Commissioner

Volunteers Needed!

District Unit Commissioners

Previous Scouting experience helpful -- but not required. Training available.

Anyone experienced in a workplace with a feel for communication and organizational operations is encouraged to contact , District Commissioner.

To view a Fast Start presentation copy the link below to an internet browser

http://www.ncnpwd.com/commfs/

Commissioners—In the Boy Scouts of America

Commissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed.

They coach and consult with adult leaders of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews.

Commissioners help maintain the standards of the Boy Scouts of America.

They also oversee the unit charter renewal plan so that each unit re-registers on time with an optimum number of youth and adult members.

Roles the Commissioner Plays

A commissioner plays several roles, including friend, representative, unit "doctor," teacher, and counselor.

The commissioner is a friend of the unit.

Of all their roles, this one is the most important. It springs from the attitude, "I care, I am here to help, what can I do for you?" Caring is the ingredient that makes commissioner service successful. He or she is an advocate of unit needs. A commissioner who makes himself known and accepted now will be called on in future times of trouble.

The commissioner is a representative.

The average unit leader is totally occupied in working with kids. Some have little if any contact with the Boy Scouts of America other than a commissioner's visit to their meeting. To them, the commissioner may be the BSA. The commissioner helps represent the ideals, the principles, and the policies of the Scouting movement.

The commissioner is a unit "doctor."

In their role as "doctor," they know that prevention is better than a cure, so they try to see that their units make good "health practices" a way of life. When problems arise, and they will even in the best unit, they act quickly. They observe symptoms, diagnose the real ailment, prescribe a remedy, and follow up on the patient.

The commissioner is a teacher.

As a commissioner, they will have a wonderful opportunity to participate in the growth of unit leaders by sharing knowledge with them. They teach not just in an academic environment, but where it counts most—as an immediate response to a need to know. That is the best adult learning situation since the lesson is instantly reinforced by practical application of the new knowledge.

The commissioner is a counselor.

As a Scouting counselor, they will help units solve their own problems. Counseling is the best role when unit leaders don't recognize a problem and where solutions are not clear-cut. Everyone needs counseling from time to time, even experienced leaders.

Commissioner Links

10 Roles of a good Commissioner Relations
- http://www.totscouting.org/commish/ten_rules_of_good_commissioner_r.htm
Unit Commissioner Counseling Skills
- http://www.totscouting.org/commish/unit_commissioner_counseling_ski.htm
Unit Commissioner Charter Presentation
- http://www.totscouting.org/commish/unit_commissioner_charter_presen.htm
Resources for Commissioners
- http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=cm
  This will take you to the BSA National site for information
On-Line Training for Commissioners
- http://www.usscouts.org/commish/modules.asp
  This is a great ways to get a good look at the role and scope of a Commissioner's contribution to Scouting.
The NetCommish
- http://www.netcommish.com
  The NetCommish website is dedicated to the thousands of dedicated Scouters who call themselves Commissioners and give of their time and talents to help Scout Leaders deliver the best possible Scouting Program to youth members and to the Scout leaders they serve.

Local Commissioner Information

Unit Commissioners are always in short supply. Let our "District Commissioner" tell you how easy it is to volunteer.

Commissioner service is a great way to extend your Scouting career, especially if your son has "grown up" and moved on to his next phase of life.