| The Organization of
Scouting |
Excerpted from BSA Troop Committee Guidebook
For
Successful Troop Operation
Copyright 1998, Boy Scouts of America, ISBN
0-8395-4505-3 |
 |
| Let's take a look at how Scouting is organized. |
| The National Council of the Boy Scouts of
America |
| The Boy Scouts of America 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
Robert S. Baden-Powell in England in 1908. |
| The BSA's 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 Boy's Life and Scouting magazines. |
| 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 four years. |
| The Local Council |
| Of course, it would be nearly impossible to administer directly the more
than 50,000 registered Boy Scout troops and teams 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 327
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: |
 | Granting charters to community organizations
|
| Promoting the
Scouting program
|
| Registration of units and council personnel
|
| Providing
facilities and leadership for a year-round outdoor program, including summer camp
|
| Offering training in a timely manner
|
|
| The District |
| 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. |
| Each district has a district committee composed of key Scouters.
This committee does not make policy, but rather works through chartered
organizations to assure the success of troops. A district committee does this by
forming a number of subcommittees, each specializing in an area of concern: |
| Membership |
| Finance |
| Training |
| Unit Service
|
| Advancement and recognition |
| Camp promotion and outdoor activities
|
| Activities and civic service |
|
| Members of the district committee are volunteers like yourself. The
district trains adult volunteers, provides district programs for troops such as
camporees and Scouting shows, assists in the formation of new troops, and helps
coordinate the Annual Giving Campaign. |
| The district commissioner staff also provides the troop with a unit
commissioner. The unit commissioner gives direct coaching and consultation to
the troop committee and the Scoutmaster. |
| The volunteers on the district committee can be a helpful resource to the
troop committee. Call upon their guidance when needed. |
| The Scouting professional who provides district service is the
district executive. You should make a point to get to know your district
executive personally. This person can be very helpful in showing you how to
accomplish your troop program goals. |
| The Chartered Organization |
| Your troop is "owned" by a chartered organization, which
receives a national charter yearly to use the Scouting program as a part of its
youth work. These chartered organizations, 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 troop committee of at least three
adults, and chooses a chartered organization representative. |
| Chartered Organization
Representative |
| Is a member of the chartered organization.
|
| Serves as head
of "Scouting department" in the organization. |
| Secures a troop committee
chairperson and encourages training. |
| Maintains a close liaison with the troop
committee chairperson. |
| Helps recruit other adult leaders. |
| Serves as
liaison between your troop and your organization. |
| Assists with unit
rechartering. |
| Encourages service to the organization. |
| Is an active and
involved member of the district committee. |
|
| As the troop committee works on behalf of the chartered organization,
your troop must be operated within the organization's policies. |
| The chartered organization must also approve all adult leaders. The
chartered organization representative is your liaison to the troop's operating
organization. As a member of the chartered organization, that person will guide
you on the organization's policy. The representative 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. |
| The troop committee's primary responsibilities are supporting the
Scoutmaster in delivering quality troop program, and handling troop
administration. How to accomplish them will be explained in the remaining
chapters of this guidebook. |
|
|
| Last revised 2/9/2007 |
| Troop 96 |
