Welcome!Welcome!

Make yourself comfortable.We will start soon.

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. 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.

Commissioner Quiz

The unit commissioner: (true / false) - Continued

9. Regularly attends Roundtables to check up on unit leaders. 10. Guides the unit through the annual service plan. 11. May earn the Commissioner’s Key and/or the Cub Scouter

Award. 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 Quality Unit Award.

GRADUATE

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CommissionerCommissionerBasicBasic

TrainingTraining

IntroductionsIntroductions

NameName Commissioner jobCommissioner job Scouting experienceScouting experience

Session 1Session 1Why Commissioners?Why Commissioners?

OverviewOverview

Aims and methodsAims and methods Commissioner service roleCommissioner service role Supporting the unitSupporting the unit Unit Program PlanningUnit Program Planning

Aims and MethodsAims and Methods

Aims of ScoutingAims of Scouting

What are the aims of Scouting?What are the aims of Scouting? Character developmentCharacter development Citizenship trainingCitizenship training Personal fitnessPersonal fitness

Methods of ScoutingMethods of Scouting

What are some methods of Scouting?What are some methods of Scouting? Cub ScoutsCub Scouts Boy Scouts / VarsityBoy Scouts / Varsity VenturingVenturing

Council MissionCouncil Mission

Promotes Scouting in a geographic areaPromotes Scouting in a geographic area Voluntary association of citizensVoluntary association of citizens Representatives of chartered organizationsRepresentatives of chartered organizations Provides Scouting servicesProvides Scouting services

Field serviceField service Office supportOffice support CampsCamps

District MissionDistrict Mission

Organize and support successful unitsOrganize and support successful units

MembershipMembership

FinanceFinance

ProgramProgram

Unit serviceUnit 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.

Job Description Card

Job Description Card

Friend

Job Description Card

Friend + Representative

Job Description Card

Friend Representative + Unit "GP doctor"

Job Description Card

Friend Representative Unit "GP doctor" + Teacher

Job Description Card

Friend Representative Unit "GP doctor" Teacher + Counselor

Supporting the UnitSupporting the Unit

Supporting the Unit

Topic: Indicators of unit health

Method: Buzz groups

Indicators of Unit Health: Pack

Leadership Webelos den Advancement Attendance Adult attendance Den activity Program operations Den chiefs or den aides Membership Planned program

Indicators of Unit Health: Troop

Meeting operation Youth leadership Advancement Adult assistance Attendance Outdoor program Patrol activity Budget plan Membership Planned program

Indicators of Unit Health: Crew

Adult Leadership Elected Officers Adult assistance Membership Meeting operation Planned program

Evaluation ToolEvaluation Tool

Commissioner Worksheets - pack, troop, crewCommissioner Worksheets - pack, troop, crew Do unit leaders like evaluation?Do unit leaders like evaluation? What are your resources?What are your resources?

Unit Program PlanningUnit Program Planning

Cub Scout Cub Scout Program PlanningProgram Planning

Unit commissioners should understand process and Unit commissioners should understand process and toolstools

Program HelpsProgram Helps and Pack Planning Chart and Pack Planning Chart Council calendarCouncil calendar Chartered organization needsChartered organization needs

Annual program planning conferenceAnnual program planning conference Monthly pack leaders meetingMonthly pack leaders meeting DLC - DL meetingDLC - DL meeting Den Chief - adult meetingDen Chief - adult meeting

Boy Scout Boy Scout Program PlanningProgram Planning

ToolsTools Troop Program FeaturesTroop Program Features — 4 volumes — 4 volumes Program Planning ChartProgram Planning Chart Boy Scout Leader Program NotebookBoy Scout Leader Program Notebook

Planning stepsPlanning steps Homework (get ready)Homework (get ready) Find out what Scouts want (patrol leaders)Find out what Scouts want (patrol leaders) PLC annual planning, SPL presidingPLC annual planning, SPL presiding Secure troop committee supportSecure troop committee support Pass the word. Publicize.Pass the word. Publicize.

Venturing Crew Venturing Crew Program PlanningProgram Planning

Crew plans programCrew plans program Program capability inventory (adult resources)Program capability inventory (adult resources) Adult hobbies, interests, skills, careers, and Ideas Adult hobbies, interests, skills, careers, and Ideas

from PCI to program planning formsfrom PCI to program planning forms Venturing activity interest surveyVenturing activity interest survey

Planning stepsPlanning steps Officers brainstorm activitiesOfficers brainstorm activities Officers discuss and evaluate each ideaOfficers discuss and evaluate each idea Officers select activities and calendarizeOfficers select activities and calendarize Officers plan each month in advanceOfficers plan each month in advance

SummarySummary

Aims and methodsAims and methods Commissioner service roleCommissioner service role Supporting the unitSupporting the unit Unit program planningUnit program planning

Break!Break!

