Important Reminder (original email sent June 2)
To Our Scouting Family,

Scouting remains the premier youth development organization in the USA and the Northern New Jersey Council has been recognized as one of the strongest and most successful Scout councils in the country. However, like most youth organizations, we struggle to ensure that our programs remain affordable and of the highest quality with limited resources.

After much deliberation, we have determined that in order to continue delivering the highest quality Scouting program and to meet the rising costs of doing business as a non-profit organization, NNJC will be implementing a new council insurance and program fee of $36 for adult leaders and Explorers, and $60 per Scout in all other programs effective with the recharter cycle beginning in December 2020. This total fee amount includes the existing insurance cost our Scouters pay as well as a new program fee.  

Additionally, the National BSA office has announced that effective August 1, 2020, the basic registration fee for youth and leaders will increase by $6 plus a joining fee of $25 for first time Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts. The National BSA registration fee is in addition to the council insurance and program fee that takes effect January 1, 2021. We understand that this is a meaningful increase but Scouting has been and continues to be a relative bargain for decades, specifically compared to youth sports, music and other extracurricular activities. Unlike other youth programs, Scouting is year round – a bargain at $10.50 per month of program.

We are committed to ensuring that no boy or girl will lose the opportunity to be a Scout and hope you will continue to see Scouting as a high value investment in your children. To that point, we will work with families and units to help develop funding strategies.

With the new council fee in place to provide a stable source of revenue supporting Scouting programs in northern New Jersey, the NNJC will cease holding annual Family Friends of Scouting unit solicitation efforts in 2021 and redirect the volunteer and staff time committed to presentations to program delivery. The annual Family FOS campaign has been just one element of our fundraising efforts, budgeted to contribute 10% of our annual fundraising goal. We have annually fallen significantly short of this goal, impeding our ability to deliver the quality program we strive for and you value.
Several councils in our area have had a program fee for many years and most councils in the USA will be adding this fee shortly.  The NNJC insurance and program fee will be effective with the next
rechartering cycle beginning in December 2020.

Scouting has been a part of the northern New Jersey family story for over 110 years. Generations of Scouts fondly remember pinewood derbies, camporees, Scoutfest, Weboree and camping at No-Be-Bo-Sco, Turrell, Floodwood, Lewis and Yaw Paw. We are committed to future generations enjoying the same Scouting magic!

Yours in Scouting,
Dr. Phil Mollica                                   Walter Koroluk                             Rebecca Fields
Council President                            Council Commissioner                  Scout Executive/CEO
Resources from our National Office
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE INSURANCE AND PROGRAM FEE (NNJC)

Why is the council adding a new annual program fee?

Scouting remains the premier year-round youth development organization in the USA and the Northern New Jersey Council has been recognized as one of the most successful councils in the country. In order to continue delivering the highest quality Scouting program and to meet the rising costs of doing business as a non-profit organization, NNJC made the difficult decision to implement a new program fee of $24 for adult leaders and Explorers, and $48 per Scout in all other programs. This amounts to $2 to $4 per month to support council programs, camps, etc. 
 
We believe that the tremendous value our Scout families receive for the overall cost to be a part of Scouting is still a bargain and compares favorably with the cost of youth sports and other extracurricular activities. This program fee will provide a predictable revenue source for the council as it continues to partner with units, districts, chartering partners, and volunteers to provide more youth in all our communities with the benefits of Scouting. 
 
NNJC’s annual Friends of Scouting unit campaign no longer provides the funds needed to sustain or grow Scouting in our council, so it will be eliminated and replaced with the introduction of this new program fee. 
 
Several councils in our area have had an annual program fee of up to $100 for many years and most councils in the USA will be adding this type of program fee shortly. 
 

Don’t I already pay an annual registration fee?

Yes. However, that current registration fee goes directly to the BSA National Service Center to support Scout program development at that level, as well as liability insurance for members participating in approved Scouting activities, background checks for adults, and other necessary administrative tasks such as Eagle Scout approvals. None of that money goes directly to the Northern New Jersey Council.


Why is the council insurance fee going up $1?

The annual council insurance fee will increase by $1 to a total of $12 per year. The annual insurance fee goes to the council to pay for supplementary accident and sickness insurance. The increase is solely driven by the increase our insurance company is charging us for our policy. The council periodically investigates the possibility of lower insurance costs while maintaining necessary coverage and believes we are paying a competitive rate. As you know, all insurance costs have generally been increasing for many years. In the past, the council subsidized the cost of insurance by not charging participants but our budget no longer permits that expense.


What does the council insurance and program fee cover? How is this different from when I pay to attend camp or another Scouting event?

