This page specifically addresses the administrative, legal, and logistical side of a ministry relationship. Many treasurers, chancellors, and administrative people need basic answers. They are below.
Latest UPDATE /April 9, 2025:
The General Liability and Excess General Liability insurance coverage associated with supporting youth in Scouting has remained at the same levels as last year. GL—$7.5 million per occurrence with a $20 million annual aggregate. Additional EL is available above the primary and first excess policies. These have not changed from last year.
Change in the language required by the insurance policy:
- Previous – “Bodily injury, not excluding physical or sexual abuse, misconduct, or molestation”
Changed to – “Bodily injury, with no exclusion for physical or sexual abuse, misconduct, or molestation.”
Other changes:
The formatting of the documents has been standardized and entered and controlled within the Scouting America system.
Notation in the headers of the documents: Boy Scouts of America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit corporation d/b/a Scouting America (“Scouting America”)
Subsequently, where the documents referenced Boy Scouts of America or BSA, they now refer to Scouting America.
The Restructuring Plan is well underway. With over 69% of submitted claims determined and over 63% of claims paid, our prayers are for healing. Our commitment is to safety for all. To follow the Scouting Settlement Trust work or learn more: Settlement Trust
Relationship
- April 19, 2023 – The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and fulfilled a commitment it made when it commenced its restructuring process in February 2020: to equitably compensate survivors and preserve the mission of Scouting. BSA National and The United Methodist Relationship Committee approved documents for the safest ministry approach. They are shared below. They will continue to remain in effect.
- The General Commission on United Methodist Men (GCUMM) is actively working to follow through with the United Methodist court-accepted settlement through 2038. GCUMM is the court-defined entity to meet the 15-year Scouting Ministry relationship and continue to build a safer Scouting. GCUMM engages with annual coverage changes and keeps The United Methodist Church safe.
Moving Forward
Payments to survivors are in process. Survivors are needed to help keep improving safety. The Youth Protection Committee has been formed and is working to advise BSA going forward. Our ministry relationship with BSA is based on the willingness to grow in safety and service.
Most of the United Methodist Churches being faithful to their communities and continuing in Scouting have already established their legal relationships. The insurance policy for BSA renews each year in March. It is reviewed by the GCUMM and a communication will be sent to conferences with any notes. The current agreement documents remain the same.
The agreements are found below. The policy levels are active within the policy period. No other action is necessary to be taken.
The two recommended agreements are the Affiliation Agreement and the Facilities Use Agreement.
If a church uses one of the 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
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 legal document in UMC/BSA history has so explicitly called on the church to stand in ministry: prayer, communication, and service. When has the church needed a legal document to require prayer for a ministry within the church? This one does. It continues to be in effect as the renewing of relationships starts this fall. New insurance levels will automatically go into effect in March with a signed document.
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 Christ within the community. Living out faith is the greatest witness we can share. Thank you for serving.
Critical Resources for Making Changes
If the church is working toward a Facilities Use Agreement, the church must fill out a FacilitesUse Agreement from above and a Unit Charter Release if the charter is going to another organization.
If you are working toward an Affiliation Agreement, 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 and insuring them.
Supporting Youth in Ministry, the Church, and the Settlement
The GCUMM is participating in the Youth Protection Committee. We are committed to building youth, the church, and the mission of Christ within our world. Partners in the cause are more valuable now than ever. We continue to build a better and safer relationship with even deeper resources for ministry.
Questions
Contact us. We are here to help you, local churches, and ministry. SScheid@gcumm.org
Scouting Ministries 