Q: I have a question concerning the number of adults that a unit may recommend for membership in the Order. Some publications say 1 adult for every 50 youth, while other publications say 1 adult per troop no matter what the size of the troop. Which is it?

A: The information in Operations Update 12-07, July 2012, is correct. The change announced in that Update, and effective January 1, 2013, was to increase the number of currently-serving Scoutmasters and Varsity Team Coaches and other unit Scouters who can be nominated to be candidates. As the Update says:

"The number of adults nominated can be no more than one-third of the number of youth candidates elected, rounded up where the number of youth candidates is not a multiple of three. In addition to the one-third limit, the unit committee may nominate the currently-serving unit leader (but not assistant leaders), as long as he or she has served as unit leader for at least the previous twelve months."

The rest of the adult nomination process, including the membership requirements, review by the lodge adult selection committee, approval of the Scout executive, etc., did not change.

Some publications may still have the old wording that limited a unit to recommending one adult per 50 scouts. These documents are being corrected as they are updated. Because of publication schedules, some documents may have the old wording even if their print date was after July 2012. These will be corrected in the future.

Back to the FAQ Index

Revised 4/2/2013