So I have this paper labeled "Charter"...

So we waded thru the chartering process, the DE and Council are happy, the DE calls and sez he has the Charters for the units I commish. Goody. I pick'em up.

Now I call the Church Pastor, the CO IH (!) and say, " Howdy! I'd like to present you with the Charters for the 4 Scout units the church sponsors " and she says "Huh?" and we go and have a really good conversation. For the first time in many years, I arrange to have a formal presentation at one of the church services (sorry, didn't make Scout sunday).

Correlate and coordinate the leaders (CM,SM,VCPrez., SShip Skipper) and have a nice Scout talk about the units here at the church. Each speaks alittle about their part, and the Pastor accepts the Charters (suitable for framing) and presto! We have a new presence in the CO. Shake hands with mucho folks afterward.

How do YOU do it? Or wish it were done?

I'll confess.

Over the last ten years, I've handed them over periodically. Not that often. To recharter, you already have to visit with the CO executive. As such, we've already had a recent conversation. Probably the same conversation that happens each year.

Starts with the church secretary ... "Who are you?" ... "Why do you need a signature?" Followed by a "Huh?"

The charter paper comes a few months later. We've already had the conversation. Time in front of the congregation is pretty limited.

The other CO is a PTO and we don't really want to raise visibility too much as it could easily push someone's button causing a much bigger headache.

...

Probably the one thing that should change is see if the CO wants to have a frame somewhere to display the charter. We could put the new one in each year.(This message has been edited by fred8033)

One of the Packs I UC for got a new church built (40+ years of tenure), so I suggested presenting them with the charter (framed, which I bought a cheap frame for) and a 3 wick candle (3 aims of Scouting) which I also paid for. I figured a simple Light of Scouting moment during Scout Sunday to present the charter/candle.

The pastor (IH/COR) was up for it, and I attended with framed charter/candle and took no more than 2 minutes during the beginning of his service.

Even though I had been talking it up to the CM/Leaders since Dec., 2 Cubs showed in uniform!

35 Cubs & parents must go to other churches.... it did appear they did not think it was important to strengthen ties with the congregation in the new church.

In the church where my son and daughter are in the Troop/Crew, there was Scouts from the Pack, Troop and Crew, as well as several leaders in uniform participating in the service, charter presentation, and the sandwiches served after.

We turn them in to the CO. Sometimes we make that part of the Scout Sunday service. Most times we put them in a frame and display them at the head of the coffee line.

Interesting process from the OP. In my District, the responsibility for taking care of the re-charter falls to the unit leaders. Pack leadership is responsible for preparing the re-charter, obtaining all necessary signatures including the executive officer and unit commissioner. Then we deliver to the Council Office with our re-charter money. When everything is approved, the Charter is mailed to the unit leader (CM or CC). No ceremonies, no framed Charter, just "get it done" and move on.

The only time I heard from our Commissioner was a phone call to remind me that our re-charter "will be due at the end of the month." It appears that commissioners do not get closely involed with the process unless their is a unit(s) that is not going to re-charter on time or threatening not to re-charter.

Not complaining. The process works pretty well and our council uses the internet re-charter process that reduces errors and paper.

Jeffrey,

I believe it is one of the main roles of a UC to be involved in the recharter process to provide whatever assistance is needed by the Unit. And should not be the only role of the UC, with just an email or phone contact.

Some of my units I UC for have leaders with Military experience and are always sharp on getting paper work done (and done early)... it's easy when I make my monthly visits (outings, COH, Comm Meeting or Troop meetings) to get a heads up on things, so things don't fall away.

Some units need more guidance in the form of me asking questions.... to keep the recharter fire burning, planning and communication going. But still they miss or overlook opportunities like the "charter presentation". And the charter was mailed to the unit, as I asked for it to frame and present for them. I even laminated the BSA member ID cards they passed out at the Blue And Gold.

When I was a CM I had a ghost UC, who I think thought I would track him down to get info... he never returned my calls or visited the unit.... even after repeated invitations. I had to have council reprint my recharter packet (2 years in a row) because he picked it up at RT and never got it to me...I was also at the same RT meeting in the Cub Side when he picked it up!!!

IF you have a ghost UC let the District Comm. know. Maybe there is someone else willing to step up.