The chartering process is one of the oldest traditions in Scouting. It is the formal document that certifies the agreement between a Chartered Partner – an organization that agrees to utilize Scouting as a part of its service to youth and community outreach – and the Boy Scouts of America, setting expectations for the quality of program to be delivered to the Charter Partner’s youth population.

The BSA grants charters to sponsoring (chartered) organizations who must report to Scouting annually to renew their local charters. Charter Renewal is the process where a Scout unit renews its charter as an official part of the Boy Scouts of America.

October 1 – November 10:
Pre-Planning Activities Completed

November 1 – November 15:
Online Charter Renewal Data Entry Completed

November 15 – December 15:
Secure Charter Organization Approval and Payment

By December 21:
Submit Final Charter Renewal Report with Payment to Council office

Attention All Unit Leaders, Committee Chairs, Commissioners, and other Unit Volunteers:

On October 7, a virtual training session outlining the steps of the charter renewal process was presented by Assistant Council Commissioner, Dave Bainbridge. Tips, tools and tricks to complete your unit’s charter renewal for the 2021 Scouting year were shared.  Even if you were unable to join us for the virtual training, you can still view the training and the support documentation.

Virtual Leader Training Slide Presentation

Virtual Leader Training Video Presentation

Join Assistant Council Commissioner Dave Bainbridge and Registrar, Jenn Neuville for help with your unit charter renewal questions.  During the session we will discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about the charter renewal process and online system.  Following the FAQ session, Dave and Jenn will assist with individual questions posed by session attendees.

Two Virtual Sessions are available – please join us for either one:

Virtual Session #1:  November 16 at 6:30 PM
Click here Log In Instructions to join us via Zoom

Virtual Session #2:  December 7 at 6:30 PM
Click here for Log In Instructions to join us via Zoom

STEP 1:  PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIES

1.  Print 2021 Charter Renewal Guidebook
The Charter Renewal Guidebook explains the timelines, key roles, major process steps, and common challenges.  Please use this handbook along with resources found on the Internet Charter Renewal web page  and your district’s commissioner staff to submit your 2021 Charter Renewal Application on time and error free.

2.  Assign Tasks:   Charter Renewal Roles and Duties

3.  Complete Unit Membership Inventory

STEP 2.  ONLINE CHARTER RENEWAL SYSTEM

Internet Charter Renewal is the BSA’s web-based method for units to renew their charters from any online location—at home, the office or anywhere you have internet access. It’s easy, convenient, and accurate because you enter the information yourself!  Step by step instructions can be found in the 2021 Charter Renewal Guidebook.

How it works:  Each unit, whose current charter year expires on December 31, 2020, will receive their 2021 Charter Renewal information via email by October 5, 2020.

  • The email will be sent to the Unit Leader (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Advisor, or Skipper) and the Committee Chair.
  • The email will include the Access Code needed by each unit in order to log into the online Internet Charter Renewal system.

Unit Access Codes: 

STEP 3.  FINAL CHARTER RENEWAL REPORT

Return each of the following items with your 2021 Charter Renewal:

1.  Charter Renewal Report
Print from Internet Charter Renewal Website. Do not submit E-Z/Summary Report

2.  Unit Key Contact Form

3.  Journey to Excellence scorecard specific to your unit type
Scorecards are available for all unit types and reflect changes adopted by National BSA due to Covid 19’s impact during the 2020 program year.

Use the Charter Renewal Checklist to be sure that you have all required materials included for your final charter turn-in meeting.
Note:  Charter Renewal Checklist updated November 2020 – Removed Friends of Scouting Date Request as not needed this year.

4.  Charter Renewal Return Options:

Any charter renewals not received at the Council office by December 31, 2020, will be placed on the “Non-member” list. Any Units on the “Non-member” list will not have access to membership privileges and services offered by the Boy Scouts of America. Including but not limited to: use of camping facilities, activity attendance, advancement system and accident & liability insurance.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES