Beginning January 1, 2003, the Boy Scouts of America will increase its registration fee from $7.00 to $10.00 per year for traditional members.  This increase will affect youth and adults registering in packs, troops, teams, crews, ships, and council and district volunteers.  The last time traditional registration fees were raised was 14 years ago.  Even in an era of moderate inflation, that is a long time not to have an increase.

1. When will the fee increase be effective?
The fee increase will be effective January 1, 2003.
2. What is the fee increase?
The fee will increase from $7.00 to $10.00 per year for any traditional membership and be prorated at 85  cents per month.
3. Will the December charter renewals be affected by the increase?
Yes, the December charter renewals will be affected by the fee increase because their  new membership  effective date is January 1, 2003.
4. Will all traditional adult fees increase?
Yes, the registration fee will increase to $10.00 per year for all traditional adults.  This includes adults that  are registered in packs, troops, teams, crews, and ships, and council/district volunteers.
5. Will the transfer fee remain the same?
Yes, the transfer fee will remain at $1.00.
6.  Will the charter fee remain the same?
Yes, the charter fee will remain at $20.00.

Considering the many positive benefits of Scouting and the costs of other programs for youth (I.e. sports) Scouting membership is truly a GREAT value.

October 11 "Show and Sell" orders due in office
October 25 Units pick up "Show and Sell" orders
October 26 Popcorn sale begins subject to local   United Way approval
December 1 Popcorn sale ends
December 2 Popcorn "Take Orders" may be submitted   to Council.
December 7 Popcorn "Take Orders" due in Council   Service Center or Super Saturday location   by noon.  Fax (989) 662-4465
December 7 All unsold "Show and Sell" popcorn   MUST be returned at Super Saturday   location.  All sold "Show and Sell"   popcorn MUST be paid for to qualify   for bonus commission.
December 14 Take Order" popcorn picked up and   paid for with a post-dated check cash  able by 12/23/2002.  All popcorn    accounts are closed.  All accounts must   be paid for to qualify for bonus    commission.
December 23  POPCORN CHECKS WILL BE    CASHED

Popcorn sales in the Lake Huron Area Council are scheduled to start on October 26, 2002.  This sale is a show and sell/take order sale.  Popcorn sales provide an opportunity for your Scouting youth to earn large profits to support your unit's program.  As you are planning your 2003 summer program, please include popcorn sales as a method to earn the revenue needed to support your upcoming activities.  Lake Huron Area Council's 215 units collectively earned over $215,000 for their treasuries (an average of $1,000 per Scouting unit) from the 2001 Fall Popcorn Sale.
The 2002 Fall Popcorn Sale includes eight products, which may be ordered individually or by the case.  Check out our new items.  The 24 Pack Microwave (has 6 each of butter light, butter, unbelievable butter, and the new kettle corn).  The 3-way tin has caramel corn, white cheddar cheese corn, and cheddar cheese corn.

                 Amount due
        Item              Unit          Council per
Item                  Cost            Profit      individual item            Bonus*
2.5# Popping Tin    $  7.00  $ 2.00  $ 5.00       .25                       
12 oz Caramel Corn with Peanuts  $  7.00  $ 2.00  $ 5.00                  .25
12 pack Light microwave   $10.00         $ 2.75  $ 7.25                  .50   
12 pack Butter    $10.00         $ 2.75  $ 7.25                  .50   
28 oz Caramel Corn      $15.00         $ 4.00  $11.00                 .75   
24 oz Chocolate Caramel Crunch  $15.00         $ 4.00  $11.00                 .75                 
24 pack Microwave     $25.00  $7.00  $18.00     1.25
  6 each: butter light, butter, unbelievable butter and kettle corn
3 way tin, with caramel corn,   $30.00         $ 8.00  $22.00      1.50
         white cheddar cheese corn and cheddar cheese corn
*Bonus checks will be deposited into qualifying unit accounts by Jan 31, 2003.

Please complete the Sale Commitment Card to indicate your unit's intention of participation in the 2002 Fall Popcorn Sale.  The boys in your pack or troop deserve to have the quality program which participation in the 2002 Fall Popcorn Sale can provide.  Please fill out and return unit commitment card on page 5 of this issue to the Council Service Center ASAP.