Date: Mon, 05 Jun 95 13:28:37 -0700 From: Bill Nelson Mime-Version: 1.0 To: dannys@iis.ee.ethz.ch Subject: Re: BSA: How the BSA is Organized (Long) Danny, I don't know if this is something you might want for your FTP site or not. The Organization of the BSA BSA Boy Scouting is actually owned by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It was incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916 to provide an educational program for boys and young adults. Boy Scouting was modeled after the Scouting movement founded by Lord Robert S. S. Baden-Powell in England in 1908. The National Council is led by a volunteer board of directors, the National Executive Board. The administration is performed by a staff of professional Scouters. Among its major functions, the National Council develops program; sets and maintains quality standards in training, leadership selection, uniforming, registration records, literature development, and advancement requirements; and publishes Boys' Life and Scouting magazines. NATIONAL COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | REGION | LOCAL COUNCIL | District | Chartered Organization | Unit Committee | Unit The National Council maintains national high-adventure bases for use by Scouts in Minnesota, Florida, and New Mexico. It also organizes a national Scout Jamboree every 4 years. Of course, it would be nearly impossible to administer directly the more than 150,000 registered Boy Scout units (troops, packs, explorer posts, etc.) from a centrally located national office. To achieve this, the National Council issues a charter to each local council. The United States and its territories is divided into 385 local councils. Each council has a headquarters city from which it administers the Scouting program within its geographical boundaries. Like the National Council, the local council is led by volunteers, with administration performed by a staff of professional Scouters. The council president is the top volunteer; the Scout executive is the top professional. The local council's responsibilities include: Promoting the Scouting program Registration of units and council personnel Providing facilities and leadership for a year-round outdoor program, including summer camp. A Scouting district is a geographical area within the local council, as determined by the council executive board. District leaders mobilize resources to ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within the district's territory. Members of the district committee are volunteers. The district trains adult volunteers, provides district programs for units such as camporees, and Scouting shows, assists in the formation of new units, and helps coordinate the annual giving campaign. The district committee also provides the unit with a unit commissioner. The unit commissioner gives direct coaching and consultation to the unit committee and other adult leaders. The volunteers on the district committee can be a helpful resource to the unit committee. Call upon their guidance when needed. The Scouting professional who provides district service is the district executive. He can be very helpful in showing the unit committee how to accomplish the unit's program goals. The unit is "owned" by a chartered organization. It receives a national charter yearly to use the Scouting program as a part of its youth work. These groups, which have goals compatible with those of the Boy Scouts of America, include religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, governmental bodies, and professional associations. Each chartered organization using the Scouting program provides a meeting place, selects a Scoutmaster, appoints a unit committee of at least three adults, and chooses a chartered organization representative. The chartered organization representative: Is a member of the charter organization Serves as head of the "Scouting department" in the organization Secures a unit committee chairman and encourages training Maintains a close liaison with the unit committee chairman Helps recruit other adult leaders Serves as liaison between your unit and your organization Assists with unit rechartering Encourages service to the organization Is an active and involved member of the district committee The unit committee's primary responsibilities are supporting the Unit Leader (Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, etc.) in delivering a quality unit program, and helping unit administration. As the unit committee works on behalf of the chartered organization, the unit must be operated within the organization's policies. The chartered organization must also approve all adult leaders. The chartered organization representative is the liaison with the unit's sponsor. As a member of the chartered organization, that person will know the most effective ways to get the organization's assistance and maintain a mutually satisfactory working relationship with the chartered organization. In the chartered organization relationship, the Boy Scouts of America provides the program and support services, and the chartered organization provides the adult leadership and uses the program to accomplish its goals for youth. A review of the Chartered Organization Fast Start video and the viewer's guide will prove helpful in understanding this relationship. Ref: Troop Committee Guidebook, BSA, 1995 YiS, Bill -- Bill Nelson Webelos Den Leader, Pack 878 ASM, Troop 14 Unit Commissioner, Tempe District, Grand Canyon Council Phoenix, Arizona USA email: nelsonb@aztec.asu.edu