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In the past, I have seen Giving Tree ornaments with various Scout items requested for a child. Now I see some units are seeking sponsors for individual scouts ahead of donations for the unit ....or maybe at the end of the day the money all goes in one pot. Saw this today about dual troops in Brookings, Oregon units .... Fundraising events are critical for sustaining the program. Funds raised, such as those from their current wreath selling effort, are directed toward maintaining their meeting hall, covering essential costs like building maintenance, new gutters, a new drain and the ever-increasing insurance fees as well as helping children join who cannot afford the fees. A core philosophy of the leadership is ensuring that financial hardship never bars a prospective Scout from joining. “We try and cover the cost, if we have any low-income scouts. We try to help them out,” Wilson emphasized. “We don't want any scout to be turned away just because they can't afford a uniform or anything.” To help potential sponsors understand the financial need, (Rachel) Wilson (Committee Chair) broke down the costs for a new Scout: • Uniform Shirt: Approximately $60.00 • Neckerchief: About $15.00 • Patches (starting numbers/badges): Between $15 and $20 • Annual Registration Fee: About $90 • Monthly Dues: $10 for the first Scout per family and $5 for each additional sibling. While the group is currently discussing implementing a formal program for sponsoring individual children, general donations are vital for their maintenance, operational costs and to help fund Scouts who may not otherwise have an opportunity to join. " Source: https://www.currypilot.com/news/dual-troops-single-mission-local-scouts-serve-community/article_df0fc6e0-ecf0-422b-8e90-6ec383732881.html

@Pack85  welcome back.  We re-use uniforms, why not domains as well. 

Quite a few years ago, I was Cubmaster of Pack 85 in my local council.  It failed to recharter a year after my son aged out, and I had moved on.  I kept renewing the web address (domain name) pack85.org for many more years in case there was a chance of it restarting.  By now, there is no chance of it restarting, and I would like the web address to go to another unit, rather than risk it being picked up by a non-scouting entity. Is there another Pack 85 out there, and would you like this web address? If you are interested please message me, and we can arrange transfer of the domain name. BTW, I had been a member of this forum long ago under a different user name, but it had been disabled for lack of activity.

So basically anyone interested in the Family Troop option is going to hold off on recharter until right before Christmas. Looks like registrars are going to have a horrible week leading up to the normal HQ shutdowns.

Found this on Sam Houston Area Council website: Family Troops The National Executive Board for Scouting America approved the implementation of the combined troop option. The family troop option will become available to all chartering organizations as a third option on December 15, 2025. The chartered organization must be a part of the discussion to decide to change to a family troop, and they must approve the decision to change the model. Troops will continue to be able to organize as boy troops and girl troops. Resources: Converting from a Family Troop       (3 page pdf) Family Troop Best Practices                (5 page pdf) Family Troop Decision Guide              (5 page pdf)