The BSA issues charters annually to community organizations to enable them to serve youth through Scouting programs under leadership they approve and meeting places they provide. Charter renewal (“rechartering”) is the annual process through which each organization certifies its self for a new year, and recommits itself to the Scouting program.
Individual youth and adult membership is now handled separately.
On-time unit charter renewal is critical, and in Alameda District, all units are due to verify unit information, pay the national renewal fee, and submit the renewal application by December 31 each year.
Note that some units started during 2025 will have a different renewal date based on when the unit was started. Check on your unit’s My.Scouting/ Roster / Dashboard page. to see when your unit’s charter expires.
Unless your Chartered Organization’s Executive Officer has changed, the renewal can be done completely online, following the information on the Golden Gate Area Council Unit Renewal page.
If your Executive Officer has changed, you will need to submit a paper “New Unit” application for your existing unit as this is the only way to change the Executive Officer. Contact your Unit Commissioner or the council Registrar for more information and guidance.
If a unit fails to renew its charter before the expiration date, they unit ceases to exist. All youth advancement and adult recognition is suspended, My.Scouting, Scoutbook, Scoutbook+, and Internet Advancement access to the unit information will not be available, and insurance coverage ceases. So it is very important to complete the charter renewal process on time.
Also see:
- Adult Membership Renewal information
- Parent Renewal of a Youth information