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How are the Royal Rangers insured?

All members engaging in RR activities are insured against accident and third-party risk with Ecclesia.

Are receipts for donations via the church to the local Royal Rangers outpost issued centrally by the national office or by the local (non-profit) congregation?

A donation receipt can only be issued by the account holder into whose account the donation is actually remitted. If the donation was transferred to the church then only the church can confirm receipt. The RR national cash office cannot and may not acknowledge receipt of the donation because the money does not appear on our accounts!
If the donation goes into a current RR account held by a private individual, no acknowledgement of receipt can be issued because the account holder (in this case a private individual) is not a non-profit organisation. For this reason, and for other reasons, we strongly advise against managing the accounts in this way.

Can donation receipts for tax purposes also be issued in respect of membership contributions?

Article 48 of EStDV (German Ordinance Regulating the Income Tax Law) para. 4 says that membership fees in church organisations may not be acknowledged as donations.

What is the legal donation situation in connection with the so-called sponsored run (which is actually an earmarked donation)?

Donations for sponsored runs are mostly earmarked but can nevertheless be acknowledged as donations.

Is bivouacking outside allowed, with or without overnight stay?

Under Article 14 of the Bundeswaldgesetz (Federal Forests Act) anyone is allowed to enter the woods for recreational purposes. Only few states grant a general right of entry to the forest in this way. It is a great act of generosity to citizens but comes with an expectation of accountability in terms of respect for nature and responsible conduct towards other people who are also exercising this right.
As mentioned above, it is strictly forbidden to put up tents (and huts) in the forest. Conversely, however, anyone has the right to sleep in the forest. The bivouacking typically involved in a Royal Rangers hike does certainly not classify as putting up a tent. When liaising with a local forest warden, therefore, it should be pointed out that a bivouac is not a tent in the conventional sense (and only that is forbidden).
Needless to say, the (polite) conduct of the leader and/or the Rangers is very helpful in this context. If the forest warden sees an orderly bivouac and that everything else is under control, he will turn a blind eye. If he notices damage and/or chaos, however, then he can indeed exercise the right to ban the group from the forest. He could further refer to the dictate that nobody may leave the main paths at dusk in order not to disturb the wildlife.
The volume of the team is also relevant in this context. It makes a difference whether members of the team are conversing at normal volume or if everyone is shouting at the top of their voice.

For what purpose may the RR emblem be used?

Only for outpost purposes, not for profit!

For what outpost purposes may the RR emblem be used?

As a general principle, only the National Resources Office is permitted to make articles which bear the RR emblem. In isolated cases, approval may be granted by the National Resources Office for one-off use of the emblem for a special occasion (e.g. outpost anniversary). In such cases the quantity will be restricted in line with the size of the outpost.
The phrase “outpost purposes” relates primarily to the use of the emblem for invitations, schedule handouts, outpost websites, etc.

Who owns the copyright to photographs which are sent in (e.g. to the Horizon magazine)?

Normally the Royal Rangers are automatically granted the right by the sender to use the photograph submitted. The taker of the photograph does, however, have the same right. We would gladly forego the submission and publication of any photographs where the Royal Rangers have no right to use the photographs or restricted rights to use the photographs.

Am I allowed to sell products which I have made myself bearing the RR emblem?

No.

Am I allowed to sell original RR products (e.g. the T-shirt) with the emblem on?

Yes, this does not infringe the copyright.
Problems arise only in connection with the sale of self-made articles which bear the emblem and the emblems as embroidered badges (e.g. on uniform) because they are not specifically sold but still belong to the outpost.

How much responsibility is a junior leader allowed to have?

He or she may lead a team if he or she is at least 16 years old, has the JLTC and his or her parents’ consent (a pre-printed consent form is available in the outpost leaders’ section).

Is a junior leader allowed to go on trips and outings alone with his or her team (e.g. on the hike)?

Yes, if he or she is granted authority to do so by his or her parents (see outpost leaders’ section).