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Greater Western Reserve Council |
| Steve Bales Council President |
Gary A. Erlinger Council Executive |
Bill Dunne, Council Commissioner |
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|
Greater Western Reserve Council |
| Steve Bales Council President |
Gary A. Erlinger Council Executive |
Bill Dunne, Council Commissioner |
UNIT GIFTS AND TAX EXEMPT STATUS
UNIT GIFTS AND TAX EXEMPT STATUS
Boy Scouts of America
Issue of Tax Exempt Status
The Boy Scouts of America is a public charity, tax exempt under IRC Sec. 501 (c)(3). An IRS group exemption allows us to extend this tax exempt status to "subordinate organizations" – this includes all BSA local councils and approved local council trusts.
It has been the long-standing position of the IRS and the BSA that units – such as packs, troops, teams, posts, and crews – are NOT covered by the BSA's group exemption, and that the BSA's tax exempt status under IRC Sec. 501(c)(3) does NOT extend to units. Units are not, in themselves, legal entities. They are chartered to partner organizations of the BSA such as churches, PTAs and civic groups. Since a unit is "owned" by its chartering organization, each unit takes its tax status from that organization. Units are NOT subordinate organizations of the Boy Scouts of America.*
For more information download the Updated Policy: Tax Exempt Status
GWRC BUDGET GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Council has issued two new documents to assist volunteers who are involved with planning events and the budgets that go with them. These documents are intended to assist volunteers in the understanding of the budget process and the need for forecasting income and expenses for events. The "GUIDELINES" document provides details for the budget process, the "HIGHLIGHTS" document give a brief overview of the information.
Requests for more information or questions may be directed to the Council Staff Professional Advisor for the event of the Council Service Center.
POLICY ON SCOUT PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL EVENTS
| SUBJECT: | POLICY ON SCOUT PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL EVENTS |
| Date | October 2, 1980 |
| From: | J. L. Tarr, Chief Scout Executive |
| To: | Scout Executives, Regional Directors, Area Directors |
| Purpose. | To restate the BSA's long-standing policy on the use of Scouts in political rallies and other political events. |
| Background. | Inquiries from the field and the appearance of uniformed Scouts on national television at political rallies suggests the need for a restatement of our policy on the use of Scouts in political activities. |
| Policy. | In this presidential election year, volunteers and professionals must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory.
Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance, however they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support. |
| Action. | Chartered organizations and unit leaders immediately should be informed of this policy. Questions on the interpretation of this policy may be referred to David K. Park, national legal counsel, or Russ Bufkins, director of public relations |
International Travel by BSA Units
With the current troubled international situation, you may receive questions regarding international travel planned by your Scout unit.
The procedures in place for BSA Scout units to travel abroad including filing a BSA National Tour Permit with a Scout unit's local council. This permit must be approved by the local council and forwarded to the appropriate BSA regional office for final approval. Once approved, the unit may proceed to plan their tour. (National Tour Permits must be submitted at a minimum 30 days prior to planned departure)
While touring public places abroad, it is suggested that BSA members not wear the BSA uniform. This is to avoid calling unnecessary attention to their group. However, BSA members should feel free to wear their BSA uniform while engaging in Scout-sponsored activities with other Scouts.
The final decision for a BSA Scout unit to make a trip abroad lies with the Scout unit's committee and the parents of the Scouts involved. There is an excellent source to help determine the safety of traveling abroad through The U.S. State Department's Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets
If there continues to be a concern surrounding the health and safety of Scouts traveling abroad, then logic dictates that tour plans be altered. . .including cancellation of the tour.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS BSA
From its beginning, the Scouting movement has taught youth to do their best, to do their duty to God and country, to help others, and to prepare physically, mentally, and morally to meet these goals. The basic aims of Scouting include teaching youth to take care of themselves, to be helpful to others, and to develop courage, self-reliance, and the will to be ready to serve in an emergency.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has asked the Boy Scouts of America to encourage families, on a continuing basis, to be prepared in case of a national emergency.