GRADUATE

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CommissionerCommissionerBasicBasic

TrainingTraining

Session 2Session 2Units: The Commissioner’s Units: The Commissioner’s

Top PriorityTop Priority

OverviewOverview

The Unit VisitThe Unit Visit Unit Visitation ReportsUnit Visitation Reports Commissioner PrioritiesCommissioner Priorities Effective Commissioner LeadershipEffective Commissioner Leadership Unit Committee FunctionsUnit Committee Functions Quality Unit OperationsQuality Unit Operations

The Unit VisitThe Unit Visit

The First Unit VisitThe First Unit Visit

Make appointment to visit an assigned unitMake appointment to visit an assigned unit Go with your observer/coach/ADCGo with your observer/coach/ADC Worksheet will be filled out laterWorksheet will be filled out later Take your resource kitTake your resource kit Observe for the entire meetingObserve for the entire meeting Do not participate beyond introductionsDo not participate beyond introductions Both new commissioner and coach fill out Both new commissioner and coach fill out

independent worksheetsindependent worksheets Wear your complete uniform as an exampleWear your complete uniform as an example

Unit Visitation ReportsUnit Visitation Reports

Unit Visitation Reports

Using theCommissioner Work Sheet

WorksheetWorksheet

Sample Sample

Commissioner PrioritiesCommissioner Priorities

Commissioner Priorities

Remember your job description Stick to your primary responsibility Unit focus

Effective Commissioner Effective Commissioner LeadershipLeadership

Effective Commissioner Leadership

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

Unit Committee FunctionsUnit Committee Functions

Unit Committee Functions

Packs

Troops

Teams

Crews

Pack Committee

Advancement Finance Outings Training Membership & reregistration Record keeping & correspondence Public relationsPublic relations Friends of ScoutingFriends of Scouting

Troop Committee

Advancement Finance Equipment Outdoor program Transportation Leadership Membership & reregistration Friends of ScoutingFriends of Scouting

Quality Unit OperationQuality Unit Operation

Danger SignalsDanger Signals Style of leadershipStyle of leadership

Leader wants to keep authorityLeader wants to keep authority Lacks faith in boys / leadersLacks faith in boys / leaders Leader trains only by mass instructionLeader trains only by mass instruction Leader does not grasp possibilities of patrol methodLeader does not grasp possibilities of patrol method

Unit is not meetingUnit is not meeting Unit is without adult leadersUnit is without adult leaders Unit has no committeeUnit has no committee No new members being addedNo new members being added Low attendance at meetingsLow attendance at meetings Weak or poorly organized programWeak or poorly organized program No advancementNo advancement No participation in day camp or summer campNo participation in day camp or summer camp No unit budgetNo unit budget

National Quality Unit AwardNational Quality Unit Award

Four mandatory itemsFour mandatory items Trained leaderTrained leader Trained assistant leaderTrained assistant leader Outdoor programOutdoor program Recharter on timeRecharter on time

Minimum two of six optional itemsMinimum two of six optional items 100% Boy’s Life (or improvement)100% Boy’s Life (or improvement) AdvancementAdvancement Service projectService project Etc., appropriate to the type of unitEtc., appropriate to the type of unit

SummarySummary

The unit visitThe unit visit Unit visitation reportsUnit visitation reports Commissioner prioritiesCommissioner priorities Effective commissioner leadershipEffective commissioner leadership Unit committee functionsUnit committee functions Quality Unit operationQuality Unit operation

Open Forum:Open Forum:Questions and ConcernsQuestions and Concerns

Lunch!Lunch!

GRADUATE

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CommissionerCommissionerBasicBasic

TrainingTraining

Session 3Session 3How to Help a UnitHow to Help a Unit

OverviewOverview

CounselingCounseling The District CommitteeThe District Committee Membership ManagementMembership Management Unit Charter Renewal ProcessUnit Charter Renewal Process Annual Commissioner Service PlanAnnual Commissioner Service Plan The Lifesaving CommissionerThe Lifesaving Commissioner Second and Third Unit VisitsSecond and Third Unit Visits

CounselingCounseling

Counseling

"Listen to someone in such a way that they will solve their own problems."

Discussion

What are the fundamentals of good counseling?

Fundamentals Of Good Counseling

1. Time and place with no interruptions 2. Understand what the leader is saying 3. Let the leader know you hear and understand 4. Do not give advice!

Guide the discussion through questions Leader solves his/her own problem If they don't solve their own problem:

Give information Propose possible alternatives Let leader pick best solution

5. Summarize from time to time to keep on track 6. Support thinking with information

Know the difference between information and advice 7. Resources:

Commissioner Fieldbook, Counseling

District Committee District Committee

District Committee

Four function organization

Membership Finance

Program

Unit service

Membership Functions 1. Fall Roundup 2. Spring Roundup 3. Special membership rallies 4. Advice and help to units with membership problems

Finance Functions

1. Sustaining Membership Enrollment / Friends of Scouting

2. Trust Funds (James E. West Award)

3. Advice to units

Program Functions

1. Camping 2. Activities 3. Advancement 4. Training 5. Health & Safety

Camping

Order of the Arrow Where to go camping Summer camp promotion Log Cabin Gateway Philmont

Activities

Scout Expo Scouting for Food Scouting Anniversary Week District Recognition Dinner Cub Day Camp Derbys: Pinewood, Soapbox, etc. Camp-O-Rees

