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Revised
28 Jan 2006
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Community
Organizations and the Boy Scouts of America
That the purpose
of this corporation shall be to promote, through organization and cooperation with
other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and
others, to train them in
Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and
kindred virtues, using
the methods which are now in common use by Boy Scouts.
Sec. 3, federal
charter, Boy Scouts of America June 15, 1916,
by the United States Congress
Charters
Two kinds of
charters are issued by the Boy Scouts of America: one to community
organizations and the other to BSA local councils. The first enables
community groups to use the Scouting program under their own leadership
as a service to their children, youth, and families. The other empowers
local councils to help chartered organizations effectively use the
Scouting program and to expand the use of the program to other community
groups.
How Community
Organizations Use the Scouting Program
Schools,
community and religious organizations, and groups, with the help of the
BSA, organize Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams,
Venturer crews, and Learning for Life groups for children and youth.
They manage these units and control the program of activities to support
the goals and objectives of the chartered organizations. When community
organizations establish a new unit, they must take these two important
actions to ensure a quality Scouting program:
1. Selecting
leadership
The head of
the chartered organization appoints a chartered organization
representative to provide leadership in the selection of a committee
of adults that will provide overall supervision for the unit's
program. The committee selects the adult unit leaders who will work
with the youth. The chartered organization representative is also a
voting member of the local council and may serve as a member of the
district committee.
2. Providing a
meeting place and promoting a good program
The chartered
organization arranges for adequate meeting facilities for the unit and
promotes through its committee the full use of the program, including
outdoor experiences, advancement, recognitions, and, in particular,
Scouting's values.
How the BSA
Supports the Community Organization
To support
approximately 124,000 Scouting units owned and operated by chartered
organizations, more than 300 BSA councils provide professional
counseling and administration, commissioner service, training for
leaders, camping and outdoor facilities, program materials and
literature, planning tools, and other program aids. Councils also
maintain records on units and their membership, provide rank
certificates and merit badge cards, and maintain service centers where
badges, insignia, literature, and other helps can be obtained. In
addition, council representatives conduct annual charter review
conferences with chartered organization personnel to evaluate how
effectively the Scouting program is being delivered and how it might be
improved.
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