Finance Basics for Scout Units

Guidance for Troop/Pack/Crew/Ship Treasurers and their Assistants:

Fundraisers

• See Main Article Fundraisers for Scout Units

Membership Dues

Generally you would collect member dues in full at the beginning of the program year. This way all families stay committed to the program for the full year.

It is best to keep the billing statement for all families as simple as possible. The following worksheets are recommended>

• 2020 Scout Unit Billing Worksheet - Download and Use this worksheet to track what each family in your unit owes, credits given and payment history. With grand totals. Please note the two major sections on this worksheet: 1) Total amount billed and 2) Total amount collected.

Fiscal Year Layout

There are several ways to set the fiscal year for your scout year.

1. Calendar Year [Jan-Dec] - traditional format
2. School Year (Troop) [Aug-Jul] - Preferred format for troops and crews with the following benefits:

• • Membership dues and fundraisers are collected at the beginning of the year with eye towards preparing major events of the year
  • Year ends with major expenditure event - (summer camp and/or hi-adventure or jamboree)

1. School Year (Pack) [Jul-Jun] - Preferred format for packs - all the same reasons as above.

Partial year adjustment: You can declare an odd year - one with either fewer months or extra months for if you want to move your unit from a Calendar Year to a School year fiscal program (or vice-versa).

Resources:

• 2020 Scout Unit Billing Worksheet - Download and Use this worksheet to track what each family in your unit owes, credits given and payment history. With grand totals.