Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www..org/commissioners

Commissioner Tools to Launch

By Rick Hillenbrand, Communications chair This is the second article about the new Commissioner Tools, and it is intended to provide an update and some additional details about the tools. To read the first article, please see the Winter 2014 issue of The Commissioner. One of the unanimous decisions of the 16 volunteers and professionals who make up the focus group that developed the requirements for the Commissioner Tools is that the Commissioner Tools will not be launched on some predefined date if they are not ready—something agreed to by the nearly 70 volunteers who are testing the tools. Unfortunately, in going from requirements to an operating Web-based application, “virtual,” such as a phone call or an email. Not all face-to- we encountered more delays than our schedule could absorb, face contacts are meaningful and should be logged, such as which consequently has delayed the projected initial release the following: date. This article is being written about four weeks prior to 1. Commissioner meets committee chair at shopping publication, and at this time it is going to go down to the wire mall and discusses family matters. This is not a whether we will be ready to fully launch the Commissioner “meaningful” contact. Tools at the National Annual Meeting in May. Even if the 2. Commissioner meets committee chair at shopping mall. Commissioner Tools are not ready for full release, you can After discussing family matters, they have a 20-minute stop by the exhibit hall at the National Annual Meeting and discussion about how to conduct a troop annual get a firsthand demonstration of a “preproduction” version of program planning conference. The second part of this the tools. interaction IS a “meaningful” contact. Training to use the Commissioner Tools will be consistent 3. The commissioner and committee chair have an with most state-of-the-art software programs, which means email exchange that goes on for days about how to there will not be a phonebook-thick user’s manual that cannot organize the pack’s blue and gold banquet. This is a be kept current. Instead, the tools are being designed to be “meaningful” contact. intuitive and will have an online help manual and pop-up helps that can be accessed by right-clicking. Additionally, there will After considerable deliberation, the focus group and the be a training video available at the National Annual Meeting, National Commissioner Support Staff decided that in addition and in-person sessions at commissioner colleges, conferences, to commissioners, field-serving professionals should have and area meetings will continue. the ability to log contacts and use the Commissioner Tools. This was a logical conclusion because both share the wreath One of the most fundamental changes is that where of service and work together as a team to serve Scouting we logged “visits” in UVTS, we will log “contacts” in the through unit service. This will also help in situations where Commissioner Tools. This change allows us to recognize and professionals assist volunteers in logging their unit contacts. log unit service that doesn’t always happen face to face. With (There is an ability to print a paper copy of a Commissioner the release of the Commissioner Tools, we will also provide a Assessment Form for use without a computer.) Because adding glossary of terms, which includes the following definition the capability for professionals to make entries was not deemed for “contact”: critical and is a form of “scope growth” that could jeopardize A “meaningful” interaction between a commissioner and the initial release of the Commissioner Tools, this functionality one or more members of a unit. Meaningful contacts can be will be added post-Release 1. From a JTE perspective, it Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

is important to remember that JTE item 14 for districts and Universally, the volunteers and professionals working on the councils measures commissioner unit visitations. Thus, when Commissioner Tools have found this to be a very positive and the change is made to allow professionals to log contacts, collaborative experience, yet we know that when it is in use, the Commissioner Tools dashboard will both display and you, the users, will come up with ideas and improvements that differentiate between commissioner and professional contacts. have not yet been considered. As a part of the Commissioner Tools, an email address has been established for you to When creating the requirements for the perfect submit your concerns, compliments, requests, and ideas: Commissioner Tools suite, the focus group anticipated that [email protected]. users may come up with additional good ideas, and the testers have already made several suggestions, some of which will be For additional information, including a presentation with incorporated into the initial release and others that will have screen shots of the new Commissioner Tools, go to the to wait until a subsequent release. On a related note, one of Commissioners website. the conundrums of any software design team and program manager is recognizing when the product is ready to launch. In the case of most software programs, “better” can quickly become the enemy of “good enough.” Already, as a part of the focus group that developed the requirements for the Commissioner Tools, I know there are some things that will end up in the initial release that could be better—and hopefully will in subsequent releases. For example (and maybe this will be fixed in the official release), I found the contact entry “forms” to have too much white space. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Success Story

