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11:23 pm
January 21, 2010
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SM Shawn
| | Green Bay, WI | |
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OK, quick and to the point question…looking for some different points of view
Our annual dues are $80, they cover recharter, Boy's Life, BG dinner, PWD, materials, awards and some miscellaneous items.
We have 4 families who haven't paid, no commonality in the families, other than they haven't paid. They have been contacted many times, emails, calls and conversations at den meetings….all with the same answer…"I will pay next week" and next week never comes. They disappear…no longer come to meetings, or reply to emails, but there is always one other parent in the pack that says, "I saw soinso, they are really busy"…OK, I get that
At what point to you get "stiff" with them….the other 39 families paid their dues to get the same program, why do these families get a free pass? In my eyes, they don't, and that is where this topic comes in…I am a bit too cut and dried. My email would look like this…
Dear Soinso,
We haven't heard from you about paying your past dues. Your total is $XX.XX. Please make payment by next Friday, so we can close the books on the financial year. If payment is not made, your son will be dropped from the pack roster, as the pack isn't in a financial position to make that payment for you. Thanks
Bob Kadiddlehopper
Unit Leader
Yea, I know, a bit heavy-handed…but what else do you do? Our pack has a broad financial spectrum, and we haven't had any issues with the other 39…
How can I/we/the pack, be firm, but fair?
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Scoutmaster Shawn, Troop 1363, www.troop1363.com
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3:46 am
January 22, 2010
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Nick the UK GSL
| | Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK | |
| PTC Boy Scout | posts 125 |
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Post edited 5:24 am – January 22, 2010 by Nick the UK GSL
I think you have the right idea. If the parents aren't prepared to pay then the boy cannot attend.
This situation would not occur if they were going to a sports club or an activity run on a commercial basis (say music lessons) as they would be required to pay before the boy could take part in the activity. So why should your Pack be out of pocket?
The parents of the kids in my Group have to pay £25 (~$40) per year which then goes straight to the Scout Association. We do get some who take a little nagging to pay (our Group's Treasurer is very good at this!), but they all do. Some parents find it a struggle to pay, especially those who have 3 members in the Group, but they pay up. When I've chatted to some parents about this, they agree that we are significantly cheaper than the costs incurred if, for example, their child plays for the local football team.
My Group has always tried to be accomodating if the parents have financial difficulties and then we work something out between us, but this is done on a spcific basis.
If you can't talk to the parents face to face, then I think that rather than sending an email, sending a letter through the post would be the way to request the money. This would be seen as more 'formal'.
Hope that helps.
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Nick Wood –
Group Scout Leader
1st Stoke-on-Trent & Newcastle, St. Andrews Porthill, UK
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10:11 am
January 22, 2010
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Scouter_Garry
| | SATX | |
| PTC Webelos | posts 87 |
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Since I'm in that recharter time…
I told the pack on November 20th that the recharter fee is $45 and we would begin collecting in January.
I told the Pack on Dec 12th that the recharter fee is $45 and we will be collecting in January.
I sent invoices home on December 16th.
Last night I sat with every parent at our dens meetings and Told them exactly how much they owe by February 21. Coincidentally, I was also pumping them to buy tickets to our blue and gold. They were all told that if they come to me on February 22, They will be handed a new application.
I have always been this cut and dried. If you miss the recharter date you are dropped and will have to fill out a new application. The fact that some people do not give and stick with hard deadlines is their own issue. Once you give a hard deadline, stick to it, and they see it happen. They can do nothing but honor the deadline you set.
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1:05 pm
January 22, 2010
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SM Shawn
| | Green Bay, WI | |
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Thanks for the comments….
I know what needs to be done, I just think that I am a bit heavy-handed when it comes to collecting, but a bill is a bill…it needs to be paid, and "Can I pay you later?" and then not paying, well, is not very scout like.
I like the sports analogy, I will pass that one on to the CC [the wife, she thinks that I am mean] 
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Scoutmaster Shawn, Troop 1363, www.troop1363.com
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4:38 pm
January 22, 2010
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Nick the UK GSL
| | Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK | |
| PTC Boy Scout | posts 125 |
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SM Shawn said:
I know what needs to be done, I just think that I am a bit heavy-handed when it comes to collecting, but a bill is a bill…it needs to be paid, and "Can I pay you later?" and then not paying, well, is not very scout like.
