Renewals Information
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Membership Renewal – Unit Pay
– How do you plan to pay?
Membership Renewal – Pay Online (PREFERRED)
Table of Contents
Overview
Membership Renewal Fees
| Cub Scout* | Scout BSA Youth | Sea Scout or Venturer (non-multiple under 18) | Explorer (non-multiple under 18) | Adult | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Registration Fee | $85.00 | $85.00 | $85.00 | $50.00 | $65.00 |
| Council Activity Fee | $55.00 | $80.00 | $80.00 | $80.00 | $6.00** |
| Administrative Fee (3% for credit card) | $3.30 | $4.95 | $4.95 | $3.90 | $2.13 |
| Total | $144.20 | $169.95 | $169.95 | $133.90 | $73.13 |
| Scout Life Magazine (Optional) | $15.45 | $15.45 | $15.45 | $15.45 | $15.45 |
| Total with Scout Life | $159.65 | $185.40 | $185.40 | $149.35 | $88.58 |
| *Rebate for new Lion or Tiger, OR Lion renewing as a Tiger | ($30.00) | **Council insurance fee | |||
| Final Cost without Scout Life / with Scout Life | $114.20 / $129.65 |
– The following fees will be included in the Membership Renewal for each applicable member:
- National Registration Fee (effective 5/01/2024)
- $85/yr for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting participants
- $65/yr for Adult Volunteers
- $25/yr for Merit Badge Counselors, Nova Counselors, and Supernova Mentors
- $50/yr for Exploring participants Youth and Adults
- Council Fee = Council Activity Fee* (effective 7/01/2024)
- Cub Scouts = $55
ℹ Note: Information was previously sent to Lions renewing as Tigers by email on how they will pay only $25 for the Council Activity Fee. New Lions and Tigers will receive a coupon code to discount the Council Activity fee to $25. - Scouts BSA = $80
- Venturing (non-multiple, under the age of 18) = $80
- Sea Scouts (non-multiple, under the age of 18) = $80
- Exploring (non-multiple, under the age of 18) = $80
- Adult Volunteers = $6 (Council insurance fee)
- Cub Scouts = $55
- Administrative Fee
- 3% for credit/debit card transactions
- $1 for Bank Transfer (i.e., ACH Payment) per batch (unit-pay only).
- Scout Life Magazine Subscription Fee = $15 (optional, but it will be selected by default and will need to be unselected if it is not wanted)
*Families renewing more than three Scouts will need to register their youngest Scouts (any beyond the first two oldest) manually at the Scout Achievement Center (SAC) in order to receive the appropriate Council Activity Fee discount for the Scouts beyond the first two.
– Members with multiple registered positions
- Members registered in one or more Scouting America positions will only need to pay membership registration fee once.
- All positions will be renewed when the member renews their primary registerd position. The expiration date for all positions should be set to the same one as their primary registered position.
– Financial aid is available!
- Program Information – The Dan Beard Council (DBC) is committed to making Scouting available to all youth. In support of that commitment, the council may pay up to $40 of the cost of registration families cannot afford. The dollar amount requested must be the difference between the fees and what the youth, unit, and/or chartered organization can afford.
- Assistance Availability – To help ensure there are sufficient funds to help all youth enjoy Scouting, we encourage units to participate in the Annual Popcorn Sale, Coffee Sale, and Camp Cards. Please note, as a limited amount of funds is available each year, we cannot guarantee that every youth that applies for this program will receive assistance.
– Merit Badge Counselors (MBC)
- Adult members that are registered as a MBC only will receive membership renewal email notifications like all other members. If this does not happen and/or you would like to register as a MBC, then you will need to contact the Council and submit a new membership application. For more information, please refer to the About Merit Badge Counselors page.
- Adult members registered in other Scouting America positions that have already paid the $65 National registration fee will not be charged an addtional $25 to be a MBC. Their MBC position status will be renewed when their primary membership registration is renewed.
- Assistance Availability – To help ensure there are sufficient funds to help all youth enjoy Scouting, we encourage units to participate in the Annual Popcorn Sale, Coffee Sale, and Camp Cards. Please note, as a limited amount of funds is available each year, we cannot guarantee that every youth that applies for this program will receive assistance.
Timeline
– Starting 8/01/2023, all memberships are individual twelve month terms. All memberships will need to be renewed individually based on their expirations dates; refer to the Important Membership Renewal Dates table.
The membership period is from the first of the month of the month in which the member originally joined to the last day of the month twelve months later. For example, if a new member joined on 8/07/2023, then their membership period will be 8/01/2023 through 7/31/2024 (the first day of the month in the month they registered through the last day of the month twelve months later).
– Members will get renewal notices by email starting sixty days (i.e., two monts) prior to expiration date. The next notification email messages will occur forty-five days and then thirty days before the membership expiration date.
Members must renew their memberships on or before their membership expiration date!
– There is a sixty day (i.e., two months) lapse period from the membership expiration date. The membership is suspended during this time. Adults cannot serve as leaders and youth are unable to work on advancement. The membership will be cancled if not renewed by the end of the lapse period. The member will need to submit a new application in order to join Scouting again.