Dan Morgan was the first person in the to earn the Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service. He serves as an assistant district commissioner and, as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, saw opportunities to improve service to those units. Dan created a repeatable process that resulted in timely leader registration and training in the units he served. To ensure their timely completion, volunteer applications were included in the process of calling a Church member to a Scouting position. In extending the call, Church leaders provided the Scouter with detailed expectations, including completion of training and attendance at roundtables, and ensured successful completion of applications and Youth Protection training before a bishop sustained the Scouter in the sacrament. The Church provides notice of the appointment of a leader to the unit commissioner to enable training coordination. Larry Chase As a result, Dan’s Church-based units were more National Commissioner Service Recruitment and Retention Chair successful in establishing new leaders who were trained [email protected] and understood the expectations of their commitment to serve youth through Scouting. That’s success! Have a success story to share? Effective use of commissioner recognition strengthens unit service. Send your story to Larry Chase at [email protected]. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Successful Recruitment Is More Than an Ask

There’s not a council or district in the BSA that doesn’t need Priorities additional commissioners. Recruiting is a year-round process: Strange as it sounds, we don’t always control our priorities. A We should continually be looking for candidates. But once one candidate with both passion and potential for the work you need is identified, what’s next? Successful recruiting is far more than done may have 6-month-old twins at home or may have recently just asking someone to serve. accepted a promotion that will require heavy travel with a Preparation burdensome workload for the next 12 months. As a general rule, volunteers should be given the chance to decide whether or not Successful recruitment begins with a vision: How will you— they have the time to do what you need done, but your wisdom is and the person you’ve identified—know if he or she has been needed, too. Sometimes it is evident that we’re asking more than successful? Increasingly, we have metrics available to identify anyone can reasonably be expected to give. That, too, requires where unit service work is needed. Those metrics can also a bit of homework. help measure progress—and success. Before making an ask, write down, specifically, what success will look like. And make Poaching a reasonable estimate of how much time it will take to fulfill the Don’t do it! responsibilities in question. The best candidates will ask you about both; be prepared to answer. Even if you’ve found the perfect candidate—his or her passion, potential, and priorities all align with your vision—don’t Passion make the ask until you do one more bit of homework: Is this We’ve all heard it: If we find work we love, we’ll never work person already doing a great job in Scouting for someone else? another day in our life; that’s passion! Our dedicated volunteers If so, your first call needs to be to his or her current leader. are passionate about Scouting, but when you get down to the Sometimes you’ll learn the current assignment is close to a details, they’re not all passionate about the same things. Some conclusion or that there is a way for your candidate to perform really want to be on the front lines and work directly with the both assignments. But sometimes you’ll find that recruiting kids, but that may mean helping them work on merit badges, or that candidate for your position will damage our efforts to build taking them backpacking, or perhaps teaching them to swim. Scouting in another area. It’s tough to pass on the perfect Dedicated Scouters understand the importance of unit service, candidate, but Scouting will be better for it. but not all of them have a passion for it. A bit of homework will Spend time in Preparation; assess Passion, Potential, and help identify a candidate’s passion; if it doesn’t match with your Priorities; don’t Poach. It takes a bit more time than just making vision, the chances of successful recruitment drop significantly. an ask, but the kids we serve through Scouting will be better off. Potential Passion is one thing; potential is something entirely different. While perhaps hard to understand, some people have a passion for something they’re not particularly good at. This requires homework on your part: What is your candidate really good at? Does it match up with your vision? If so, your chances of success rise dramatically. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

