Unit Money-Earning Application
The Unit Money-Earning Application is an often forgotten form. Some deliberately avoid it because it is felt that the Local Council has no business knowing about a local unit's finances. There is a fear that the Local Council may use the financial information to target units or individuals for fund raising efforts or for making a determination on the awarding of Scouterships. Lets face it, no unit that I have been involved with has had enough money to justify any type of cash grab. While the nature of some of the questions on the form may justify suspicion, the benefits of completion far outweigh any possible consequences.
The form offers legal protections to the Scouting Unit and the Scouters involved. If your project involves another commercial vendor as many sales fund raisers do, the vendor is vetted by the local council. By vetting, the council insures that the merchandise provider actually provides a quality product and that the company is reliable. There have been instances where the Scouts acted in good faith, took orders, collected and forwarded money, and were left on the hook when their company partner vanished. Filing the money earning application will reduce the risk of this happening, and if it does happen, will bring the Council in as your partner in getting the issue resolved.
The Council should also check to insure that no local laws are being violated. Some jurisdictions may have local ordinances regarding certain activities. Depending on the type of project and the locality, itinerant merchant permits, food handling permits, or demonstration permits may be required. Not all Scouters are well versed on these procedures and may inadvertently find themselves breaking the law with their project.
Finally, the Council should check to see that no local merchants would be harmed by the fund raiser. Community good will is important to the Scouting Organization as a whole and to your unit and few things undermine goodwill more than seeing someone help themselves to a part of your livelihood.
