Scout Me In membership campaign in full swing!

Cub Scout leaders across the state have been welcoming new families into their respective Cub Scout Packs over the last 6 weeks and it has been an exciting time for the Green Mountain Council and Scouting across America. 
 
Over 350 youth have joined Packs in Vermont since August and each day new applications are turned into the Council Service Center and put on the rosters as new Lions, Tigers, Wolfs, Bears, Webelos or Arrow of Light Scouts. 
 
Of those 350 youth, 70 to date, are girls with their parents becoming engaged as new leaders helping their daughter’s den grow.  The Green Mountain Council needs only 200 more new Cub Scouts to join to show the National BSA that Vermont Scouting is growing!  To that end, here are some highlights and goals we can all work to achieve:
 
Long Trail District was the first to achieve growth in Cub Scouts with a plus 6 over last year and counting.  Congratulations to that team!  Ethan Allen district is close behind needing only 22 more Cub Scouts to grow.  Calvin Coolidge district is next with 45 and Three Rivers district is chipping away needing 115.   As a Council there is a good chance to show growth, but it will take the effort of every Cub Scout pack leader in the Council.   Here is how you can help:
 
Simply put, if the Pack leadership has new youth and/or adult applications, please make arrangements to get them turned in to the Council Service Center as soon as possible.  They can be mailed, scanned and emailed, faxed, hand delivered, or by contacting the District Executive and have picked up. 
 
Holding applications or waiting to turn in with the charter creates extra work and runs some risks that are easily avoidable. 

1. With on-line rechartering going live November 1, the process is much easier and less time consuming if all new youth and adults are already listed on the charter. 
2. Until the applications are entered into the BSA membership system be aware that these Scouts:
   1. may not be covered under the BSA accident and sickness insurance
   2. cannot get credit for any rank advancements earned
   3. cannot participate in any district or council activities
   4. if paying for Boys Life magazine, will not receive any editions until registered, then will get the backlog of two or three all at once.
   5. creates a potential liability for the chartered partner, adult leaders and the Green Mountain Council.

Let’s all do our part and make the necessary arrangements to turn in new applicants today!  Together we can grow the Scouting program helping the Scouts, their parents and leaders be better prepared for life and ensuring that the BSA policies and procedures are being followed.