Welcome to Commissioner Basic Training.

Welcome to Commissioner Basic Training.
Please make yourself comfortable. We will be starting soon. Put this up as a lead-in slide until about 10 minutes before starting. Put all the staff’s names on the title slide (#4) CBTM = Commissioner Basic Training Manual, the primary reference. CF = Commissioner Fieldbook, the commissioner’s Bible. This PowerPoint presentation (version 1.1, November 2000) was originally authored by George Crowl, who has served as a neighborhood commissioner (he’s old!), assistant district commissioner for training, district commissioner, council commissioner, Scout roundtable staff, and currently as district commissioner of the Tomahawk District in Las Vegas, NV. If you have comments or questions, please contact him at The presentation has subsequently been updated for the use in the Patriots’ Path Council. Last updated: 10/19/06 Instructor: _________- Assistant Council Commissioner

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

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

Training Overview Why Commissioners?
Aims and Methods Supporting the Unit Commissioner Service Role Unit Program Planning Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority The Unit Visit Effective Commissioner Leadership Unit Visitation Reports Unit Committee Functions Commissioner priorities Quality Unit Operation 8:50 a.m. Go over the days course and do handouts if available How to Help a Unit Youth Protection Charter Renewal Process Counseling Annual Commissioner Service Plan District Committee Lifesaving Commissioner Membership Management

Commissioner Basic Training
COMMISSIONER BASIC TRAINING SCHEDULE (modified one day) 8: Arrival, Sign-In and Pre-Opening (Commissioner Quiz) 8: Opening - Welcome, Introductions & Training Overview 8: Aims and Methods (beginning of Session 1 – Why Commissioners?) 9: The Commissioner Service Role 9: Supporting the Unit 10:05 Unit Program Planning 10:25 Session 1 Summary 10:30 Break 10:40 The Unit Visit (beginning of Session 2 – Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority) 10:50 Unit Visitation Reports 11:00 Commissioner Priorities 11:05 Effective Commissioner Leadership 11:10 Unit Committee Functions 11:30 Quality Unit Operation 11:50 Session 2 Summary 11:55 Open Forum 12:05 Lunch 12:50 Introduction to Youth Protection (beginning of Session 3 – How To Help A Unit) 1: Counseling 1: District Committee 1: Membership Management 1: Stretch Break 1: Unit Charter Renewal Process 2: The Annual Commissioner Service Plan 2: The Lifesaving Commissioner 2: Second and Third Unit Visits 2: Session 3 Summary 2: Open Forum 2: Graduation 3: DONE!

Why Commissioners? Session 1 8:50 a.m.
Entire Session should take no longer than 1 hour 40 minutes.

Overview Why Commissioners?
Aims and methods Commissioner service role Supporting the unit Unit Program Planning 8:50 a.m. Session 1 Overview We will initially talk about some basic concepts of Scouting and of commissioner service.

Aims of Scouting What are the aims of Scouting? Character development
Citizenship training Personal fitness General discussion

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) Patrol Adult association Outdoors Personal growth Leadership Venturing (Youth ages 14-20) Group activities Recognition High adventure Teaching others Methods of Scouting are somewhat different in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and Venturing, as we are dealing with different age groups. The methods reinforce the aims, as applied to the characteristics and needs of youth. Cub Scouting: Home- and neighborhood-centered, parent involvement, advancement, den, ideals, uniform, activities Boy Scouting: Ideals, patrol method, outdoor program, advancement, personal growth, adult association, leadership development, uniform Venturing: Voluntary association between youth and adults, ethical decision making, group activity, recognition of achievement, democratic process, Venturing curiosity exploration & adventure

Council Mission Promotes Scouting in a geographic area
Voluntary association of citizens Representatives of chartered organizations Provides Scouting services Field service Office support Camps Reference, “The Council,” #33078, pp. 1-2. Council is a voluntary association of citizens Includes representatives of organizations chartered by BSA Promotes the Scouting program within a geographic area Purpose of council is to guide and support districts in achieving Scouting’s purpose

District Mission Organize and support successful units Membership
Finance Program Unit service Reference, “The District,” #33073, pp. 2-9. The four function plan is used by both councils and districts Membership - to make Scouting available to all youth Finance - to provide adequate funds Program - to maintain standards and policies Unit service - to serve chartered organizations through a commissioner staff Here is a good place to insert a morale-building feature, and explain why you are doing it.

