make yourself comfortable. we will start soon. welcome
TRANSCRIPT
Make yourself comfortable.We will start soon.
Welcome
Commissioner Basic Training
Instructors: [Insert names here]
Why Commissioners?
Session 1
Pledge of Allegiance
Opening
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 ScoutingCub Scouting (Boys grades 1-5)►Ideals►Den ►Advancement►Family involvement►Activities►Home and neighborhood centered►Uniform
Boy Scouting (Boys ages 11-17)►Ideals ►Patrol►Advancement►Adult association►Outdoors►Personal growth►Leadership►Uniform
Venturing (Youth ages 14-20)►Ideals►Group activities►Recognition►Adult 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 The Unit Commissioner (True/False)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 The Unit Commissioner (True/False)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
programthemes.
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 Family attendance Webelos Dens Den participation Advancement Meeting operation Youth attendance Den chiefs Membership 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 Membership Elected officers Meeting operation Planned program Service projects Adult assistance 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
Boy Scout Program Planning Tools
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.
Venture 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
Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority
Session 2
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.
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 CommitteeAdvancementFinanceOutingsTrainingMembership & reregistrationRecord keeping & correspondencePublic relationsFriends of Scouting
Troop CommitteeAdvancementFinanceEquipmentOutdoor programTransportationLeadership selectionMembership & reregistrationFriends 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
Journey to Excellence
Journey to Excellence uses aBalanced Scorecard
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Quality Growth
Sustainability
Quality, growth, and sustainability must all be in balance for success to be truly achieved.
Your Role in Journey to Excellence as a Commissioner You’re not an Umpire
You’re not a Judge or the police
You are a friend, a mentor and a coach
And maybe help a bit with scorekeeping
Journey to Excellence helps Units – It brings: A framework for planning for the year A method for evaluating the Unit Assessment of how they’re doing in the key
areas found in great Units Guidance in areas where they might do better Specific guidelines and standards of what is
good performance Early warning of potential problem areas Recognition for good performance Benchmarking to get ideas and tips from other
good units
Journey to Excellence Award(Pack) Advancement Retention Membership Outdoor Activities Trained
Leadership Day/Resident
Camp Service Projects
Leadership Planning Webelos-to-Scout Budget Pack and Den
Meetings On-time Registration Annual Assessment
Journey to Excellence Award(Pack) To earn Bronze: Complete 10 of 13
Bronze requirements, plus earn 700 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
To earn Silver: Earn the Bronze award, plus earn 1,000 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
To earn Gold: Earn the Bronze award, plus earn 1,600 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
Journey to Excellence Award(Troop) Advancement Retention Membership Trained
Leadership Short-term
camping Long-term
camping Patrol Method
Service Projects Webelos-to-Scout Budget Court of Honor/
Parents Meetings On-Time Registration Annual Assessment
Journey to Excellence Award(Troop) To earn Bronze: Complete 11 of 13
Bronze requirements, plus earn 700 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
To earn Silver: Earn the Bronze award, plus earn 1,000 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
To earn Gold: Earn the Bronze award, plus earn 1,600 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
Journey to Excellence Award(Crew) Activities Membership Retention Youth
Leadership Service Projects Trained
Leadership
Super Activity Parent Meetings Budget On-Time Registration Annual Assessment
Journey to Excellence Award(Crew) To earn Bronze: Complete 9 of 11
Bronze requirements, plus earn 700 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
To earn Silver: Earn the Bronze award, plus earn 1,000 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
To earn Gold: Earn the Bronze award, plus earn 1,600 points (from Bronze, Silver, or Gold points list).
Emphasis of Journey to Excellence Continuous Improvement is a Goal
Did the Unit do measurably better in key areas than last year?
OR are they already performing at a high level in those areas?
Either way, the Unit can qualify for the standard
Emphasis of Journey to Excellence►Program and Participation in the Unit
(Membership) are most important factors
►Administrative factors are considered
►Factors which are early indicators of Unit strength and health are identified and assessed
Summary Unit Visitation Basics Unit Committee Functions Introduction to Youth Protection Journey to Excellence Unit
Operations
Break!
Commissioner Basic Training
How to Help a Unit
Session 3
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 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 BeforeCharter 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
follow-up 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 Plancoupled with
regular visitationprovides good
commissioner service.
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