NNJC provides supplementary insurance that covers accident and sickness for youth and adult participating in approved Scouting activities. As with all operating costs, the insurance premiums go up annually, and recently non-profit insurance costs have been increasing sharply. As a result, our cost insurance fee will increase $1 a year for a total of $12 per person in 2021.
 
Beyond the cost of insurance, over 85% of all council expenses go directly to providing Scouting programs and support.  This is a very high percentage of budget devoted to program for a non-profit and, according to benchmarks, our administrative costs are very low. In addition, our council staff is smaller than the National BSA recommends to support a Scouting community our size so we are managing our staff costs very conservatively.  

 
The cost to maintain camps, hire staff, purchase materials and insure the properties goes far above the cost to rent a site or attend summer camp. Providing direct support to Scout units and parents entails processing charters, applications, and advancement, providing field staff to work directly with leaders in recruiting, training and program planning.
 
Unfortunately, our traditional sources of council revenue to support Scouting in our council no longer provide enough funding and we can no longer afford to subsidize insurance, event, properties and other costs. We need to ask participants to contribute more directly. Despite the new program fee, we strongly believe that Scouting remains a relative bargain.
 

I thought Friends of Scouting funded the council?

Years ago, the annual Family Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign was designed to cover the expenses outlined above. Unfortunately, the annual campaign has fallen significantly short of its goals due to declining giving. Costs were going up and FOS donations were going down. This was not sustainable over time. This lack of predictable and adequate funding impeded the council’s ability to deliver the quality of program and support desired by our Scouting community.  The new insurance and program fee will take the place of the annual Family Friends of Scouting campaign beginning in 2021.
 
Resources, volunteers, and staff that were directed to running the annual Family Friends of Scouting campaign will be redirected to supporting to units and running program. We believe that ultimately program delivery and unit support is the most important responsibility of the professional council staff.  
What if I cannot afford to pay the fee?

The Northern New Jersey Council is committed to ensuring that no boy or girl will lose the opportunity to be a Scout based on finances. The council will actively work with families and units to help develop funding strategies for those in need. Please contact your District Executive if you need further information.
 

Does this fee apply to youth members and volunteers?

Yes, the insurance and program fee applies to all youth and adults registered to participate in Scouting. For Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts the fee will be $12 for insurance plus $48 for program support plus the National BSA registration fee of $66 for a total annual cost of $126.  For Explorers and adults leaders, the fee will be $12 for insurance plus $24 for program support plus the National BSA registration fee of $42 for a total annual cost of $78. The insurance and program fees take effect with the recharter cycle beginning in December 2020 for the program year 2021. The new National registration fee will take effect August 1, 2020 and include a $25 joining fee for new Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers ad Sea Scouts.
 

When will this new fee take effect?

The new combined insurance and program fee will take effect with the re-charter cycle beginning in December 2020 for the program year 2021.
 

How will this fee support council camps?

The cost to maintain camps, hire staff, purchase materials and insure the properties goes far above the cost to rent a site or attend summer camp. The annual cost to maintains the Northern New Jersey Council’s camps exceeds $350,000. Most of these expenses are budgeted to be funded through the annual Family Friends of Scouting program. 
 
Unfortunately, the annual campaign has consistently fallen short of needed funds, impeding the council’s ability to deliver the quality of program and support needed. Improvements in our camps are routinely deferred due to lack of funding. The new insurance and program fee will provide a steady source of funding for our camps and take the place of the annual Family Friends of Scouting campaign beginning in 2021.


Does the new council fee have anything to do with the National BSA bankruptcy?

No, the new council insurance and program fee is directly related to the cost of providing supplementary accident and sickness insurance to youth and adults participating in approved Scouting activities. 
 
Beyond the cost of insurance, over 85% of all council expenses go directly to providing Scouting programs and support. This is a very high percentage of budget devoted to program for a non-profit and, according to benchmarks, our administrative costs are very low. That fact is that the true cost of providing programs like camp and activities are subsidized when charging event fees to attend. The event registration fees paid to attend summer camp and Weboree for example, do not cover the expenses to host the event. 
 
The cost to maintain camps, hire staff, purchase materials and insure the properties goes far above the cost to rent a site or attend summer camp. Providing direct support to Scout units and parents entails processing charters, applications, and advancement, providing field staff to work directly with leaders in recruiting, training and program planning.
 
Unfortunately, our traditional sources of council revenue to support Scouting in our council no longer provide enough funding and we can no longer afford to subsidize insurance, event, properties and other costs. We need to ask participants to contribute more directly. Despite the new program fee, we strongly believe that Scouting remains a relative bargain.
Any other questions or concerns regarding the new insurance and program fee may be directed to your local District Executive.