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The unit is owned and run by a sponsoring group called a chartered organization. The chartered organization receives a national charter yearly to use the Scouting program as a part of its youth work. The local council helps the chartered organization understand the program, however it is the chartered organization's program and is part of the chartered organizations youth work. These groups, which have goals compatible with those of the Boy Scouts of America, include religious, educational, community groups, fraternal, business, labor, and professional associations.
Each chartered organization using the Scouting program provides a meeting place, selects a Scoutmaster, approves the unit adult leadership, appoints a unit committee of at least three adults, and chooses a chartered organization representative.
The leadership structure and makeup of each unit are spelled out in the BSA Rules and Regulations. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Varsity Teams are for boys. Venturing is for young men and young women. A volunteer adult member (e.g., Scoutmaster) heads the Troop (Pack, etc.). They are assisted by other volunteer adult members (e.g. Assistant Scoutmasters) who attend, guide and instruct at the meetings of the Patrols (Dens, Teams).
A Local Unit is directly chartered to the sponsoring group by the Executive Board of the BSA based on a favorable recommendation from the Local Council. Once a Charter is granted, it is subject to revocation by the Executive Board in the exercise of its sole judgment. In most instances, charters are issued to existing organizations (church, civic, etc.). In some instances a charter may issue to a unit of interested and qualified citizens formed specifically for that purpose. In either case (existing organization or community unit) the applicant is obliged "to provide adequate facilities, supervision and leadership for a period of at least one year and to make an effort to provide youth members with an opportunity for a quality program experience as set forth in the official literature of the BSA.
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.
Appoint a chartered organization representative who is a member of the organization and will represent it to the Scouting district and serve as a voting member of the local council. (The chartered organization head or chartered organization representative must approve all leader applications.)
Select a unit 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. (The committee chairman must sign all leadership applications.
Provide adequate facilities for the Scouting unit(s) to meet on a regular schedule, with time and place reserved.
Encourage the unit to participate in outdoor experiences, which are vital elements of Scouting.
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