Behind every great Scouting unit, district, council, area and region is a committed Key 3. These are the three top individuals within each segment of Scouting.
The BSA even has a National Key 3, which includes our national chair (previously called national president), Chief Scout Executive and national commissioner. These three individuals — two volunteers and one professional — are responsible for guiding the entire organization.
The Key 3s meet frequently in a quiet situation where successes and concerns can be shared and solutions reached. At every level, from unit to national, each member of the Key 3 needs to understand his or her role and feel empowered to serve.
So what is the Key 3? That’s what this guide is all about.
Unit Key 3
- Unit leader (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Venturing crew advisor, Varsity team coach)
- Unit committee chair
- Chartered organization representative
Why isn’t the unit commissioner a member of the Key 3? Because the unit commissioner isn’t a member of the unit, and he or she serves as an advisor to the unit Key 3.
Like other Key 3s in Scouting, the unit Key 3 meets monthly at the midpoint of unit committee meetings. The Key 3 addresses unit challenges, checks on Journey to Excellence status, and adjusts program and administrative elements to ensure unit progress toward JTE.
The unit Key 3, along with the unit commissioner, reviews Voice of the Scout feedback and makes recommendations to the unit committee to strengthen unit service to youth.
