UNITS AND CHARTERED ORGANIZATIONS

[Freddie]

General
The Boy Scouts of America has the power to grant charters to
organizations and groups of individuals that it determines meet
the requirements of the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, policies,
and guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts of
America has the power to revoke or modify such charters when
in its sole judgment such revocation or modification is warranted.
Charters to Organizations
Charters for new units may be granted upon approval of the
application in accordance with the guidelines of the Boy Scouts
of America. Prior to approval of any new chartered organization,
a review must be made as to the general objectives, purpose,
character, intent, and programs of the prospective chartered organization or community group and its compatibility with the aims
and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America. The history, length of
service, and general reputation of the organization or community
group are also factors that should be considered. The application must provide reference to the guidelines adopted by the Boy
Scouts of America on the use of the Scouting program by chartered
organizations and references to other policies and guidelines on
the Scouting program. The charter agreement must obligate the
holder to abide by the charter agreement; provide adequate facilities, supervision, and leadership for at least one year; and make an
effort to provide youth members with the opportunity for a quality
program experience as set forth in the official literature of the Boy
Scouts of America. Unit meeting quarters must be periodically
inspected to determine their adequacy as well as to ascertain other
uses to be made of these or adjoining quarters, for the purpose of
considering the compatibility of uses and the general appropriateness of the environment.

[Freddie]

Charters to Groups of Citizens
While the formation of units in connection with existing organizations is preferred, when conditions warrant, a charter may be
granted for the formation of a unit independent of any relationship with an existing organization, provided, however, that the
applicants are citizens of the United States who subscribe to the
principles of the Scout Oath, whose interest is primarily in helping
youth through the Scouting program, and who have the resources
to provide the necessary leadership, supervision, and facilities. In
such cases, the obligations upon the applicants for a charter are the
same as those required for organizations.
Charter Applications, Renewals, and Revocations
Applications for unit charters, new and renewal, must be issued in
accordance with the policies and guidelines of the Boy Scouts of
America and may be granted only upon the favorable recommendation of the local council. Prior to approving the renewal of unit
charters, the council should determine that the unit is offering the
Scouting program in accordance with the Rules and Regulations,
policies, and guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America.
An annual unit charter fee determined from time to time by the
Executive Committee and announced to the field must be paid to
the National Council each time a unit registers or reregisters and
is in addition to the individual registration fees. No additional unit
charter or registration fees must be imposed by a local council without the prior authorization of the Executive Committee. The
expiration of the registration of units will normally be 12 months
from the last day of the month in which the original organization
of the unit was approved by the local council or, in the case of
units not under local council supervision, by the Boy Scouts of
America. The rights and privileges of all those units expire with
the expiration of the unit registration. In cases where units have
been dropped from the records under conditions that they could
not avoid, they may have their record of continuous service reestablished by submitting evidence of continued activity and paying registration fees from the date of charter expiration.
Chartered Organizations and Representative
Chartered organizations must operate the unit in accordance with
the Rules and Regulations and charter agreement. Chartered organization representatives are also members of the district committee
and voting members of the local council

[Freddie]

Unit Committees
Each chartered unit of the Boy Scouts of America must be supervised by a unit committee, consisting of three or more qualified
adults, 21 years of age or older, selected by the organization with
which the unit is connected or, in the case of a unit chartered to a
group of individuals, selected from those who make application for
the unit charter. The unit must be operated under the guidance of
the unit committee, one of whose members must be designated as
chairman, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations, policies,
and guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America.
Unit Program Leaders
Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required
at all Scouting activities, including meetings. A registered adult
female leader must be present for any activity involving female
youth. Notwithstanding the minimum leader requirements, ageand program-appropriate supervision must always be provided.
All adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the
activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as leaders.
The 72 hours need not be consecutive.
In Cub Scouting, units may have a separate pack for boys or girls,
or separate dens for girls and dens for boys in the same pack. In
the case of troops, separate troops for boys and girls are required.
Chartered organizations may have “linked troops,” which means
a chartered organization can have a shared troop committee with
separate troops for boys and for girls.
The chartered organization must select and its representative must
approve unit leaders. The local council must process unit leader
applications submitted on the proper form in accordance with
guidelines established by the Boy Scouts of America. All units must
be operated in accordance with the

[Freddie]

Unit Designation
Each unit will be designated by a serial number assigned by the
local council. The National Council may establish guidelines by
which units are designated and limit the use of such designations
as appropriate.