Req 2b — Charting Local Government
How Is Your Government Organized?
Every community is governed by a structure — a system of offices and roles that determines who makes decisions, who enforces them, and who resolves disputes. This requirement asks you to map out that structure so you can see how the pieces fit together.
You can choose to chart either your local government (city, town, or county) or your state government. Most Scouts find local government easier to research and more directly relevant to their daily lives.
Local Government Structures
Not all local governments look the same. Most communities use one of these three models:
Mayor-Council
This is the most common structure. Voters elect both a mayor (the chief executive) and a city council (the legislative body). The mayor proposes budgets, appoints department heads, and runs day-to-day operations. The council passes laws (called ordinances), approves budgets, and provides oversight.
- Mayor — Elected
- City Council Members — Elected
- City Manager (if one exists) — Appointed by the council
- Department Heads (police chief, fire chief, public works director) — Usually appointed by the mayor
Council-Manager
In this model, voters elect a city council, and the council hires a professional city manager to run the government’s daily operations. The mayor may be elected separately or chosen from among the council members, but the mayor’s role is mostly ceremonial.
- City Council — Elected
- Mayor — Elected or selected from council
- City Manager — Appointed by the council
- Department Heads — Appointed by the city manager
Commission
Less common today, this model has voters elect a small group of commissioners. Each commissioner oversees a specific department (public safety, public works, finance, etc.). There is no separate executive — the commissioners share power equally.
- Commissioners — Elected
- Department Staff — Appointed by their commissioner
State Government Structure
If you choose to chart your state government instead, the structure generally mirrors the federal government with three branches:
Executive Branch
- Governor — Elected. The chief executive of the state.
- Lieutenant Governor — Elected in most states.
- Attorney General — Elected in most states.
- Secretary of State — Elected or appointed, depending on the state.
- State agency heads — Typically appointed by the governor.
Legislative Branch
- State Senate — Elected.
- State House of Representatives (or Assembly) — Elected.
Judicial Branch
- State Supreme Court Justices — Elected or appointed, varies by state.
- Lower court judges — Elected or appointed, varies by state.
How to Create Your Chart
Your chart should clearly show:
- The top offices in the government
- The relationships between them (who reports to whom)
- Whether each position is elected or appointed
Research Tips
- Your community’s website — Most city and county governments have an “About” or “Government” page that lists officials and their roles.
- Your state’s official website — Search for “[your state] government organization” for a state-level chart.
- Ask at city hall — If you visit in person, staff can often provide an organizational chart or point you to one.
Chart Checklist
Make sure your chart includes these elements
- The title of each major office (Mayor, Council Member, City Manager, etc.)
- The name of the current person in each role (optional but impressive)
- Whether the position is elected or appointed
- Lines showing the reporting structure
- A title and date on your chart
