Cherokee/Pickens District
Atlanta Area Council, BSA

Friends of Scouting

For questions about or to sign your Unit up for a Friends of Scouting presentation contact:
Finance Chairman - Myles Alfonso - 678-480-7080

Dear Unit Committee Chairperson, Scoutmaster, and Advisors:

Two important things adults can give to Scouting is their time and treasures. There is little doubt that you give ample amounts of your time to the Scouting program. One of the most important but least talked about areas of Scouting is related to finances.

Simply put, the Scouting program depends on an operating budget to support the camps, professional support staff, and the Volunteer Service Center. One third of the budget is funded through donations from parents, Scout leaders, community organizations and other "Friends of Scouting". When compared to sports or other activities that our kids are involved with, Scouting is a good financial deal!

For the past several years, people from our District have been very generous with their financial contributions, this year was no different. In spite of this generosity our District continues to fall short of our goal. In 2009 we reached only 50% of our goal. The differences were offset by other Districts in the Council that exceeded their goals. Together, with limited effort, we can change the financial picture, meet our funding goals, and provide opportunities for youth.

As a leader you can:

1) Encourage participation for every family in the "Friends of Scouting" 2010 campaign that begins now. Remember that even small donations from many people make a big difference.

2) Identify a person in your Unit to be the Friends of Scouting Champion.

3) Provide the date of your NEXT Court of Honor or Blue and Gold Banquet (some will take place this weekend! We can make it happen!).

Send the name of your Scouting Champion and event date to our District Finance Chairman: Myles Alfonso, mylesalfonso@comcast.net, 678-382-4996

Please reply to Myles even if you have made arrangements with the District Executive. This will ensure that your date is not missed.

What is Friends of Scouting?

Friends of Scouting is the annual campaign where the Atlanta Area Council asks Scouting families, businesses and civic-minded citizens to support our mission of providing the Scouting program to tens of thousands of young people in the Atlanta Area Council.

Why should I give to Friends of Scouting?

Friends of Scouting provides roughly one-quarter of the money needed to operate the Atlanta Area Council's Scouting camps, programs and facilities for a calendar year. These camping and training facilities are the "outdoor classrooms" in which Scouts have fun, learn leadership skills and develop into better young men and women. The Atlanta Area Council spends approximately $200 per Scout each year to deliver these benefits and much more.

I already paid my child's registration and his unit collects annual dues. Haven't I already supported Scouting?

Your child's registration fee goes directly to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America. If your child's Scout unit collects dues, that money stays with the unit to help pay for trips and other activities. None of that money helps the Atlanta Area Council pay for:

•Maintaining and staffing the council's 3 camping properties
•Training thousands of adult volunteer leaders in youth protection
•Providing programs like Cub Scout Resident Camp, Webelos Resident Camp, Cub Scout Family Camp, Cub World Days, Boy Scout Summer Camp, Green Bar Youth Leadership Training, Venturing Spring and Fall Activities
•Printing the fliers and forms and updating the Council website, to try and better inform you about upcoming Scouting events and programs.

We need your support

Please consider a gift to the Friends of Scouting campaign. Contact Finance Chairman, Myles Alfonso ,678-480-7080.

Choose Style

Search cpds.org

Join the District email list

Receive announcements, reminders, and the latest breaking news. Simply enter your email address then hit "Submit"

ScoutParents is part of the National Parenting Initiative. The intent is to provide parents with information and tools to help them understand their importance in becoming more involved with their Scouts.
Visit http://www.scoutparents.org