Troop 1954 Financial Aid/
Camper-ship Policies

Introduction:

By tradition Troop 1954 makes a certain amount of funds available for financial aid and camper-ships to those scouts in need.  Such funds may only be used to help families pay for participation in Troop 1954 activities such as summer camp; activities sponsored by the Twin Valley District, Capitol Area Council, or National Council. 

Three principles guide us in giving such aid.  First, finances, in general, should not prevent any scout from participating in all of the activities of the troop.  Second, Scouting encourages boys to be self sufficient.  Therefore it is unlikely that Troop 1954 will fund the entire cost of any event for any scout.  Third, Troop 1954 will make financial aid decisions for the benefit of the entire troop and consistent with prudent financial management of the troop's treasury.

Articles:

1) The Troop Committee shall, at its yearly budget meeting in January, establish the total amount of financial aid available for the year.  This shall not exceed 20% of the funds then available in the General Fund.

2) The Troop Committee shall appoint a sub-committee of at least three members to evaluate requests for financial aid and recommend levels of aid for individual scouts to the Troop Committee.

2.1) The financial aid sub-committee shall appoint a chairperson who shall schedule and run meetings.

2.2) The sub-committee shall operate in a manner consistent with Robert's Rules of Order.

2.3) The Troop Committee shall approve or reject each of the sub-committee's suggestions by simple majority vote.

3) Eligibility: In order to be eligible for financial aid, a Scout must have been an active member of Troop 1954 or another Cub Scout or Boy Scout unit for one year prior to the event for which the aid is to be used.  In Troop 1954, active is defined as attending at least 35% of troop meetings over the past calendar year, or since joining, whichever is shorter.  If a Scout was a member of Troop 1954 in the month of September, he must have participated in at least one fundraising event (popcorn sales, Sights and Sounds, or other) during the past year.  The committee may, at its discretion, wave these requirements.  However, they  should only be waved in cases where there is a compelling reason why the requirements were not met.

4) To apply for financial assistance, the Scout and his parents or guardians must complete a financial aid application and submit it to the chair of the sub-committee.  Applications are available at this link.

5) The financial aid sub-committee shall take the following points (listed in approximate order of importance) into consideration in making recommendations to the committee:

5.1) Financial need as documented by the financial aid application.

5.2) The Scout's participation in Troop 1954 meetings and events over the past year (or since joining).

5.3) The Scout's efforts to raise money by himself.

5.4) The benefit to the Troop from having the Scout participate in the event.

5.5) The benefit to the Scout from participation in the event.

6) Except in cases of exceptional need, the maximum award is limited to 50% of the total cost of the event (event fee plus transportation plus spending money).

7) Financial Aid schedule.  Families should consider their financial needs for each calendar year.  Requests for financial aid for the calendar year should be submitted to the financial aid sub-committee by March 1st.  The financial aid sub-committee and Troop Committee should consider all requests and respond to them by April 30  (These requirements waived for calendar year 2004).  If, after April 30, there are still funds remaining in the financial aid fund, the financial aid sub-committee and Troop Committee may, at its discretion, continue to accept financial aid requests and respond to them using the procedures above until all money in the financial aid fund is spent.

8) Any monies allocated for financial aid but not spent by the end of the calendar year are to be returned to the general fund.