Transcript Commissioner Basic Training Welcome to One Day session Will include: Why Commissioners? The Commissioner’s Top Priority: the Unit How to Help a Unit Page 1 GCR 2005

Commissioner Basic Training
Welcome to One Day session
Will include:
Why Commissioners?
The Commissioner’s Top Priority: the Unit
How to Help a Unit
Page 1
GCR 2005
Commissioner Basic Training
Why Commissioners?
Page 2
GCR 2005
Learning Objectives
Session
One
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
• 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
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GCR 2005
Aims & Methods of Scouting
Venturing:
• Advancement
• Association
with youth &
adults
• High
adventure &
sports
• Ethical
decision
making
• Activities
• Group
activities
Varsity:
Cub
Scouting:
• Home &
neighborhood
centered
Aims:
Character Development
Citizenship Training
Personal Fitness
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• Parent
involvement
• Advancement
plan
• The den
Boy
Scouting:
• Ideals
• Patrols
• Outdoors
• Advancement
• Personal
growth
• Adult
association
• Ideals
• Leadership
development
• Uniform
• Uniform
• Activity
program
• Service
• Personal
development
• Special
programs &
events
• Recognition
• Democratic
process
• Curiosity,
exploration &
adventure
GCR 2005
Missions of the…
…District
To organize
and support
successful
units.
Four-Function Plan of
council and district:
• Membership/Relationships
Available to all youth
…Council
To guide and
support its districts
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• Finance
A COUNCIL is a voluntary
association of citizens
which promotes the
Scouting program within a
geographical area.
Provide adequate funds
• Program
Maintain standards & policies
• Unit Service
Serve chartered organizations
GCR 2005
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.
Mission:
Scouting
Unit
Local
Council
Keep units operating
Regular contact
Success =
Effective
Units
Counsel leaders
Liaison
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Help fix problems
GCR 2005
Most Important Resource
Contains:
Commissioner Orientation
Orientation Projects
The Commissioner Concept
The District Commissioner Staff
Providing Unit Service
Your Commissioner Style
Be a Lifesaving Commissioner
How to remove a Volunteer
Counseling
Youth Protection
Unit Charter Renewal
Unit Commissioner Training
Resources
Self-Evaluation
Distinguished Commissioner Service Award
Page 7
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Job of Unit Commissioner
Review answers to pre-opening quiz
Refer to Commissioner Job Description cards
The
Unit
Commissioner
Video
Page 8
Watch for the five major areas of service
GCR 2005
Commissioner’s Role
What are the five major roles of a commissioner?
•Friend
•Representative
•Unit “doctor”
•Teacher
•Counselor
More details in Commissioner Fieldbook, page 11
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Supporting the Unit
Buzz groups
Identify and discuss at
least 5 indicators that
should be monitored to
determine the health of
a scouting unit.
Cub Scout Pack
Page 10
Boy Scout Troop
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Supporting the Unit
What are the indicators to be monitored?
Cub Scout Pack
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Leadership
Webelos den
Advancement
Attendance
Adult attendance
Den activity
Tiger Cub den
Den chiefs or den aides
Membership
Planned program
Boy Scout Troop
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Meeting operation
Youth leadership
Advancement
Adult assistance
Attendance
Outdoor program
Patrol activity
Budget plan
Membership
Planned program
GCR 2005
Supporting the Unit
Would a tool for evaluating a unit’s health be useful?
How might you use these worksheets?
Would a unit leader resist evaluation?
If you understood the unit’s profile,
where might you go for help?
