As Scouting continues to move forward with changes to the way membership is processed and registrations are renewed, here are a few reminders:

New Members:

A unit can register new youth members and adult leaders using the online portal or paper applications. If using the online portal, payment is required when registration is submitted, an email is sent to the unit key 3, and the unit key 3 needs to approve the application. The portal can be accessed through my.scouting account – application manager. As a reminder, the COR or the COR delegate are the only adult leaders that can approve an adult application. Adult applications will not be accepted if YPT has not been completed. Background clearances are required for all PA unit adult leaders. If clearances are not received, registration will be suspended until clearances are current.

Membership Renewal:

Notices are being sent out from the Scouting America national office 60 days prior to a member’s expiration date. Parents or adults can pay the renewal themselves if the unit is “family pay”, or the unit can elect to pay for the renewals if they are using the “unit pay” option. During the past few months, the two biggest issues have been:

• The parent registering the Scout is not listed on the Scout’s record. It is an easy fix – please contact the unit leader or Anna Marie Pepper (email) at the council service center for help updating.
• The parent or leader is using a different BSA ID Number than what is listed in the system. Another easy fix – the correct number can be added to the record through my.scouting account under Manage Member ID.

The Scouting America national office has set the system to auto-approve registration renewals for both leaders and adults. Note that even though the renewal has been paid, the roster will not reflect the new effective date until after the original expiration date. For example – a registration expires on November 30, is submitted and paid on October 25, the roster will continue to list November 30, 2024, until December 1 – when the new date will be listed.

Should a unit find a member missed the registration expiration date – it is not too late to register. Parents and Leaders should be able to renew registration through my.scouting account – my applications – renewal (found in the box on the right side of the screen under my.scouting heading).

Unit Renewal:

Reminder that the renewal of the unit is separate from membership renewal this year. Unit key 3 members can start working on the unit renewal application now (after November ). The process is straight forward; a member of the unit key 3 will log into my.scouting account – organization manager - review, update as necessary and submit unit’s charter. It is recommended the requirements be reviewed before starting the renewal to avoid issues. This would include the required number of unit leaders, all unit leaders are current with YPT and listed in the correct positions, and all youth meet the age requirement for the program. Charters expire on December 31 but please do not wait until the deadline. The sooner the unit renewal has been completed and posted, the easier it will be for membership renewals and new applications.