Advancement

Eagle Boards of Review Merit Badge Counselors Venturing awards Advice / training for units Heroism awards Adult recognition

Training Cub Scout:

Fast Start New Leader Essentials Leader Specific Training:

Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, Webelos Cubmaster and Assistant Pack Committee

Youth Protection Pow Wow, Roundtable Wood Badge

Training Boy Scout:

Fast Start New Leader Essentials Leader Specific Training:

Scoutmaster and Assistant Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills Troop Committee

Youth Protection Roundtable, High Adventure Wood Badge

Training Venturing

Fast Start New Leader Essentials Leader Specific Training:

Venturing Crew Advisers / Adults Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills

Youth Protection Roundtable, High Adventure Wood Badge Powder HornPowder Horn

Training

Youth: Den Chief Council Courses:

Junior Leader Training Junior Leader Backpack Training Venturing Leadership Skills Course

Health & Safety

Monitor district eventsMonitor district events

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

Membership Management Year-round recruiting

Birthday greetings Phone Invitations Personal Invitations Webelos-Scout transition

Preventing dropped units Assigned to unit Assigned while organizing new units

Charter RenewalCharter Renewal

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

Objective:

Reregister unit On time

Maximum membership

Good leadership

The Plan

-90 -60 -45 -15 +60

The Plan 90 days before:

District Executive visit Institution Head Printout available (to right person!)

60 days before: Membership inventory Recruit to make up loss 100% Boy's Life?

45 days before: Charter renewal meeting Boys Adults Fees Approvals Plans for the next year (Quality Unit)

15 days before: Charter turn-in night

60 days after: Charter presentation

Ninety Days Before:

District Executive visits Institution Head

Friendly visit or "How can I help"

Sixty Days Before:

Membership inventory

Set review meeting

Uniform inspection?

Forty-Five Days Before:

Charter review meeting Youth Adults Fees Approvals Quality Unit status Plans

Fifteen Days Before:

Charter turn-in night

Sixty Days After:

Charter presentation Chartered partner and The unit

Sample presentation in Sample presentation in Commissioner Commissioner FieldbookFieldbook

Some Techniques

Talk about 100% Boy's Life early and often Committee members do membership

follow-up Discuss Quality Unit with the whole

committee (several times a year) Commissioner (the expert) fills out clean

copy of charter renewal form Charter renewal checklist (available)

Annual CommissionerAnnual CommissionerService PlanService Plan

Annual CommissionerService Plan

Gives specific purpose to regular and supportive

contact with units.

Annual Plan

April - Unit leadership inventory May - Membership inventory

- Troop uniform inspection June - Check on Quality Unit progress August - Unit program planning October - Troop/pack uniform inspection November - Youth Protection Training December - Membership inventory

- Recharter - Quality Unit Measurement

February - Charter presentation

Annual Plancoupled with

regular visitationprovides good

commissioner service.

Lifesaving CommissionerLifesaving Commissioner

LifesavingCommissioner!!!

Vital Signs

What are they?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 / drops Chartered org. leader unhappy with the unit Only one active adult No parents involved Adult conflicts / poor communications

TAKE ACTION 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

The Second and ThirdThe Second and ThirdUnit VisitsUnit Visits

Second / Third Unit VisitsSecond / Third Unit Visits Second visit — unit meetingSecond visit — unit meeting

Go by yourselfGo by yourself Stay only 15 minutes (drop-in)Stay only 15 minutes (drop-in) Take your resource kitTake your resource kit Make worksheet (or changes)Make worksheet (or changes)

Third visit — committee meetingThird visit — committee meeting Visit with chartered organization Visit with chartered organization

representativerepresentative Be prepared with ways to helpBe prepared with ways to help Give everyone your phone and addressGive everyone your phone and address Wear your complete uniform as an exampleWear your complete uniform as an example

SummarySummary

CounselingCounseling District committeeDistrict committee Membership managementMembership management Charter renewal processCharter renewal process Annual commissioner service planAnnual commissioner service plan Lifesaving commissionerLifesaving commissioner Second and third unit visitsSecond and third unit visits

Open Forum:Open Forum:Questions and ConcernsQuestions and Concerns

Early GraduationEarly Graduation(If you have a current Youth Protection card)(If you have a current Youth Protection card)

Break!Break!

GRADUATE

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OOLL

CommissionerCommissionerBasicBasic

TrainingTraining

Youth Protection TrainingYouth Protection Training

Commissioner andCommissioner andYouth ProtectionYouth Protection

Annual Youth Protection visit in the fallAnnual Youth Protection visit in the fall Encourage proper leader selection proceduresEncourage proper leader selection procedures Coach unit people if child abuse occursCoach unit people if child abuse occurs Promote the youth videosPromote the youth videos

It Happened to MeIt Happened to Me A Time to TellA Time to Tell Personal Safety AwarenessPersonal Safety Awareness

Explain how to use Youth Protection insertsExplain how to use Youth Protection inserts Complete Youth Protection Training yourselfComplete Youth Protection Training yourself

GraduationGraduation