Welcome
Make yourself comfortable.
We will start soon.
Commissioner Basic
Training
Instructors: [Insert names
here]
Session 1
Why Commissioners?
Opening
Pledge of Allegiance
Opening Ceremony
The Cub Scout Promise
 I, (name), promise to do my best to do
my duty to God and my country, to help
other people, and to obey the Law of the
Pack.
Opening Ceremony
The Scout Oath
 On my honor I will do my best to do my
duty to God and my country and to obey
the Scout Law; to help other people at all
times; to keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Opening Ceremony
The Venturing Oath
 As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to
God and help strengthen America, to help
others, and to seek truth, fairness, and
adventure in our world.
Introductions
Name
Present job in Scouting
Previous positions held
Tenure
Awards earned
Learning Objectives
State the purpose of the Boy Scouts of America.
State the mission of the council and district.
Explain the four-function concept of council and
district operation.
Describe the commissioner unit service role and its
relationship to supporting a unit in a quality program.
State the methods and steps of good unit program
planning.
State Commissioner Priorities.
Describe Effective Commissioner Leadership.
Purpose, Aims &
Methods of Scouting
Purpose of Scouting
To promote, through cooperation with other
agencies, the ability of youth to do things
for themselves and others, and to teach
youth patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and
kindred virtues
Aims of Scouting
Character development
Citizenship training
Personal fitness
Methods of Scouting
Cub Scouting (Boys
grades 1-5)
Boy Scouting (Boys
ages 11-17)
Venturing (Youth
ages 14-20)
►Ideals
►Ideals
►Ideals
►Den
►Patrol
►Group activities
►Advancement
►Advancement
►Recognition
►Family involvement
►Adult
►Adult
►Activities
►Home and
neighborhood centered
►Uniform
association
►Outdoors
►Personal growth
►Leadership
►Uniform
association
►High adventure
►Teaching others
►Leadership
Council Mission
Voluntary association of citizens & chartered
organization representatives
Promotes Scouting within a geographical area
Guides & supports districts to




Make Scouting available to youth
Provide adequate funds
Maintain standards and policies
Serve organizations using the Scouting
programs
District Mission
Ensures growth & success of Scouting units
within the district's territory
Works through chartered organizations and
community groups to organize and support
successful units
Four-Function Plan
Membership/Relationships
Finance
Program
Unit service
Commissioner
Service Role
The Commissioner Concept
The commissioner is the liaison between the local
council and Scouting units.
The commissioner's mission is to
 Keep units operating at maximum efficiency,
 Maintain regular contact with unit leaders,
 Counsel leaders on where to find assistance,
 Note weaknesses in programs,
 And suggest remedies.
The commissioner is successful when units
effectively deliver the ideals of Scouting to their
members.
Unit Commissioner
Responsibility Card
Report to the district commissioner or assistant
district commissioner as assigned
Help each unit earn the Quality Unit Award
Use the annual commissioner service plan, with its
scheduled opportunities for commissioner contact
with units
Know each phase of Scouting and its literature. Be
able to describe how each works.
Visit meetings of assigned packs/troops/teams/crews
regularly, usually once a month
Unit Commissioner
Responsibility Card
Visit regularly with the unit leader
Be aware of unit leader concerns and challenges
Serve as the unit leader’s coach and counselor
Build a strong, friendly relationship
Using the literature and profile sheet, help the
leader see opportunities for improvement
 Encourage unit participation in district and
council events




Unit Commissioner
Responsibility Card
Work to ensure effective unit committees
 Visit with the unit committee periodically
 Observe the committee, offer suggestions for
improvement, and work to solve problems
See that adult leaders have adequate training
Make certain that proper techniques are used
to select and recruit unit leaders
Unit Commissioner
Responsibility Card
Facilitate on-time charter renewal of all units
 Help the unit conduct a membership inventory of youth
and adults
 Help the unit committee chairman conduct the charter
renewal meeting
 See that a completed charter renewal application is
returned to the council service center
 Make arrangements to present annually each unit
charter at a meeting of the chartered organization
Unit Commissioner
Responsibility Card
Attend all meetings of the commissioner staff
Become trained
 Initial orientation and basic training
 Arrowhead Honor and Scouter’s Key
 Annual council commissioner’s conference
Know the resources available to the unit in
the neighborhood, district, and council
Unit Commissioner
Responsibility Card
Set the example





