Membership Subscription Payments Policy

Every young member of the group is required to pay a membership subscription (Subs). These fees ensure that we can cover our costs.

What does the membership subscription cover?

Every young member of the group is required to pay a membership subscription (Subs). These fees ensure that we can cover our costs.
Included in the membership:

• The Scout Association requires members of Scout Groups to pay an annual Scout Association membership fee. It’s paid to the County and UK scout headquarters. This fee ensures that all members and leaders are fully insured, and other essential services such as leader training, is also covered.
• The cost of the day to day running of the group. This includes provisions for pack nights and badges, as well as the general running and maintaining of the scout hut, payments for utilities, building and contents insurance, and the purchase of new equipment.

Please note:

• The cost of camps, events and other extra activities are not included in the subs. When running events, activities and camps we try to run them as close as possible to break even.
• All adults involved in the running of Sherburn Scout Group are unpaid volunteers

Payment of Subs

• The rate of the Subs is set annually by the Group Executive Committee.
• Subs are currently set at £150 per year and are paid across 3 instalments of £50. Instalments are due at the end of January, April and September every year.
• If there are any changes to the cost of the subs, parents/carers will be notified 4 weeks prior to when the next subs payment is due.
• New joiners to the group shall pay an investiture fee of £10. This covers the cost of supplying items for the investiture which includes group scarf, woggle and badges.
• The first subs payment will be due the term after investiture, then every term thereafter.
• Unless otherwise agreed, subs payments will be paid via Online Scout Manager (OSM).
• We are registered with HM Revenue and Customs to be able to claim back tax paid on subscriptions and Donations. This provides a great boost to our funds – we can claim up to 25p for every £1 received. We will seek to claim Gift Aid wherever possible. If you pay tax and are eligible, please complete the Gift Aid Declaration form on OSM.

Non-Payment of Subs

If the subs are not paid by the due date:

• You will receive an automated email reminders via OSM - You will receive a total of 3 reminders, which will be sent every 10 days. Reminders will stop once payment has been made.
• If after 30 days, the unpaid amount remains outstanding an email will be sent requesting payment to be made within 14 days.
• If the subs payment remains unpaid after 14 Days, and no arrangement has been agreed, a formal email will be sent terminating your child's membership.
• Upon membership being terminated, the space will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. Should you wish to re-join the group, you will need to enter the waiting list afresh.

If you have any queries regarding subs or have any issues in paying subs, please don’t hesitate to contact the Group Treasurer in confidence or speak to a section leader on a scouting night.