1. Commissioner Basic Training
Page 1 GCR 2005

2. Commissioner Basic Training
Part III of IV:
Units: The
Commissioner’s Top
Priority (cont)
How To Help a Unit (intro)
Page 2 GCR 2005

3. Session
Learning Objectives
Three
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
• Monitor and evaluate unit operation.
• Recognize quality unit standards – now known as
Journey to Excellence.
• Use counseling fundamentals in working with the unit
leader.
• Know the resources of the district committee and how
they can be used to support the unit.
Page 3 GCR 2005

4. Unit Visitation Reports
Reports on second visit as a unit
commissioner. Share your observations
of your 15 minute visit to a boy/youth
meeting.
Commissioner Challenge:
Continue becoming more familiar with
resource material and your understanding
of the total situation in the unit.
Continue developing your role as a friend
and coach of the unit leadership.
Another visit opportunity coming up –
Review “Unit Contacts” section in
Commissioner Fieldbook – pg. 15-16
Page 4 GCR 2005

5. Monitoring the Unit
Indicators to be observed. How much of this caught
your eye on your recent visit?
Cub Scout Packs
• Leadership
• Webelos den
• Advancement
• Parental involvement
• Attendance
• Den meetings/activities
• Den chiefs or den aides
• Membership
• Annual planned program
Page 5 GCR 2005

6. Monitoring the Unit
Indicators to be observed. How much of this caught
your eye on your recent visit?
Scouts/Varsity/Venturers
• Meeting operation
• Youth leadership
• Advancement/Recognition
• Adult assistance
• Attendance
• Outdoor/skills programs
• Patrols/Squads/Crews
• Membership
• Annual planned program
Page 6 GCR 2005

7. Evaluating a Unit’s Health
Unit Self Assessment
Page 7 Worksheet GCR 2005

8. Evaluating a Unit’s Health
• Unit Self-Assessment Forms for all units are available
on pp. 64-66 of the Commissioner Fieldbook.
• These forms are to be used in an Action Planning
Meeting involving the a) unit leader, b) unit committee
chair, and c) unit commissioner.
• Why would a unit leader resist evaluation?
• If a unit has checks in the right column, where might
you, as a commissioner, go for help?
Unit Self Assessment
Page 8 Worksheet GCR 2005

9. Help for the Commissioner
• This booklet has ideas to help
commissioners of all units deal
with problems related to the units.
• It references STANDARDS, based
on proven experience and policy.
• Select the standards you believe
your unit(s) needs help with, then
view the listed suggestions.
Page 9 GCR 2005

10. Quality Unit Operation
Unit Commissioners must be alert
to situations that can signal a unit
is in trouble.
Page 10 GCR 2005

11. Quality Unit Operation
Early Warning Signals:
• Irregular meetings
• No written program
• Little advancement
• Few in uniform
• Seldom participate in district events
• Insufficient outdoor program
• Limited roundtable attendance
• Weak unit committee
• Limited parental involvement
• Minimal boy leadership
• Lack of discipline
• Leaders not fully trained
Page 11 GCR 2005

12. Quality Unit Operation
The Current Measuring Stick is Known as:
Journey to Excellence
For Packs, Troops, Teams, and Crews
The requirements represent desirable and
important standards for quality unit operation.
Page 12 GCR 2005
GCR 2005

13. Journey to Excellence Website
scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence
• Another site to bookmark.
• Note the PDF and Excel files
you can download.
• This is a performance
recognition program.
• It is designed to encourage
and reward success and
measure the performance.
• It has replaced the Centennial
Quality Awards Program.
• It is a means of encouraging
excellence in providing a
quality program at all levels of
the BSA.
Page 13 GCR 2005

14. Journey to Excellence
• As with previous programs, the intent is to
go through the Self-Assessment Form
AND set achievement goals.
• This is to be done in the early part of the
year in an Action Planning Meeting. This
involves the unit leader, unit committee
chair, and the unit commissioner.
• A follow-up meeting should be held about
midway through the year to assess
progress.
• Additional meeting(s) should be held as
needs arise, including a change of
leadership.
• Prior to rechartering, a final meeting
should be held to determine the level of
achievement.
Page 14 GCR 2005

15. Counseling Develop the
ability to
listen in
such a way
The best way to help a unit is to that they
strengthen its leadership through will solve
effective counseling. 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 problems.
Summarize from time to time.
Support their thinking with information. (Know the difference
between information and advice.)
Page 15 More information on “Counseling” in Commissioner Fieldbook pg. 34-35. GCR 2005

16. District Committee
Under direction of District Chairman
Four Function Organization:
1. Membership
2. Finance
3. Program (5 areas)
4. Unit Service (2 areas)
Page 16 GCR 2005

17. 1. Membership Functions
Membership Chair
• Fall & Spring Roundups of non-LDS
Elementary Schools
Intermediate and Middle Schools
Special outreach to families in
community - using ward mission
leaders to identify
Offer them a choice of an LDS or
community unit
• Spring and fall comparison of Church
MLS list with BSA Registration list
• Advice and help to small units
Page 17 GCR 2005