Commissioner Worksheet
Page 12
Commissioner Helps for
Packs, Troops, and Crews
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Break
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Unit Program Planning
Plan your work and work your plan
Understand the program planning process & tools
(see chapter 24, Cub Scout Leader Book)
Resources to help with program planning:
• Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Program Helps
• Pack Program Planning Chart
• Cub Scout Leader Program Notebook
• Council Program Calendar
• Chartered Organization program needs
Other planning opportunities:
• Annual Pack program planning conference
(attended by Cubmaster, pack committee, den leaders, den chiefs, parents, unit commissioner)
• Monthly pack leaders planning meeting
• Monthly den chief & den leader meeting
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Unit Program Planning
Plan your work and work your plan
Follows a pattern which involves the boys
(see chapter 8, Scoutmaster Handbook)
Resources to help with program planning:
• Troop Program Features
• Troop Program Planning Worksheets
• Boy Scout Leader Program Notebook
• Council Program Calendar
• Charter organization program needs
Five Planning Steps:
1. Do homework (get information ready)
2. Find out what Scouts want
3. Hold troop leaders’ program planning conference
(attended by Patrol Leaders Council and Scoutmaster)
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4. Obtain troop committee support
5. Share the plan with scouts, parents, UC, others
GCR 2005
Unit Program Planning
Plan your work and work your plan
As the coach, you are on the sidelines
(see chapter 5, Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook)
Resources to help with program planning:
• Varsity Program Features
• Team Activity Planning Worksheets
• Varsity Scout Game Plan – Volumes 1-3
• Council Program Calendar
• Charter organization program needs
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Five Planning Steps:
1. Do homework (get information ready)
2. Conduct the Team’s Annual Planning Clinic
3. Share the Plan
4. Quarterly Program Detailing
5. Monthly Program Detailing
6. Weekly Checkup
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Unit Program Planning
Plan your work and work your plan
Information on planning Crew’s program
(see chapter 3, Venturing Leader Manual)
Planning process includes officers and members:
• Suggest ideas for activities
• Plan the activities
• Participate in the activities
Planning steps:
1. Program Capability Inventory completed by adults
2. PCI information organized on Program Planning Forms
3. Venturing Activity Interest Survey completed by Venturers
4. Brainstorm ideas for activities using information collected above
5. Discuss and evaluate each idea
6. Select activities and place on program calendar
7. Each month, plan details for next month’s activities
Page 17
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Review
We have learned about:
Aims and Methods of Scouting
The Commissioner Service Role
Supporting the Unit
Unit Program Planning
Page 18
GCR 2005
Commissioner Basic Training
Units: The Commissioner’s
Top Priority
Page 19
GCR 2005
Learning Objectives
Session
Two
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
• Understand commissioner priorities and how to
be an effective leader yourself
• Explain how unit committees are organized to
support the unit leaders
• State the role of the commissioner in youth
protection
• Recognize the standard for quality unit
operation
• Evaluate unit operation
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Unit Visitation Reports
Individual reports on visits made
before this training session
Summary comments:
Become more familiar with all resource
material to improve your evaluations
Increase understanding of the total
situation in the unit
Another visit opportunity –
Review “Unit Contacts” section in
Commissioner Fieldbook – page 15
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Commissioner Priorities
Commissioners are
wonderful Scouters
Unit
Service
Everythin
g else in
Scouting
Falling into the Trap
Commissioners can fall into the trap of
doing everything else in Scouting except
appointed job: Unit Service --- It happens!
May be asked to do
many things
NOT the primary
responsibilities of
commissioners
Concentrate your
Scouting time on
helping specific unit
needs
Good
Unit
Service
=
Take precedence
over all other
Scouting efforts
(see page 24, Commissioner Fieldbook)
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Effective Leadership
How to be effective leaders
1. Evaluate and improve your own performance
2. Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude
3. Work successfully with adults
4. Guide unit leaders in working successfully with boys
5. Set a good example for the boys and other adults
6. Continue learning and growing in leadership skills
7. Practice good communications
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Break
and Lunch
Open Forum for questions and concerns
Page 24
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Unit Committee Functions
Understand what help a
unit leader should receive
from a unit committee
Fast Start
training
helps a new
leader get
started right
Unit Committee
Unit Commissioner
Page 25
Unit Leader
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Functions of the Committee
Cub Scouting:
Boy Scouting:
Varsity:
Venturing:
Recordkeeping
Correspondence
Advancement
Training
Public Relations
Outings
Finance
Friends of Scouting
Membership
Re-registration
Leadership selection
Finance
Equipment
Transportation
Membership
Re-registration
Advancement
Support outdoor
program needs
Provide leadership
Finance
Equipment
Membership
Advancement
High adventure
Sports
Personal development
Service
Special programs
Provide leadership
Complete PCI
Secure equipment
Provide facilities
Find resources
Support program
References:
Reference:
Scoutmaster
Handbook
Cub Scout
Leader Book
Pages 157
Pages
23-5 to 23-7
Page 26
Troop Committee
Guidebook
Reference:
Reference:
Varsity Scout
Leader Guidebook
Venturing Leader
Manual
Pages 18-19
Pages 22 & 24
GCR 2005
Introduction to Youth Protection
Boy Scouts of America is deeply concerned about
the general welfare of our children
Youth Protection
for Boy Scout and
Cub Scout Leader
Basic Training
Video
Page 27
GCR 2005
The Commissioner and
Youth Protection
Commissioners can help in several ways:
Conduct annual Youth Protection review
Help with leader selection
Coach unit people
Promote use of videos
Explain about handbook inserts
Page 28
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Quality Unit Operation
Unit Commissioners must be alert
to situations that can signal a unit
is in trouble.