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. Read, explain and discuss the commissioner concept found in the front of the CBTM. Amplification is in CF, pp Introduce the Commissioner Fieldbook as the single most important resource for all commissioners.

Job Description Card Friend Representative Unit "GP doctor" Teacher
Counselor

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

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 The Unit Commissioner Using the preopening quiz and Commissioner Responsibility Cards, lead a discussion on the job of the unit commissioner. Cover all items on the card. Be sure participants have the right quiz answers.

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

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

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

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

Supporting the Unit 9:40 a.m.

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

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

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

Evaluation Tools Unit Self Evaluation Form – Pack, Troop, Crew
Do unit leaders like evaluation? What are your resources? Can you use a tool for evaluating unit health? Pass out worksheets 34125A, 34126A, 33660A and 33619A. (see Appendix) [CF p. 16] How might they use the worksheets? Would a unit leader resist evaluation? Why? (They must understand that this is a commissioner’s tool, not a check sheet to be filled out in the presence of or shared with the unit leader.) Do you understand the profile? If you had a profile with many checks in the right column, where might you go for help? Listed references Commissioner Helps for Packs, Troops and Crews, #33618 ADC, district committee

Danger Signals Style of leadership Unit is not meeting
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 As the student buzz groups report, ask them what action might be taken to correct the item

Unit Program Planning 9:40 a.m.

Cub Scout Program Planning
Unit commissioners should understand process and tools ( Cub Scout Leaders Book ) Program Helps and Pack Planning Chart Council calendar Chartered organization needs Annual program planning conference Monthly pack leaders meeting DLC - DL meeting Den Chief - adult meeting See Cub Scout Leader Book for process Discuss and display Program Helps, Pack Planning Chart, Program Notebook, and the council calendar

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. Troop program planning follows a pattern, but it involves the boys in much more of the planning. See the Scoutmaster Handbook. Share the plan with every Scout, his family, chartered organization, and unit commissioner. Group Meeting Sparklers feature

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 Officers brainstorm activities Officers discuss and evaluate each idea Officers select activities and make calendar Officers plan each month in advance Point out that in crew program planning, elected crew officers play the central role with as many crew members as possible involved in (1) suggesting ideas for activities, (2) planning the activities, and (3) participating in the activities. See Chapter 3, Planning your crew’s program, from the Venturing Leader Manual.

Summary Why Commissioners?
Aims and methods Commissioner service role Supporting the unit Unit program planning 10:25 a.m.

Session 2 Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority 10:40 a.m.
Entire Session should take no longer than 1 hour 15 minutes.

Overview Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority
The Unit Visit Unit Self Assessment Commissioner Priorities Effective Commissioner Leadership Unit Committee Functions Centennial Award Preparation 10:40 a.m. Session 2 Overview

The Unit Visit 10:40 a.m.

The First Unit Visit Make appointment to visit an assigned unit
Go with your observer/coach/ADC 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 Always wear your complete uniform as an example Many participants will have never filled out a worksheet. Encourage them to do so on their next visit to the unit meeting. (Have them take their filled out worksheet(s) to their ADC or DC.) After they have made their visit, discuss ways to help with the unit leader. Use the “Some ways to help” column. During the committee meeting, be ready to discuss “Some ways to help” but do not bring out the worksheet.

Unit Visitation Reports
Using the Unit Self Assessment Sheet (CF pp ) The premise of this presentation is that it is one day training, and the new commissioners have had a chance to visit at least one of their units. They may not have been introduced to the Commissioner Work Sheet until this training. Ask the new commissioners to get out a Commissioner Work Sheet, and prepare a verbal report based on their observations of their last visit and the key issues of the worksheet. If any staff members have any independent knowledge of the unit, they can share their comments also. Stress that, in addition to reporting, the UC has a responsibility to take action to solve problems. What action does he/she propose to take, based on the situation? The group may be divided into smaller groups to stay in the time limit. Course director makes appropriate comments regarding the different reports, the need to be familiar with all resource material to be able to make better evaluation, and the need to understand the total situation to render a valid report. We will make additional visits after this course. CD reviews “Unit Contacts” section of the Commissioner Fieldbook.

