1. Welcome!Welcome! Make yourself comfortable. We will start soon.

2. l Reminder to instructors: Check the notes pages of this presentation for the text of the Continuing Education for Commissioners l This is a “hidden slide” and will not show in the presentation.

3. Commissioner Quiz l l The unit commissioner: (true / false) l l 1. Reports to the District Executive. l l 2. Must be an expert in training adults and youth. l l 3. Is only concerned with reregistering a unit on time. l l 4. Should be familiar with the official literature used by units for program. l l 5. Visits the unit committee only, on a regular basis. l l 6. Must know the unit program planning process. l l 7. "Sells" the unit leader on district and council functions, as a primary responsibility. l l 8. Periodically communicates with the chartered organization representative to offer help.

4. Commissioner Quiz l l The unit commissioner: (true / false) - Continued l l 9. Regularly attends Roundtables to check up on unit leaders. l l 10. Guides the unit through the annual service plan. l l 11. May earn the Commissioner’s Key and/or the Cub Scouter Award. l l 12. Attends monthly meetings of the district committee. l l 13. Is not involved in the presentation of the unit charter. l l 14. Must be familiar with the monthly program themes. l l 15. Encourages assigned packs, troops, teams, and crews to earn the Quality Unit Award.

5. GRADUATE U U S S A A I I R R F F O O R R C C E E W W E E A A P P O O N N S S S S C C H H O O O O L L CommissionerBasicTraining

6. U U S S A A I I R R F F O O R R C C E E W W E E A A P P O O N N S S S S C C H H O O O O L L CommissionerBasicTraining

7. Introductions l Wayne McCain l Assistant District Commissioner l Scout Leader – 28 years l Darryl James l Assistant District Commissioner l Scout Leader – 26 years l Erik Heck l District Commissioner l Scout Leader – 3 years

8. Session 1 Why Commissioners?

9. Overview l Aims and methods l Commissioner service role l Supporting the unit l Unit Program Planning

10. Aims and Methods

11. Aims of Scouting l What are the aims of Scouting? l Character development l Citizenship training l Personal fitness

12. Methods of Scouting l What are some methods of Scouting? l Cub Scouts l Boy Scouts / Varsity l Venturing

13. Council Mission l Promotes Scouting in a geographic area l Voluntary association of citizens l Representatives of chartered organizations l Provides Scouting services l Field service l Office support l Camps

14. District Mission l Organize and support successful units Membership Membership Finance Finance Program Program Unit service Unit service

15. Commissioner Service Role

16. The Commissioner Concept l l The commissioner is the liaison between the local council and Scouting units. l l The commissioner's mission is to l l Keep units operating at maximum efficiency, l l Maintain regular contact with unit leaders, l l Counsel leaders on where to find assistance, l l Note weaknesses in programs, l l And suggest remedies. l l The commissioner is successful when units effectively deliver the ideals of Scouting to their members.

17. Job Description Card

18. l l Friend

19. Job Description Card l l Friend l l + Representative

20. Job Description Card l l Friend l l Representative l l + Unit "GP doctor"

21. Job Description Card l l Friend l l Representative l l Unit "GP doctor" l l + Teacher

22. Job Description Card l l Friend l l Representative l l Unit "GP doctor" l l Teacher l l + Counselor

24. Supporting the Unit

25. l l Topic: Indicators of unit health l l Method: Buzz groups

26. Indicators of Unit Health: Pack l l Leadership l l Webelos den l l Advancement l l Attendance l l Adult attendance l l Den activity l l Program operations l l Den chiefs or den aides l l Membership l l Planned program

27. Indicators of Unit Health: Troop l l Meeting operation l l Youth leadership l l Advancement l l Adult assistance l l Attendance l l Outdoor program l l Patrol activity l l Budget plan l l Membership l l Planned program

28. Indicators of Unit Health: Crew l l Adult Leadership l l Elected Officers l l Adult assistance l l Membership l l Meeting operation l l Planned program

29. Evaluation Tool l Commissioner Worksheets - pack, troop, crew l Do unit leaders like evaluation? l What are your resources?

30. Unit Program Planning

31. Cub Scout Program Planning l Unit commissioners should understand process and tools l Program Helps and Pack Planning Chart l Council calendar l Chartered organization needs l Annual program planning conference l Monthly pack leaders meeting l DLC - DL meeting l Den Chief - adult meeting

32. Boy Scout Program Planning l Tools l Troop Program Features — 4 volumes l Program Planning Chart l Boy Scout Leader Program Notebook l Planning steps l Homework (get ready) l Find out what Scouts want (patrol leaders) l PLC annual planning, SPL presiding l Secure troop committee support l Pass the word. Publicize.

