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Re-chartering - What's That?
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A DEFINITION
char·ter
(chär'ter) n.
1.a document by which a society authorizes the organization of a
local chapter or lodge. 2. a document setting forth the aims and
principles of a united group. 3. a franchise or written grant of
specified rights made by a government or ruler to a person, corporation,
etc. |
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On June 15, 1916, the United States Congress granted a federal charter to
the Boy Scouts of America. This charter can be found in the United States
Code, Title 36
(Patriotic Societies and Observances), Chapter 2 (Boy Scouts of America)
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As stated in the
U.S. Code regarding the BSA:
"The purpose of the 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 were in common use by Boy Scouts on June 15,
1916." |
The Boy Scouts of America renews its federal charter each year through a
formal reporting to Congress. They (the BSA,) in turn, have granted charters
to sponsoring (chartered) organizations. And like the BSA and the U.S.
Congress, these chartered organizations must report to Scouting once each
year to renew their local charters.
Chartered organizations are issued a charter, effective for one year, to
operate a Cub Scout Pack. The charter year is not necessarily the same as
the calendar or program year (the current Pack charter indicates the charter
expiration date.) In the months prior to the charter expiration date, the
District Executive, Unit Commissioner, Pack Committee, and Cubmaster all
play an important role in the preparation and execution of the re-chartering
process. |
THE CHARTER RENEWAL PROCESS
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THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Ninety days
before the charter renewal date, the professional Scouter renews
the annual charter agreement with the executive officer of the chartered
organization. During the visit, they:
- Discuss the success and needs of the unit.
- Review the role of the charted organization and the local council.
- Consider key unit personnel to determine replacements, additions, and
recognition.
Sixty days before the charter renewal date, the
commissioner and unit committee conduct a membership inventory of youth and
adults. Contacts or visits should be made to inactive youth and adults.
Every effort should be made to recruit additional youth and adults so the
unit re registers with no loss in membership. (SPECIAL
NOTE: See the roles and responsibilities of the committee's
membership and re-registration chairperson.)
Forty-five days before the charter renewal date, the
commissioner and unit committee chairman conduct the
charter renewal meeting, which includes identifying youth and
adults to re-register, completing forms, and collecting fees. The executive
officer of the chartered organization or the chartered organization
representative approves all volunteers and the unit leader certifies the
youth to be registered. Participants of this meeting should include the
commissioner, chartered organization representative, executive officer of
the chartered organization, unit leader, and all other unit volunteers.
Fifteen days before the charter renewal date, the
commissioner submits the complete charter renewal application to the council
service center.
Thirty days after charter renewal, a formal charter
presentation is conducted. See our
charter presentation ceremonies! |
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THE
CHARTER RENEWAL MEETING
THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE CUBBING YEAR
This very important meeting is a time
for review, a time for long-term planning, and a time for growth. It should
occur about 45 days prior to the re-registration date.
Who Attends?
The following people should be invited to the charter renewal meeting: the unit
commissioner, chartered organization head, chartered organization
representative, pack committee chairman and members, and all other pack leaders.
Who Is Responsible?
Either the chartered organization representative or pack committee chairman
presides, unless the head of the chartered organization prefers to do so. The
unit commissioner and pack committee members all have important parts in the
meeting.
What Happens?
The Charter Renewal materials explain the details of what should be included in
the charter renewal meeting. The information below will give you a general idea
of what to expect:
- Review of membership inventory and inspection.
Review of unit operation, including membership, program, advancement,
outdoor activities, training status of leaders, pack budget plan, etc.
Identification of pack needs. Individual committee members may report on
their specific areas of responsibility and make recommendations for
improvement.
Did the pack qualify for the Quality Unit Award?
Complete application for charter renewal.
Make plans for the charter presentation ceremony.
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THE
CHARTER RENEWAL APPLICATION
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FILL IT OUT - DROP IT OFF!