New Unit Self Assessment
New Form By National to be used by units in conjunction with the help of the UNIT Commissioner NOTE: Troop and Crew forms are similar

Guidelines for Unit Self-Assessment and Action Planning Meeting Present at meeting: Unit Leader—Unit Committee Chair—Unit Commissioner Purpose of meeting (Use as the agenda for the meeting.):· To evaluate the unit's progress toward achieving the Quality Unit Award· To review the unit's goals, successes, and vision for the coming year· To identify any areas of improvement—leadership, program, and membership· To determine any specific actions needing to be taken to assist with unit improvements and determine who will follow up on those actions· To schedule any necessary follow-up to monitor progress When to conduct meeting:· After the unit commissioner has visited the unit for the first time· Annually to review strengths and areas of improvement to help provide direction for needed support, preferably six months prior to the annual charter renewal· As needed when a problem arises· When unit leadership changes

How should the arrangements for this meeting be set up?· The unit commissioner speaks to the unit leader during the first unit visit to schedule the meeting date, time, and location.· The dialog should include: —Approaching the unit leader after the meeting and requesting that a second meeting be set up with the unit leader and the unit committee chair. —Setting the meeting, preferably at the leader's or the chair's home —Asking them to complete the unit self-assessment form prior to the meeting —Letting them know the visit will include a discussion of the self- assessment form and how the goals and vision of their unit's program can be supported Why only the unit commissioner, unit leader, and unit chair?· It provides a small group to openly analyze the program, their unit's needs, and steps to be taken to help resolve any issues.

New Unit Self Evaluation
It helps open a dialog between the unit and the district. Once they meet and determine what needs to be done, others can be involved in helping determine which direction to go and any potential improvements that can be identified What preparation should be made prior to the action planning meeting? Review the statistics of the unit available from the local council and the district team, especially looking at: —Quality Unit status —Outdoor program participation —Advancement reports —Trained leadership status —Youth Protection training —Participation in district and council events —Roundtable attendance· Complete the unit self-assessment form after the visit to analyze observations and review the statistics gathered from the council/district prior to the action planning meeting. (The self-assessment form is designed to take the place of the commissioner worksheet previously used by commissioners.)

The Second and Third Unit Visits
2:30 p.m.

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

Commissioner Priorities
11:00 a.m.

Commissioner Priorities
Remember your job description Stick to your primary responsibility Unit focus Let Us Give You A Helping Hand Emphasize that unit commissioners should not fall into the trap of doing everything else in Scouting except for your appointed job: unit service. It happens. Commissioners are usually wonderful Scouters and may be asked to do many things. While these other Scouting activities might be important, they are often NOT the primary responsibility of commissioners. You must concentrate your Scouting time on helping with specific unit needs and helping each unit become more effective with its program and operation. Good unit service is created when the commissioner believes that unit service is so critical to the success of Scouting that it takes precedence over all his or her Scouting time.

Effective Commissioner Leadership
11:05 a.m.

Effective Commissioner Leadership
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 Explain that in addition to understanding our commissioner responsibilities and knowing how Scouting works, there are other things that will help us to be effective leaders. Some of these include: Evaluate and improve your own performance. Distribute copies of “How Do I Rate as an Effective Leader?” Appendix E, which have been produced locally. Explain that this is a checklist of effective leadership. Encourage participants to use it periodically to improve their performance. Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude. Point out that attitude affects our success in commissioner service because it influences other people. Our attitude and actions tell unit people how we feel about the program. Work successfully with adults. Explain that leadership as a commissioner means working cooperatively with many kinds of people. We must be careful that adult conflicts or differences do not interfere with the program which units provide for youth. Point out that whenever we work with other people, there is a chance problems will occur. This is often because we forget our objectives and why we’re here. It helps to always remember that unit adults are the focus of good commissioner service. Suggest that trainees will find tips on people relationships in the counseling and commissioner style chapters of the Commissioner Fieldbook.

Unit Committee Functions
11:10 a.m. Participants must understand that they can best help a unit leader if they also understand what a unit leader should have in the way of help from the unit committee. Familiarize the participants with Fast Start and how it helps a new leader get off to a good start.

Unit Committee Functions
Packs Troops Teams Crews This lesson covers only Cub and Scout committees specifically. Varsity and Venture committees are similar.

