Woman Scouts membership charges might improve 240%

WASHINGTON — The annual charge to take part within the Ladies Scouts might quickly greater than triple in value. 

The Woman Scouts of the USA’s Nationwide Council will vote Saturday on whether or not to lift the price of membership dues for the primary time in eight years. 

The present charge is $25. The Nationwide Board of Woman Scouts USA has beneficial an $85 membership charge that might be phased in over three years, in accordance with proposal paperwork posted on-line by varied Woman Scout councils. 

The Woman Scouts say the 240% improve is required to keep away from having to reduce or eradicate a few of the group’s companies. 

“Woman Scouting should make investments at present to higher serve our present members and to achieve women who’re presently lacking out on the Woman Scout expertise,” a delegate workbook for Saturday’s Nationwide Council Session states. 

The group has stated that monetary help can be out there to assist native councils across the nation and guarantee all members can take part. 

If authorised, the value will increase can be phased in, with the biggest improve coming within the first yr: Dues would leap from $25 to $68 in membership yr 2026, $77 in 2027 and $85 in 2028. Membership for adults would improve from $25 to $45 underneath the proposal. 

“These measures will be certain that Woman Scouts can proceed to thrive and serve extra women whereas addressing monetary challenges and holding the group robust for future generations,” the delegate workbook defined. 

Woman Scouts membership is down whereas prices are up, the group stated in its reasoning for the charge improve proposal. The group expects to finish the fiscal yr with a $5.6 million deficit after additionally ending final yr within the pink, and stated it could possibly now not cowl an working shortfall with its monetary reserves. Protecting membership dues at $25 would “require dramatic cuts in companies” and passing on extra prices to native councils, it stated. 

Woman Scouts’ nationwide delegates will vote on the charge improve proposals at a digital particular session on Saturday, October 19. 

Woman Scouts of the USA had not but responded to a request for remark at time of publication.