Recruiting a Full Commissioner Staff Susan Long Occoneechee Council Raleigh, NC

UC Recruitment History 113 new unit commissioners recruited since new unit commissioners recruited since Improved unit to unit commissioner ratio from 1:15 to 1:3.6! Improved unit to unit commissioner ratio from 1:15 to 1:3.6!

Diverse Demographics

Demographics Metro area w/5 districts Metro area w/5 districts 1 district w/4 rural counties 1 district w/4 rural counties Economically challenged urban district Economically challenged urban district Ft. Bragg military community Ft. Bragg military community World famous golf courses World famous golf courses One of the largest concentration of PhDs in US One of the largest concentration of PhDs in US HQ for numerous corporations (RTP) HQ for numerous corporations (RTP)

What should your ratio of units to commissioners be to serve the needs of your units?

National Standards vs. Reality

How do you secure the right commissioner?

It starts with having the right District Commissioners in place! The Example/Role Model for all commissioners in the district The Example/Role Model for all commissioners in the district Accountability Accountability Accessibility Accessibility Charisma Charisma Integrity Integrity Follow-through and follow up Follow-through and follow up Time to do the job Time to do the job Knows the territory (the units, leaders, has come up through ranks)=Credibility Knows the territory (the units, leaders, has come up through ranks)=Credibility Positive attitude!! Positive attitude!!

Unit Commissioner Recruitment Plan

Understanding The Need Personnel shortage identified as part of council’s strategic long range planning process. Personnel shortage identified as part of council’s strategic long range planning process. Starting point: unit commissioner to unit ratio of 1:15. Starting point: unit commissioner to unit ratio of 1:15. Council possessed a full complement of District Commissioners. Council possessed a full complement of District Commissioners. They were not trained to be recruitment ready They were not trained to be recruitment ready

The Process-Step 1 Board approved an annual business plan of action to meet strategic objectives. Board approved an annual business plan of action to meet strategic objectives. The “Commissioner Service Operations Plan” included the approved annual objectives, key meeting dates, and training dates. The “Commissioner Service Operations Plan” included the approved annual objectives, key meeting dates, and training dates.

Commissioner Service Operations Plan It is the mission of the Council Commissioner Staff to keep Scouting units alive, healthy, happy, and reregistered on time. Our commitment is to develop and implement plans that will result in increased unit, adult leader and youth retention. The Occoneechee Council Commissioner staff recognizes that it helps units succeed and that unit service is a top priority. Those who administer the program must, therefore, serve the membership and also actively and purposefully recruit new members. It is the mission of the Council Commissioner Staff to keep Scouting units alive, healthy, happy, and reregistered on time. Our commitment is to develop and implement plans that will result in increased unit, adult leader and youth retention. The Occoneechee Council Commissioner staff recognizes that it helps units succeed and that unit service is a top priority. Those who administer the program must, therefore, serve the membership and also actively and purposefully recruit new members.

Commissioner Service Objectives - Recruitment Recruit and fully engage an Assistant Council Commissioner for each Council Vice-President in order to form key Threes for each committee. Recruit and fully engage an Assistant Council Commissioner for each Council Vice-President in order to form key Threes for each committee. Recruit sufficient numbers of unit commissioners to achieve the National goal of 3 units per unit commissioner. Recruit sufficient numbers of unit commissioners to achieve the National goal of 3 units per unit commissioner.

Step 2-Getting District Commissioners Ready to Recruit District Commissioners and ADCs are seen at council, district and community events in uniform. District Commissioners and ADCs are seen at council, district and community events in uniform. Not a stranger to the units!! Not a stranger to the units!!

Step 3-Building A Prospect List Review separated member lists. Review separated member lists. Turn “suspects” into “PROSPECTS” through referrals. Turn “suspects” into “PROSPECTS” through referrals.

Step 3-Building A Prospect List Often considered sources for prospects: Often considered sources for prospects:

Step 3-Building A Prospect List Have you considered… Have you considered…

Step 4-Preparing to Recruit Develop a job description Develop a job description Don’t sugar coat it!! Don’t sugar coat it!!

Step 4-The Appointment Make appointment with prospect (and spouse) Make appointment with prospect (and spouse) Review points for successful interviews Review points for successful interviews Call on prospects Call on prospects Follow up Follow up

Step 5-Tracking Recruitment Progress Reporting frequency: monthly Reporting frequency: monthly Forums Included: Forums Included: Executive Board and Executive Committee Meetings Executive Board and Executive Committee Meetings Monthly Commissioner Cabinet Meetings Monthly Commissioner Cabinet Meetings Monthly Professional Staff Meetings Monthly Professional Staff Meetings Monthly Commissioner Newsletter Monthly Commissioner Newsletter For a copy go to For a copy go to

Commissioner Box Score DISTRICT # UNITS UCs NEEDED UCs REGISTERED NEED TO RECRUIT % OF NEED UC RATIO HE %1:2 TR %1:2.7 CR %1:3.2 GN %1:4.1 MA %1:4.6 SAMPLE SCORECARD-STACK CHART ORIGINAL IDEA CAME FROM LEADERSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES REVIEWED AT MONTHLY COMMISSIONER CABINET MEETINGS, BOARD AND STAFF MEETINGS

Step 6-Train to Retain Train…train…train those new unit commissioners!! Train…train…train those new unit commissioners!! Offer meaningful commissioner meetings each month!! Offer meaningful commissioner meetings each month!!

Recruitment Techniques Traditional recruiting techniques Traditional recruiting techniques Two person recruiting teams Two person recruiting teams Formal “face to face” meeting Formal “face to face” meeting One on one when referred One on one when referred

Innovative group recruiting

Resources Used In Developing Our Plan National Commissioner’s Newsletter and podcasts. National Commissioner’s Newsletter and podcasts. Best practices from other councils. Best practices from other councils. Position descriptions from National Council publications. Position descriptions from National Council publications. Information from leadership support service. Information from leadership support service.

Keys to Success Commitment of the Council Commissioner Commitment of the Council Commissioner Support of the professional staff Support of the professional staff Engagement of several key volunteers Engagement of several key volunteers Textbook recruiting techniques using resources already available through the national organization. Textbook recruiting techniques using resources already available through the national organization. Innovative ideas from districts. Innovative ideas from districts.

Results Unit retention 75-94%! Unit retention 75-94%! Youth retention 66-72%! Youth retention 66-72%! Cub & Boy Scout advancement at record levels! Cub & Boy Scout advancement at record levels! Quality units 45-71%! Quality units 45-71%! Quality districts grew from 2 of 13 to 10 of 13! Quality districts grew from 2 of 13 to 10 of 13! Achieved Centennial Quality Council! Achieved Centennial Quality Council!