New Ways to Do Scouting Business

Some exciting new changes are coming to the way the BSA is going to do business. These involve updated and simplified medical forms and changes in unit registration status and membership reporting. Commissioners will want to pass the word to units to make them aware of these changes. New, Simplified Annual Health and Medical Record Now Online In preparation for the summer camp season, the BSA rolled out a new, simplified annual health and medical record that became effective March 1, 2014. Keep in mind that this change does not cancel records that are still valid. Thanks to all of you who provided constructive feedback on making the record easier to use while still collecting the information needed to make sure our Scouts are ready for their experience. Darlene Sprague National Commissioner Service Resources Chair Here are some of the key updates: [email protected] • The primary version will be in English. The existing bilingual version will remain available. We suggest you print out the Instructions Handout • Part A (Informed Consent, Release Agreement, and (accessed by clicking on “Instructions Handout” in the middle Authorization) will contain no medical information and of the landing page) and bring it to your roundtables to share will be shorter by one page. with your units. • Part B (General Information/Health History) will include For answers to commonly asked questions, go to the bottom only the most important information needed. of the landing page and click on “Have Questions? Get Answers • Part C (Pre-Participation Physical) will be reduced to one Here.” If you have other questions that are not addressed in the page with expanded sections for allergy explanation. FAQ, please contact [email protected]. • Supplemental Risk Advisory (former Part D) will be Change in Unit Registration Status and shortened and be location-specific. This section is designed to take to physicians so they will better Membership Reporting understand what activities their patients will participate in. A change in the reporting of membership data on national membership reports will be effective Jan. 1, 2015. Starting then, • The landing page for the annual health and medical a unit that has not reregistered by its expiration date will be record website has been redesigned so participants and considered “separated” and immediately dropped from the BSA’s parents will be able to download only what they need. membership reporting. There will no longer be what we now call We need your help in eliminating all references to any a lapse period for units that do not reregister on time. We will no prior versions of the record within your units’ literature, longer use the term “lapsed” for a unit that has not renewed. This leader guides, and websites. is also a change in the way we currently report membership totals. Host only this link. If you have previously hosted parts of the Currently a lapsed unit’s membership continues to be counted for annual health and medical record, delete the PDFs; don’t just hide 60 days in council membership totals. the link. Don’t print out the record unless absolutely necessary. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

The new definition will begin with units that have an effective date of Jan. 1, 2015. This means that units with a Dec. 31, 2014, expiration date will be included. Volunteers will retain access to MyScouting, my.Scouting Tools, Internet Rechartering, and Internet Advancement for 30 days after their unit has expired and become separated. A separated unit will have 12 months to reregister as a separated-reregistered unit. Once a separated unit has been reregistered, the unit will be included on membership reports starting in the business month the charter renewal was posted. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

New Commissioner Attire Available

We have been working with the Supply Group to offer new items for the commissioner staff. We’re excited to share some exclusive looks designed to support your distinguished service. High-quality logo styles proudly display commissioner status year-round. And they’re also great ways to recognize both existing and newly appointed commissioners. Two new items worth a special mention are polo shirts and neckerchiefs.