– Important Membership Renewal Dates
– Adult membership renewals will need to be approved by the unit Chartered Organization Representative (COR) or COR Delegate before the new membership term takes effect. Youth memberships will need to be approved by a member of the unit Key 3 (Unit Leader, Unit Committee Chair, COR).
The Council will review and approve adult memberships for those not affliated directly with a unit.
Resources
Preparation
Units should work directly with their adult leaders and parents/guardians to:
- Review the new Membership Renewal process, identify a Unit Renewal Champion to assist members wih their renewal(s), and create an overall renewal strategy/plan for the unit. Refer to the Renewal Methods section below for more information.
- Communicate with families about the new Membership Renewal process.
- Ensure that all email addreses for leaders and parents/guardians are linked to Scouts are valid and able to receive messages from noreply@scouting.org (members should add this address to the safe/accepted senders list in their email accounts.
- Determine if the unit will be paying for its members (e.g., adult leaders and/or Scouts) and communicate with its members as to how the renewals and fee payments may differ from the reminder emails sent by National and how the unit is going to complete the renewals and collect payments.
Unit Pay Online (PREFERED) – Unit pays for members ONLINE using credit/debit card or bank payment
– Access the online Unit Roster
A member of the Key 3 or the Charter Orgnaziation Representative (COR) Delegate can access the Membership Renewal system (and current renewal status) by browsing to My.Scouting.org > Menu > Select Unit > Organizational Manager > Roster.
⚠ Note: If the members self-pay before the unit can submit its order, then the member can no longer be renewed and paid for by the unit. The unit will need to reimburse the member from unit funds, if necesary.
– Create Renewal Order
- Filter the Roster, if desired.
- Opt Out members that will NOT be returning.
⚠ Note: This option cannot be reversed! If a mistake is made, then please contact the DBC Registrar for assistance. - Check the boxes next to the members that you would like to renew and click the Renew button in the menu bar at the top of the list.
ℹ Note: Only those members that are Eligible to Renew (two months prior and up to one month after their expiration date) can be selected. Any remember not renewed either by the unit or by the member will automatically drop from the roster one month after their membership expirations dates. - Add or remove Scout Life magazine subscriptions for the members.
⚠ Note: The subscription is selected by default for all members! - Mark member(s) as Multiple if their primary membership is in another unit.
ℹ Note: Scouts between the ages of 18-20 that are registered in both a Scouts BSA Troop and Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship should have their primary registrations listed as either the Crew or Ship. Any member that is 18 or older must complete YPT. - Click Create Renewal Order button at the bottom of the page.
– Pay for the Unit Order online
- Review the fees breakdown at the top of the Payment Summary page.
- Input Credit/Debit Card (3% fee) or ACH Payment ($1.00 fee) information.
- Submit the payment to complete the order.
Unit renewal orders can be found at the bottom of the Roster page:
- The Unit Orders section includes renewal batches that have been paid.
- The Unit Orders By Batch section includes renewal batchs that have not yet been paid.
ℹ Note: Members cannot be added or removed from batches, but additional batches can be created and there is no limited to the number of batches that can be submitted.
– Enjoy another great year of Scouting!
Units need to approve adults in order for those members to show as registered with the unit.
Important Reminders
- All Scouting America memberships are individual twelve month terms since 8/01/2023.
- Adult members and the linked parents/guardians for youth will get renewal notices by email starting sixty days (i.e., two months) before the membership expiration date. Membership Renewal is available starting at that time. It is unavailable to use prior to this point.
- Members selected to be renewed by the unit will receive individual renewal notification email messages.
- There is a thirty day (i.e. one month) lapse period after the date of expiration before the membership will be canceled.
- Units will need to approve adult members once they have renewed and paid for their updated membership.
- Membership expiration dates for members with multiple units and/or positions will now all align to the member’s twelve month expiration date.
- Members are no longer listed on unit charters.
- Units will need to review membership statuses on a MONTHLY basis since memberships are now on a twelve month cycle for each individual.
- If paying the Unit Renewal fee by a physical check (made out to Dan Beard Council, Scouting America), then either a Key 3 member or the COR Delegate can take the printed Unit Order Batch Details and Payment Summary to the Scout Achievement Center (SAC). Go to the front welcome desk and work with the staff member complete the Membership Renewals. Please allow enough extra time for a potential lines or questions. The SAC front desk is staffed 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Members not registered with any unit will need to be approved by the District/Council depending on their position(s).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Review the Membership Renewal or Unit Renewal page at https://danbeard.org/renewals, including the FAQ and Resources (e.g. screenshot documents) at the bottom of the pages. These are all updated regularly.
- Contact your Unit Commissioner. Find their name and contact information at https://my.scouting.org > Organization Manager > Unit Dashboard > Unit Summary > Commissioners > click on the name of the Commissioner listed. If you do not have a Unit Commissioner, then contact your District Commissioner at https://danbeard.org/resources/commissioners/commissioner-team/.
