The Boy Scouts of America is an organization run by volunteers, however the day-to-day administration is performed by a staff of professional (or career) Scouters.

[2][3] In the earliest days of the BSA, some commissioners were paid by local benefactors and supporters to administer and "grow Scouting" on a daily basis.

From this point on, adults have been in the background, behind the scenes, making sure everything is running as smoothly as possible for the organization.

[5] Those who do not qualify to be a professional may be hired to serve as a paraprofessional or other employed positions within a local council, a Region or at the BSA's National Office.

[6] Additionally, professionals are tasked with tracking and providing statistical data on the status of each unit, its volunteers and youth members.

They work with existing chartered partner organizations to ensure that they are using the BSA's programs in connection with their agreement with the local council to do so.

A great deal of each professional's day is spent in raising awareness and financial support for the local council, and in return, for the Boy Scouts of America.

While many people have some concept of what Scouting is, the professional member — assisted in many cases by key volunteers — spends time explaining the importance of Scouting and how the BSA executes its aims of responsible and practical citizenship, personal and moral character, and physical and mental fitness.

However, the BSA feels that without that man or woman "carrying the heavy rocks" for their volunteers, the BSA would be a program with limited volunteers, all trying to do "everything" and end up achieving very little progress toward keeping the programs active, and expanding the movement to youth members who need what Scouting provides.

The BSA greatly values these non-exempt employees but does not include their positions in the classifications of professional Scouters.

[citation needed] In a few cases, a district executive may be promoted directly to a specialized role such as finance director to focus on fund-raising or program director to oversee camp operations and other council program support work.

In medium-sized councils without field directors, this role usually retains the title of assistant scout executive, and often includes responsibility for program support and other special functions.

[citation needed] Also in larger councils, similar to the director of field service may be other senior-level professionals.

[citation needed] Regions and areas are subdivisions of the National Council and do not have a corporate status separate from the BSA.