A district is a geographical area of the council determined by the council executive board to help ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within the district's territory.  Each district has a committee consisting of chartered organization representatives and elected district members at large, the district committee coordinates the functions of the district to carry out the policies and objectives of the council.  The executive officer of the district committee is the district chairperson.  Each district also has a district executive who is a professional Scouter who works under the direction of the local council Scout executive and acts as an adviser to the volunteer leaders in the district.

The District's Purpose

The purpose of the district is to help the council achieve Scouting's purpose.  A successful district meets Quality District requirements and the end result of effective districts is continued growth in membership, with those members receiving a quality program.

The Function of the Districts

All districts are responsible for carrying out functions in four areas:

1. Membership
2. Finance
3. Program
   • Camp promotion
   • Training
   • Activities and civic service
   • Advancement and recognition
4. Unit service (commissioner service)

The order in which the functions are listed is not meant to suggest the order of their importance, but the natural interrelationship and flow of the functions. The movement cannot achieve its purpose without first organizing units and enrolling members. The district cannot support its units without the funds to do it. Unit programs are supported by the district through its program functions and unit service. All four functions are equally important and necessary. If one suffers from lack of attention, all the work of the district suffers.

The functions of the district include

• Extending opportunities for youth to join a pack, troop, team, or crew
• Helping existing units provide a quality program for their youth
• Marshaling the resources of the territory in terms of volunteers and money

Its specific duties are selling the use of Scouting and providing the essential services. The district committee sells the use of the program to community organizations and helps to organize new units. It provides those things essential to successful Scouting that the chartered organization cannot easily provide, including

• Guidance in the selection of unit leadership
• Training for unit personnel in the techniques of good program
• Interunit activities that stimulate good unit program through participation and competition
• Promotion of the BSA camping and outdoor program
• Promotion of the BSA advancement program by providing merit badge counselors and coaching unit committees on advancement procedures
• Giving guidance to units through effective commissioner service

The district serves as a vehicle by which Scouting services and programs are carried to the chartered organization and units. It serves as a sounding board for chartered organization and unit needs and thus enables the consideration of those needs as the council program is planned. It also participates in determining the council budget and fund-raising for the financing of its program.