Online Tools

Information on Internet Rechartering, Internet Advanncement, and various Scouting-related websites.

Welcome to the Internet Rechartering page!

We suggest that you complete the Internet Rechartering Tutorial before attempting to complete your units rechartering on line. This is a self-guided training tutorial and can be used by an individual or as training for several Scouters. All questions regarding on-line rechartering should be directed toward the Council Registrar, Penny Griffin, 205-969-4267 (toll free 1-888-490-8955 or pgriffin@1bsa.org).

Take the Internet Rechartering Tutorial now!

Internet rechartering is an internet-based application that provides the ability for unit leaders to complete the paperwork portion of rechartering over the internet. Once the unit completes the renewal process and submits its data through this application, a charter renewal batch is created for your unit and is placed on hold for the registrar to review . The unit then prints its Charter Renewal Application upon completing the submittal process and sends it, along with other required documents, following the Council's annual charter renewal plan.

Your unit will be allowed access to this process two months prior to your recharter date. You must have an access code provided by the council registrar before you can log on and recharter your unit. Internet Rechartering is a browser-based application designed for use with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser. Browser software from other vendors may not fully function with Internet Rechartering.

Internet Rechartering has a full set of Help screens available should questions arise while completing the unit's charter renewal. The help contents also includes a list of frequently asked questions.

ACCESS INTERNET RECHARTERING

The New Internet Advancement

Online advancement entry is here! The Greater Alabama Council is excited to announce that units can now use Internet Advancement to record their youth member advancements from any online location—at home or at the office. You will find this new method to be easy, convenient, and accurate because you enter the information. Units may use this service at any time as long as the unit is an active unit; that is, no more that two months past the unit expiration date.

Here’s how it works: Internet Advancement makes it easy for unit leadership to record awards, ranks, and merit badges to youth via an online process. This system is separate from Internet Rechartering, but uses a similar concept. At any time during the year, the unit advancement processor from each active unit will be able to record advancements to youth member records. And, they’ll also be able to print a unit roster at any time. The roster is the most current information from ScoutNET, and it will include the person ID for each adult and youth member.

These are other reports available from Internet Advancement.

· Unit Advancement Summary shows ranks, merit badges, and awards saved in each person record for current members of the unit.

· Advancement Report lists each youth member that has new ranks, merit badges, and awards, if any. This is the official unit Advancement Report to be signed and submitted to the office.

· Unit Awards Summary lists the number of new ranks, merit badges, and awards by name as a shopping list.

· Advancement Update Summary lists any ranks, merit badges, and awards that were already in the member record and were updated online.

The council will provide each unit with a unit ID, and the unit will assign an adult to record advancements. Ranks must be recorded based on program identification and in the correct rank and date sequence. Only the Eagle Scout rank cannot be awarded by this process. Awards to be entered will not include nominated awards, such as those for meritorious action, and awards that are controlled by other organizations, even if approved for uniform wear. As BSA policies for rank entry are enforced, what units enter will meet these requirements.

There’s also a Frequently Asked Questions link on the Internet Advancement site and these should be reviewed.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Angie Champion achampion@1bsa.org or call the Greater Alabama Council Headquarters at 1-888-490-8955 and we’ll be glad to help you out.

Plan to attend your district roundtable for an orientation to learn more about Internet Advancement.

OVERVIEW

Process ranks and awards for packs, troops, teams, crews, ships, and posts. Units can now submit advancement for unit youth members online. Use Internet Advancement to: add ranks, merit badges, and awards! Update information on existing advancements (except the Eagle Scout rank)

To use Internet Advancement:

Select the unit advancement processor. This person must have Internet connectivity and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Obtain a unit ID code from the council. The unit advancement processor attends the roundtable training session.
Gather information for advancement, including merit badge applications and advancement records with dates.
Click Internet Advancement on this page. Follow the instructions in Internet Advancement to process advancements and print an advancement report.
Have the appropriate people sign the printed unit advancement report and submit it to the council. Save a copy for your files.

Units should submit monthly before the end of each month, or more often if needed. In December, submit a report before the end of the month to update your unit and council statistics.

Training - The district roundtables should feature orientation on Internet Advancement. Each unit must select an adult to be its unit advancement processor, and this adult should attend the training. Additionally, anyone who wants to learn more about Internet Advancement can review the help information.

Internet Advancement Help

GO TO INTERNET ADVANCEMENT NOW

Links to other BSA websites:

Public Sites

Anyone may access the following sites simply by going to the address provided. However, some sites are intended for specific audiences or purposes.