Adopt an attitude of helpfulness
Keep promises
Be concerned about proper uniforming
Be diplomatic
Be a model of Scouting ideals
Conduct own Self-Evaluation on page 55 of
the Commissioner Fieldbook
Commissioner Quiz
The unit commissioner:
(true / false)
1. Reports to the district executive.
2. Must be an expert in training adults and youth.
3. Is only concerned with reregistering a unit on
time.
4. Should be familiar with the official literature
used by units for program.
5. Visits the unit committee only, on a regular
basis.
Commissioner Quiz
(continued)
6. Must know the unit program planning process.
7. "Sells" the unit leader on district and council
functions, as a primary responsibility.
8. Periodically communicates with the chartered
organization representative to offer help.
9. Regularly attends Roundtables.
10. Guides the unit through the annual service plan.
Commissioner Quiz
(continued)
11. Should earn the Commissioner’s Key.
12. Attends monthly meetings of the district
committee.
13. Is not involved in the presentation of the unit
charter.
14. Must be familiar with the monthly program
themes.
15. Encourages assigned packs, troops, teams, and
crews to earn the Centennial Quality Unit Award.
Unit Commissioner
Video
AV-06DVD08
“Helping Units Succeed”
Commissioner’s Roles
Friend
Teacher
Unit “Paramedic”
Problem Solver
Resource Person
Supporting the Unit
Supporting the Unit
Topic: Indicators of unit health
Method: Buzz groups
Indicators of Unit
Health: Pack
-Leadership
-Webelos dens
-Advancement
-Youth attendance
-Membership
-Family attendance
-Den participation
-Meeting operation
-Den chiefs
-Tiger Cub dens
Indicators of Unit
Health: Troop
-Meeting operation
-Boy leadership
-Attendance
-Patrol activity
-Budget Plan
-Outdoor program
-Membership
-Adult assistance
-Skills instruction presentation
-Skills instruction levels
Indicators of Unit
Health: Crew
-Adult Advisors
-Elected officers
-Planned program
-Adult assistance
-Membership
-Meeting operation
-Service projects
-Program capability
inventory
Commissioner Worksheet
Sample
Evaluation Tool
Commissioner Worksheets:
pack, troop, crew, post
Do unit leaders resist evaluation?
Do you understand the profile?
What are your resources?
Unit Program Planning
Cub Scout Program
Planning
Unit commissioners should understand process and
tools
Program Helps and Pack Planning Chart
 Cub Scout Leader Program Notebook
 Council calendar
 Chartered organization needs
Annual program planning conference
Monthly pack leaders meeting
Den Chief – Den Leader meeting
Tools
Boy Scout Program
Planning
 Troop Program Features — 4 volumes
 Program Planning Chart
 Boy Scout Leader Program Notebook
Planning steps





Homework (get ready)
Find out what Scouts want (patrol leaders)
PLC annual planning, SPL presiding
Secure troop committee support
Pass the word. Publicize.
Venturing Crew
Program Planning
Crew plans program
 Program capability inventory (adult resources)
 Adult hobbies, interests, skills, careers, and Ideas from
PCI to program planning forms
 Venturing activity interest survey
Planning steps




