Friends of Scouting

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Here is a note from the Council:

The 2007 Friends of Scouting campaign begins in December. The brochures are in and we are getting ready to go. Friends of Scouting (FOS) funds raised by a council (like TAC) support council/district programs and provide the infrastructure to support our organization. We need to raise $183,000 to sustain our programs next year. Over the past 4 years over a Quarter of a Million Dollars has been cut from our annual Morale Welfare and Recreation Grant. It is important that each unit be presented with information on the campaign. Each unit committee should appoint a member to work with the District FOS Chairperson to help get the word out to our families. When we have a chance to tell our story our families are very generous.

 We will also recognize individuals for their contributions. Our 2007 recognition plan is as follows:

·         $1000 or more, a special TAC Guardian Club Jacket

·         $500 to $999, the set of 12 replica council shoulder patches celebrating countries in TAC past and present

·         $250 to $499, TAC Friends of Scouting coin with original TAC logo and flags of countries we serve

·         $100 to $249  TAC Council Shoulder Strip “A Scout is Kind”

·         $50 to $99 Special TAC Friends of Scouting patch

·         Any contribution, our thanks for helping us to continue to make a difference

Our units will also be recognized. The 2007 Unit Recognition Program is known as the Presidential Unit Program hopes to acknowledge the effort of our unit leadership. Here are the basics:

For units that average $30 per family and have at least 30% of registered families participating, you will receive a 10% discount on all unit purchases at the TAC Scout Shop from the time you achieve the goal and 30 June 2007

For units that average $52 per family and have at least 30% of registered families participating, you will receive a 10% discount on all unit purchases at the TAC Scout Shop from the time you achieve the goal and 29 February 2008

 Each District has a goal for 2007

Barbarossa     $21,500

Charlemagne  $32,000

Edelweiss       $30,000

Horizon           $ 8,500

Mayflower       $53,000

Mediterranean $ 8,000

Rheingold        $30,000

Transatlantic Council: $183,000

The funds raised are vital to be able to continue to provide the following:

4 full time professional Scouters and one part-time field representative

1 part time staff member that makes sure the mail gets out and is delivered to the office.

4 full time administrative and program staff and 2 full time staff in our Scout Shop

3 Scout Camps*

Day Camps and District Activities*

District/Council Training programs*

*although fees are charged for activities and each activity should be self-sustaining, without professional accountability no program or activity may be offered above the unit level.

 To find out more about Friends of Scouting and view some of the support literature including the 2007 brochure link to www.tac-bsa.org/finance/fos.htm