IMPORTANT SELA COUNCIL REGISTRATION NOTICE

Individual Membership Renewals Are Due — Unit Renewal Season Is Here!

To: All Southeast Louisiana Council (SELA) Unit Leaders, Commissioners, Volunteers, Parents, and Scouting Families

ACTION REQUESTED: Check your registration expiration date and begin preparing your unit's annual renewal now!

Dear SELA Scouting Family,

As we move through the fall and into another busy Scouting season, we need every unit leader, parent, and volunteer to pay close attention to two important administrative responsibilities: individual membership renewal and annual unit renewal (rechartering).

Many of our Scouts and adult volunteers joined Scouting America during last fall's recruiting season. For those whose registrations are approaching their anniversary expiration dates, it is time to check their status and complete their individual renewals. At the same time, units with January renewal dates should begin preparing their annual unit renewal paperwork and membership rosters.

Please do not assume that participation in meetings, payment of unit dues, or attendance at activities automatically renews an individual's Scouting America registration. These are separate responsibilities.

1. Individual Registration Renewal: Take Action Now!

Every registered youth member and adult volunteer must maintain an active Scouting America registration. If you joined during the fall recruiting season last year, your registration may be approaching expiration now.

Please check your expiration date immediately. Watch for renewal notices from Scouting America, check your email's spam or junk folder, and confirm that your contact information is current.

Step-by-step: How to renew your individual registration online

Step 1 — Sign in

Visit my.Scouting.org and sign in with your Scouting America account.

Step 2 — Locate your renewal notice

Look for the notification bell or notice icon in the upper-right corner. Select the message indicating that your registration is expiring, then follow the link to renew.

If you do not see a notice, check your registration status and expiration date. You may not yet be within your renewal window.

Step 3 — Review your information

Verify your name, contact details, and registration information. If you hold multiple registered positions, review each position and its renewal status as applicable.

Step 4 — Proceed to payment

Select Go to Payment and review the renewal terms and fees. Follow the prompts to confirm or edit your Scout Life magazine subscription, if offered.

Step 5 — Submit your renewal

Enter or confirm the requested payment information, agree to the terms and conditions, and select Place Order.

Step 6 — Complete registration

Select Complete Registration when prompted. Do not assume the renewal is complete until you have finished the final confirmation step.

Step 7 — Keep your confirmation

Save the confirmation email or receipt and verify that your registration status is updated.

Official resources:

What if the unit pays for your renewal?

Some units collect registration funds and pay for members; others have parents and volunteers complete their own renewals. Some units use a combination of both approaches.

Contact your Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor, Committee Chair, or unit treasurer to confirm your unit's process. Avoid paying twice if your unit has already arranged to cover your registration.

Important: Beginning in December 2026, the previous registration lapse period is eliminated. Members who fail to renew by their expiration date may be dropped immediately and lose access to Scouting online tools. Do not wait until the last minute.

2. Unit Renewal and Rechartering: January Units, Start Preparing!

Individual registration renewal is not the same as annual unit renewal. Units must also complete their own annual renewal process to remain active.

For units that have traditionally renewed in January, now is the time to review your roster, confirm leadership, check training requirements, and coordinate with your district commissioner or district executive.

Step-by-step: How authorized unit leaders renew the unit online

Step 1 — Log in to my.Scouting

Visit my.Scouting.org and sign in.

Step 2 — Open Organization Manager

Select the correct unit and open Organization Manager. The Unit Key 3—the unit leader, Committee Chair, and Chartered Organization Representative—or an authorized delegate generally has access to unit renewal.

Step 3 — Select Unit Renewal

Choose Unit Renewal from the menu and follow the system's instructions.

Step 4 — Validate your roster and information

Review the unit's membership, registered leaders, contact information, and other displayed information. Work with families and unit leaders to resolve errors or missing information before submission.

Confirm that the unit has the required registered leadership and that adult Youth Protection Training is current where required.

Step 5 — Review the renewal details and fees

Check the renewal charges and any transition-related prorated fees shown by the system. During the move to a common February renewal date, the amount and renewal period may differ from previous years.

Step 6 — Complete the required agreement

The annual charter agreement remains a required document. Obtain and complete the appropriate agreement outside the electronic renewal process, as directed by Scouting America and SELA Council, and retain it in the unit's records.

Official forms are available through the Scouting America Forms Library.

Step 7 — Sign and submit

Enter the required authorized signature, review the final information, and proceed through the payment and submission steps.