Pack Committee Advancement Finance Outings Training
Membership & re-registration Record keeping & correspondence Public relations Friends of Scouting Refer to the Cub Scout Leader Book Committee Chairman should assign certain jobs to committee members on either a permanent or an “as needed” basis Might not be formally organized

Troop Committee Advancement Finance Equipment Outdoor program
Transportation Leadership Membership & re-registration Friends of Scouting Scoutmaster Handbook and Troop Committee Guidebook are resources The organization of the committee depends on the size of the troop

Venturing Committee Advancement Finance Equipment Training program
Transportation Leadership Membership & re-registration

11:30 a.m. (CF p. 21, 27-28)

National Centennial Award
Unit sets their own goals in Feb Commissioner helps in the completion UC confirms that goals have been completed by Oct UC signs form with DE and appropriate Unit Leader Form turned into Council for AWARD

Unit’s Determine Their Goals and how they will Accomplish Them
Pass out and share the National Quality Unit Award score sheets for pack, troop, team and crew operation. Participants must recognize, from the discussion, that they represent desirable and important standards for quality unit operation. ALL UNITS: *1. Trained unit leader (CM, SM, VC, NL). For Cub Scouts: 50% of DL/WL trained. *2. Trained assistant unit leader (CA, SA, VA, NA). One leader appointed in charge of youth protection training. *4. Recharter on time. 7,6,6,7. Conduct a service project for the sponsoring institution or the community. 10,9,9,9. Renew the charter with equal or greater membership than last year. The remainder of the requirements vary by program. They are: CUB PACKS: *3. Attend council Cub Day Camp, Resident Camp, family camp, Webelos overnighters, or other approved outdoor activity. 5. Nine pack meetings per year, Summertime Pack Award. 6. Have an active Tiger Den in the pack. 8. Have 70% of the boys advance during the year (or 10% more than last year). 9. 100% of the boys receive Boy's Life, or increase by 10% over last year. SCOUT TROOPS: *3. Have six outdoor activities and attend a BSA summer camp. 5. Prepare, publish and present an annual plan. 7. Have 60% of the boys advance during the year (or 10% more than last year). 8. 100% of the boys receive Boy's Life, or increase by 10% over last year. 10. Conduct troop JLT and monthly Patrol Leader's Council meetings. VARSITY TEAMS: *3. Participate in an organized league sport, or an Ultimate Adventure. 7. 100% of the boys receive Boy's Life, or increase by 10% over last year. 8. 50% of the boys earn the Varsity letter. 10. Conduct youth leadership training for the team officers. VENTURE CREWS: *3. Conduct an elected officer's seminar. 5. Conduct a super activity. 6. Conduct a minimum of two meetings or activities per month. 8. Conduct a open house, first-nighter or other recruiting effort. 10. Crew committee meets at least four times each year.

Summary Units: The Commissioner’s Top Priority
The Unit Visit The Second and Third Visit Unit Self Assessment Form Commissioner priorities Effective commissioner leadership Unit committee functions Centennial Award Criteria 11:50 a.m.

5 Minute Break! 10:30 a.m.

How to Help a Unit Session 3 12:50 p.m.
Entire Session should take no longer than 1 hour 55 minutes including a 5 minute stretch break.

Overview How to Help a Unit
Youth Protection Counseling The District Committee Membership Management Unit Charter Renewal Process Annual Commissioner Service Plan The Lifesaving Commissioner 12:50 p.m. Session 3 Overview

Youth Protection The problem of child abuse has become one of the most significant social problems facing our nation. Recent public opinion polls rank the problem of child abuse second only to drug abuse as a national concern. Completion of the adult Youth Protection Training Course is REQUIRED by all adult leaders accompanying Scouts on field trips, outings, camping trips, etc. Youth Protection Training is offered by the council on a monthly basis. It is also offered by many individual units. Recertification is required every 3 years. Commissioners are encouraged to take the council’s Youth Protection Training course.

BSA’s Five-Point Strategy to Prevent Child Abuse
Educate adult volunteers, parents, and youth to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse. Establish leader-selection procedures to prevent offenders from entering your organization leadership ranks. Establish policies that create barriers to child abuse within the program. Encourage youth to report improper behavior in order to identify offenders quickly. Swift removal and reporting of alleged offenders.

The Three R’s of Youth Protection
RECOGNIZE RESIST REPORT Members of the Boy Scouts of America are taught the Three R’s of Youth Protection. This stresses that the child needs to RECOGNIZE situations that place him at risk of being molested, how child molesters operate, and that anyone can be a molester. The child needs to know that if he RESISTS, most child molesters will leave him alone. And, if the child REPORTS attempted or actual molestation he will help protect himself as well as other children from further abuse, and will not be blamed for what occurred.

