I still don't understand the need for it. When they asked our PTO to charter them, it was for a place to meet. They said we would need to do nothing further. The BS could help at events, etc if we wanted them, too.

Any group can meet at the school if the proper forms are filled out but they insisted that we had to "charter" and wanted personal information of our officers along with information pertaining to the PTO. That's where we drew the line and went to the principal who contacted district and they said no way.

Why one non-profit would burden another non-profit makes no sense to me.

Tim,
Sorry I did not get back to you sooner, I have been having computer troubles.
The reason for a chartering organization is this; The BSA looks for established organizations to hold the charters of their individual packs/troops or venturing crews so that there is consistency. As I stated before, the chartering organization basically 'owns' that unit. In a way, it is sort of a franchise. They have say over the leadership, the training, and even how the money is used. Most chartered organizations do not go this far, or even understand their role in the relationship. That is why I urge both parties to attend their local councils chartered organization orientation. This way, they fully understand their role and responsibility. Because there can be such a rapid turnover in the leadership and ranking of the BSA units, the chartered organizations are there for stability. Imagine that every time the old board of a PTO, or the leadership of the Elks changes, they must start from scratch, finding a place to hold meetings, applying for a new 501c3 etc. The chartered organizations allow the BSA to continue their mission of serving the youth, without having to worry about reestablishing the entire unit again. I hope that this explanation is useful to everyone.

zeekaboo;132566 wrote: I am both a board member of our PTO, and a commisssioner with our local council, as well as the assistant cubmaster of the pack.

Hi zeek --

Glad you're here, as this has been a recurring topic for years. Do you have insight as why there needs to be an outside chartering organization at all? That's what has always struck me funny.

If I start a Lions Club (or a PTO) or a JayCees organization or a Rotary Club or the like, I only need to set that up with the parent organization of the Lions or the JayCees or the Rotary. I don't need to get the Lions to help me set up my Rotary Club. Why are Boy Scouts different?

Tim

I forgot to mention. The BSA has their own insurance policy to cover anything that might happen, regardless of where. Check with your local council if the PTA/PTO needs specific information on this issue. If a boy is registered, he is covered.

I am both a board member of our PTO, and a commisssioner with our local council, as well as the assistant cubmaster of the pack.
'Holding the charter' of a local troop/pack does give the organization that sponsors them certain 'rights'.
The organization holding the charter can by all rights review the leadership and training, they can review the budget of the troop/pack and can even require that they do some sort of service project for the chater holder.
Please, please... if there is trouble, contact the troop/packs chartered organization rep. If that does not get you anywhere, contact the local council, get the unit commissioner, distric commissioner and the district director involved.
I am sure both parties want what is best for the boys, and seems to me that certian people ought to be reminded of this. IT is best for the boys to have a safe place to meet and to be able to have the fun and experiences they deserve.

We didn't charter anyone precisely for the issues mentioned. And, please understand, it has nothing to do with the groups themselves but more to do with the people running them, what they think you can and can't do for them or what they expect. Many expected us to pay the extra ?-hundred dollar policy for a 1 day event that was county-wide that the district itself wouldn't even cover due to the liability.

It's can be a tricky situation for some but I'm sure there are others who "umbrella" other groups without a problem. The best thing you could probably do is to sit down with the heads of each organization and draw up and agreement, understanding of certain limitations, rules, etc and have it notarized. Can help cover all involved should anything go wrong.