can you tell me all about Brownies please

[anniebear]

How much is it? any joining fee?

how much of the uniform do you have to have

thanks

Sorry Brown Owl, I am gathering subs info at the moment as we are having a unit leader 'discussion' soon.

I will be Brown Owl soon.... there can be only one!!! must see if I can get a big sword from the funds . Cue cheesy theme music...

Our fees are £20 a term and £16 insurance once a year. I consider this to be excellent value for all the activities they do. We pay extra for camp and trips but they are not compulsary.

The problem we have is that a small group of parents do not pay! Subs are due the first week of the term and a couple of weeks later Brown Owl sends a note to remind us that a few subs have not been paid! Then at the end of term we usually get another note pleading those who have not paid to pay, they don't!! I presume that as they have been able to get away with it, they do this every term. I am sure Brown Owl could be a bit firmer about it. Last year we had to forgo a trip as there were not enough subs to cover it! It made me very cross, I would not dream of not paying for my two and I am sure that Brown owl would let someone having trouble pay each week.

There will always be a cheeky few I suppose!

Newpup - I really struggle with late payers too. I say that subs should be paid in the first four weeks of term and (copying the idea from my daughter's dance class) that subs will go up £5 if paid after that. This works up to a point, although the late payers tend to turn up only with the basic subs and not the extra 'penalty' so I then have to decide whether to insist on the extra £5.

I wouldn't accept persistent non-payment. If subs weren't paid by the end of term, I would take the Brownie's name off the register. It's only happened to me once. If the mum had told me that she was in difficulties I would have been happy to negotiate some kind of deal (even given her a big discount on the subs) but she ignored all my messages and phone calls and avoided me completely by dropping her daughter off and collecting her from the end of the road (we don't allow that either) so that she never came into the hall. I know it's awkward to tell someone that you can't afford Brownie subs, but I don't see any alternative. Non-payment just isn't an option, especially as it means that those whwo do pay (who may also be struggling) are subsidising those who don't.

Totally agree madbad. I think our Brown Owl lovely as she is, is too soft on the non-payers. They know they can get away with it. It does affect those of us who do pay as we effectively pay for her child!

I get very cross that we then miss out on treats and trips because some refuse to pay. I do think Brown Owl needs to be firmer. Maybe hand out red slips to those still owing. I know she would come to an arrangement to pay weekly if people were having trouble.

One non-payer does the drop off outside, pick up down the road too!!!

DD just lurves brownies - I love the badges and wish she'd take more interest in those, but I guess the novelty of belonging (only joined at the beginning of term) not yet worn off. Much more grown up for her than Beavers (no space at convenient Rainbows so she went with her boyfriend) - she has a great time every week. Well worth the money, which isn't much anyway.