for the Scoutmaster, must pay for their own expenses. The fees collected by the Troop for an outing are calculated to cover the expected costs of the outing including:

• Reservation, site, admission, and rental fees collected by other agencies.
• Gasoline reimbursement for all official drivers.
• Certain meal expenditures.
• Outing patches.

Upon completion of the outing, the Leader in charge must collect receipts for all monies spent and submit an accounting to the Treasurer.

Financial Assistance

Troop 3:16 is committed to avoid having financial constraints limit a boy’s participation in Scouting. As such, a Scout who cannot afford to participate in any Troop activity can apply for assistance by contacting the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman. In addition, the Troop Committee seeks fundraising opportunities to subsidize activities to make events more affordable.

See Also

• Dues and Fees
• Committee Responsibilities
• Committee Meetings
• Committee Positions
• Fundraising
• Event Costs
• Community Rewards Program