Fundraising/Uniform Question

[jac0033]

Our troop will assisting in parking cars at a golf tournament( no, they won't be driving) as a fundraiser. We split the parking fee with the tournament people. The scouts just collect the money and direct the cars to the lot.

The leaders of our troop are divided if the scouts should wear "class A" uniforms. I do not think they should. I do remember reading that the uniform should not worn for fundraising. I can't find the information to show the leaders. I personally think a brightly colored shirt would work better. What uniforms if any should they wear?

Your thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Mrw]

They should not be in uniform according to scout fundraising guidelines the way I understand it.

I like the idea of very bright shirts or vests to make sure they are very visible to drivers.

[jac0033]

I do agree, but where can I find the guidelines? I've search as many places that I can think of, and have only found what an "offical uniform" is.
I want to show the guidelines to the other leaders so they do not think that this is just my rule.

P.S.- MRW, from reading many of your posts, it seems we are in same location. Our troop also goes to Manatoc every year for summer camp. We will be there in week 5. Our troop is in Glacier Ridge.

Thanks for any feedback.

[DadScout]

The unit money earning application may help, it's found here -
http://www.scouting.org/forms/34427.pdf

The second page gets into some guidelines.

[jac0033]

Thanks Bill.
I see on page 2 it mentions that uniforms should be worn at scout activities and may be worn at council sponsored sales events. I do not think this would apply in our troops fundraiser.

This form is dated from BSA 1999, does anyone have something more current?

Thanks again Bill.

[Mrw]

I don't have a current reference to post, but our troop treasurer was reading the same thing to us off teh back of the current fundraising permit form a couple weeks ago.

Our troop will be at Manatoc the week of July 22-28. I will be off that week helping run a bike tour. Take a look at http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/xoba/

[jac0033]

MRW, Thanks, I will look on fundraising permit tonight.

The bike trek looks awesome. Our troop is looking into a biking/camping trip. Not sure how, where or when yet. Still in the planning phase.

[wagionvigil]

Off Topic but you folks from Cleveland might want to look at the bike trip from Pittsburgh to DC on the Great ALlegheny Passage,Yough River Trail and C&O Canal Trail

[PaulSWolf]

Looking at at the Unit Money Earning Application, I do NOT see where wearing of the uniform in the case in point (directing traffic in the parking lot at a golf tourney) would be against the rules. You're NOT selling a product. and you're NOT selling tickets to the event, just collecting the parking fees.

I'd fill in the application, answer "YES" to the question "Will your members be in uniform while carrying out this project", and submit it to the Council Office. and then ask Kenn Miller (the Scout Exec for GCC) to approve the application. If he says "YES, your plan is OK", then wearing the uniforms would be appropriate and would provide great publicity for Scouting. If he says "NO, no uniforms", then the boys just wear civilian clothes.

IN ANY CASE, speaking as a Traffic Safety professional, the Scouts should wear Fluorescent Orange Safety Vests while they're working in the lot.

BTW, I'm ALSO in the Greater Cleveland Council. I live in University Heights and work in Wickliffe.

[jac0033]

Paul, thanks for the info. I will do just as you mentioned. The vest are great idea as well. The scouts have flags to direct traffic, but the vests would be added visability. The parking lot is a big field so nobody drives very fast, but safety should not be overlooked. Do you know where we could borrow or rent vests? A scout is thrifty!

[Billiken]

As Paul notes, you're not selling a product.....

The BSA rule against wearing a uniform while selling a non-approved product is because it could give the impression that the BSA endorses the product.

[jac0033]

Thanks everyone, I so glad to Cleveland so well represented this early in the morning.

GO CAVS!!!!!!

[Mrw]

Off Topic but you folks from Cleveland might want to look at the bike trip from Pittsburgh to DC on the Great ALlegheny Passage,Yough River Trail and C&O Canal Trail

To add to your off-topic comment, we have seen scout troops on the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure as well. If you want supported touring, it would be pretty ideal.

[PaulSWolf]

Paul, thanks for the info. I will do just as you mentioned. The vest are great idea as well. The scouts have flags to direct traffic, but the vests would be added visability. The parking lot is a big field so nobody drives very fast, but safety should not be overlooked. Do you know where we could borrow or rent vests? A scout is thrifty!

Try calling the Euclid Service Department or ODOT District 12, or one of the highway construction companies, like Perk, Agresta, Allega, etc. or Traffic control companies, like Traff-Tech. They should be in the phone book.

[joat]

Chapter 15 of the Scoutmaster Handbook has a very clear discussion about when the uniform should not be worn. It doesn't mention directing cars at a golf tournament, so you'll have to also read the mission of BSA to make a determination.

[Billiken]

Wear the uniforms with the high-visibility colored safety vests

[riverwalk]

The leaders know the rules, because they've been trained and have the resources in their library, correct? And remember, they don't use the terms class A, or B. So go with the Unit's activity shirt (some still call "B").

[cescout]

I am pretty sure that it is located in the Scouting Handbook where it talks about the scout badge and how to wear your uniform.