FINANCING THE CATHOLIC COMMITTEE

Purpose:

This is a guide for funding a Catholic committee on Scouting*

Responsibility:

The vice-chairman of the Catholic committee has specific responsibilities to:

• Prepare the committee operating budget and
• Give leadership in developing areas of funding from diocesan and other sources.

CAUTION: When developing sources from which funds may be obtained to support the committee budget, no action should be taken that would jeopardize diocesan or local council funding sources or violate BSA council fund-raising policy

Procedure:

Step Action

1. Following the recommended annual planning conference, (see Program Planning Guide, No. 16-168), the vice-chairman of the diocesan committee prepares the annual proposed budget based on the planned program for the coming year. At this time, a determination should be made about:
• Pay-as-you-go items
• Items that the diocesan committee will provide for and those items that are the direct responsibility of the subcommittees
2. Based on the budget developed above, discuss with the diocesan bishop or other diocesan officials the extent to which diocesan funds can be made available to support the planned program. Many diocesan Scout programs are supported, entirely or partially, through the office of youth ministry budget.
3. For additional funding, explore the following areas:

• Annual donations from Catholic organizations;
• i.e., Knights of Columbus, Serra clubs, Holy Name Societies, etc.
• Donations from specific individuals
• Approved money-earning projects; each committee should consider one annual fundraising project that has been cleared through the BSA council
• Surplus funds from Scouting retreats, sale of patches, etc.
• Mass collections at camps and camporees
• Propriety of sending a letter to each Catholic chartered organization, explaining the purpose and service rendered by the committee, and asking for voluntary contributions for support of the program
• Feasibility of an annual diocesan collection on Scout Sunday

Note: * The designation "diocese" in this document is used interchangeably for archdiocese and eparchy. The text should be interpreted to suit the local situation.

Budget Items:

The following items should be considered during budget planning:

1. Chaplains at camps and camporees.
   • Chaplains for weekend camps and camporees should be reimbursed for transportation expenses.
   • Camp chaplains for council summer camps should be provided a salary plus food and adequate lodgings. The general rule has been that the religious relationships committee sponsoring the camp chaplain pays his salary while the council provides for his food and adequate lodgings.
   • A Catholic committee with a limited source of funds may find it almost impossible to provide an adequate salary for a chaplain at camp. Under these circumstances it is suggested that an agreement be reached with the local Scout executive whereby the council would be willing to share the expenses of a chaplain as both the council and diocese benefit from his services.
   • In some instances, Serra clubs may be amenable to supporting financially a mature seminarian (21 years or older) as a camp chaplain for council summer camp.
2. Religious emblems program. Budget not only on past experience, but also on projected goals for the number of youths to receive religious emblems for the coming year.
   As the religious emblems program is truly a complementary program for the religious education of Catholic youth in Scouting, diocesan officials may agree to provide limited funds for the purchase of emblems from monies budgeted by the diocese for its religious education program. However, the cost of purchasing necessary record books or manuals should be borne by the users.
3. Vocational activities. Funding of special religious vocational activities such as the vocational camporee or field trip to a selected seminary, which support the diocesan vocational effort, may be provided by the diocese or through Serra clubs, Knights of Columbus, or other voluntary sources.
4. Other miscellaneous items. The following expenses are generally provided for through the committee budget:
   • Chaplain's out-of-pocket expenses
   • Telephone toll charges
   • Cost of miscellaneous literature for limited distribution
   • Stationery and postage
   • Adequate reimbursement to chaplain for use of automobile in connection with administering the program
   • Chaplain's transportation, meals, and lodging for attendance at certain national or regional events
   • Miscellaneous secretarial expenses, if required
   • Limited funds available to help the indigent
5. Pay-as-you-go items. The following are generally considered pay-as-you-go items and should not require special funding. An adequate fee should be assessed each participant to cover estimated expenses.
   • Scout retreats, days of recollection, pilgrimages, etc.
   • Recognition dinners
   • Scouter Development programs, workshops, and other training events
   • Other items as determined by the committee