Your local council
service center provides a computer printout for the annual re-chartering of
your pack. It includes information concerning your chartered organization,
committee, leaders, and boy roster, including Tiger Cubs and their adult
partners. The re-chartering application requires only that you cross out the
names of individuals not reregistering and incorrect information. Write in
the correct facts immediately below to update the information.
Secure two signatures (that of the organization head certifying all
adults, and that of the Cubmaster certifying the boy roster). Forward the
application to the local council service center with the necessary fees.
Additions to the pack roster are made by simply attaching registration
applications for each new member. |
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THE CUB SCOUT PACK
NATIONAL QUALITY UNIT AWARD
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WHAT IS THE QUALITY UNIT AWARD?
Each year during
your re-chartering exercises, the BSA will ask your Cub Scout Pack
leadership team to make some specific commitments regarding the quality of
their Pack's program for the following charter year. These commitments are
in ten (10) specific operational areas of Pack Program delivery. Then,
during the re-chartering exercises of following year you are asked to report
on your performance against the commitments that were made the year
previous. The Cub Scout Pack National Quality Unit Award is granted to Cub
Scout Packs that achieve (a minimum) of six of those operational quality
commitments out of the total of ten. Completion of four (4) specific
commitments are mandatory, plus at least two (2) additional commitments. |
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NATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
PACK INSURANCE FUNDAMENTALS
PERSONAL
INSURANCE - (Supplied by vehicle owners)
There are national recommendations for public liability insurance on
vehicles used to transport members to activities or on trips. Drivers should
consider the following coverage unless a larger coverage is required by
state law:
Passenger Cars, Station Wagons, Minivans
- $50,000 / $100,000 public liability
- $50,000 property damage
Passenger Buses or Large Vans
- $100,000 / $500,000 public liability
- $100,000 property damage
Before trips are taken, a member of the pack committee should secure a
proper tour permit, verify at least minimum state required auto liability
limits, driver's license, equipment condition, etc.
PACK INSURANCE - (Your Pack should purchase this)
A pack accident insurance program is of great benefit to the youth and
leaders in your pack. Accident insurance pays benefits regardless of who was
at fault, insuring that the injured party will be compensated promptly in
most cases. This insurance usually covers the insured while participating in
any activity approved and supervised by the Boy Scouts of America and while
traveling to and from such activities. Cost is minimal.
You would want to find out these things about your pack insurance plan:
- Who is covered? Registered members? Non-registered guests and
families?
- Are all den and pack activities covered?
- Is travel to and from den and pack activities covered?
Check with your local council service center for information and
application forms for insurance approved by the Boy Scouts of America.
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TONS OF RE-CHARTERING INFORMATION!
Well, if you've made it this far through our "Re-chartering" pages, you have
either found more than you ever dreamed you'd need to know about
re-chartering your Unit, or you are totally frustrated because you can't
find that esoteric piece of information you REALLY need. The links below are
specialized search portals into the Web that can put tons of re-chartering
information at your fingertips!
Peruse over 2,000,000 pages that are listed in AltaVista that contain the
words "Re-charter or Charter and Scout." This is my favorite search
engine!
"InfoSeek" Re-chartering Websites
Peruse over 450 sites that are listed in INFOSEEK that contain the words
"Re-charter, Charter, Scout, and/or Unit."
"eXcite" Re-charter Sites
Surf HUNDREDS of sites that are listed in EXCITE that contain the words
"Re-charter, Charter, Scout, and/ or Unit."
Search the "Rec.Scouting" UseNet for Re-chartering Discussions
Hang on tight as you use the DejaNews POWERSEARCH tool to search the
Scouting Newsgroups for 're-chartering' discussions. Lots of discussions
on this subject!
Search the "Scouts-L" Archive for Re-charter
Discussions
Search through over 7 years of re-chartering discussions at the
"Roundtable that never ends." The 300 best matches will be displayed.
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