Welcome

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Commissioner Basic Training

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.

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.

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

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) ► 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 51 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.

6. Must know the unit program planning process.

7. "Sells" the unit leader on district and council functions, as a primary responsibility.

Commissioner Quiz (continued) ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► 8. Periodically communicates with the chartered organization representative to offer help.

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. 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.

Unit Commissioner Video ► AV-04V001R

Commissioner’s Roles ► Friend ► Representative ► Unit "doctor" ► Teacher ► Counselor

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 Skills instruction presentation Skills instruction levels Membership Budget plan Attendance Patrol activity Adult assistance Outdoor program

Indicators of Unit Health: Crew ► Adult Advisors ► Elected officers ► Planned program ► Adult assistance ► Membership ► Meeting operation ► Service projects ► Program capability inventory

Indicators of Unit Health: Post

► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► Adult leadership Elected officers Planned program Adult assistance Participation Meeting operation Post specialty Program of emphasis areas Adult Resource Survey

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.

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

Session 2

Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority

Learning Objectives ► 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 ► Make a meaningful visit to a unit

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 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 uniform

Second & Third Unit Visits ► ► Second visit — unit meeting  Go by yourself   Stay only 15 minutes (drop-in) Take your resource kit Make worksheet changes  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 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

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

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 ► 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

Quality Unit Operation

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 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

National Quality Unit Award ► ► Four mandatory items   Trained leader Trained assistant leader  Outdoor program  Recharter on time Minimum two of six optional items  100% Boy’s Life (or improvement)  Advancement   Service project Etc., appropriate to the type of unit

Summary ► Unit Visitation Basics ► Commissioner Priorities ► Effective Commissioner Leadership ► Unit Committee Functions ► Introduction to Youth Protection ► Quality Unit Operations

Break!

Commissioner Basic Training

Session 3

How to Help a Unit

Learning Objectives ► ► ► ► ► ► ► State the resource and support available to help make the unit successful Use counseling fundamentals to encourage the unit leader and to lead him to self-sufficiency Explain the annual commissioner service plan State methods of membership management Use the resources of the district committee Use the unit charter renewal process in rechartering a unit 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 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

► -90 ► -60 ► -45 ► -15 ► +30 The Plan

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 ► ► ► 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 ► 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 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 Plan coupled with regular visitation provides good commissioner service.

Lifesaving Commissioner

Lifesaving Commissioner

► What are they?

Vital Signs

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

Closing