I know what you mean. I dislike the having to ask, then ask and ask again. But if your Pack is $320 out of pocket, then that has an impact on the rest of the boys in the Pack, then those parents need to pay.
That's $320 you don't have to spend on activities and equipment etc.
It is always an awkward situation for you and the other Pack officials, but the Pack cannot suffer because some parents can't / won't / forget to pay (I'm trying not to be too judgemental here!).
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Nick Wood –
Group Scout Leader
1st Stoke-on-Trent & Newcastle, St. Andrews Porthill, UK
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5:43 pm
January 22, 2010
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Scouter_Garry
| | SATX | |
| PTC Webelos | posts 87 |
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I think that everyone should use recharter as a come to your deity of choice time. If you allow multiple payments, make sure everyone is even at recharter. During the year if they miss a payment by 90days cut them off. Cable waits 60 days. Utilities will usually wait 90 but no more than 120 for you to catch up.
Ok now for those that speak html , for others that's turning the hard ass off. We as a pack carry no reserve. We have families with 3 boys on the program, and we have families with two boys in the program. Those families are given the option of dropping to one copy of boy's life and we have in the past waived our $18 pack dues (but you better sell popcorn).
Because this is a skin game, the pack's skin doesn't go in until your skin goes in. You have to pay by the deadline or fill out a new app.
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8:22 pm
January 22, 2010
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SM Shawn
| | Green Bay, WI | |
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| posts 313 |
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The CC read this thread, she has her stuff ready to go, and if need be, drop kids from the roster. No need for anyone to think that they are being too harsh, I don't see it that way, as I am probably one of the more "hardline" guys here.
I agree with the other posts….you pay to play, in whatever you do. And we have to keep that in mind and Gary hit it on the head, the cable company only waits 60 days.
Personally, I don't think the fees that we charge and what the boys get, is out of line. As stated, 39 other people took advantage of our offer to offset fees with our fundraiser. These folks chose not to, and we aren't in a liquid position to pay for program for 4 families that, well, don't want to help the pack go…
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Scoutmaster Shawn, Troop 1363, www.troop1363.com
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10:34 am
January 25, 2010
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MISS Emily
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We basically had only 5 families who hadn't paid on time, and they seemed to comprise two different problems.
The first 3 of them weren't consistently attending pack or den functions. We had the den leader contact them twice to clarify if they planned on continuing in scouts, and reminded them of the amount due. Then the CC contacted them and said that she was finishing the recharter on such and such a date, and if we didn't have money in hand, they would be dropped. I think 2 were dropped, and they weren't around, and were giving us the passive signal that they were done. One wanted to continue, apologized about the delay and resolved the issue.
The second group of 2 families who hadn't paid, were attending everything, and weren't paying due to financial hardship. They were initially embaressed, but after meeting with them, and discussing options, arrangements were made. One family just wanted to pay in installments, and one just needed to wait another month. The pack had sufficient funds to cover the dues and BL fees for the month. And both of those families paid. However, these were families who were invested in the program and needed extra support and encouragement.
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MISS Emily, TDL Pack 103, Atlanta, GA and reluctant Popcorn Kernel **A proud Mother in Scouting Service along with MISS Kris, MISS Liberty, and MISS Shannon**
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8:42 pm
January 26, 2010
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mbeyke
| | Carterville, IL. | |
| PTC Bear | posts 41 |
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Our Pack has a "hard" date of 15 days before Recharter deadline. If payment is not made, or arraingements for late payments, then the scout is not rechartered. Our dues are only $27 so it is really not that much, but if they don't pay, they don't get rechartered, and have to stop coming to activities.
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God Bless,
Mark L. Beyke
"Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words!" St. Francis of Assisi
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10:21 pm
February 24, 2010
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johneegeek
| | Kenosha, WI | |
| PTC Tiger | posts 15 |
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What we do in our Pack when people have not paid their dues is 'hold' the awards.
After an exciting awards ceremony we'll get a parent come and say: "How come my son did not get his award?" Which I usually respond with: "Oh, he probably has an outstanding balance, check with the treasurer." 
This works pretty well for us.
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John Kiernan, Cubmaster – Pack 567 – Kenosha, WI
www.nashpack567.org
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