NECKERCHIEF features embroidered commissioner logo on bottom corner. Imported. • Measures 49 inches by 35 inches • Cotton/polyester • In 13 colors: 20475 Navy 20476 Dark Green SOLID-COLOR POLO is made of a performance pique fabric in a lightweight and breathable 96 percent polyester/4 20477 Royal Blue percent spandex blend for enhanced comfort and mobility. 20478 Red Featuring: 20479 Brick • Wicking properties—transfer moisture away from body 20480 Black so you stay cooler and drier 610627 Uniform Green • Antimicrobial technology—fights odor-causing bacteria 610628 Green With Red Edge • UPF 40+ rating—for excellent sun protection 610629 Uniform Green With Khaki Edge Includes commissioner logo on wearer’s left chest, no-roll Red With Black Edge collar, and engraved buttons. Adult sizes 610630 S–4XL. Imported. 610631 Navy With Silver Edge Available in four solid colors: 610632 Brick With Gold Edge 618594-600 White 618601-07 Orange 610633 Black With Brick Edge 618608-14 Red 618615-21 Navy To order, go to www.scoutstuff.org/custom-neckerchiefs. html. Required minimum order of six. Allow two to three weeks To order, go to www.scoutstuff.org/men-s-solid-color- for delivery. pique-polos.html. Required minimum order of six. Allow two to three weeks for delivery. $12.99 $29.99 Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Be sure to visit www.scoutstuff.org for details on the 610465 Commissioner Key Certificate complete Commissioner Collection, including the items shown 610467 Commissioning Certificate on the previous page and these: 610463 Distinguished Commissioner Certificate 871 Commissioner Recognition Device 610622 Commissioner Doctor Degree Certificate 28016 Commissioner Mug 610464 Doctorate of Commissioner Science Certificate 28017 Commissioner One-Line Nameplate 610623 Commissioner Master’s Degree Certificate 28019 Commissioner Two-Line Nameplate 33744 BSA Certificate Presentation Folder—Horizontal 74200 Commissioner Cap (old logo) 33743 BSA Certificate Presentation Folder—Vertical 747 Distinguished District Council Commissioner Bolo 605671 Commissioner Service and District Operation 748 Distinguished District Commissioner Bolo Support DVD 749 Distinguished District Unit Commissioner Bolo 615668 Commissioner Annual Orientation DVD 611208 Commissioner Neckerchief 34751 Commissioner Fieldbook for Unit Service 18093 Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award Knot 34501 Commissioner Administrator of Service Pamphlet 613049 Area Commissioner Emblem 614614 District Commissioner Training Workshop Pamphlet 613050 Region Commissioner Emblem 613051 Council Commissioner Emblem 613052 Assistant Council Commissioner Emblem 613053 District Commissioner Emblem 613054 Assistant District Commissioner Emblem 613055 Unit Commissioner Emblem 613223 Commissioner Award of Excellence Knot 614823 Doctorate of Commissioner Science Emblem 614824 Commissioner Science Emblem 614825 Commissioner Science Bachelors Emblem 614826 Commissioner Science Masters Emblem 617455 Assistant Roundtable Commissioner Emblem 32078 Commissioner Note Card 34266 District Committee Volunteer Duties Card—8-Pack 610624 Commissioner Bachelor’s Degree Certificate 610466 Commissioner Arrowhead Honor Certificate 610468 Commissioner Basic Training Certificate Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Commissioner College Schedule

The College of Commissioner Science program is a great way to get additional training. The Commissioners website provides a listing of colleges of commissioner science that we receive information about. Please check the Upcoming Commissioner Colleges list, found on the Commissioner Training page, if you would like to experience a college outside of your area or if your council does not currently run a college. Note: To have your council’s college listed, please send information to Darlene Sprague at [email protected]. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Questions and Answers