Step 8 — Confirm completion

Verify the renewal status in Organization Manager. Follow up with your district or council if the system indicates an outstanding requirement or if the renewal is not finalized.

Official instructions and FAQs: Scouting America — Unit and Membership Renewal.

3. Important National Changes: The Move to February 2028

Scouting America is transitioning to a common February renewal date for all units and members. The first common renewal cycle will be February 2028.

This is a major change intended to simplify the annual renewal process and bring unit and individual membership renewals back into a more coordinated system.

What SELA volunteers need to know

The exact transition period and fee depend on when a unit or individual renews. Always review the renewal date and amount displayed in the official system, and follow any additional SELA Council instructions.

Read the national transition guidance here:

Scouting America — Unit and Membership Renewal

National Renewal Transition Overview (PDF)

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My Scout joined last September. Do we need to renew now?

A: Check the individual expiration date in my.Scouting and any renewal notice received. Members who joined in fall 2025 may have anniversary dates in fall 2026, but the actual expiration date—not the recruiting season—determines when renewal is due.

Q: Does renewing our unit automatically renew every Scout and adult leader?

A: Not necessarily under the current separate renewal processes. Check each individual's registration status and follow the unit's chosen payment and renewal process.

Q: What happens if I miss my expiration date?

A: The lapse period is being eliminated. Beginning in December 2026, an expired member may be dropped immediately and lose access to online tools. Renew promptly to avoid a break in registration.

Q: Can the unit pay for some members while other families pay for themselves?

A: Yes. Units can use different payment arrangements for different members. Confirm your unit's policy before submitting payment.

Q: Our unit traditionally renews in January. Do we still need to complete unit renewal?

A: Yes. Units must follow their renewal instructions and deadlines. During the transition, the system may assign a prorated period leading to February 2028. Review the dates and fees shown in Organization Manager.

Q: Does the February 2028 change mean everyone should wait until February 2028 to renew?

A: Absolutely not. Continue renewing when your current registration is due. The transition does not eliminate current renewal obligations.

Q: What if my renewal notice never arrives?

A: Log in to my.Scouting.org, verify your expiration date and contact information, and consult the official renewal resources. If you still need assistance, contact your unit leadership or SELA Council.

Q: Where can I get help with a complicated renewal or rechartering problem?

A: Begin with your district executive or district commissioner. SELA Council also provides renewal resources through its Online Recharter page.

5. What Every SELA Unit Should Do This Week

A Final Call to Action

Our Scouts count on us to keep their Scouting experience strong, safe, and uninterrupted. Registration renewal may seem like an administrative task, but it is essential to maintaining membership, leadership, and access to the tools that support our programs.

Please act now: check your individual registration, communicate with your families, and begin your unit renewal preparations. Do not wait until an expiration date or unit deadline has passed.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the youth and families of Southeast Louisiana Council. Together, we can make this renewal season organized, timely, and successful for every Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, and Scouting America program we serve.

Yours in Scouting,

SELA Council Volunteer Support and Membership Team

Please refer to the official Scouting America renewal guidance and SELA Council instructions for the latest dates, requirements, and fees. Transition details may be updated as national implementation proceeds.

• Scouting America — Unit and Membership Renewal
• Scouting America — Online Registration Resources
• SELA Council — Online Recharter and Renewal Resources
• September 2026 onward: Units due for renewal begin transitioning to a February 2028 renewal date, with prorated unit fees as applicable.
• Through the end of 2026: Individual membership renewals generally continue under the existing 12-month renewal process.
• December 2026: The old membership lapse period ends. Members who do not renew by expiration may immediately lose their active status and access to online tools.
• Beginning in 2027: Individual membership renewal dates will transition toward the common February cycle, with prorated registration fees during the transition.
• February 2028: The goal is for all Scouting America units and members to share a common February renewal month.
• [ ]Ask all youth families and adult leaders to check their individual expiration dates.
• [ ]Identify registrations due within the next 30–60 days.
• [ ]Confirm who is responsible for paying each individual's renewal fee.
• [ ]Check that parent/guardian and adult email addresses are accurate.
• [ ]Review the unit roster for membership and leadership accuracy.
• [ ]Confirm that required adult training and leadership requirements are current.
• [ ]Begin unit renewal preparations if your unit is approaching its renewal date.
• [ ]Review the February 2028 transition guidance.
• [ ]Contact your district leadership early if a renewal issue cannot be resolved.