Below is a letter from Ed McCollin, Scout Executive/CEO for the Green Mountain Council related to the earlier letter from the Chief Scout Executive and how the insurance costs are impacting the Green Mountain Council membership.
To: All Volunteer Leaders of the Green Mountain Council
From: Ed McCollin – Scout Executive
National BSA and Green Mountain Council Fee increases
Since 1978 the National BSA Council has provided liability insurance coverage for all Councils in the Country. This coverage includes Chartered Partners and their officers and all registered adults in the Green Mountain Council. Each Council pays a portion of the overall premium for this coverage determined by the size of the Council
Recently, the Boy Scouts of America at the National level has been dealing with several legal issues involving historical claims of child abuse by former adult leaders. While there are no pending claims in Vermont, this has nonetheless been a very challenging time for our organization in both the public perception of Scouting and the financial burden it has caused with the affordability of the BSA General Liability Insurance Premium (GLIP).
To that end the Boy Scouts of America is evaluating the affordability of delivering the Scouting program and has formed a team of volunteers and staff from across the country to consider the best way forward. This path will likely require a national membership fee increase for youth members and adult leaders effective January 1, 2020. This prospective change is being driven by the significant cost increase of the liability insurance the BSA must carry to cover all official Scouting activities. The registration fees are not controlled or decided by our local Council. We have not yet been informed of the amount of the increase as it awaits National Executive Committee approval, which is expected on October 23, 2019. In addition, the Green Mountain Council Executive Board understands that our portion of the liability as well as other insurance premiums have, and will continue, to rise and that action is necessary to help offset those additional expenses.
The Green Mountain Council pays almost $40,000 in insurance fees for its members which is just under $7.00 per registered participant. This coverage includes the Council portion of the liability premium, Accident and Sickness, Directors and Officers and Auto, which includes liability coverage for all registered leaders transporting youth for Scouting events.
To help offset these rising costs, the Green Mountain Council Executive Board is expected to approve a $5.00 increase to the current $2.00 insurance fee, for a total of $7.00 per registered youth and adult. This will be over and above the National BSA registration fee once it has been announced.
This fee increase will affect ALL units in the Green Mountain Council. Unit leaders starting their recharter paperwork in October will be able to complete roster work, but payment will not be finalized until November 1, 2019.
We recognize the challenges of the timing of these fee increases as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process. We sincerely apologize and hope you understand that the National and Green Mountain Council Executive Boards would not be pursuing this path were it not necessary.
We also know this is neither easy information to hear, nor to convey, but we want to be transparent as we have information to share so you can prepare appropriately. The rechartering system will still open on October 1st with payment to begin November 1st.
I am available to speak to anyone to answer questions and/or explain in more detail these decisions. I can be reached via email at edward.mccollin@scouting.org or at the phone number listed below.
From: Ed McCollin – Scout Executive
National BSA and Green Mountain Council Fee increases
Since 1978 the National BSA Council has provided liability insurance coverage for all Councils in the Country. This coverage includes Chartered Partners and their officers and all registered adults in the Green Mountain Council. Each Council pays a portion of the overall premium for this coverage determined by the size of the Council
Recently, the Boy Scouts of America at the National level has been dealing with several legal issues involving historical claims of child abuse by former adult leaders. While there are no pending claims in Vermont, this has nonetheless been a very challenging time for our organization in both the public perception of Scouting and the financial burden it has caused with the affordability of the BSA General Liability Insurance Premium (GLIP).
To that end the Boy Scouts of America is evaluating the affordability of delivering the Scouting program and has formed a team of volunteers and staff from across the country to consider the best way forward. This path will likely require a national membership fee increase for youth members and adult leaders effective January 1, 2020. This prospective change is being driven by the significant cost increase of the liability insurance the BSA must carry to cover all official Scouting activities. The registration fees are not controlled or decided by our local Council. We have not yet been informed of the amount of the increase as it awaits National Executive Committee approval, which is expected on October 23, 2019. In addition, the Green Mountain Council Executive Board understands that our portion of the liability as well as other insurance premiums have, and will continue, to rise and that action is necessary to help offset those additional expenses.
The Green Mountain Council pays almost $40,000 in insurance fees for its members which is just under $7.00 per registered participant. This coverage includes the Council portion of the liability premium, Accident and Sickness, Directors and Officers and Auto, which includes liability coverage for all registered leaders transporting youth for Scouting events.
To help offset these rising costs, the Green Mountain Council Executive Board is expected to approve a $5.00 increase to the current $2.00 insurance fee, for a total of $7.00 per registered youth and adult. This will be over and above the National BSA registration fee once it has been announced.
This fee increase will affect ALL units in the Green Mountain Council. Unit leaders starting their recharter paperwork in October will be able to complete roster work, but payment will not be finalized until November 1, 2019.
We recognize the challenges of the timing of these fee increases as units have already begun collecting fees for their 2020 registration renewal process. We sincerely apologize and hope you understand that the National and Green Mountain Council Executive Boards would not be pursuing this path were it not necessary.
We also know this is neither easy information to hear, nor to convey, but we want to be transparent as we have information to share so you can prepare appropriately. The rechartering system will still open on October 1st with payment to begin November 1st.
I am available to speak to anyone to answer questions and/or explain in more detail these decisions. I can be reached via email at edward.mccollin@scouting.org or at the phone number listed below.
PO Box 557, 838 US Route 2, Waterbury, VT 05676
Phone - 802-244-5189 Fax-802-244-5259
Email: Info@scoutingvermont.org
Website: www.scoutingvermont.org
Phone - 802-244-5189 Fax-802-244-5259
Email: Info@scoutingvermont.org
Website: www.scoutingvermont.org
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