Questions related to the “New Ways to Do Q: Is a “separated” unit allowed to meet and conduct Scouting Business” article found in this issue Scouting activities during its separation status? Q: Since the “lapsed” status will no longer exist, what It is up to the local council to decide if a unit can meet or are the implications for unit insurance coverage, access conduct Scouting activities. to district/council activities, and anything that requires Q: Is a “separated” unit allowed to purchase current BSA membership, like OA membership? advancements during its separated status? The general liability policy provides coverage for official The unit can only access Internet Advancement for 30 days. Scouting activities. If a unit’s charter expires and adults in that It used to be 90 days (this is the main change). unit are no longer registered, then they are not provided general liability coverage. The Council Accident and Sickness Plan Q: What is the process for a “separated” unit to renews January 1. Enrollment in the plan depends on whether reregister? Can the unit just complete the charter renewal or not a unit has renewed. Each council will work to determine process or must it charter as a new unit? access to district and council activities, but obviously anyone The unit can simply complete the charter renewal process. It serving in an active leadership role needs to be currently can still access Internet Rechartering for 60 days. The registrar registered. An individual’s access to national resources such can print a charter renewal out of PAS for 12 months. After 12 as my.Scouting Tools will expire 30 days after the expired months, however, the unit would be new. registration and it is immediately restored when the person renews his or her membership. College of Commissioner Science Training Codes Q: Is there is a code for each commissioner college Q: Will the youth advancement and leader training/ course to enter into ScoutNET? When I looked with my awards records be maintained for units that don’t meet the registrar, all we found were the major things like the charter renewal deadline? For how long? bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. We could Records will continue to be maintained and can be made not find the individual courses. Are they not recorded in active when the unit renews its charter. The unit will have ScoutNET? Internet Advancement access for 30 days. We do not record courses taken at a commissioner college. Q: How do we proceed with a who has completed The college registrar should be keeping track of that information. all the requirements for Eagle but whose unit is not At the national level, we only record diplomas received. renewed? Can he have a board of review? How do we verify advancement records? Should he be penalized for Commissioner Newsletter adult failures? Q: How often is The Commissioner newsletter issued? Each board of review and local council will take The Commissioner newsletter is issued in February, May, circumstances into consideration. and October. Updates to the Upcoming Commissioner Colleges page are done for those issues. Deadlines are the first of the Q: What happens to a unit’s tenure? Will it continue once month prior to the issue month. the unit reregisters, or will it restart? Do you have a question for the National Commissioner Unit tenure can be maintained if the unit renews within Support Team? Send your questions to darsprague@ 12 months, and if there is a time lag, the unit can backdate roadrunner.com at any time. Those that are of general interest its registration. will be used in this column. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

All Markets Strategy and Underserved Markets: the Commissioner Role

Purpose U.S. demographics are rapidly transforming the culture and habits of the nation. In order to provide the benefits of Scouting to today’s youth, the BSA must: • Build understanding and competencies to actively court emerging-market customers • Be aggressively involved in and build understanding of our emerging-market communities • Recruit, retain, and promote a culturally relevant workforce, volunteers, and partnerships • Have top leadership buy-in to support, define goals, communicate, and integrate an All Joe Domino Markets Strategy BSA business practices National Commissioner Service Underserved Markets Chair Mission [email protected] The mission of the BSA’s All Markets Strategy is to develop and BSA Commissioner Discussion implement a comprehensive diversity strategy that builds cultural competencies and strategic alignment of goals and accountabilities So how does the commissioner fit into the All Markets throughout the Boy Scouts of America to maximize the power of Strategy? The National Commissioner Task Force has diversity, resulting in superior and measurable business practices, recognized that commissioners will play a pivotal role in enhanced performance, and a sustainable market advantage supporting this strategy by ensuring that new units from our through quality and sustainable new-unit growth in our underserved underserved markets are identified and quickly served by communities, particularly, but not limited to, African American, commissioners. Asian, and Hispanic communities. The new-unit leaders may require additional support in order The BSA All Markets Strategy is NOT an initiative, outreach, or to launch a successful unit, and they may need to be served emphasis; it is a strategic, organization-wide business strategy to through a dedicated new-unit mentoring program conducted by build the necessary infrastructure, tools, training, support systems, the commissioner and/or another dedicated volunteer identified and talent necessary to excel in reaching our changing markets. by the commissioner. Vision The National Commissioner Task Force supports the mission and vision of the BSA’s All Markets Strategy by The vision of the BSA’s All Markets Strategy is to providing commissioners information and support so they provide quality and sustainable Scouting experiences to our can assist unit leaders in delivering quality and sustainable underserved and growth-potential markets by attracting and Scouting experiences to our underserved youth and growth- retaining new BSA membership, volunteers, and community potential markets. partners that more closely reflect the demographic makeup of the U.S. population, resulting in an overall increase in BSA membership. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Commissioner Service for Non-Traditional or Faith-Based Units