Brainstorm activities
Discuss and evaluate each idea
Select activities and calendarize
Plan details each month in advance
Summary
Opening
Purpose, Aims and Methods of Scouting
Commissioner Service Role
Supporting the Unit
Unit Program Planning
Break!
Commissioner Basic
Training
Commissioner
Priorities
Distractions
Unit service
 Do not fall into the trap of doing everything
except your appointed job
 Principal Scouting obligation must be with
commissioner responsibilities
 Do not register as a unit leader
Unit Focus
Priority units receive most careful attention
 Do not give most attention to healthiest &
active units
Prioritize unit needs
Effective
Commissioner
Leadership
Leadership Tasks
Evaluate and improve your own performance
Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude
Work successfully with adults
Guide unit leaders in working successfully with boys
Set a good example for the boys and other adults
Continue learning and growing in leadership skills
Practice good communication
Summary
The Aims and Methods of Scouting
The Commissioner Service Role
Supporting the Unit
Unit Program Planning
Commissioner Priorities
Effective Commissioner Leadership
Session 2
Units: The Commissioner’s
Top Priority
Learning Objectives
Make meaningful visits to a unit.
Explain how unit committees are organized to
support the unit leaders.
State the role of the commissioner in youth
protection.
Recognize the standards for quality unit operation.
Evaluate unit operation.
Unit Visitation Basics
Unit Visit Basics
Commissioners visit each unit at least monthly
Visits may be to unit meeting, unit committee
meeting, or unit leader
Visits provide knowledge of how to help a unit
improve its program
Visits allow you to find out about problems
before the unit fails, weakens or members
leave.
The First Unit Visit
Make appointment to visit an assigned unit
Go with your observer-coach
Worksheet will be filled out later
Take your resource kit
Observe for the entire meeting
Do not participate beyond introductions
Both new commissioner and coach fill out
independent worksheets
Wear your complete Field Uniform
Second Unit Visit
Second visit — unit meeting
Go by yourself
Stay only 15 minutes (drop-in)
Take your resource kit
Make worksheet changes
Wear your complete Field Uniform
Third Unit Visit
Third visit — committee meeting
Visit chartered organization representative
Take your resource kit
Be prepared with ways to help
Give everyone your phone and address
Wear your complete Field Uniform
Unit Condition
Know the condition of the unit at all times:
Is the program fun & challenging for the
youth
Do leaders find the program rewarding
Is there a membership growth plan
Will the unit register on time.
Unit Committee
Functions
Pack and Troop
Committee Functions
Fast Start for a good start
Pack Committee
Advancement
Finance
Outings
Training
Membership &
reregistration
Record keeping &
correspondence
Public relations
Friends of Scouting
Troop Committee
Advancement
Finance
Equipment
Outdoor program
Transportation
Leadership selection
Membership &
reregistration
Friends of Scouting
Crew Committee
Membership
Finance
Training
Camping & Outdoor
Activities & Civic Service
Advancement & Recognition
Service
Introduction to
Youth Protection
Commissioner and
Youth Protection
Annual Youth Protection visit in the fall
Encourage proper leader selection
procedures
Coach unit people if child abuse occurs
Commissioner and
Youth Protection
Promote the youth videos
 It Happened to Me
 A Time to Tell
 Personal Safety Awareness
Explain how to use Youth Protection inserts
Complete Youth Protection Training yourself
Centennial
Quality Unit Operation
Centennial Quality Unit
Award
Six mandatory items
Trained leadership
Youth Retention, Recharter and Recruiting
National Parent Initiative
Advancement
Outdoor Experience or Group Activities
Quality Program
Centennial Quality Unit
Award
Items not required to Qualify
Unit Commissioner Visitation
Participate in FOS and Annual Product
Sales
Summary
Unit Visitation Basics
Unit Committee Functions
Introduction to Youth Protection
Quality Unit Operations
Break!
Commissioner Basic
Training
Session 3
How to Help a Unit
Learning Objectives
Use counseling fundamentals to encourage the unit
leader and to lead him to self-sufficiency.
State the resource and support available to help
make the unit successful.
State methods of membership management.
Use the unit charter renewal process in rechartering
a unit.
Explain the annual commissioner service plan.
Use commissioner lifesaving techniques to resolve
unit life-threatening problems.
Counseling
Counseling Defined
“The ability to listen to someone in such a
way that they will solve their own
problems."
Fundamentals
Time and place with no interruptions
Understand what the leader is saying
Let the leader know you hear and understand
Do not give advice!
 Guide the discussion through questions
 Leader solves their own problem
 If they don't solve their own problem:
►Give
information
►Propose possible alternatives
►Let leader pick best solution
Fundamentals
Continued
Summarize from time to time to keep on track
Support thinking with information
 Know the difference between information and
advice
Resources:
 Commissioner Fieldbook, Counseling
District Committee
District Committee
Four function organization




Membership
Finance
Program
Unit service
Membership Functions
Gather information
Cultivate relationships with community
organizations
Organize new units
Help youth join existing units
Finance Functions
Obtain the district’s share of funds for the council
budget
Carry out FOS in the district
Meet goals by target dates
Implement finance policies
Conduct project selling
Assist with endowment development
Stimulate United Way relationships
Recognize donors
Program Functions
Training
Camping and Outdoor
Activities and Civic Service
Advancement and Recognition
Training
Determine who needs training
Build annual training program
Develop plans for specific courses
Promote courses
Provide training recognition
Camping & Outdoor
Promote resident camping for all packs,
troops, and teams
Develop and promote Cub Scout day camps
Promote year-round camping by all units
Provide guidance on health and safety
Use camperships
Guide the Order of the Arrow
Activities & Civic Service
Recruit teams to carry out district activities
Involve the district in community service
projects
Promote and help with council events
Advancement &
Recognition
Help unit leaders with advancement
procedures
Monitor unit advancement progress
Recruit merit badge counselors
Approve Eagle Scout service project plans
Recommend youths and adults for special
awards
Unit Service Function
Regularly visit all units
Demonstrate BSA concern for unit leaders
Facilitate on-time charter renewals
Appraise and help units improve their
program
Help units earn the Quality Unit Award
Help units benefit from council resources
Conduct monthly roundtables
Guide the unit leader selection process
Membership
Management
Membership Management
Membership
Management
Buzz groups for 10 minutes
 Topics:
►Unit
with mostly older boys
►Inventories of active boys
►Year-round recruiting
►Preventing dropped units
1 minute reports
Membership
Management
Unit with mostly older boys
 Recruit
Inventories of active boys
 Committee Involvement for inactive boys
 Program or Administrative issue
Help Units Grow
Year-round recruiting




