Most councils have membership categories for individuals and companies. Some also allow membership for organizations other than corporations. Councils vary in size from as small as 35 up to about 11,000 members. The numerical average size of council memberships is 938, though most councils are smaller than that. Eliminating the three largest councils from consideration, the mean size of the rest of the council system is 565 members, which is a more meaningful figure.
Most councils have more than one individual membership category.
Each council sets its own dues and benefits policies. Councils generally also have higher level memberships for individuals and families. There may be three to five levels for individual members, each associated with higher level benefits. Individuals need to consult each local council about the deductibility of local dues as benefits provided directly in return for dues vary from council to council. Most councils also charge event fees at each of their programs.