Divide into buzz groups and discuss possible danger signals
Page 29
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Quality Unit Operation
Possible list of Danger Signs:
• Style of leadership
Buzz Groups
Each group
reports their list
Page 30
Does not understand patrol method
Lacks faith in boys running troop
Wants to keep authority
Can train only by mass instruction
Temperament is not compatible
• Unit is not meeting
• Unit is without adult leaders
• Unit has no committee
• No new members are being added
• Low attendance at meetings
• Weak or poorly organized program
• No advancement
• No participation in camps
• No unit budget
GCR 2005
Quality Unit Operation
National Quality Unit Award for
pack, troop, team, and crew operations
These forms represent desirable and
important standards for quality unit operation
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GCR 2005
Review
We have learned about:
Commissioner Priorities
Effective Commissioner Leadership
Unit Committee Functions
Introduction to Youth Protection
Quality Unit Operation
Page 32
GCR 2005
Commissioner Basic Training
How to Help a Unit
Page 33
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Learning Objectives
Session
three
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
• 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 lifethreatening problems
• Make a meaningful visit to a unit
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Counseling
Best way to help a unit is to
strengthen its leadership through
effective counseling
Ability to
listen in
such a way
that they
will solve
their own
problems
Commissioners must be good counselors to do their jobs well
Counseling fundamentals:
Carefully select time and place
Work to understand what the leader is saying
Let the leader know you hear and understand
DO NOT give advice. Guide them to solve their own problem
Summarize from time to time
Support their thinking with information
Page 35
More information in “Counseling” chapter of Commissioner Fieldbook
GCR 2005
Commissioner Basic Training
The District
Committee
Page 36
GCR 2005
District Committee
Four Function Organization:
Membership
Finance
Program
Unit Service
Page 37
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Membership Functions
• Fall Roundup
• Spring Roundup
• Special membership rallies
• Advice and help to units with
membership problems
Page 38
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Finance Functions
• Sustaining Membership Enrollment
and Friends of Scouting
• Trust Funds
(James E. West Award)
• Advice to units
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Program Functions
• Camping
• Activities
• Advancement
• Training
• Health & Safety
Page 40
GCR 2005
Program Functions
Camping
Order of the Arrow
Where to go camping
Summer camp promotion
Log Cabin Gateway
Philmont
Page 41
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Program Functions
Activities
Scout Expo
Scouting for Food
Scouting Anniversary Week
District Recognition Dinner
Cub Day Camp
Scouting for
Food
Derbys: Pinewood, Soapbox, etc.
