Simpler Renewal
Scouting America announced an important change at the recent National Annual Meeting to simplify the membership and unit renewal process. By February 2028, all members and all units will have a single, common renewal month of February. This change is in response to feedback from unit leaders and other Scouters who asked for a simpler, more consistent renewal experience.
Key updates include:
- Beginning September 2026, all units due for renewal will renew to February 2028.
- All memberships and unit charters will have a common renewal month of February by February 2028.
To simplify the process and in response to unit leaders’ requests, Scouting America is returning to unit control of member renewals. If the unit does not renew a member, that member may renew themselves after the unit-only period closes. To support the transition during 2026 and 2027:
- Beginning in September 2026, new and renewing units will use the standard charter fee plus pro rata fees through February 2028.
- There will be no changes for new and renewing members through 2026.
Unit leaders should watch for updates from their local council, as additional guidance and implementation details may vary by council during the transition period. This is a significant operational change designed to reduce complexity and create a more streamlined experience for volunteers, families, and councils alike.
End of Lapsed Period
The two-month lapse period will end on December 31, 2026. All members must be current by this date to maintain active status. Members with an October 2026 renewal date are last to receive a two-month lapse period. Members with a November 2026 renewal date will receive a one-month lapse period, and members with a December 2026 renewal date will not receive a lapse period.
Unit and Membership Renewal
The Scouting America offers an online member and unit renewal process. Listed below are several resources to assist with smooth and improved renewal processes. All units and members currently registered with Scouting need to complete this process on a yearly basis.
Use these resources to help your unit’s renewal. You can also visit the Internet Recharter Responses to Forum-Related Questions/Discussions helpdesk for additional questions and timely assistance.
Job Aids
- Approvals for Unit and Member Renewals Job Aid
- BSA Registration and Renewal Job Aid
- Council Initiated Unit and Member Renewals Job Aid
- Council Support of Unit & Member Renewal Job Aid
- Members Without Units Job Aid
- Unit ACH for Renewals Job Aid
- Unit Pay for Member Renewal Job Aid
- Unit Renewal with Annual Membership Job Aid
- Unit Renewal Guide Job Aid
Additional Resources
- Member Renewal Infographic
- Annual Member and Unit Renewal Webinar Presentation 6.18.24
- Annual Member and Unit Renewal Webinar Recording 6.18.24
- Unit and Member Renewal Processes May 2024
- Checklist for Councils
- Checklist for Units and Commissioners
- Council Membership Tools Webinar Presentation 4.25.24
- Council Membership Tools Webinar Recording 4.25.24
- 2024 NAM Partial Presentation (Deck has been revised to slides only relevant to the new processes)
- Scoutbook Plus Updates
