Uniform During Fund Raising

[TMSM]

We have a new fund raising chair who insisted that we can no longer wear class As while selling our pancake breakfast tickets. Thats not going to happen but was wondering if anyone has ever gotten into trouble wearing uniforms during fund raising. 

[HashTagScouts]

That's a new one on me.  What exactly is their logic? You are selling a ticket to a product/service, similar to how units are selling popcorn.  If what they were concerned with is having a fundraisers selling chances on a 50/50 raffle, yes, I would say no field uniforms for that, as it is gambling and the unit shouldn't really be doing it.

[SteveMM]

12 minutes ago, TMSM said:

We have a new fund raising chair who insisted that we can no longer wear class As while selling our pancake breakfast tickets. Thats not going to happen but was wondering if anyone has ever gotten into trouble wearing uniforms during fund raising. 

That seems insane to me.  If it's a fundraiser for your troop, why wouldn't the boys wear Class A, or at least Class A without the neckerchief or sash?  If nothing else, it's harder to say "no" to a kid wearing a uniform!

[eagle90]

We always have our scouts in uniform when selling our tickets either door to door or in front of the local supermarket.  What better PR for the organization?

 

 

[Jameson76]

14 minutes ago, TMSM said:

We have a new fund raising chair who insisted that we can no longer wear class As while selling our pancake breakfast tickets. Thats not going to happen but was wondering if anyone has ever gotten into trouble wearing uniforms during fund raising. 

Is that a Unit  or District  or Council "Fund Raising Chair"?  If in the Unit your CC should have a word with him and determine what the perceived issue may be in their mind.  Seems this is the UNIT pancake breakfast, this is a Scouting activity, so yes to the uniforms

If District or Council...refer them to the UC or DC

Here is some information

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/02/02/unit-fundraising-dos-and-donts/

Here is the unit fundraiser application

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34427.pdf

Note the question on page 1 - Will your members be in uniform while carrying out this project? (See items 3–6 on other side.)

These are items 3 - 6 (honestly question if overpriced popcorn complies with #%)

3. Will your fund-raiser prevent promoters from trading on the name and goodwill of the Boy Scouts of America?      Because of Scouting’s good reputation, customers rarely question the quality or price of a product. The nationwide network of Scouting units must not become a beehive of commercial interest.

4. Will the fund-raising activity uphold the good name of the BSA?      Does it avoid games of chance, gambling, etc.? Selling raffle tickets or other games of chance is a direct violation of the BSA Rules and Regulations, which forbid gambling. The product must not detract from the ideals and principles of the BSA.

5. If a commercial product is to be sold, will it be sold on its own merits and without reference to the needs of Scouting?      All commercial products must sell on their own merits, not the benefit received by the Boy Scouts. The principle of value received is critical in choosing what to sell.

6. If a commercial product is to be sold, will the fund-raising activity comply with BSA policy on wearing the uniform?      The official uniform is intended to be worn primarily for use in connection with Scouting activities. However, council executive boards may approve use of the uniform for any fund-raising activity. Typically, council popcorn sales or Scout show ticket sales are approved uniform fund-raisers

 

[TMSM]

When our unit fundraising chair provided the fundraising application to Council they put a big x through "Will your members be in uniform while carrying out this project?" and said nope, can't wear uniform to sell pancakes. We plan to just ignore but our Unit fundraiser is not comfortable with this.

Are you saying that pancakes are not a commercial product and this is a scouting activity to raise funds?

[Eagledad]

It used to be that unless the scouts are selling popcorn, the units needed to get permission from council. And unless the fund raiser was in some kind of conflict of interest or involved with something of an adult nature (like selling beer at the fair), council approval was almost automatic. I think your fund raising chairman just hasn't asked using the application in Jameson's post. 

Like you, our scouts wear the uniform no matter what council said because the chartering organization wants it.

Barry

[TMSM]

Yes it was the same application as Jamesons post. We have been doing the same fundraiser for 67 years and always get approval. We did get approval for this year but were told we could not wear uniforms.

[MattR]

I've heard the same thing about only wearing uniform when fundraising with popcorn. Like you, we ignored it.

[ShootingSports]

Probably afraid you'll get pancake sauce on uniform...........can you imagine what the uniform police would have to say then.......🤣

[ParkMan]

On 11/5/2019 at 2:12 PM, TMSM said:

Yes it was the same application as Jamesons post. We have been doing the same fundraiser for 67 years and always get approval. We did get approval for this year but were told we could not wear uniforms.

I'm assuming some new council person made the wrong decision when looking at the form.  I'd encourage you to wear then anyways.  If you really want to get official, have a meeting with the council to discuss and request an explanation.  Don't let the council just push you around.