The Commissioner and Youth Protection
Commissioners can help in several ways: Conduct annual Youth Protection visit each fall for unit adults in every unit you are assigned to serve (usually as part of your November visit at a unit committee meeting). Help units and their chartered organizations use proper leader selection procedures. Coach unit people if child abuse occurs. Promote unit use of videos designed to protect boys from abuse: It Happened to Me - Cub Scout-age boys A Time to Tell - Boy Scout-age boys Personal Safety Awareness - high school-age youth Explain to unit adults how boys and parents use the Youth Protection inserts in the front of their handbooks.

Counseling 1:00 p.m.

Counseling "Listen to someone in such a way that they will solve their own problems." (CF pp ) It must be pointed out that the best way to help a unit is to strengthen its leadership and that the most effective method of helping a leader develop his potential is counseling. Commissioners must be good counselors to do their jobs well.

Fundamentals Of Good Counseling
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 his/her 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 Trainer Development Conference, Counseling Wood Badge, Counseling These are some fundamentals of good counseling: Carefully select a time and place where there will be no interruptions Understand what the leader is saying Let the leader know that you hear and understand Do not give advice. Guide, by questioning, in such a way that they solve their own problems. If they cannot find a solution, plant several possibilities in their mind, but let them select the one which they think might work for them. Summarize from time to time to keep on track Support thinking with information. Know the difference between information and advice. Refer to: The “Counseling” section in the Commissioner Fieldbook, “Counseling” unit in the Trainer Development Conference, “Counseling” segment in Wood Badge.

District Committee Four function organization Membership Finance
Program Unit service Provide a good understanding of the resources available in the district committee to ensure the success of the unit Explain that the commissioner is like the country doctor or general practitioner. The district committee includes specialists whom the commissioner can call in for consultation or specialized treatment.

Membership Functions Fall Roundup Spring Roundup
Special membership rallies Advice and help to units with membership problems Discuss the main functions listed. Answer any questions.

Finance Functions Friends of Scouting Council Popcorn Sale
Endowment/Trust Funds (e.g. James E. West Award) Advice to units

Program Functions Camping Activities Advancement Training
Health & Safety

Camping Order of the Arrow Where to go camping Summer camp promotion
Philmont

Activities Scout Expo Camporee’s, Klondike Derby's, First Aid Meets, etc. Scouting for Food Scouting Anniversary Week District Recognition Dinner

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

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

Training Boy Scout: Fast Start New Leader Essentials
Leader Specific Training: Scoutmaster and Assistant Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills Troop Committee Youth Protection Roundtables NYLT, Den Chief Training Wood Badge

Training Venturing Fast Start New Leader Essentials
Leader Specific Training: Venturing Crew Advisers / Adults Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills Youth Protection Roundtables Kodiak Leadership Trek Powder Horn Wood Badge

Health & Safety Monitor district events

Membership Management
Now that the trainees have been introduced to many ways they can help leaders to grow and committees to function, with good budgeting and a good program for boys, it is also essential that they help units to add membership, so that more boys can have the advantages of a sound Scouting experience

