The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council is committed to upholding the standards and integrity of the Scouting program through the proper administration of all unit charters. While the preferred method of unit registration is through a traditional Charter Organization, the Council may also register and manage units directly, known as Council Registered Units (CRUs), when no suitable charter partner is available. This page outlines the administrative guidelines for CRUs, including roles, responsibilities, and oversight procedures, in accordance with the official policies of Scouting America. These guidelines ensure CRUs are operated with accountability, trained leadership, and program excellence—delivering a safe and enriching Scouting experience to every youth involved.
Council Registered Units Guidelines for Administration
Requirements for Council Registered Units:
- The unit will follow all Scouting America safety guidelines and procedures.
- The unit will actively participate in recruitment initiatives.
- The unit must attend at least one council event per year.
- The unit will promote to its membership council resident and day camp programs.
- The unit will submit an Annual Unit Finance Report before its annual charter will be renewed.
- The unit will actively participate in the annual council Popcorn Sale.
- The unit must bank with Republic Bank with a council designated representative on the account.
- All unit assets over $1000 must be reported to the council.
- Insurance on unit trailers is required through the council.
- Units are responsible for reimbursement of trailer insurance and registration fees.
Part of the unit agreement requires the leadership to secure a meeting facility for the unit. CRUs who do not have a meeting space available to them should use the BSA approved facility use agreement template to secure a meeting location. Ideally, that facility should have storage capabilities for the unit. Key volunteers often provide storage space for units or units rent small storage spaces for gear. If the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council has space available at its facility, it may at its discretion offer storage space to units.
For Council Registered Units, the Annual Unit Charter fee is still required. The Annual Unit Charter Fee and Registration Fees are to be paid by the unit and can be offset by council sponsored Unit Money- Earning opportunities, such as popcorn and camp card sales.
CRUs must have at least 5 registered youth members and must meet all Scouting America adult registration requirements. Units must always adhere to the two-deep leadership requirements and Scouting America youth protection guidelines. All registered leaders should take position specific training.
CRUs may not incorporate or seek status as a 501(c)3 tax exempt entity. A CRU may not see to establish a non-profit account at retailers or businesses. A CRU is a part of the council, so it may utilize the council’s non-profit status for qualified unit purchases. The Council is established at the following businesses:
- WalMart
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
If you wish to use the non-profit status for purchases, please speak with your CRU representative.
Key Leaders for Council Registered Units
The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council designates a council employee or a board appointed volunteer to serve as the Institutional Head for CRUs (approved by the Council Commissioner). Remember these units are “owned” by the council—i.e., the council controls these units and the disposition of their funds and assets—and this requires proper oversight. These units are represented at the council by the assigned Institutional Head.
The Institutional Head, appoints an individual to serve as the CRU Representative to have direct contact with the unit. The CRU Representative should be a council employee or board appointed volunteer (approved by the Council Vice President of Operations) *The CRU will abstain from voting in any unit related issues at the board meeting. The CRU is responsible for appointing the unit committee Chair for the unit committee, as described below, and is responsible for reference checks, Youth Protection training, and ensuring adherence to safe practices, two-deep leadership, and the Guide to Safe Scouting. (CRU will be coded as “COR” in the Scouting America system)
The Committee Chair must be approved by the IH and the CRU. The Committee Chair oversees the unit account and appoints the unit treasurer, adhering to the BSA Fiscal Policies and Procedures and Unit Money Earning Guidelines. The Committee Chair, with the support of the committee, is responsible for ensuring safe program practices and helps recruit other unit positions per Scouting America guidelines.
Each unit of Scouting America must be supervised by a unit committee, consisting of three or more qualified adults, 21 years of age or older, selected by the council. The unit must be operated under the guidance of the unit committee, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations, policies, and guidelines of Scouting America.
The Unit Treasurer handles all unit funds and secures proper authorizations for the unit. The Unit Treasurer pays bills, supervises money-earning projects, and reports back to the Unit Committee on the receipt and application of funds at each meeting.
Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including meetings. A registered adult female leader must be present for any activity involving female youth. In addition, age and program appropriate supervision must always be provided at Scouting activities.
The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council designates a council employee or a board appointed volunteer to serve as the Institutional Head for CRUs (approved by the Council Commissioner). Remember these units are “owned” by the council—i.e., the council controls these units and the disposition of their funds and assets—and this requires proper oversight. These units are represented at the council by the assigned Institutional Head.
Managing Unit Finances and Assets for Council Registered Units
The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council has approved a policy granting the unit authority to use the council’s EIN for the purchase of assets (e.g., a troop trailer.) The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council will be the owner of all unit assets and will provide appropriate liability, casualty, and property insurance coverage for those assets valued in excess of $1,000.00.
The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council may assess a fee to the unit for providing insurance coverage. The local unit, in compliance with the Guide to Safe Scouting materials, should regularly inspect all vehicles and trailers. CRUs should follow Greater Tampa Bay Area Council policies for unit bank accounts. Greater Tampa Bay Area Council will allow the unit to maintain a separate bank account using the council EIN and allow for custodial accounts at the Council Service Center.
Units will be responsible to complete the Annual Unit Finance Report and submit at unit re-charter. Greater Tampa Bay Area Council will report unit finances on their 990s and should consult their tax advisors/auditors, with respect to accounting for unit finances. CRUs will be required to provide copies of bank statements for 1st half and end of the year to the Council – June 30 and December 31. Council reserves the right to assign a Council representative to be a signer on unit bank accounts.
CRUs previously using separate bank accounts through a Charter Organization should close those accounts and follow the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council policy for a new account. In General, the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council owns the funds for all CRUs. Scouting America recommends that all units require at least two signatures for bank account transactions, typically the Treasurer and a member of the Unit Committee.
Effective Dec 31, 2025 All CRUs will be required to bank with Republic Bank. CRUs using bank accounts through another financial institution must close their accounts and transfer all funds to Republic Bank at that time or find another Charter Organization.
Council Chartered Unit Bank Transition Letter
Republic Bank New Banking Requirement for Council-Sponsored Units.pdf
CRUs may not incorporate or seek status as a 501(c)3 tax exempt entity.