A new course, Commissioner Service for Non-Traditional • Introduction to various faith-based units and how to or Faith-Based Units, will be offered at Philmont Training provide commissioner service Center during Commissioner Week this summer. The topics —Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this course will include what you need to know as a district commissioner, assistant district commissioner, or unit —Jewish commissioner to help these units in your area be successful —Islamic in the delivery of the mission of Scouting. Non-traditional —Buddhist units are those that involve underserved communities or minority groups. You will learn the mission of commissioner —Jainism service, the importance of effective monthly unit visits, unit • Workshop on Commissioner Service of a self-assessments and action planning, providing charter Faith-Based Unit renewal, annual service plans, commissioner priorities, and • Overview of Resources Available—Membership the commissioner’s role in assisting units to succeed in their Web Page Journey to Excellence. • Recognitions for support of non-traditional units While the outline of the course has not been fully developed, the following lists some of the topics that will be covered. We —William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award will send a questionnaire asking students to profile their role as —Founders Bar a commissioner and detail the types of units they serve. This information will be used to divide the group into subgroups. —Community Organization Award • Introduction to non-traditional units and multicultural —Asian American Spirit Award markets and how to provide commissioner service —Shofar Award —Rural Note: Because this course hasn’t been fully developed, the —Urban topics are subject to change. — It would be wonderful to have a few experts in faith-based units present at the conference, as well as those well-versed in —Asian working in multicultural markets. —Hispanic —African American

—Native American —Single parent —Home-schooled youth • Workshop on how to serve multicultural markets Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Commissioner Support Team Tim Acree National Commissioner Service Training Chair [email protected] Randy Cline Northeast Region Commissioner [email protected] Larry Chase National Commissioner Service Recruitment and Retention Chair [email protected] Reid Christopherson Central Region Commissioner [email protected] Joe Domino National Commissioner Service Underserved Markets Chair [email protected] Rick Hillenbrand National Commissioner Service Communications Chair [email protected] Dan Maxfield National Commissioner Service Roundtable Chair [email protected] Tico Perez National Commissioner [email protected] Jan Perkins Western Region Commissioner [email protected] David Rumbarger Southern Region Commissioner [email protected] Steve Sawyer Staff Advisor [email protected] Scott Sorrels Commissioner Service Chair [email protected] Darlene Sprague National Commissioner Service Resources Chair [email protected] Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Regional and Area Commissioners Organization Chart

Updated September 16, 2013

Central Regional Southern Regional Western Regional Northeast Regional Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Reid Christopherson David Rumbarger Jan Perkins Randy Cline [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Area 1 Commissioner Area 1 Commissioner Area 1 Commissioner Area 1 Commissioner Abner George Dr. Thomas Price Bruce Noonan Jerry Boyle [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Area 2 Commissioner Area 2 and 3 Commissioner Area 2 Commissioner Area 2 Commissioner Dick Northrup Danny Brock Ron Hathaway [email protected] roger_mosby@kindermorgan. [email protected] [email protected] com

Area 3 Commissioner Area 4 Commissioner Area 3 Commissioner Area 3 Commissioner Carm Walgamott Michael Lyster Wayne Bishop Jeff McKinney [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Area 4 Commissioner Area 5 Commissioner Area 4 Commissioner Area 4 Commissioner Steve Wilder Rich Uhrich Marty Kasman Bill Rosner [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Area 5 Commissioner Area 6 Commissioner Area 5 Commissioner Area 5 Commissioner Kandra Dickerson Greg Pope John Manz Abelardo LeCompte [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Area 6 Commissioner Area 7 Commissioner Area 6 Commissioner Area 6 Commissioner Randy Corgan Al Patrick Jim Libbin Rick Hillenbrand III [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Area 7 Commissioner Area 8 Commissioner Ernie Froemel Loren Kitterlin [email protected] [email protected]

Area 9 Commissioner Eli Morgan [email protected] Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Youth Protection Is Looking for a Few Good Unit Champions