Membership Management
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
1:40 p.m. (CF pp ) REREGISTRATION CHECKLIST (Traditional manual re-registration forms) Adult Boy Indiv Form Form Form *Critical to timely registration ( ) ( ) ( ) Expiration date and other heading information checked and corrected if necessary. ( ) Boys' Life expiration date corrected if necessary. ( ) ( ) All dropped members crossed out (single line, ball pen). ( ) * All registrations not printed or typed on the rosters sent in on an individual application, even though individual is supposed to be registered. ( ) ( ) ( ) Check each line for accuracy. Use real first name, middle initial (normally) and last name. Make corrections below printed line. ( ) ( ) ( ) Mailing address, including box number if appropriate. ( ) ( ) ( ) Member's date of birth. Correct for program and position. ( ) ( ) Cubs', Scouts' and Varsity's rank. Venturers' and adults' sex. ( ) ( ) Adults' positions are correct. ( ) ( ) * Unit must have a Chartered Organization Representative (CR), Committee Chairman (CC), minimum of two committee members (MC), Cubmaster/Scoutmaster/Varsity Coach/Venture Advisor, and packs must have minimum of one Den Leader for Cubs and one Webelos Leader for Webelos. No dual registration in same unit except CR as CC or MC. ( ) ( ) "Multiple" adult registered members' position codes circled with unit where fee paid, or noted on application. Multiple Scout/ Varsity/Venturer, write “multiple” plain language below the name, with the unit where the fee is paid. ( ) ( ) ( ) Boys' Life column marked with a Y in accordance with instructions. ( ) ( ) ( ) Available telephone numbers listed (B or H) ( ) * All Cub, Scout, Varsity applications signed by parent. ( ) * Unit leader signature on youth roster. ( ) * Unit leader signature on individual youth applications. ( ) Unit number on all individual applications. ( ) * Adult and Venturer individual applications signed by member. ( ) Check: Disability code, 100% Boy’s Life YES/NO, On Time YES/NO. ( ) Chartered partner name and full address correct. ( ) Executive officer's name, title, and address correct. ( ) * Executive officer's signature on adult roster. ( ) * Executive officer's or CR's signature on individual adult applications. ( ) Number of youth and adult Boys' Life subscriptions, BL fees. ( ) Number of paid youth and fees, number of paid adults and fees, total fees (including $20 charter fee). Number of multiple adults and youth. ( ) * Council certification - commissioner signature. [ ] (special form) a. Quality Unit worksheet completed - unit leader and commissioner signature ( ) * Check attached, made out to your local council ( ) Turned in on charter night. Your Unit Commissioner, Assistant/District Commissioner, and District Executive are your resources, in that order, if you need help. Call them. Send this charter in through them, do not send it direct to the council office. Unit Charter Renewal Process

Charter Renewal If commissioners are providing regular visitation and doing their job as in the Annual Service Plan, then re-chartering becomes a minor paperwork exercise. This is our philosophy of service. If we do our jobs right all year long, all we have to do is complete a few papers. Unit Commissioners are the direct contact, but the ADC, DC, ACC, and CC are part of the plan also.

Objective: Reregister unit On time Maximum membership Good leadership

The Plan 90 days before: 60 days before: 45 days before:
District Executive visit Institution Head Printout available (to right person!) 60 days before: Membership inventory Recruit to make up loss 100% Boy's Life? 45 days before: Charter renewal meeting Boys Adults Fees Approvals Plans for the next year (Quality Unit) 15 days before: Charter turn-in night 60 days after: Charter presentation Here is an overview of the actions taken at each stage. We will expand on them in the next slides

Ninety Days Before: District Executive visits Institution Head
Friendly visit or "How can I help?" To be a Centennial District, the DE must visit each institution head Is a relationships-building exercise Sometimes is just “glad it is going well” Sometimes is an opportunity to find out about problems Decide on a plan of action to solve the problems Find additional people to help serve Unit roster should be put in the hands of the “right person” Easiest to go to the unit leader, not always “right” Unit leader should not have to do the paperwork! Committee secretary or advancement person is best Make sure it gets there, on time!

Sixty Days Before: Membership inventory Set review meeting
Uniform inspection? Ask for an actual inventory. Now is the time to reactivate boys, and know where every dropout has gone, and why. Set up a charter review meeting Usually regular committee meeting Arrange for a uniform inspection Give plenty of notice so boys (and adults) can prepare

Forty-Five Days Before:
Charter review meeting Youth Adults Fees Approvals Centennial Award Status Plans Review which boys will recharter, what is needed to get them Review which adults will recharter. Do we need more adult leadership for the unit? Where is the money coming from? If there is a money problem, solve it, but sell the unit budget plan for next year. Arrange for chartered organization head approval Review Quality Unit status. Seek commitment to qualify on all 10 QU requirements (if possible) Review last year’s program. Ask for successes and shortfalls. Look toward next years program, to build on success and avoid pitfalls.

