CommissionerCommissioner

Basic TrainingBasic TrainingSoutheast Louisiana CouncilSoutheast Louisiana Council

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

Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!

Commissioner Basic TrainingCommissioner Basic TrainingSeptember 18, 2010September 18, 2010

Opening Comments/IntroductionsOpening Comments/Introductions Dell Thibodeaux Dell Thibodeaux

AssistantAssistant Council CommissionerCouncil Commissioner

IntroductionsIntroductions

NameNameCommissioner jobCommissioner jobScouting experienceScouting experience

Session 1Session 1Why CommissionersWhy Commissioners

Dell Thibodeaux Dell Thibodeaux Assistant Council Commissioner of Assistant Council Commissioner of

TrainingTraining

OverviewOverview

Aims and MethodsAims and MethodsCommissioner service roleCommissioner service roleSupporting the unitSupporting the unitUnit Program PlanningUnit Program Planning

Aims and MethodsAims and Methods

Darryl BarriosDarryl BarriosBayou Asst. District Bayou Asst. District

CommissionerCommissioner

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

VideoVideo

Supporting the UnitSupporting the UnitKelly RodrigueKelly Rodrigue

Bayou District CommissionerBayou District Commissioner

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 Unit commissioners should understand process and toolsand tools

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 Den Leader Coach – Den Leader meetingDen Leader Coach – Den Leader 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 Boy Scout Leader Program

NotebookNotebook 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 from program capability inventory (program capability inventory (PCI) to PCI) to program planning formsprogram 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

Session One SummarySession One Summary

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

Welcome Back!Welcome Back!

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

Top PriorityTop PriorityDell ThibodeauxDell Thibodeaux

Assistant Council CommissionerAssistant Council Commissioner

Session 2 OverviewSession 2 Overview

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

Unit Visitation ReportsUnit Visitation Reports

Unit Visitation Reports

Using the

Commissioner 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

Kelly Rodrigue Kelly Rodrigue

Bayou District CommissionerBayou District Commissioner

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

LunchLunchSubway and a Sunrise Fried Chicken within a couple of miles see you back at 12:30pm.

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

Centennial Quality Unit Centennial Quality Unit OperationOperation

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

2009 National Quality Centennial Award

2009 National Quality Centennial Award(Basis for Award Name)

• Takes the place of the Quality unit, district and council award.

• Named in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

• Offered and can be earned at the units, districts, and councils levels.  

• Began in 2007 and continues until 2010.

2009 National Quality Centennial Award(Purpose of the Award)

• Designed to recognize Units, Districts and Councils who deliver quality programming base goals and objectives.

2009 National Quality Centennial Unit Award(Requirements)• Basic Leader and Youth Protection

Training.• Membership Retention and On-time

Recharter.• Recruit and Train New Adult Leaders.• Advancement.• Outdoor Experience.• Annual Program Planning and Financial

Resources.• Unit Commissioner visits.

2009 National Quality Centennial District Award(Requirements)

• Centennial Quality Units.• New Units Organized.• Membership or Density Growth.• Youth Retention.• Finance.• Unit Retention.• Commissioner Service.• District Committee.

2009 National Quality Centennial Council Award(Requirements)• Centennial Quality Units.• New Units Organized.• Membership or Density Growth.• Youth Retention.• Finance.• Unit Retention.• Commissioner Service.• District Committee.• Youth-Serving Executives.• Endowment.

2009 National Quality Centennial Council Award(Establishing Goals)

• Units working with their commissioner and district executives.

• District working with their Key 3 in cooperation with the council Key 3.

• Councils working with their Key 3 in cooperation with the Area President and Area Director.

2009 National Quality Centennial Council Award(Commitment Forms)

• Units should complete recharter paperwork.

• Districts complete by February 28, 2009.

• Councils complete by March 15, 2009.

2009 National Quality Centennial Council Award(Recognition Award)

2009 National Quality Centennial Council Award

• When a unit, district, or council earns this award, it makes a statement that they have provided their youth members with the highest quality program experience possible.

Session Two SummarySession Two Summary

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

Session 3Session 3How to Help a UnitHow to Help a UnitDell ThibodeauxDell Thibodeaux

Asst. Council CommissionerAsst. Council Commissioner

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

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 CommitteeDistrict 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 Philmont

Activities

Scout Expo Scouting for Food Scouting Anniversary Week District Recognition Dinner Cub Day Camp Derbys: Pinewood, Space, 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 BALOO and OWLS 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

Break!Break!

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

Kelly RodrigueKelly RodrigueBayou District CommissionerBayou District Commissioner

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 Plan

coupled with

regular visitation

provides good

commissioner service.

Lifesaving CommissionerLifesaving Commissioner

Lifesaving

Commissioner!!!

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

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

Break!Break!Fill Out Unit Commissioner Fill Out Unit Commissioner

Registration FormsRegistration Forms

GRADUATE

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AAIIRR

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RRCCEE WWEEAAPPOONNSS

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LL

CommissionerCommissionerBasicBasic

TrainingTraining

Congratulations!Congratulations!You’re Trained!You’re Trained!

Thank you !Thank you !

Your work will Your work will make a difference!make a difference!

Your Southeast LouisianaYour Southeast Louisiana Commissioner TeamCommissioner Team