The way in which a unit earns money to carry out its program is of great importance in the education of youth members in basic values.

Whenever your unit is planning a money-earning project, this checklist can serve as your guide. If your answer is yes to all the questions that follow, it is likely the project conforms with Scoutings standards and will be approved.

1. Have your unit committee and chartered organization approved your project, including the dates and the methods?

There should be a real need for earning money based on your units program. We should not engage in special money-earning projects merely because someone has offered us an attractive plan. Its well to remember that individual youth members are also expected to earn their own way. The need should be over and above normal budget items covered by dues.

2. Does your plan and the dates avoid competition with money-raising efforts and policies of your chartered organization, Scouting Council, United Way, and other units?

Check with your Chartered Organization Representative to see that your chartered organization agrees on the dates. He can also clear the other dates calling the council service center.

3. Is your plan in harmony with local ordinances, free from any stigma of gambling, and consistent with the ideals and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America?

Money-raising projects, which include the sale of raffle tickets, are in violation of this policy.

This question can be answered only in terms of specific proposals. If there is any question of its suitability, drop the project and find a better one for your unit.

4. If a commercial product is to be sold, will it be sold on its own merits and without reference to the needs of Scouting either directly (during sales presentation) or indirectly?

Teaching youth members to become self-reliant and to earn their own way is an integral part of training our youth members.

The official uniforms are intended primarily for use in connec- tion with the activities of the Scouting movement, but their use may be authorized by local Scouting officials under conditions and for purposes not inconsistent with the principles of Scouting and the Scouting program.

5. If tickets are sold for any function other than a Scouting event, will they be sold by our youth members as an individual without depending on the goodwill of Scouting to make this sale possible?

Tickets may be sold by youth members in uniform in the name of Scouting for such things as pack shows, troop suppers, circuses, expositions and similar Scouting events.

6. Even when sales are confined to parents and friends, will they get their moneys worth from any product they purchase, function they attend, or services they receive from your unit?

Here again is the principle of value receiveda sale standing on its own meritso that the recipients are not in any way subsidizing either Scouting or the member. Youth members must learn to pay their own way and to honestly earn the money to do it. You cannot permit anyone to capitalize on a Scouting connection or induce sympathy as a substitute for a worthy product or service.

7. If a project is planned for a particular area, do you respect the right of other Scouting units in the same neighborhood?

Its a courtesy to check with neighboring units to coordinate the time of your project and to see that you arent covering their territory. Your unit commissioner or service team member can help you with this.

8. It is reasonably certain that people who need work or business will not lose it as a result of you units plan?

Your unit should neither sell nor offer services that will damage someones livelihood. If possible, check with the people who may be affected.

9. Will your plan protect the name and goodwill of the Boy Scouts of America and prevent it from being capitalized on by promoters of shows, benefits or sales campaigns?

Because of Scoutings good reputation, customers rarely question the quality or price of a product. Unchecked, the network of Scouting units could become a beehive of commercial interest to the neglect of character building and citizenship training.

10. If any contracts are to be signed by your unit, will they be signed by an individual without reference to the Boy Scouts of America, and in no way appear to bind the local council or the Boy Scouts of America to any agreement of financial responsibility?

Before any person in your unit signs a contract, he must make sure the venture is legitimate and worthy. If a contract is signed, he is personally responsible. He cannot sign on behalf of the local council or the Boy Scouts of America.