To see an overview of the program, Emergency Preparedness BSA beginning Tuesday, April 8, 2003, it will be on the BSA Web site, www.scouting.org.
An important part of this program is the award, a full-color pin, that can be worn on civilian clothes or centered on the left pocket flap of the Scout uniform. The award can be earned now with orders being filled by Supply Division starting in early June. Other support items will be sent to councils during early May.
Harris Interactive Volunteer Outcomes Study
Greater Western Reserve Council volunteers participated in a study conducted by Harris Interactive. The purpose of the Volunteer Outcomes Study is to examine how adult volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) serve families and communities. Building on previous research, which included focus groups and a pilot study conducted by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, this research identifies the benefits of adult volunteering. Specifically, the survey focused on six broad areas:
This report explores the findings in these six areas, comparing each council to the national average. Please note that the percentage of respondents for whom each question is applicable has been included for each item. An asterisk (*) signifies a value of less than one-half percent. A dash represents a value of zero. Percentages may not always add up to 100% because of computer rounding, the acceptance of multiple answers from respondents answering that question, or the exclusion of respondents who declined to answer.
The executive summary of this study is available for your review. The full study will be on line soon. Harris Volunteer Outcomes Study Executive Summary
How to handle Registration Transfers:
It is suggested that the Committee Chair OR Unit Leader request a Roster for your unit each spring after the transfers have taken place; this will insure no one is missed!
Advancements update:
Please submit "New Scout " dates for all Boys Scouts in your Troop who do not currently have a date listed. The new system will not print a boys merit badges on the Council Advancement Report if he does not also have a rank listed - the easiest way to alleviate this problem is to be sure all your scouts have a NEW SCOUT date entered in our system. If you have any questions please call Ethel at 330-898-8474 x 25.
Registered Unit Leaders may request a report for their units from the Council office for Advancement or Unit Membership. Please use the Council Report Request form and forward it to the Council Service Center. Advancement Report Requests can be emailed to Penny Ext 12 p.shaffer@bsa-gwrc.org, Unit Rosters may be requested from Ethel Ext 25 e.mills@bsa-gwrc.org
Americans Support Boy Scout Values
By standing firm on traditional values, the Boy Scouts of America has become a target of gay activists. They have targeted national corporations, foundations, and United Ways, which have traditionally supported our program to serve underprivileged youth.
Amid much of the rhetoric, independent research provides a perspective of Americans’ attitudes toward the BSA and its values.
A January 2001 survey by Rasmussen Research revealed that 75% of American adults continue to have a “favorable” opinion of the Boy Scouts. In addition, findings from sources such as the Gallup/CNN/USA Today Poll, Zogby International, and Princeton Survey Research Associates/Newsweek, as well as internal research of the BSA, all reveal that Americans support the Boy Scouts’ volunteer leadership policy.
The following are statistics from studies released since the Supreme Court’s June 2000 decision.
¡Scouting! . . . Vale la Pena. (It's Worth the Effort)
For Hispanic American Families
Demographically, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts that by 2004 Hispanic Americans will outnumber African Americans, becoming the largest minority ethnic group in the nation. By 2050, one in four people residing in the United States will be of Hispanic descent. According to Strategy Research Corp., the median age among the 32.4 million U.S. Hispanics is 24.8 years, and 34.4 percent of U.S. Hispanics-roughly a third of the population-are younger than age 18.
These compelling statistics have motivated the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to enhance its efforts to share Scouting's character-building program in a way that's culturally sensitive to Hispanic American families. Scouting has been described by many Hispanic Americans as an excellent tool for cultural acclimation and that Scouting's values are consistent with those of the Hispanic culture.
In the wake of the Boy Scouts of America's 90th Anniversary, several nationally-recognized Hispanic organizations have endorsed the Scouting program. They include:
Antonia Hernández, president and general counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, had this to share in her endorsement letter:
" . . . As a mother of two sons, I am proud to have had both of them in the Boy Scouts. My oldest son achieved Eagle Scout status and is now enjoying a productive first year in college. I am aware of the positive benefits which come from membership in the Boy Scouts of America and am pleased to support this worthy organization."
