Boy Scouts of America® Istrouma Area Council

Youth Protection

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Business & Industry Luncheon

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Istrouma Area Council Hours of Operation

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E-NEWSLETTER

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Q: Why a Council Program Fee?

A: To cover the cost of insurance, facilities maintenance, personnel and taxes related to BSA programs. The net proceeds from events like camporees, trainings and camps are not enough to cover all the fixed costs of the Council. All registration fees paid to the Istrouma Area Council are passed on to National. None of it is kept at the local level.

Q: Insurance

A: The Council’s insurance costs for property insurance -including vehicles, general liability, directors and officers, workers’ compensation, and participant health & special risk are on the rise every year. 

Q: Are other councils charging program fees and how much?

A: There are several councils that have been charging a program fee for the last two years and their fees

     run from $27-$150 per registered individual.

Q: How will fees be used?

A: The program fee will be used to pay for the cost of insurance, facilities maintenance, data processing, personnel and taxes.

Q: Where do the registration fees go?

The National Office keeps all the registration fees to help offset their programs and expenses. None of these fees stay local. National has liability insurance premiums for their high adventure bases and other things.

Q: What other cost are associated with the Council Operations?

A: Avondale Scout Reservation: gasoline, equipment rental, routine maintenance & repairs, Ranger services, Ranger homes, telephone, security system, internet access, office supplies, equipment etc… Scout Office: electricity, water, computers, internet, telephone, office supplies, copier charges, accounting program, website provider, data processing, office staff, District Executives and maintenance.

Q: What improvements have been made to program and facilities over the last 5 years?

A:  The cost of improvements that have been made over the last 5 years were done at little or no cost to the membership. Funds for this purpose were raised outside of normal operating income and came from generous donors and grants.

A short list of these improvements:  

• 5 air-conditioned buildings at Avondale Scout Reservation
• Items purchased for camp operations: new shotguns, 22’s, archery equipment and target machines, Lego Mindstorms and Vex Robots, 3-D printers, laptops, microscopes, Remote Control cars, and Night opts-vision goggles.
• Items built or improved - gaga pits, table/benches, buildings painted, Remote Control racetrack built, Drone Racing area built, ATV program. Lake drained and deepened.
• New Sailing facility and 60’ climbing tower summer of 2020
• New boating and swimming area on Lake Avondale

Q: What cost reduction have been made over the last 5 years?

A: The personnel of the Istrouma Area Council has been reduced. We eliminated two District Executives, a finance director and the office manager. We’ve cut back on travel expenses and kept a tight rein on office operations.

Q: Is the council receiving United Way Funds?

A: The Council stopped receiving United Way funds four years ago. However, we still receive some donor designated funds from out of state donors. In 2009 we received $243,000 a year. In 2014, it was reduced to $150,000.

Q: What are the sources of income for the council

A:  The council is self-sustaining, meaning it is responsible for earning all the income needed to run the council. We receive no money from BSA National. We raise money through the following sources: Investment in Character (annual giving) from corporations, businesses and families; Product sales such as popcorn and camp cards; Special Events; Endowment interest; grants; foundations and now, the program fee.

Q: Is there help available to cover fees?

A: The Istrouma Area Council still has camp cards available for units to sell, they don’t expire until December 31, 2020 and the fall popcorn sells with kickoff with a unit kernel meeting on August 29,2020 for more information on either of these two opportunities ask the District Executive for more information.