- For financial aid help, contact your District Executive or District Commissioner.
If the above options are unable to answer your questions or provide the necessary assistance, then you will be connected with somebody who can!
No, Dan Beard Council (DBC) does not plan to create any help videos for the new renewal processes because the are evolving weekly, if not daily, and it just isn’t possible to update videos that frequently. However, the DBC Renewals web pages are and linked resources are being updated as quickly as possible when changes are discovered.
Other Councils have created and shared videos, but they are already mostly out of date with the current process details.
No. We strongly encourage units to pay the renewal fee online during the Unit Renewal process using a credit/debit card or Bank Transfer (i.e., ACH payment).
No. Each unit must be renewed individually. Go to My.Scouting.org, > Menu > select unit (i.e., Organization) > Organization Manager > Unit Renewal to renew a unit. Repeat the process for any other units that need to be renewed.
If your unit/charter expiration date is not 10/31/2024, then the Unit Renewal will need to be processed manually. Please visit the front welcome desk in the Scout Achievement Center (SAC) for assistance, or contact your Unit Commissioner. It is likely that your Key 3 will be contacted prior, and during, the Unit Renewal window by the Council Registrar in order to work directly with you to complete the Unit Renewal since this is a known exception.
The Council Registrar will handle the renewals for Scoutreach units manually.
The Unit Renewal can now be completed fully online and does not require approval from the Unit Commissioner. However, the Annual Unit Charter Agreement is still needed and is a manual process whereby the form needs to be downloaded (see link in Resources section at the bottom of this page), completed, printed, signed by the Charter Organization Executive Office, Charter Organization Representative, Unit Committee Chair, and Local BSA Council (i.e., Unit Commissioner), and then delivered or mailed to the Dan Beard Council Scout Achievement Center (SAC). Do not allow this form to delay completing the online Unit Renewal process though!
- NO. Individual memberships are now fully separate from Unit Renewal for both the renewal process and paperwork/applications submissions.
- Members will NOT be listed on the unit charter, and member applications should NOT be submitted with any Unit Renewal paperwork.
- New members may join using the online system (i.e., BeAScout.org) or by submitting the paper applications directly to the unit. The unit should submit new applications to the SAC seperate from any Unit Renewal paperwork.
- Applications for new adult leaders must include proof that the individual has completed Youth Protection Training (YPT) and may take up to six weeks for the full background check to complete. If the new adult leader is going to be responsible for Unit Renewal process, then their membership application should be submitted by 7/01/2024, to ensure enough processing time prior to the Unit Renewal option becoming available on 9/01/2024.
- ℹ Note: The best practice is to have adult leaders renew their YPT annually so that it’s always up to date. Doing this during the annual Unit Renewal period is an excellent time to ensure that adult leader YPT is valid through the next twelve months.
- Existing members may updateing their leadership positions by submitting a paper application directly to the unit. The unit should submit new applications to the SAC seperate from any Unit Renewal paperwork.
Individual memberships and positions are NOT linked to the unit charter. Unit leaders and assigned postions and/or functional roles can be added or removed at any time before, during, and after the Unit Renewal process. However, the unit must have at least five fully registered adult leaders that have completed the background check and Youth Protection Training (YPT) in order for the online Unit Renewal process to pass validation and proceed.
- Scout Achievement Center (SAC) is located at 10078 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241.
- The front welcome desk in the SAC is staffed 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
- The phone number for the front desk is (513) 577-7700.
Contact the Council Registrar for assistance in having these items corrected. Please be sure to include the BSA ID numbers of the accounts and the specific corrections needed. Note that these requests will get prioritized accordingly based on the other Unit Renewal and Membership Renewal processes occurring. This will not affect the Unit Renewal process.
- The unit should regularly verify that its registered leaders and their positions are always up to date as this information is used regularly by the District and Council throughout the year for many purposes.
- This information can be verified and upadated by the Key 3 in My.Scouting.org > Menu > select unit (i.e., Organization) > Organization Manager > Position Manager > Registered Positions and Functional Positions.
- The Unit Renewal process will successfully validate and proceed if the leaders listed meet all requirements (e.g., background check complete, YPT completed, non-expired membership) at the time the Unit Renewal process is attempted. Future expiration or changes do NOT effect the process at the time it is being executed.
Yes, the online Unit Renewal system will charge an addition 3% if paying with a credit/debit card, or $1 if paying by Bank Transfer/ACH.
Yes, Journey to Excellence (JTE) has been eliminated. All units now get free rank badges as part of the Council Activity Fee paid by members.
JTE is an excellent planning tool and it is recommended that all units use for that purpose and to help guide them on how to continuously improve their unit and program.
Yes, but this must be done offline, in person at the Scout Achievement Center (SAC).
No. Membership is not linked to the Unit Renewal. The leaders listed for validation need to be valid at the point that the Unit Renewal is started. This will be rechecked each time you access the Unit Renewal page until it has been submitted, paid, and completed.