Welcome to the Budget Building Session a breakout of the Unit Support Conference

1. Welcome to the Budget Building Sessiona breakout of the Unit Support Conference

2. Welcome and Overview

3. A Scout is Thrifty!

4. It is the goal of the Pathway to Adventure Council to build and serve the healthiest and strongest units in the communities we serve

5. "Scouting's Journey to Excellence" is designed to set goals that encourage and reward success and measure performance andcontinuous improvement in key objectives in our units, districts and our council. It provides a road map, with benchmarks, to deliver the promises of the Scouting program and to operate at the most optimal level.

6. Journey to Excellence: Planning and Budgeting Have a program plan and budget that is regularly reviewed by the unit committee, and it follows BSA policies relating to fundraising. ACROSS THE BOARD • Bronze- Have an annual program plan and budget adopted by the unit committee. • Silver- Achieve Bronze, plus unit committee meets at least six times during the year to review program plans and finances. PACK • Gold - Achieve Silver, plus pack conducts a planning meeting involving den leaders for the following program year TROOP • Gold - Achieve Silver, plus troop conducts a planning meeting involving youth leaders for the following program year. CREW • Gold- Achieve Silver, plus crew conducts a planning meeting involving youth leaders for the following program year.

7. Why should a unit have a budget? The cornerstone of financial planning is establishing a budget. You have a great program planned for your unit! Now you need to plan how to pay for it... The unit’s committee is responsible for planning the annual budget.

8. How does a unit build a budget? • Set your unit’s program for the year. • Determine current balances/reserves. • Estimate costs of the program. • Event fees, meals, equipment, general overhead, etc. • Estimate income from all sources • Dues, Popcorn, Unit Fundraisers, etc. • Adjust program plan and/or budget plan to align costs.

9. What is included in building a budget? Administrative Fees • Registration Fees ($24) and Boys Life ($12) • Unit Liability Fee- $40 • (if not covered by the Chartered org) • Advancements • Patches, awards, emblems, recognition, etc. • Training • NYLT, Wood Badge, Wilderness First Aid, etc. • Operating Reserve • Other

10. What is included in building a budget? Program Expenses • Pack/Troop/Crew Meetings (entertainment and activities) • Blue and Gold/Red and Green (facilities, food, etc.) • Council Activities (Camporee, Klondike, etc.) • Special Events (Pinewood Derby, sleepovers, etc.) • Additional events and activities that provide youth with a quality program and life-changing experience!

11. What is included in building a budget? Income Sources • Popcorn Sales • Unit Fundraisers • Donations • Pack/Troop/Crew Dues

12. What is Included in Building a Budget? Consider incentives for fundraisers • Special events for top sellers • Allowed to wear activity uniforms at meetings • “Pie” your leader in the face • And much more!

13. Balancing income and expenses? Determine current balances/reserves • Project timing of income receipts. • Project timing of significant expenditures. • Are there potential gaps/shortfalls due to timing of cash flows? • Are total income and expenditures aligned? • If not, adjust program plan or add additional fundraising to achieve a balanced budget.

14. Who should be a part of the process? Everyone! • It is the unit committee’s responsibility to build the annual budget. • However, youth members should be involved in the budget-building process. • This teaches ownership, and introduces youth to a necessary life skill. • Have them dream about what they’d like to do!

15. How will you share the budget? • Create and share a transparent budget plan to demonstrate the cost of a quality program. • Share with youth members, leadership, family members, and the chartered organization. • Show what is and isn’t covered by Pack/Troop/Crew dues. • Review fundraiser incentives with youth members and their families to promote participation!

16. Budget planning summary Budget Process Review • Set unit program plan. • Establish budget based on the plan. • Adjust the program plan and/or budget plan to achieved desired balance. • Monitor and adjust if needed during the year. The Result • A balanced budget and a great program for our youth!

17. Tools and resources

18. www.scouting.org

19. www.scouting.org

20. Q: Our unit projects to come in slightly over budget. Is cutting program our only option? A: No! Your unit can plan additional fundraisers to achieve the desired balance.

21. Q: What is an appropriate amount for unit dues? A: The answer depends on the type of program a unit wants to deliver to its members. If unit dues exceed $100 per year, additional fundraising opportunities might present a better alternative to families in the unit.

22. Thank you for attending theBudget Building Sessiona breakout of the Unit Support Conference