Youth protection is of paramount importance to the Boy Scouts of America and relies upon the shared involvement of everyone in Scouting. Recognizing that this commitment requires sustained vigilance, the BSA has continued to develop and enhance its efforts to protect youth, regularly consulting with experts from law enforcement, child safety, psychology, and other disciplines to ensure its efforts consistently evolve along with the ever-changing awareness of the dangers and challenges facing youth. We have invoked mandatory Youth Protection training, hired noted professionals to help focus activities, and elevated clear focus and awareness across the organization. In support of this focus and awareness, the National Youth Protection Committee has initiated a program known as Youth Protection Champions. Each of these volunteers is the focal point and key driver of youth protection at his or her assigned level of the organization. They will assist in recruiting youth protection leadership within their spheres of influence, support Youth Protection training and strategy development actions as appropriate, and in so doing act as the principal champions and advisors at their level on all matters relating to youth protection and any pertinent youth protection initiatives, plans, programs, policies, communications, or actions that affect the BSA. As commissioners visit their units, or as you speak to them at roundtables and other events, please encourage all units to recruit a Champion. Champions exist at the national, region, and area levels, and within many councils. Now it’s time to raise the awareness of the Champions program at the unit levels. Youth Protection Champions are recruited or selected according to the various qualifications identified for their specific level of involvement, and they will be appointed by their specific key leadership at that level. Unit Champions should be selected by their unit committee chair and have excellent people skills; have a solid Scouting background or be a fast-track learner; know and practice Scouting’s ideals and all aspects of Youth Protection policies and procedures; and be a youth protection–oriented volunteer. Further information about qualifications, supporting materials, and training information for Champions can be found at www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection/YPChampions.aspx. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Coming Events

June–August, 2014 Philmont Training Courses See the “Commissioner Week at ” article for details. October 13–15, 2014 National Executive Board and Committee Meetings DFW Marriott North, Irving, Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

National Commissioner Minute

My fellow commissioners, Our fundamental mission as commissioners remains the same—visit units and work together to ensure that the youth in every community experience a Scouting program that will change their lives. If we just do Four Things, we will continue to increase our unit retention rates and, more importantly, reinforce the delivery of a quality program in every unit that will keep our youth in Scouting for years to come. What are those Four Things? First, help guide a unit to increase its Journey to Excellence scores. We know that the elements of JTE are the same elements that represent the best components of successful unit programs. Second, visit all of our units and record their needs in the new Commissioner Tools. Third, use the Tico Perez National Commissioner tools to communicate the needs of the unit to the expert resources of the district committee, so together we can improve unit quality. Finally, help with the on-time charter renewal of the Thank you for all you do every day to make Scouting unit so we can continue to serve more youth. That’s it—Four possible for so many youth. Your dedication and talent are an Things. But if we collectively focus on these four elements, we inspiration to me. will continue to see Scouting serve and retain more youth. God bless. Week 2, June 15–21, will mark this year’s edition of Commissioner Week at Philmont Training Center. Once again, we are setting registration records, but we still have room for you and your family to have a truly unique training and vacation experience. We have assembled the best faculty in the country, and most of the Commissioner Service Task Force will be in attendance. The task force will be prepared to share information and, more importantly, to listen to you and learn together how we can serve more youth. Of particular interest this year is a new offering, titled “Commissioner Service for Non-Traditional or Faith-Based Units.” Non-traditional units are those that involve underserved communities or minority groups. This will also be the final year, at least for the near term, of the PTC Commissioner College, where we follow a unique program of four days of classes in your selected course, and then you take Commissioner College courses on Friday toward your Commissioner College degree. The Philmont Training Center is our national training center, and with these kinds of offerings, the other commissioners and I hope that you will join us for this special time. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Three Major Initiatives for Task Force in 2014