Fifteen Days Before: File charter Electronically
Have your units file charter electronically

Electronic Re-chartering
Insure that unit has password and knows how to find the site then select Internet Re-chartering Or for direct access Insure that a hard copy signed and payment are turned into Council

Sixty Days After: Charter presentation Chartered partner and The unit
Sample presentation in Commissioner Field book (CF p ) Present the charter to the chartered partner Church: at worship service Service club: at meeting School: at school assembly Present the charter to the unit At pack meeting At troop court of honor Include Quality Unit ribbon Include 100% Boy’s Life ribbon Sample presentation in Commissioner Fieldbook

Some Techniques Talk about 100% Boy's Life early and often
Committee members do membership follow-up Discuss Centennial Award with the whole committee (several times a year) Commissioner (the expert) checks information before Unit re-charters electronically Charter renewal checklist (available) If the unit is not already 100% Boy’s Life, then discuss how to do so at the next charter renewal, at least six months in advance. If it is 100%, confirm that it will remain 100%. The unit leader is busy. Have a committee member follow up on boys that are inactive and may drop. If you visit the committee meetings each quarter, discuss progress toward Quality Unit each time. This is especially important when it is marginal or unlikely they will make it. Some very active units need only hear it mentioned once or twice, because they will earn it naturally. Sometimes it is less work for the commissioner to offer to actually fill out the charter renewal forms, rather than train a unit person to do so. You should be the expert. Tell the unit what we need to know to fill out the forms, then sit down with the secretary or unit leader and do it. Associated with the title slide for this session, in the notes section, is a comprehensive charter renewal checklist which some people have found useful.

The Annual Commissioner
Service Plan 2:00 p.m. There is an old saying, “Plan your work and work your plan.” Everything that happens in a program year starts with a plan.

Annual Commissioner Service Plan
Gives specific purpose to regular and supportive contact with units. (CF p. 16)

Annual Plan April - Unit leadership inventory
May - Membership inventory - Troop uniform inspection June - Check on Quality Unit progress August - Unit program planning October - Troop/pack uniform inspection November - Youth Protection Training December - Membership inventory - Re-charter - Centennial Award Measurement February - Charter presentation This plan has been tailored for a district with a December rechartering month. Adapt it as required for your district/council.

Annual Plan Regular Visitation Commissioner Service.
coupled with Regular Visitation provides good Commissioner Service.

The Lifesaving Commissioner
2:15 p.m.

Vital Signs What are they? 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 / drops Chartered org. leader unhappy with the unit Only one active adult No parents involved Adult conflicts / poor communications Ask the students to identify what they are List them on a flip chart or chalkboard The BSA answers are on the next slide

TAKE ACTION Do It Now! 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 Lapsed Charter/ Dropped Unit Unit not meeting No leader
No committee No new members Conflict with chartered organization New untrained leader Weak leadership Lapsed / dropped charter — Complete the paperwork, if a paperwork problem. If there are deeper causes, solve those problems. Not meeting — Meet with unit leader and committee chairman, try to start meetings again, contact youth No leader — Meet with committee chairman, committee and parents to find a new leader No committee — Discuss prospects with unit leader and committee chairman. Coach Committee Chairman in recruiting. Personally recruit people to committee positions. Contact parents. No new members — Help unit leader understand need for new members. Set up school rally. Provide incentives for boys to recruit. Conflict with chartered organization — Try to determine the cause of the conflict. Seek ways to defuse conflict. Counsel leadership of both on ways to work together. New untrained leader — Conduct Fast Start training immediately. Invite (take) leader to next basic training. Identify additional training opportunities. Weak leadership — Counsel leaders. Coach leaders. Identify new, stronger leaders.

Lifesaving Team CC, ACC, DC, ADC or organized team of commissioners
Bring appropriate skills to bear on the problem Adapt to the individual problems Most lifesaving teams are probably ad hoc, made up of the UC, the ADC, a member of the training team, and/or a member of the membership team. The DE should often be involved. If there are sufficient resources to do this, some people could specialize in this function. Each team will have a little different emphasis, depending on the nature of the problem. Some may need crisis resolution, others need recruiting skills, others may just need training.

Summary How to Help a Unit
Youth Protection Counseling District committee Membership management Charter renewal process Annual commissioner service plan Lifesaving commissioner 2:40 p.m.

Resource Materials 2:55 p.m. – Wrap-Up and Graduation
Remind them about all the great BSA resource material that’s available.

Resources on the Net Commissioner’s site on www.scouting.org

Next Steps . . . Supplemental training at monthly
District Commissioner meetings College of Commissioner Science Wood Badge for the 21st Century Commissioner’s Arrowhead Honor award Commissioner Key award Distinguished Commissioner Service Award Continuous education is a must for everyone!

Questions and Concerns
Open Forum: Questions and Concerns 2:45 p.m.

Thank you and good luck as a
Unit Commissioner! 8:50 a.m. Entire Session should take no longer than 1 hour 40 minutes.

Welcome to Commissioner Basic Training.

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