Camp-O-Rees
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Program Functions
Advancement
Eagle Boards of Review
Merit Badge Counselors
Venturing awards
Advice / training for units
Heroism awards
Adult recognition
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Program Functions
Training
Cub Scout:
Fast Start
New Leader Essentials
Leader Specific Training
Youth Protection
Pow Wow, Roundtable
Wood Badge
Philmont
Varsity/Venturing:
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Fast Start
New Leader Essentials
Leader Specific Training
Intro to Outdoor Leadership
Youth Protection
Roundtable
Wood Badge
Philmont
Boy Scout:
Fast Start
New Leader Essentials
Leader Specific Training
Intro to Outdoor Leadership
Youth Protection
Roundtable
Wood Badge
Philmont
Youth:
Den Chief
National Youth Leadership Training
Junior Leader Backpack Training
Venturing Leadership Skills Course
GCR 2005
District Committee
Unit Service
Request
specific
assistance
Country Doctor
Specialists
(unit commissioner)
Determine
need
UNIT
Page 45
Provide consultation
or specialized
treatment
GCR 2005
Membership Management
Buzz Groups
Discuss how to get
and keep young men
Potential Scenarios:
Unit members concentrated into one age group – need to recruit
Unit not aware of membership situation – need an inventory
Units at risk to drop charter – needs member management focus
Recruiting opportunities – Boy-fact surveys, list of Webelos scouts, birthday
greetings, specific invitations to day camps & long-term camps, etc
Page 46
Also see membership section of Commissioner helps for packs, troops, and crews
GCR 2005
Membership Management
Report from groups
Summary:
Membership for membership’s sake is not the name of the game
Recruiting will ensure continuation of the unit
Good program is the key to attracting boys
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Break
Page 48
GCR 2005
Unit Charter Renewal Process
Discussion of
renewal process
Note: Unit Commissioner should be
involved in a majority of the steps
More information in Commissioner Fieldbook, Charter Renewal chapter
Page 49
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Annual Commissioner Service Plan
Gives specific purpose for some of your regular and supportive contact with units
Page 50
See page 17 in Commissioner Fieldbook for more details
GCR 2005
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Sometimes a commissioner
is called on to save the life
of a unit.
What needs to be done?
How do you go about it?
More information in Commissioner Fieldbook,
Be a Lifesaving Commissioner chapter on page 28
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GCR 2005
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Watch for Vital Signs
UNIT
• 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
• Charter organization leader
unhappy with the unit
• Only one adult active
• No involvement of parents
• Adult conflicts and poor
communications
• Others
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The Lifesaving Commissioner
Specific things you can do:
Consult your ADC or DC
Ask some basic questions
What must be solved?
Possible alternatives?
Which strategy first?
Who to involve?
Is it saved?
What is Plan B?
Be enthusiastic
Go into
Action
Fast
Apply “first aid”
Apply “second aid”
Generate teamwork
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GCR 2005
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Unit No Meeting
Typical Hurry Cases
Move quickly to salvage remaining leadership and
membership
Unit with No Leader
See that leader is replaced quickly and then trained
Unit with No Committee
Work with chartered organization to understand importance
Unit with No New Members
Help find ways to grow membership and ensure program is
attracting and keeping.
Unit Conflict with Chartered Organization
Be a mediator. Bring together to talk.
New Leader lacks Training
Help orient and provide information
More information in
Commissioner Fieldbook
Page 28-30
Page 54
Unit with Weak Leadership
Counsel with leader. Encourage with Chartered Org
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The Lifesaving Commissioner
Using a team approach
Ad Hoc
Or
Organized
What are the
benefits of a
formal
lifesaving
team?
effort
Page 55
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Review
We have learned about:
Counseling
The District Committee
Membership Management
Unit Charter Renewal Process
Annual Commissioner Service Plan
The Lifesaving Commissioner
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Next Unit Visits
Today we have learned about dealing with units, its adult
organization & functions, and the quality program.
Second unit visit guidelines:
Go by yourself
Stay only 15 minutes
Make appropriate worksheet changes
Third unit visit guidelines:
Page 57
Unit Committee
Visit the unit committee meeting
Must wear your uniform – be example
Give out your address and phone number
Take time to visit the Charter representative
GCR 2005
Summary
As a leader,
You have made a personal commitment..
…to Scouting
...of time, effort, and knowledge
…of patience and understanding
…to be a living example for unit leaders
…to lend a helping hand to fellow Scouters.
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Closing
The ChallengeYou now see your task
Training is just beginning –
continue to gain knowledge
Commissioner must be a
friend to units
Goal is more boys with
better Scouting experience
Graduation
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