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What's Hot from National November 23, 2009 BSA announces Scuba Diving Merit Badge Start with a dash of swimming skills (the Swimming merit badge). Add equal measures of aquatics first aid, safety, and conservation. Click here to download Scuba Diving Merit Badge brochure. August 24, 2009 Registration Fee Increase The National Boy Scouts of America Board voted in May to increase the traditional youth and adult registration fee to $15.00 from $10.00.  The last time the registration fee was changed was in 2003 when the fee went from $7.00 to $10.00.  All units, except Exploring Post will be required to pay the $15.00 fee at re-charter time this year (December).  You are required to pay this fee because your new charter will take effect January 1, 2010.   Please understand that the entire youth and adult registration fee goes directly to the National Office.  The Boy's Life fee will remain $12.85 per year.  From Wayne Brock, Assistant Chief Scout Executive/COO: "The BSA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution at the business meeting on May 22 to increase the traditional membership registration fee for all youth and adults to $15 from its current $10, effective Jan. 1, 2010. The last fee increase, which was from $7 to $10, was in 2003. The Exploring fee remains $10." A great deal of thought and consideration went into this decision by both the Executive Board and the Membership Fee Task Force led by National Commissioner Tico Perez. Consideration was given to an expected deficit to the National Council operating budget, the impact to program and council support, the necessary funding required over the next several years, the cost of implementing fee increases annually in systems and forms, as well as the overall fees paid by councils. Input was sought and received from staff and volunteers at the council level. Finally, given all these considerations, it was determined that the best approach was to increase the fee to the level chosen and make every effort to hold that level for a period of at least three years. August 20, 2009 BSA MUST READ WINTER SPORTS SAFETY – HELMETS While it is the end of August and school is just beginning, I would like to advise you of an upcoming change to the Winter Sports Safety section of the Guide to Safe Scouting,   Currently, Section 3 states that "Suitable clothing for the activity and environment should be worn at all times, and equipment should include gloves and helmets when appropriate."   Based upon the review of General Liability claims history, along with a recommendation by the Risk Management Advisory Panel (two Scout executives from each region), and input from the Health and Safety Support Committee, the following change will be made to the Guide to Safe Scouting and published as an Alert on Scouting Safely.   "Appropriate personal protective equipment is required for all activities. This includes the recommended use of helmets for all participants engaged in winter sports such as sledding and other sliding devices. The use of helmets is required for the following activities: downhill skiing, snowboarding, and operation of snowmobiles (full-face helmets)." I would like to remind you that when units engage in winter sports, they should only use designated areas where rocks, tree stumps, and other potential obstacles have been identified and marked, cleared away, shielded, or buffered in some way.   Archives August 2009 November 2009

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