They can’t turn it in. The check is made out to the ward, and I put our troop number on the donation slip. I also included a note explaining that the money was to go to the groups in our ward.

LOL, annegb.

I didn’t know about the exorbitant salaries of BSA execs until that story hit the wires.

The next time they come knocking I will be following suit.

I’ve got no dog in this hunt. Just another Eagle Scout who thoroughly enjoyed scouting and is now really bummed after reading #5.

#occupyBSA

#5 Anita, What the heck?
I thought that scouting awards were supposed to come out of the same budget as scouting registrations which is completely separate from the Ward Budget and the Young Men’s budget. That makes me even less in favor of Scouting for Money than I already was.

arJ, your experience with your neighbor just shows that the YM Pres who sent the email to his ward members did the right thing. No one should be asked to contribute to something without having the facts, and there is no way to get the accurate facts unless those who know them tell the ward members. Even those who are asked to head the FOS drive are often ignorant. It seems intentionally so.

Ah…., sorry, I missed that; wow, had no clue. The guy down the street who’s the scout exec down here no way makes that kind of money. We’re supporting the CEO, not the program.

I’m not really understanding what you mean in the last paragraph? Did you mean Young Men and not YW? What’s any of that got to do with fast offerings? I frankly don’t like the FOS drive. But I donate because if the church is actually asking for it on such a large scale, the Lord’s servants must feel it is worthwhile — despite its certain many imperfections.

I suppose it’s also recognition that I really should be willing to detach myself from “my wealth” and freely give it when called upon. I don’t begrudge donating, I just don’t fully realize the value like others of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to executive incomes when the church could easily duplicate and improve upon scouting within the YM program itself in a matter of weeks for a fraction of the cost.

Typing all that out for the first time, I get the sense that perhaps the church is not just interested in what scouting can do for the church youth (as we can easily do that with our own programs), but perhaps the immense good the BSA does for all those other youths that are involved. Viewed in that light, it’s like we’re supporting an organization that helps train up other good young men in many other faiths. Surely if the church pulled out of scouting, the BSA as a whole would suffer financially, which would have an impact on thousands of other non-member kids.

Of course… I’m not one to judge if that’s sufficient reasoning as we all know there are many other better ways to help kids around the world. Not to mention the lack of comparable support for girls organizations (outside of the church).

Thanks for explaining. I guess the fast offering was just confusing me when mixed in with the rest. If there is one thing we have a doctrinal obligation to generously give it’s definitely through fast offerings.

Someone just came by for FOS and so I looked up the SLTrib article again (after reading it when it was first published). I’m wondering if the the clerk or anyone has ever contacted you about donating directly to the troop using a tithing slip? I’m thinking this is how I’d rather donate.

Thanks

That is what I mean, annegb. The original posted said that the (ward financial) clerk hadn’t contacted them about accounting difficulties. I was just wondering, since the post was made if the clerk had contacted them.

I would like to donate to the troop using a tithing slip and I was just wondering if it had caused issues and if anyone in the bishopric had asked them about it.

Here it is another year and another opportunity to go out and seek donations for Friends of Scouting. While, I’ve had some mixed feelings over the last couple of years, I will be participating as a volunteer and as a donator. Here’s how I’ve reconciled my feelings:

I had a wonderful experience as a scout. I was blessed with great leaders. I made eagle with their help. They taught the Scout Oath and Scout Law. I have had the opportunity to work with Scouts in leadership situations for the last 25+ years. I have seen how scouting can have an impact on young men. In my opinion, the BSA can find a way to make money like any other “business” to pay their employees. But I have been asked to help not only by the BSA but by my church. So I’ve really thought about the eagle oath that says “I will give back more to scouting than it has given to me.” And the Scout Law that says I will be helpful, kind, obedient, and cheerful. Then I read in the bible about not coveting and realize that if I worry about what some scout executive is making and that he makes it through donations–well, I decided that’s okay and I’m not going to covet the money or be jealous that that is what they make. I’m just going to count helping and donating as my way of doing a a few “good turns daily” and let it go at that. My church teaches to pay tithes and offerings. I’m counting my donation to FOS as one of those offerings. If it blesses someone elses life, then it makes me happy.