Electronic Applications/Payment 

 In Progress

Why not allow a paperless option for joining Scouting? The application would be sent by email to the committee chair, etc for approval. And I as DE would be notified that the app is in process, I would approve it, and the registrar would give final approval without having to retype anything. And money would be paid online as well. All along the way we could hide the applicant's social security number to protect even more from identity theft.

If a leader doesn't have email, I as the DE would see the jam and just call them myself to get their approval by phone and sign in their place, just like I can on paper apps.

If the parent or child signing up doesn't have Internet they could still do it the old fashioned paper way.

I don't know about other Councils but we have a room full of unlocked file cabinets full of years and years of paper apps. They have social security numbers on them and could easily be stolen. And how many people saw the social security number in between the applicant filling it out and me getting it? Not to mention it's a waste of space and a waste of trees. This would also solve another problem. Sometimes I don't get an application until 6 months after the applicant started the process. If I had been notified about the applicant I could have been aware and encouraged the process along and notified the person about upcoming trainings. This would also save the units on postage and me on gas taking them to Council.

I think especially for the Latter-day Saint units, the application process should have the ability to be started by other adult leaders like the Bishop of the ward who gives the calling.

After the application is completed the applicant should be redirected to fast start training and to mybsa to see their training record.