Please sign my petition that will be sent to BSA National.

Our local council, the Crossroads of America "CAC" is about to destroy scouting membership in central Indiana with the new "MODERNIZING FEE STRUCTURE FOR SCOUTING" for 2024 (See the attached image).

• Total individual Scout Fee paid to the Council for Annual Recharter (Does not include unit fee) --176% Increase
  
  • 2023 - $87
  • 2024  - $240
• Breakdown of Scout Fees
  • National -- 0% change (so far)
    
    • 2023 -  $75
    • 2024 - $75
  • Council Fee -- 1275% Increase
    
    • 2023 -  $12
    • 2024 - $165
  • New Registration Fee -- 300% Increase
    
    • 2023 -  $25
    • 2024 - $100
• Unit Recharter Fee (ex. a unit of 20 memeber is $5 per member)
  
  • 2023 -  $100
  • 2024 - $0

In this uncertain economic environment, corporations are practicing degrees of fiscal responsibility to survive what could be an upcoming recession by reducing spending while keeping the most value to their customers in order to survive.  "CAC" however, has recently been on a hiring and spending spree.  This council has grown now to over 55 scout executives, expanding roles into multiple individuals, whereas other local businesses are combining roles and unfortunately reducing headcount.  The increase in hiring was even brought up as a positive aspect at our council's Governor's Luncheon last December, where businesses around Indiana are asked to attend to donate to the council's Friends of Scouting.  Many of those same businesses are laying off personnel.  

At this time, units from across our council are experiencing what many are facing nationwide; rising costs of supplies and lodging.  Many units are having to increase their unit dues or outing fees due to the rising costs of food, supplies, and fuel.  These cost increases are even coming from the BSA as you are well aware, for things like awards.  Of course, many units continue to fundraise outside of popcorn and Lord Baden Powell taught us, part of scouting is paying your own way.  However, fundraising should only be a small portion of the scouting experience.   Therefore, many units are cutting back on costs, not participating in all the activities they may have had in the past, to help ensure the greatest mass of scouts can have scouting experiences.  But not Crossroads of American councils, they are spending on major projects, moving forward with building projects, which will provide an improvement for scouts, but are being done at a time when construction costs are rising.  Lastly in that is the Air Show that our council is creating for 2023.  The airport stopped producing this air show in 2013 due to low profits and even losses.  While an awesome opportunity for scouts to attend, the selection of the last weekend in October and other factors have many of us concerned, especially with the associated cost of producing such an event. 

We have no doubt that the council will help those in the greatest need, those being the families on government assistance so they can afford at least part of scouting.  Our concern is not as much because of that fact.  We are concerned about the group of families that fall into the income bracket above government assistance, but where an additional $240-$340 a year per scout is out of the question.  A cost that is compounded if they have multiple youths in the BSA.  These are youth that we already see skipping outings or extracurricular events due to cost constraints.  Cub Scouts whose parents are already opting them out of summer camp due to costs.  This plan that is being implemented is pricing out a portion of the Middle Class.  

Combine these costs with an increase in summer camp fees that are far greater than any surrounding council, and many of the families we stated above will simply leave as their children will only feel left behind.