WHAT COSTS ARE INVOLVED?
Each Scout Group is self-funding and determines what fees are charged and how fund raising is undertaken. Emerald Scout Group charges the same fee each term which includes the Scouts Victoria fee, the Group fee and section subs.
The following table shows the components of Emerald Scout Group as of the start of Term 3 2017. It is anticipated that these fees will apply for 2017-2018 financial year but Fees may be adjusted if the need arises. Term Fees are due prior to registration and approximately 2 weeks after the start of each term:
| Section | Scouts Victoria fee | District fee | Group fee | Section fee (subs) | Total | Fees per term |
| Joeys | $228.00 | $20 | $100.00 | $80.00 | $428.00 | $107.00 |
| Cubs | $228.00 | $20 | $100.00 | $100.00 | $448.00 | $112.00 |
| Scouts | $228.00 | $20 | $100.00 | $100.00 | $448.00 | $112.00 |
| Venturers | $228.00 | $20 | $100.00 | $0.00 2 | $348.00 | $87.00 |
| Rovers 1 | $228.00 | $20 | $0.00 3 | $0.00 2 | $248.00 | N/A |
Notes: 1 Rover Fees are paid annually before 30th June. 2 Section fees are not collected on behalf of Venturers or Rovers. 3 Rover use of facilities fee is separately negotiated.
Upon registration for a new member and at the start of July each year the Group pays the Scouts Victoria Membership Fee for each youth member. The Groups fees are structured so that the Group is reimbursed the Scouts Victoria membership fee through 4 equal term payments. This averages out the payments required by families. Occasionally a youth member leaves Scouting, takes leave of absence for a term or transfers to another Group during the year. For a leave of absence of one term the Group Fee and Subs will be waived but the prorata Scouts Victoria fees will need to be paid for that term. If a youth member leaves scouting or transfers to another Scout Group the balance of the Scouts Victoria (and any overdue group fees) is payable to the Group. Families are required to acknowledge this arrangement by completing the attached Acknowledgement of fee payment arrangements form prior to registration of a new member and renewal of registration each June.
Emerald Scout Group also charges a once only new membership fee of $20. This fee assists the Group meet the costs associated with a new member such as scarf, badges and section book. For example a new cub would need to pay the $112 term fee and $20 new member fee in order to be registered into scouting. There are other costs involved in scouting including uniform and activities such as camps. These costs vary between sections and you should discuss these costs with the Section Leader. These additional fees are quite low for Joeys and Cubs but are larger for Scouts.
Discounts
The Group provides discounts for Leaders’ children and also where there are 2 or more youth members in one family registered at Emerald. Payment plans can be arranged upon request.
A separate fee relief policy is available which integrates into the Scouts Victoria fee relief policy.
Paying Group Fees
Group fees are to be paid directly into the Group Bank account. Payments must NOT be made to Leaders, Committee members nor direct to section bank accounts or to Scouts Victoria. Our procedures are that payment must be made prior to registration being completed. You will be invoiced for your new member fees after the first week of trialling scouting and then at about the start of each term.
Our banking details are:
Scouts Australia Victorian Branch 1st Emerald Scout Group
Bendigo Bank
BSB 633 000 ACCOUNT NUMBER 128846128.
Payments can also be made at any Bendigo Bank (Cockatoo is closest) or at the Emerald Mitre10 agency. Please include the reference number on deposit slip and ask for a receipt.