Scouting is unique among youth organizations. One of its most unusual characteristics is that it doesn't own or operate Scouting units. The ownership of packs, troops, teams, and crews is vested in other community organizations or groups that generally have as their main activity something other than Scouting. The Scouting movement provides the program, technical help, and special facilities. The chartered organization provides an adequate, safe meeting place and dedicated, capable adult leadership, and adheres to the principles and policies of the BSA. Through the strength and wisdom of this arrangement, millions of boys have benefited from Scouting. Without this unique working association, the program would be costly and limited to a very few boys.

Since 1916, when Congress granted a charter to the Boy Scouts of America, Scouting has granted charters to organizations. Scouting renews its national charter by reporting to Congress annually. Likewise, chartered organizations report to Scouting once each year to renew their local charters. As a commissioner, you are in an excellent position to help chartered organizations carry out their trust and renew their privileges and obligations.

Charter Renewal Process

Ninety Days Before Unit Renewal Date. The district executive visits the head of the chartered organization to renew the Scouting relationship. Obviously, if problems are anticipated in the reregistering of the unit or there is other major corrective action to be taken, this visit should be held earlier so that positive action may take place prior to the renewal date.

The commissioner should keep the district executive advised of any matter that might affect the smooth renewal of the charter. Don't wait until charter renewal time to address major problems.

Sixty Days Before Unit Renewal Date. The commissioner and unit committee conduct a membership inventory of youth and adults. Contacts or visits should be made to inactive youth and adults. Every effort should be made to recruit additional youth and adults so that the unit can reregister with no loss in membership.

The charter review date is set and officials of the chartered organization, the unit committee, unit leaders, and the unit commissioner or other district or council representative are urged to attend.

Forty-Five Days Before Unit Renewal Date. The commissioner and unit committee chairman conduct the charter renewal meeting. Attendance at this meeting should include the commissioner, chartered organization representative, executive officer of the chartered organization, unit leader, and all other unit volunteers. During this meeting, the forms are completed and fees collected. The executive officer of the chartered organization approves all volunteers and the unit leader certifies the youth to be registered.

If the unit is using one of the new third-party unit management software programs for unit charter renewal, all needed changes should be made on the program and a hard copy printed out before this meeting to obtain the necessary signatures.

During the meeting, a review is conducted to determine if the unit qualifies as a National Quality Unit for the past charter year and to make commitments for the coming charter year.

Fifteen Days Before Unit Renewal Date. The commissioner or unit committee submits the complete charter renewal application to the council service center.

Units using a third-party unit management software program must submit both the signed hard copy and the computer disk with the completed charter renewal application. Proper registration fees and signed applications are also submitted.

Thirty Days After Charter Renewal. A formal presentation of the new charter and membership certificates is made at an appropriate gathering of the chartered organization.