A district is a geographical section of a council, determined by the council executive board.

Each district is led by a district committee. District leaders mobilize resources to ensure the growth and success of units within the district’s territory. All districts are responsible for carrying out four standard functions: membership, finance, program, and unit service.

• The membership function strives for growth through the organization of new Scouting units and growth through new members joining existing units.

• The finance function sees that the district provides its share of funds to the total council operating budget.

• The program function concentrates on helping Scouting units with camp promotion; special activities, including community service; training adult volunteers; and youth advancement and recognition.

• The unit service function provides direct coaching and consultation by district volunteers for unit adults to help ensure the success of every Scouting unit.

The membership, finance, and program functions are carried out by members of the district committee. The unit service function is carried out by the district commissioner staff. The district chairman is a member of the council executive board. The district commissioner meets with the council commissioner and other district commissioners on a regular basis.

The chairman of each district operating committee may be a member of the corresponding council committee. The district chairman, one or more vice chairmen, and district members at large are elected by the district committee from a slate agreed upon and presented by the district’s nominating committee.

• Council and District Plan Book helps council and district officers define functions, responsibilities, and objectives.
• District Committee Volunteer Duties Cards provides brief overview job descriptions for district committee members.
• District Committee Basic Training District Committee Training has been taught the same way for many years with a very dated course. Today we are happy to announce that by leveraging the BSA Learn Center available at my.scouting.org we are providing the district committee a learning environment that provides them the content they need when the need it while leveraging professional training for consistency in district training. This new learning replaces the District Committee Workshop and provide learning plans aligned with the various district committee positions and functions.
  • Position trained status (D61) will be provided for those who complete their training. Position training includes:
    • District Committee Chair
    • District Committee Vice Chair
    • Membership Chair
    • Fund Development
    • Training Chair
    • Member at Large
    • Activities and Civil Service Chair
    • Nominating Chair
    • Program Chair
    • Camping and Outdoor Chair
    • Advancement Chair

• District Key 3 The district Key 3 consists of the district chairman, district commissioner, and district executive. These three crucial positions work together to define and serve the needs of the district.
• Handbook for District Operations provides details on the roles and responsibilities for each of the operating committees on the district committee and commissioner staff.
• JTE: Journey to Excellence, Progress Chart, Progress Chart Insert, Service hours website, New user instructions, Unit tips for success, Service hours worksheet
• Nominating Committee Worksheet a district committee is responsible for increasing the effectiveness of Scouting throughout a district through the achievement of district goals. Thus, the task of the district nominating committee selecting a slate of competent officers and members at large for the next year is an extremely important one.
• Recruiting District Volunteers helps determine the number of people needed to operate an effective district, and then to locate, select and recruit them.
• Self-Evaluation Guide for Successful District Operation
• Selecting District People helps key district leaders determine the number of people needed to operate an effective district, and then provides information on how to locate, select and recruit volunteers.
• The District provides information on how the district carries out the operational mission of the council.
• Activities and Civic Service Committee Guide activities and civic service are important responsibilities of the program function–one of the four major functions that every district and council must fulfill.
• Guide to Advancement  helps council and district advancement committees understand and implement the advancement programs and procedures of the Boy Scouts of America. This replaces the previous Advancement Committee: Policies and Procedures.
• Camping and Outdoor Program Committee Guide is designed to help districts offer a balanced outdoor program that delivers the promise of Scouting—from Cub Scouting to Venturing and Sea Scouting. The new publication emphasizes integration of partner committees (conservation, COPE/climbing, aquatics, shooting, properties, maintenance, risk management, and health and safety) to achieve the program goals of the council.
• District Finance Committee Guide provides information and resources relating to finance at the council, district, and unit levels.
• Membership Committee Guide provides information and resources relating to building membership at the council, district, and unit levels.
• Leadership Training Committee Guide outlines basic council and district responsibilities for leader training and was revised in 2018.

Sample job profile templates for district committee positions done in Word format so you can revise them to fit your district’s needs. These can also be used ‘as is’ by filling in the volunteer name and key meeting dates.

• Activities and civic service chair
• Advancement and recognition chair
• Camping chair
• District chair
• Family FOS – Unit chair
• Friends of Scouting chair
• Fund development chair
• Health and safety committee chair
• Marketing committee chair
• Membership relationships chair
• Nominating committee chair
• Popcorn kernel
• Program chair
• School Night chair
• Special events chair
• Training chair

• Rules and Regulations of the BSA