Birthday greetings
Phone Invitations
Personal Invitations
Webelos-Scout transition
Preventing dropped units
 Assigned to unit
 Assigned while organizing new units
Unit Charter Renewal
Process
Charter Renewal
"If commissioners are providing regular
visitation and doing their job as in the
Annual Service Plan, then rechartering
becomes a minor paperwork exercise."
 George Crowl, 1982
Objectives
Reregister unit
 On time
Maximum membership
Two deep trained leadership
The Plan
-90
-60
-45
-15
+30
Charter Renewal Plan
90 days before:
 District executive visit head of chartered
organization
60 days before:
 ScoutNet available to log on
 Membership inventory
►Recruit
to make up loss
►100% Boy's Life
Charter Renewal Plan
45 days before:
 Charter renewal meeting
►Boys
and Adults
►Fees
►Approvals
►Plans
for the next year (Quality Unit)
15 days before:
 Submit charter renewal to service center
30 days after:
 Charter presentation
Ninety Days Before
District Executive visits Institution Head
 Friendly visit
 "How can I help"
Sixty Days Before
Membership inventory
Set renewal meeting date
Online Rechartering
Available 60 days in advance
Online Rechartering is easier
Council furnishes units with ScoutNet data on
a buffered web page
 Units make corrections in this data
 When data is correct unit uploads material to
buffer on ScoutNet
 Unit prints charter, obtains signatures and turns
in to the council with payment
After turn-in, council accepts data and sends
this data to ScoutNet
Forty-Five Days Before
Charter review meeting





Youth and Adults
Fees
Approvals
Quality Unit status
Plans
Fifteen Days Before
Unit updates buffered ScoutNet data and gets
signatures
Submit to service center
Some Techniques
Talk about 100% Boy's Life often
Committee members do membership followup
Discuss Quality Unit with the whole committee
(several times a year)
Unit people update ScoutNet data
Charter renewal checklist
Thirty Days After
Charter presentation





Chartered organization head
COR
Unit Leader
Unit Committee Chair
The unit
Sample presentation in Commissioner
Fieldbook
Annual
Commissioner Service
Plan
Annual
Commissioner Service
Plan
Gives specific purpose to regular and
supportive contact with units.
Annual Plan
April - Unit leadership
inventory
May - Troop uniform
inspection
August - Unit program
planning
October - Unit uniform
inspection
November - Youth Protection
Training
December - Membership
inventory
90 days before charter
renewal date: executive
officer visit
60 days before charter
renewal date: Membership
inventory
45 days before charter
renewal date: Charter
renewal meeting
15 days before charter
renewal date: Submit to
service center
30 days after charter renewal
date: Charter presentation
Annual Plan
coupled with
regular visitation
provides good
commissioner service.
Lifesaving Commissioner
Lifesaving Commissioner
Danger Signals
Style of leadership




Leader wants to keep authority
Lacks faith in boys / leaders
Leader trains only by mass instruction
Leader does not grasp possibilities of patrol
method
Unit is not meeting
Unit is without adult leaders
Danger Signals
Unit has no committee
No new members being added
Low attendance at meetings
Weak or poorly organized program
No advancement
No participation in day camp or summer camp
No unit budget
Vital Signs
What are they?
Vital Signs
Youth dropping out
No youth recruiting or poor recruiting methods
No adult leader
No planned program
No youth leaders
No discipline
Unit stops meeting
Charter lapses
Chartered organization leader unhappy
Only one active adult
No parents involved
Adult conflicts / poor communications
TAKE ACTION FAST
Consult ADC / DC
Ask some basic questions






What are the problems?
What are possible solutions?
What do we do first?
Who do we involve?
How do we know when unit is saved?
What is “plan B”?
Be enthusiastic
Apply "first aid“
Apply “second aid”
Promote teamwork
Hurry Cases
Unit not meeting
No leader
No committee
No new members
Conflict with chartered organization
New untrained leader
Weak leadership
Lifesaving Team
Ad hoc, or organized
Bring appropriate skills to bear on the
problem
Adapt to the individual problems
Summary
Counseling
The District Committee
Membership Management
Unit Charter Renewal Process
Annual Commissioner Service Plan
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Open Forum
Closing
Open Forum:
Questions and Concerns
Closing