1. “The Future of Membership Fees” in the 1 st Kirkby Scout Group Extraordinary General Meeting of the Group Scout Council Monday 21 st March 2011

2. Agenda Running costs of the group Current membership fee arrangements Current issues Potential solutions Break for refreshments Open discussion on the issue Vote

3. Scout Group running costs Annual Membership Subscription Building costs Administration costs Programme costs

4. Annual Membership Subscription (AMS or Capitation) This is paid to Altside District each year based on the number of members we have It pays for: –Public Liability Insurance –Personal Accident and Medical Cover –Services provided by District, County and National HQ

5. Annual Membership Subscription (AMS or Capitation) This year the AMS fee was £32 per person: –for all Beavers, Cubs and Scouts (34) –for all adult leaders (7) The total bill was £1312 The shortfall this year at 31 st January was ~£200

6. Building costs In the last financial year we spent over £1100 on the operation and maintenance of the Kirkby Scout Centre; This will have risen during this financial year to in excess of £1800; The cost will continue to rise with the increasing cost of utilities.

7. Administration costs For instance: –Newsletter production –Letters, forms and information packs –IT costs

8. Programme costs For example: –Badges –Arts and games supplies –Transportation –Miscellaneous costs

9. Current membership fees set-up First two weeks are free £15 joining fee on 3 rd week £2.50 subscriptions each week thereafter Based on a 40 week provision, potentially £100 a year There is currently no charge for weeks were a Beaver/Cub/Scout is absent

10. Impact of current subs set-up Missed in the autumn term alone: –34 Beaver absences = £85 –48 Cub absences = £120 –52 Scout absences = £130 –Total = £335 Income reduced by up to a ¼ of full attendance Baseline financial stability of the Scout Group undermined

11. Impact of current subs set-up The collection of subs impacts on the running of our weekly meetings: –Consumes time at the beginning of the night –Late arrivals cause delays to the running of the programme –Non-payments when a member attends creates administrative headaches in subsequent weeks THIS SLIDE IS AN ADDITION TO THE PRESENTATION GIVEN AT THE EGM, BUT THIS MATTER WAS RAISED

12. Covering the cost Over the past 2-3 years we have been kept afloat by a start-up grant and the return of the Kirkby Trust Fund from Knowsley Scout District We need to ensure future financial stability by having a fair membership fees system

13. Financial aim Basic running costs should be covered by membership fees: –It ensures we can run at least a baseline programme of activities –It allows any additional funds to be used for enhancing the number and quality of activities we can provide We must ensure that our Scout Group can support future growth

14. OPTION 1 – Termly subs Pay £33 at the start of each term Total of £99 per year –vs. current £100 at £2.50 a week for 40 weeks Abolish Joining Fee If you have more than one child in the group, payments can be staggered through the term

15. OPTION 2 – Monthly subs Pay £10 each month, except for Dec. and Aug. Total of £100 per year –vs. current £100 at £2.50 a week for 40 weeks Abolish Joining Fee If you have more than one child in the group, payments can be staggered through the month

16. OPTION 3 – Altered weekly subs First two weeks still free £2.50 each week thereafter Total of £100 based on a 40 week year Pay for all absent weeks, with the option to spread any multiple absent weeks over time –e.g. 2 weeks absent: pay £5 for the next two present weeks

17. Drinks and Biscuits & time to chat!

18. DISCUSSION & DEBATE Time for the

19. The options Vote in favour or against options from 1 to 4 in order: –OPTION 1 – Termly subs –OPTION 2 – Monthly subs –OPTION 3 – Altered weekly subs

20. OPTION 1 – Termly subs Pay £33 at the start of each term Total of £99 per year –vs. current £100 at £2.50 a week for 40 weeks Abolish Joining Fee If you have more than one child in the group, payments can be staggered through the term

21. OPTION 2 – Monthly subs Pay £10 each month, except for Dec. and Aug. Total of £100 per year –vs. current £100 at £2.50 a week for 40 weeks Abolish Joining Fee If you have more than one child in the group, payments can be staggered through the month

22. OPTION 3 – Altered weekly subs First two weeks still free £2.50 each week thereafter Total of £100 based on a 40 week year Pay for all absent weeks, with the option to spread any multiple absent weeks over time –e.g. 2 weeks absent: pay £5 for the next two present weeks

23. THANK YOU Your support this evening has been literally invaluable