33. Venturing Crew Program Planning l Crew plans program l Program capability inventory (adult resources) l Adult hobbies, interests, skills, careers, and Ideas from PCI to program planning forms l Venturing activity interest survey l Planning steps l Officers brainstorm activities l Officers discuss and evaluate each idea l Officers select activities and calendarize l Officers plan each month in advance

34. Summary l Aims and methods l Commissioner service role l Supporting the unit l Unit program planning

35. Break!

36. GRADUATE U U S S A A I I R R F F O O R R C C E E W W E E A A P P O O N N S S S S C C H H O O O O L L CommissionerBasicTraining

37. Session 2 Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority

38. Overview l The Unit Visit l Unit Visitation Reports l Commissioner Priorities l Effective Commissioner Leadership l Unit Committee Functions l Quality Unit Operations

39. The Unit Visit

40. The First Unit Visit l Make appointment to visit an assigned unit l Go with your observer/coach/ADC l Worksheet will be filled out later l Take your resource kit l Observe for the entire meeting l Do not participate beyond introductions l Both new commissioner and coach fill out independent worksheets l Wear your complete uniform as an example

41. Unit Visitation Reports

42. Using the Commissioner Work Sheet

43. Worksheet

44. Sample

45. Commissioner Priorities

46. l l Remember your job description l l Stick to your primary responsibility l l Unit focus

47. Effective Commissioner Leadership

48. l l Evaluate and improve your own performance l l Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude l l Work successfully with adults l l Guide unit leaders in working successfully with boys l l Set a good example for the boys and other adults l l Continue learning and growing in leadership skills l l Practice good communication

49. l Hidden notes slide

50. Unit Committee Functions

51. l l Packs l l Troops l l Teams l l Crews

52. Pack Committee l l Advancement l l Finance l l Outings l l Training l l Membership & reregistration l l Record keeping & correspondence l Public relations l Friends of Scouting

53. Troop Committee l l Advancement l l Finance l l Equipment l l Outdoor program l l Transportation l l Leadership l l Membership & reregistration l Friends of Scouting

54. Quality Unit Operation

55. Danger Signals l Style of leadership l Leader wants to keep authority l Lacks faith in boys / leaders l Leader trains only by mass instruction l Leader does not grasp possibilities of patrol method l Unit is not meeting l Unit is without adult leaders l Unit has no committee l No new members being added l Low attendance at meetings l Weak or poorly organized program l No advancement l No participation in day camp or summer camp l No unit budget

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

57. Summary l The unit visit l Unit visitation reports l Commissioner priorities l Effective commissioner leadership l Unit committee functions l Quality Unit operation

58. Open Forum: Questions and Concerns

59. Lunch!

60. GRADUATE U U S S A A I I R R F F O O R R C C E E W W E E A A P P O O N N S S S S C C H H O O O O L L CommissionerBasicTraining

61. Session 3 How to Help a Unit

62. Overview l Counseling l The District Committee l Membership Management l Unit Charter Renewal Process l Annual Commissioner Service Plan l The Lifesaving Commissioner l Second and Third Unit Visits

63. Counseling

64. Counseling "Listen to someone in such a way that they will solve their own problems."

65. Discussion What are the fundamentals of good counseling?

66. Fundamentals Of Good Counseling l l 1. Time and place with no interruptions l l 2. Understand what the leader is saying l l 3. Let the leader know you hear and understand l l 4. Do not give advice! l l Guide the discussion through questions l l Leader solves his/her own problem l l If they don't solve their own problem: l l Give information l l Propose possible alternatives l l Let leader pick best solution l l 5. Summarize from time to time to keep on track l l 6. Support thinking with information l l Know the difference between information and advice l l 7. Resources: l l Commissioner Fieldbook, Counseling

67. District Committee District Committee

68. District Committee l l Four function organization Membership Finance Program Unit service

69. Membership Functions l l 1. Fall Roundup l l 2. Spring Roundup l l 3. Special membership rallies l l 4. Advice and help to units with membership problems

70. Finance Functions l l 1. Sustaining Membership Enrollment / Friends of Scouting l l 2. Trust Funds (James E. West Award) l l 3. Advice to units

71. Program Functions l l 1. Camping l l 2. Activities l l 3. Advancement l l 4. Training l l 5. Health & Safety

72. Camping l l Order of the Arrow l l Where to go camping l l Summer camp promotion l l Log Cabin Gateway l l Philmont

73. Activities l l Scout Expo l l Scouting for Food l l Scouting Anniversary Week l l District Recognition Dinner l l Cub Day Camp l l Derbys: Pinewood, Soapbox, etc. l l Camp-O-Rees

74. Advancement l l Eagle Boards of Review l l Merit Badge Counselors l l Venturing awards l l Advice / training for units l l Heroism awards l l Adult recognition

75. Training l l Cub Scout: l l Fast Start l l New Leader Essentials l l Leader Specific Training: l l Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, Webelos l l Cubmaster and Assistant l l Pack Committee l l Youth Protection l l Pow Wow, Roundtable l l Wood Badge

76. Training l l Boy Scout: l l Fast Start l l New Leader Essentials l l Leader Specific Training: l l Scoutmaster and Assistant l l Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills l l Troop Committee l l Youth Protection l l Roundtable, High Adventure l l Wood Badge

77. Training l l Venturing l l Fast Start l l New Leader Essentials l l Leader Specific Training: l l Venturing Crew Advisers / Adults l l Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills l l Youth Protection l l Roundtable, High Adventure l l Wood Badge l Powder Horn

