Updated Dec. 15, 2022

The relationship extension for the United Methodist congregations is Dec. 31, 2022. We know it will take time.

We have heard you. We are listening. We will get there. Our COMMITMENT TO LIVING THE MINISTRY IS UNWAVERING.

Key Things to Know:

1. All current charters and facility use agreements that are in use now are to continue until BSA completes the new agreement with the church. Dec. 31, 2022.

2. Churches may use the facility use agreement as a stand-alone document if the church is allowing BSA to use the facilities. The BSA insurance provisions will be included when the facilities use agreement is being used.

3. If a church is using one of the new agreements, it is the standard agreement for all UM congregations and is not to be modified. If there are questions about modification, they should be sent to Steven Scheid at GCUMM. SScheid@GCUMM.org

4. There is an interim agreement to extend the protections (insurance and indemnifications) to the church while the transitions are finished. BSA and GCUMM have executed it to protect your church. A copy is available below.

Two Agreements

The Final Affiliation Agreement is the affiliated way for the church to connect more and meet local BSA Councils in the middle. The structural change for local BSA Scout Councils to own all the physical assets and share their EIN is a big ask in a short time. This agreement allows for the congregation to hold the physical assets (trailer, tents, chuck boxes, etc.). They remain on the church property insurance in case of left or loss. Many Councils found this to be assistance greatly needed. The document for this agreement is below. No other document in UMC/BSA history has so explicitly called on the church to stand in ministry.

While some Councils are rejecting this relationship, many are glad to embrace this strong way of moving forward together. If the Council just cannot move into the stronger relationship, the church will be secondarily served by the Facilities Use Agreement.

The Facilities Use Agreement may be used for a Scout group becoming a Council Registered Unit or if the Scout group has found another charter organization. This allows the Scouts to stay at the church and continue Scouting. It does separate the church from legal responsibility to the Scouts, except for space and storage. It does not prevent any individual from serving out their faith within the community. Living out faith is the greatest witness we can share. Thank you for serving.

We will sort through this with some new paths. It opens the door for us to serve with the same commitment to youth and faith. There are a lot of practical steps to exercising this new relationship. It is a seed change that will replant the vineyard of Scouting.

Critical Resources for Making Changes

Suppose you are working toward a Facilities Use Agreement. In that case, the church must fill out a FacilitesUse Agreement from above and a Unit Charter Release if the charter is going to another organization.

Suppose you are working toward an Affiliation Agreement. In that case, the church must fill out the Final Affiliation Agreement from above and a Transfer of Funds to the Local Council form. The church is encouraged to support the Scouts by holding physical assets.

The updated Memorandum of Understanding is attached below. This commitment was renewed in July 2022. It and the Book of Discipline are the foundations for the relationship with the GCUMM and Scouting.