Charter Organization Representative Training

Course

Presented by: Karen Zeitler

Seneca District Training Chairman

2011

Welcome and thank you for your commitment to scouting and for your unit.

What Is a Chartered Organization?

An organization which uses the Scouting Program to serve the youth of the organization.

The Boys Scouts of America is an educational, resource program. It charters community or religious organizations or groups to use Scouting as part of their service to their own members, as well as the community at large.

Who Is the Chartered Organization Representative?

•Is an individual appointed by the head of the chartered organization and heads up the “Scouting Department” in the organization.

•Is a voting member of the BSA council representing the chartered organization.

•Is a member of the district committee. The chartered organization representative develops liaison between the organization’s Scouting units and the resources available to these units through the district and council volunteer and professional resources.

The Chartered Organization agrees to:

Conduct the Scouting program according to its own policies and guidelines as well as those of the Boy Scouts of America.

Include Scouting as part of its overall program for youth and families

Provide adequate facilities for the Scouting unit(s) to meet on a regular schedule with time and place reserved.

In Addition, The Chartered Organization agrees to:

Appoint a chartered organization representative who is a member of the organization and will represent it to the Scouting Program and serve as a voting member of the local council. (Chartered organization head or chartered organization representative must approve all leader applications.)

Select a Scouting committee of parents and members of the chartered organization (minimum of three) who will screen and select unit leaders who meet the organization’s standards as well as the leadership standards of the BSA.

Encourage the unit to participate in outdoor experiences, which are vital elements of Scouting.

SCOUTING COMMITTEE/UNIT COMMITTEES

Each Scouting unit (Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, or Venture Crew) is managed by a group of adults, approved by the chartered organization, who serve as the unit committee. (This committee must include a committee chairman, has a secretary, treasurer, and other committee members.)

The committee’s principal responsibility is to select the best-qualified leaders for the unit and see that they are supported in carrying out the unit’s program.

UNIT COMMITTEES

The chartered organization representative’s relationship to the unit committee will vary with the nature of the organization and the type of unit. Generally, the chartered organization representative maintains a close liaison with the unit committee chairman. The goal is to be sure that the chartered organization

is aware of the unit’s programs, needs, and successes.

The chartered organization representative should report the status of each unit to the head of the chartered organization or its governing body at regular intervals. If help is needed, the resources of the chartered

organization and the Boy Scouts of America can be mobilized in support.

The Council:

Is a term used to describe a geographic region in which the Scouting program is administered through a paid professional staff.

Provides the Scouting Program to be used by the Chartered Partner.

Respects the aims and objectives of the organization and offer the resources of Scouting to help in meeting those objectives.

Provides year-round training, service, and support to the organization and its unit(s).

Provides training and support for the chartered organization representative as the primary communication link between the organization and the BSA.

Provides techniques and methods for selecting quality unit leaders and then share in the approval process of those leaders.

The Council agrees to:

Provide primary general liability insurance to cover the chartered organization, its board, officers, chartered organization representative, and employees against all personal liability judgments when using the Scouting Program.

Provide camping facilities, service center, and a full-time professional staff to assist the organization in every way possible.

The local Council is to work with and help community organizations use Scouting and help Chartered Organizations succeed with the use of the program.

The District

Is a similar geographic area within a council. A district receives direct service from paid professionals. Their titles include: Field Director, Unit Service, Program, Membership, and Development Executives.

The two types of people on the district committee are chartered organization representatives and members at large; they each bring particular talents, interests, and skills to the committee.

As a member of this committee, it’s important that the chartered organization representative attend its meetings regularly. This will assure that the voice of the chartered organization is heard, its needs are met, and its successes are recognized.

If a chartered organization representative wishes, he or she should accept an assignment on one of the operating committees of the district.

Structure of the BSA

Unit

Area / District

Council

National

SUMMARYCHARTERED ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

THREE SECTIONS OF THE DUTIES

Head of the chartered organization’s Scouting department

An active and involved member of the district committee

A voting member of the local council representing the interests of the chartered organization

STAY INFORMED

It’s important that the chartered organization representatives keep well-informed of the unit’sprogram and activities.

It’s important that the chartered organization representative keep well informed of district and council activities and programs that could affect the chartered organization’s units.

Thank you for your Commitment to Scouting

For More information on Charter Organizational Representative

Google: charter organization representative

The Charter Organization Representative Handbook

Seneca District Training Chairman: Karen Zeitler kmzeitler@comcast.net