18. 2. Finance Functions
Finance Chair
• Friends of Scouting (provides operating funds for council and districts).
1. All in area should be contacted.
2. Do not stop once goal is met. Refer
back to step 1.
• Endowment (interest also supports operating
funds).
• Trust Funds (James E. West Award)
matches donors.
• District Activity Costs should be budget neutral or better.
Page 18 GCR 2005

19. 3. Program Functions
Program Chair
A. Camp Promotion
& Outdoor
B. Activities & Civic
Service
C. Training
D. Advancement &
Recognition
E. Health & Safety
Page 19 GCR 2005

20. 3. Program Functions
A. Camp Promotion & Outdoor Chair
Order of the Arrow (Scouting’s national camping honor society)
Where to go camping
Summer camp promotion (consider council camps 1st)
Log Cabin Gateways (getaway to a cabin)
Local High Adventure Camps (Beaver, Entrada)
National High Adventure Camps (Philmont, Northern
Tier, Florida Sea Base, Summit Bechtel Reserve)
Page 20 GCR 2005

21. 3. Program Functions
B. Activities & Civic Service Chair
District Recognition Dinner
Scouting Anniversary Week
Page 21 GCR 2005

22. 3. Program Functions
B. Activities & Civic Service Chair
Scout Expo
Camporees and Klondike
Page 22 GCR 2005

23. 3. Program Functions
B. Activities & Civic Service Chair
Scouting for Food
Scouting for
Food
Page 23 GCR 2005

24. 3. Program Functions
B. Activities & Civic Service Chair
Webelos Day Camp
Cub Day Camp
Page 24 GCR 2005

25. 3. Program Functions
C. Training Chair
Cub Scouts:
Youth Protection
Fast Start
This is Scouting
Leader Specific Training
Roundtable
Pow Wow, Akela’s Council
Page 25 GCR 2005

26. 3. Program Functions
C. Training Chair
Boy Scouts:
Youth Protection
Fast Start
This is Scouting
Leader Position - Specific Training
Intro to Outdoor Leadership
• North Star
Roundtable
Wood Badge
Philmont
Page 26 GCR 2005

27. 3. Program Functions
C. Training Chair
Varsity/Venturing:
Youth Protection
Fast Start
This is Scouting
Leader Specific Training
Intro to Outdoor Leadership
•North Star
Roundtable - Huddle/Forum
Wood Badge
Philmont
Page 27 GCR 2005

28. 3. Program Functions
C. Training Chair
Youth Leadership:
Den Chief
National Youth Leadership Training
• Scout Timberline
• Varsity All Stars
• Venturing Leadership Skills Course
Page 28 GCR 2005

29. 3. Program Functions
D. Advancement & Recognition Chair
Eagle Boards of Review
Merit Badge Counselors
Advice / training for units
Heroism awards
Adult recognition
Page 29 GCR 2005

30. 3. Program Functions
E. Health & Safety Chair
• The Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety
is a list of procedures applicable
for all physical activities.
• Few youth organizations
encompass the breadth, volume
and diversity of physical activity
common to Scouting.
• None enjoy a better safety record.
• The key to maintaining and improving this exemplary
record is the conscientious and trained adult leader who is
attentive to safety concerns.
Page 30 GCR 2005

31. 4. Unit Service
A. Commissioners
Requests
specific
Country Doctor assistance Specialists
(Unit Commissioner)
Determines Provide consultation
need or specialized
treatment
UNIT
• How do we determine need?
• How do we request specific assistance?
• How does the District Committee provide consultation?
• What happens to a unit when the District Committee and Unit Service mesh?
Page 31 GCR 2005

32. 4. Unit Service
B. Roundtable
Instruction
In Depts.
There was something I was able to share one of my
there for me after all. success stories with Jim.
Leaders Ideas
Attend I bet that suggestion of Bill’s
will solve my problem.
What can I
UNIT
bring back? (Boys)
• Roundtable is monthly in-service for all Scouting leaders.
• The purpose is to train, inform, and motivate.
• It’s a great place to visit with others who are trying to learn their Scouting duties.
• Stay in the loop with District activities and Be Prepared.
Page 32 GCR 2005

33. Back to
Commissioners:
Make 3rd Unit Visit
• These are the guidelines:
• Go by yourself.
• Visit a committee meeting. How fully is it functioning? Is a printed
agenda used? Are all members asked to give a report?
• Have something you can leave with them.
• A strong committee is important to the life of a unit, and you should
become well acquainted with its members.
• Request time to meet with unit leader & committee chair to do a Unit
Self Assessment and set/review goals for Journey to Excellence.
• Take time to visit with the COR.
• After your visit fill out a worksheet, if desired, to help you monitor long-
term progress.
• Report your visit online.
Page 33 GCR 2005

34. Review
We have learned about:
Evaluating Unit Operation
Journey to Excellence
Counseling
The District Committee
Thank you for participating!
Page 34 GCR 2005

35. Page 35 GCR 2005