American Indian Scouting Association (http://aisa.scoutreachbsa.org): Scoutreach Division has taken control of the site for the American Indian Scouting Association.; Audience: General Public.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Boy Scouts of America, National Council (http://www.scouting.org): This is the primary Web site for the National Council.; Audience: Members and the general public.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Boys' Life (http://www.boyslife.org): A promotional site for Boys' Life magazine.; Audience: Magazine subscribers and advertisers, both current and potential.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

BSA Online Learning Center (http://www.olc.scouting.org): This site provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program. Managed by: ISD (course "shell") and BSA Webmaster (course contents).

Direct Service BSA (http://www.directservicebsa.org): A separate site that enables Direct Service to communicate with their members.; Audience: Members who are supported by Direct Service rather than a local council.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Fieldbook companion site (http://www.bsafieldbook.org): Companion site for the Fieldbook.; Audience: Members who have purchased the Fieldbook.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Finance Support Division (http://www.fsd.org): Meant for finance support personnel (professionals, committees, and key volunteers) in the field. Mostly password-protected.; Audience: Finance professionals and council finance committee members.; Managed by: Finance Support Division.

Florida Sea Base (http://www.bsaseabase.org): Promotional site for the Florida Sea Base.; Audience: Members that may wish to consider visiting the base.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Good Turn for America (http://www.goodturnforamerica.org): This is a separate site for the "Good Turn for America" campaign. In addition to providing information about the program, there is a section where units may log in to report service hours.; Audience: Members and the general public.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster (site content) and Research Service (project reporting)

Interamerican Scout Foundation (http://www.interamfoundation.org): This site is operated by International Divsion on behalf of the Interamerican Scout Foundation.; Audience: Anyone who might wish to contribute to the foundation.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Join Cub Scouting (http://www.joincubscouting.org): Promotional site for the Cub Scout program.; Audience: General public, specifically non-members who may wish to consider joining or starting a unit.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Learning for Life (http://www.learning-for-life.org): A stand-alone site for Learning for Life and Exploring programs.; Audience: Participants in these programs.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Legal Issues Site (http://www.bsalegal.org): This site provides information about the legal issues the BSA is currently facing.; Audience: Members and the general public.; Managed by: Robert Bork, Jr. on behalf of the BSA's legal counsel

National Eagle Scout Association (http://www.nesa.org): NESA's site supports their members, markets to potential members, and provides assistance and resources to Scouts who are pursuing the Eagle rank.; Audience: Current and potential Eagle Scouts. See also their "members" section under access-restricted sites.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

National Scouting Museum (http://www.bsamuseum.org): Promotional site for the museum.; Audience: Anyone that may wish to consider visiting the museum.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Northern Tier High Adventure Base (http://www.ntier.org): Promotional site for the Northern Tier High Adventure Base.; Audience: Members that may wish to consider visiting the base.; Managed by: Northern Tier High Adventure Base.

Scouting - Vale La Pena (http://www.scoutingvalelapena.org): The official Spanish-language Web site of the Boy Scouts of America.; Audience: General Public.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Soccer and Scouting (http://www.soccerandscouting.org): Promotional site for the Cub Scout Division's "Soccer and Scouting" program.; Audience: General public, specifically non-members who may wish to consider joining or starting a unit.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Scouting Friends (http://www.scoutingfriends.org): This site is intended to reach former members of Scouting who are interested in reconnecting with the movement.; Audience: Former members.; Managed by: Finance Support Division.

Scouting magazine (http://www.scoutingmagazine.org): Web site for Scouting magazine - contains full content (except ads) back to 1998.; Audience: Magazine subscribers and advertisers, both current and potential.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Scouting magazine subscription site (http://shop.scoutingmagazine.org): Scouting magazine has set up an "e-commerce" site that offers one item: subscriptions to the magazine.; Audience: Parents and other Scouting supporters who are not registered members, but who may wish to subscribe to the magazine.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Scoutreach Division (http://www.scoutreachbsa.org): Scoutreach Division has launched its own, separate, Web site.; Audience: General Public.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Supply Group (http://www.scoutstuff.org): A separate stand-alone site for Supply Group, offers online purchasing for Supply Division items.; Audience: Members.; Managed by: Supply Group

The Merits of Marketing (http://marketing.scouting.org): Marketing opportunities, tips, and resources for local councils.; Audience: Council volunteers and professionals involved in marketing.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

The Scout Zone (http://www.thescoutzone.org): Promotional site for the Boy Scout program.; Audience: General public, specifically non-members who may wish to consider joining.; Managed by: BSA Webmaster.

Tooth of Time Traders (http://www.toothoftimetraders.org): E-Commerce site for Philmont Scout Ranch.; Audience: Members.; Managed by: Philmont Scout Ranch.