In 1916, the leaders of the Boy Scouts of America went to Congress for a Federal Charter. The purpose of the Boy Scouts was to teach boys patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues. The Charter defined the corporate organization of the Boy Scouts of America, It provided the exclusive right to use Boy Scout emblems and badges. It established that the Boy Scouts of America was a not for profit organization that could not sell stocks or pay dividends. That annually, not later than the first of April, the Boy Scouts of America would submit a report to Congress on it’s activities. The Federal Charter for the Boy Scouts of America became part of the US Code as Title 36 - Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations, Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations, Part B - Organizations, Chapter 309 - Boy Scouts of America.

The Boy Scouts of America in turn chartered organizations to establish troops within their communities. In the early days, the National Council of the Boy Scouts gave direct support to all units. Soon this became too difficult to manage so, the Boy Scouts created geographic areas and established councils within those areas to support the organizations and manage the program. The local councils were chartered by The Boy Scouts of America to help chartered organizations effectively use the Scouting program and to expand the program to other community organizations. To help the councils, districts were established within councils to assist local chartered organizations and to expand the Scouting program.

The Charter is good for one year. By the end of the charter year, the Charter Organization recharters the unit. It counts up it’s members and sends to the local council a list of youth and adult members in the unit. The council also recharters with The Boy Scouts of America each year.

The head of the chartered organization selects its representative. This person recruits a unit committee and it's chairperson. The unit committee recruits leaders to work directly with the youth or as committee members. The charter organization representative is also a voting member of the local district and council.

The charter organization also provides a place for the unit to meet. Threw the committee, it promotes the scouting program.

Boy Scouts of America, supports approximately 124,000 units threw the help of more than 300 local councils. BSA professional scouters and administrative staff provides counseling, administration, commissioner service, training, outdoor facilities, program materials, planning tools and aids.

Council Organization

The council president and other board members hire a professional Scouter, called the Scout Executive. He is responsible for the day to day operation of the council properties and program. The Scout Executive hires a staff of professional Scouters and office staff. The professional Scouters advise the council committees on BSA policies and guidelines. Some of the professional Scouters may be assigned the duties of District Executives which assist individual Districts.

The president and board members are almost always volunteers that set council policy, fund operations and oversee activities such as district operation, camping, finance, advancement and membership. They also select an experienced volunteer to be Council Commissioner.

District Organization

There are three major leadership position within the district. The District Chair heads the District Committee. The District Commissioner leads the district’s Commissioners. The District Executive is a professional Scouter directed by the Council Executive.

The District Chair is nominated by the District Nominating Committee and elected at the district‘s annual business meeting. The District Chair is then approved by the Council Executive Board. The District Chair appoints the leaders of the district sub committees. Sub committees handle finance, membership, training, advancement, camping and activities. The District Chair is selected for his or her leadership and organization skills and may not have extensive Scouting experience. He or she is guided by the District Commissioner and District Executive in Scouting matters.

The District Executive is a professional Scouter assigned by the Council Executive to advise the Commissioner and members of the District Committee. The DE is trained by the National Council in district organization and BSA policies. They may not have experience in the day to day running of a pack or troop where as a District Commissioner would.

The District Commissioner is nominated by the District Nominating Committee and elected at the district‘s annual business meeting. The District Commissioner usually has many years of experience in Scouting as well as leadership and organizational skills. The District Commissioner’s staff can contain several types of Commissioners. The District Commissioner may have one or more Assistant District Commissioners who supervise Unit Commissioners and Round Table Commissioners.

Unit Commissioners are selected by the District Commissioner to serve about three or more packs or troops. Unit Commissioners are knowledgeable leaders who are familiar with district and council activities and policies. They also assist unites in rechartering. The Unit Commissioner can help unit leaders and the Unit Committees to resolve problems and obtain resources. He or she lives within the area where the troops and/or packs resides and is able to point out resources that the units may not be aware of. The Unit Commissioner encourages the unit leaders to attend roundtables and training. The Unit Commissioner should have the latest word on District and Council activities and be an information conduit between the District/Council and Units and Charter Organizations.

Roundtable Commissioners are appointed by the District Commissioner. They are responsible for the program during the monthly roundtable. At the monthly roundtable unit leaders learn of up coming district and council events and receive program helps. The roundtable should be a time of exchanging information and ideas. All leaders and committee members should attend regularly.

District Committees

Training Committee. This committee is responsible for putting on New Leader Essential, Leader Specific Training and Youth Protection Training. They may provide skills and leadership training for the youth members. They are responsible for supervising the many training awards. The Council Training Committee provides Pow Wow or University of Scouting and Wood Badge Training as well as national and regional training opportunities.

Camping Committee. The district and council camping committee promotes outdoor and camping programs for both Cub and Boy Scouts.

Advancement and Recognition Committee. This district and council committee offers assistance to units both Cub and Boy Scouts in the procedures and policies set forth by the Boy Scouts of America. They are involved not only in the advancement of rank and merit badges but, also the special recognitions of youth and adults.

Membership Committee. This committee assists in promoting membership in all levels of Scouting. It also may recommend locations for new units when needs are noted.

Finance Committee. Members of this committee encourage scouting parents and business people to help support Scouting within the local community and council areas.

Activities Committee. This committee assists in or overseas district wide activities such as Pinewood Derbies, District Award Banquets, camp-o-rees, Cub Day Camps and other activities that the district may become involved in.

The District Chair can appoint committees for special functions when the need arises. Nomination Committees, Special Event Committees, Public Relations Committees and the like can be perment or short lived as needed.

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