The Most Rev. Patrick F. Flores, archbishop of San Antonio and a board member of the Alamo Area Council, best summarizes the spirit of BSA's marketing efforts in the Hispanic American community. He says, "The Hispanic community in the United States is not a problem to be solved, but a people to be loved, and a market to be tapped."
In an effort to make involvement in Scouting easier for Hispanic American families, the BSA's Scoutreach Division has produced a wealth of Spanish language resource materials that include training videos, pamphlets, fliers, and public service announcements. All are designed to make it easier for first-generation Hispanic American parents to understand the Scouting program and its benefits to families. Most are available in a bilingual format, which is an added benefit for parents interested in learning English.
Unit Management Software Guidlines
The Greater Western Reserve Council has released new guidlinse for units wishing to use Unit Management Software which will interface with the new ScoutNet system. Our Council Registrar, Ethel Mills, has provided information for units which is available here. GWRC Guidlines
It comes as quite a surprise to many donors that, after all these years of making gifts to the BSA, there is now a way for them to get back money from the BSA. It is a common type of a gift called a gift annuity that makes this possible for you and other donors.
The gift annuity is simply a contract between you and Boy Scouts of America. You make a gift of cash, stocks, bonds, or any number of other items of property. In return, the BSA agrees to pay you a guaranteed annual annuity for the rest of your life. If you are married, the annuity can also be paid to your spouse for life as well. The annuity amount depends on your age -- the older you are, the larger the annuity you will receive each year.
In addition to the annual income (part of which is often tax free, by the way), you also receive an income tax charitable deduction the year you make the gift annuity. Your gift to the council can be large or small, and the gift annuity is very simple to create.
Contact us for more information about the gift annuity. You won't look at giving to Scouting in the same way again!
"WE CAN PAY YOU NOW OR PAY YOU LATER"
One of the great things about Scouting is the way its programs merge traditional methods with innovative approaches. Our endowment program is no exception. Many donors are using deferred gift annuities to make their gifts to our council, while at the same time benefiting themselves and their families.
The deferred gift annuity is very much like the standard annuity: it offers guaranteed lifetime income payable by the Boy Scouts of America to the donor, the income is partially tax free, and the donor receives an income tax charitable deduction as soon as the gift is made. The only difference: the income is deferred to a future date of your choosing. It is perfect for donors who want additional income at retirement, or at a time when income from other sources drops off.
Deferring your income from the gift annuity increases your annuity amount and gives you a larger tax deduction than the regular gift annuity. It also provides a sizeable gift to your local council to benefit Scouting in your area. The deferred gift annuity is easy to create, and it can be created with cash or almost any kind of property.
Contact us for more information on this and other income-producing plans that benefit you, your family, and Scouting. We have plans that can pay you now, and plans that can pay you later!
The Garden Wall is a memorial honoring the service of those who have given selflessly of themselves. The Garden Wall give you an opportunity to be a part of the new Coleman-Miller Council Service Center of the Greater Western Reserve Council. Purchase a brick in The Garden Wall in honor or memory of the service of a loved one, Scout Leader, Eagle Scout, etc.
Service to God & Country
Recognizing the first part of the Cub Scout Promise, the Scout Oath, and the Venture Code, these 8" X 8" bricks will be placed on the face or rear of the wall itself. Each brick may have up to six lines of text with twelve characters per line. Contribution - $250 each.
Service to Others
Recognizing our second obligation to service, that of service to other, these 4" X 8" bricks will accomodate up to three lines of text, (twelve characters per line). They will also be mounted on the wall itself. Contribution - $100.00 each
Service to Self
Recognizing an obligation to care for ourselves by keeping "physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight," these "paver bricks" will be found surrounding the wall as you walk up to it. These 4" X 8" bricks will also accomodate three lines of text of twelve characrters. Contribution - $50.00 each