78. Training l l Youth: l l Den Chief l l Council Courses: l l Junior Leader Training l l Junior Leader Backpack Training l l Venturing Leadership Skills Course

79. Health & Safety l Monitor district events

80. Membership Management

81. l l Buzz groups for 10 minutes l l Topics: l l Unit with mostly older boys l l Inventories of active boys l l Year-round recruiting l l Preventing dropped units l l 1 minute reports

82. Membership Management l l Unit with mostly older boys l l Recruit l l Inventories of active boys l l Committee Involvement for inactive boys l l Program or Administrative issue

83. Membership Management l l Year-round recruiting l l Birthday greetings l l Phone Invitations l l Personal Invitations l l Webelos-Scout transition l l Preventing dropped units l l Assigned to unit l l Assigned while organizing new units

84. Charter Renewal

85. "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

86. Objective: l l Reregister unit l l On time l l Maximum membership l l Good leadership

87. The Plan l l -90 l l -60 l l -45 l l -15 l l +60

88. The Plan l l 90 days before: l l District Executive visit Institution Head l l Printout available (to right person!) l l 60 days before: l l Membership inventory l l Recruit to make up loss l l 100% Boy's Life? l l 45 days before: l l Charter renewal meeting l l Boys l l Adults l l Fees l l Approvals l l Plans for the next year (Quality Unit) l l 15 days before: l l Charter turn-in night l l 60 days after: l l Charter presentation

89. Ninety Days Before: l l District Executive visits Institution Head l l Friendly visit or l l "How can I help"

90. Sixty Days Before: l l Membership inventory l l Set review meeting l l Uniform inspection?

91. Forty-Five Days Before: l l Charter review meeting l l Youth l l Adults l l Fees l l Approvals l l Quality Unit status l l Plans

92. Fifteen Days Before: l l Charter turn-in night

93. Sixty Days After: l l Charter presentation l l Chartered partner and l l The unit l Sample presentation in Commissioner Fieldbook

94. Some Techniques l l Talk about 100% Boy's Life early and often l l Committee members do membership follow-up l l Discuss Quality Unit with the whole committee (several times a year) l l Commissioner (the expert) fills out clean copy of charter renewal form l l Charter renewal checklist (available)

95. Annual Commissioner Service Plan

96. Annual Commissioner Service Plan Gives specific purpose to regular and supportive contact with units.

97. Annual Plan l l April - Unit leadership inventory l l May - Membership inventory - Troop uniform inspection l l June - Check on Quality Unit progress l l August - Unit program planning l l October - Troop/pack uniform inspection l l November - Youth Protection Training l l December - Membership inventory - Recharter - Quality Unit Measurement l l February - Charter presentation

98. Annual Plan coupled with regular visitation provides good commissioner service.

99. Lifesaving Commissioner

100. Lifesaving Commissioner !!!

101. Vital Signs l What are they?

102. Vital Signs l l Youth dropping out l l No youth recruiting or poor recruiting methods l l No adult leader l l No planned program l l No youth leaders l l No discipline l l Unit stops meeting l l Charter lapses / drops l l Chartered org. leader unhappy with the unit l l Only one active adult l l No parents involved l l Adult conflicts / poor communications

103. TAKE ACTION l l Consult ADC / DC l l Ask some basic questions l l What are the problems? l l What are possible solutions? l l What do we do first? l l Who do we involve? l l How do we know when unit is saved? l l What is “plan B”? l l Be enthusiastic l l Apply "first aid“ l l Apply “second aid” l l Promote teamwork

104. Hurry Cases l l Unit not meeting l l No leader l l No committee l l No new members l l Conflict with chartered organization l l New untrained leader l l Weak leadership

105. Lifesaving Team l l Ad hoc, or organized l l Bring appropriate skills to bear on the problem l l Adapt to the individual problems

106. The Second and Third Unit Visits

107. Second / Third Unit Visits l Second visit — unit meeting l Go by yourself l Stay only 15 minutes (drop-in) l Take your resource kit l Make worksheet (or changes) l Third visit — committee meeting l Visit with chartered organization representative l Be prepared with ways to help l Give everyone your phone and address l Wear your complete uniform as an example

108. Summary l Counseling l District committee l Membership management l Charter renewal process l Annual commissioner service plan l Lifesaving commissioner l Second and third unit visits

109. Open Forum: Questions and Concerns

110. Early Graduation (If you have a current Youth Protection card)

111. Break!

112. GRADUATE U U S S A A I I R R F F O O R R C C E E W W E E A A P P O O N N S S S S C C H H O O O O L L CommissionerBasicTraining

113. Youth Protection Training

114. Commissioner and Youth Protection l Annual Youth Protection visit in the fall l Encourage proper leader selection procedures l Coach unit people if child abuse occurs l Promote the youth videos l It Happened to Me l A Time to Tell l Personal Safety Awareness l Explain how to use Youth Protection inserts l Complete Youth Protection Training yourself

115. Graduation