Spring is here and it is time to serve more youth with our great program. Spring 2014 heralds three major new initiatives that are designed to make it easier for every unit-serving volunteer to more effectively serve local units. The first initiative, of course, relates to the launch of the Commissioner Tools. This new Web-based intuitive suite of support products for our unit and administrative commissioners is designed to fulfill our promise of support to you and make your volunteer experience easier and more rewarding. Every aspect of the tools design was crafted with a view of providing a product that is streamlined and enhances communications capabilities with your unit and the district resources supporting your unit. Simply provide information in the tools interface in whatever level of detail that the needs of your unit may require, and you automatically create a self-assessment plan and communicate the needs of that unit to your administrative commissioners and district committee resources. Multiple forms, steps, and processes were eliminated and instead were incorporated directly into the tools to make the entire process as easy as using Scott Sorrels the tools application itself. The beta testing and launch National Commissioner Service Chair is only step one, and with your input, we will continue to [email protected] develop and enhance the capabilities of the tools. council commissioner and most recently as a key volunteer in the development and launch of the Commissioner Tools. Communications challenges will always be present in a large volunteer organization, but we can use technology and other resources to push more support materials to you in any number of forms. Much of our information is currently distributed in a “pull” methodology, such as your having to visit the national website to find the most current edition of The Commissioner. Rick has been tasked with changing how we deliver information to you, whether through the tools, social media, or special opt- in email distributions that will communicate the latest resources to help you function more effectively. We will also indirectly offer to assist the many commissioners who provide supplemental communications support for the commissioner corps through such media as LinkedIn or Facebook or whatever the next new Rick Hillenbrand social media program might be. Finally, this issue features the first contributions by Joe Spring also marks the official addition of Rick Hillenbrand Domino as our underserved markets chair. Every commissioner as our new communications chair. Rick brings an impressive needs to understand and appreciate the many techniques and record to the task force, having served as an area and Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

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resources that are available to deliver the Scouting promise to youth in underserved markets. Joe will work hand in hand with the BSA’s All Markets Strategy as together we reach out to serve youth from all kinds of socioeconomic environments. All kids need and deserve Scouting, but we need to deliver a program that will successfully meet their needs. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Updates to Be Made to All Training Materials for 2014

All commissioner training is being reviewed and updated for 2014. The revised materials will be posted to the Commissioners website shortly after the Commissioner Tools are released as this update is primarily driven by the new Commissioner Tools. The revisions will also include new programs such as Voice of the Scout, as well as updates to the Unit Service Plan and JTE. Basic Training • Dave Fornadel—Team lead for Basic Training All seven of the Basic Training courses are being updated by a team led by Dave Fornadel. Dave and his team have been instrumental in the development of commissioner Basic Training and will do a great job making sure we are current for 2014. Dave will incorporate the Commissioner Tools and the new Unit Service Plan as part of the Basic Training updates.

Commissioner College Courses Tim Acree All 68 Commissioner College courses as well as the National Commissioner Service Training Chair supporting materials in the General folder will be updated by [email protected] the team listed below: • Dick Kroll—Continuing Education courses whether they have just been commissioned or have years • Peter Matrow—Doctorate courses of experience. • Craig Donais—Masters courses I would like to thank the team leaders above for their leadership and hard work. All commissioner training is • Bill Kropa—Bachelor courses maintained by volunteers from the commissioner staff, and this • Suzanne Windisch—Supporting materials in the update would not be possible without their help. General folder If you have feedback on how training can be improved, It is a huge undertaking to review all materials—course please contact Tim Acree, national commissioner support staff outlines, teaching methods, materials needed, and PowerPoint training chair, at [email protected]. presentations—and ensure that all of the attachments are current, as the BSA frequently updates literature. This team will make sure the course materials contain the most current information. The goal in making these updates is to ensure that we are offering current, up-to-date training that is aligned with the BSA’s major initiatives. We also want to provide an outstanding learning experience for every commissioner, Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Commissioner Week at Philmont Training Center

Week 2, June 15–21, will be Commissioner Week at the • Dave Lyons, Southern New Jersey Council, roundtable Philmont Training Center. Please see the Philmont flier for more commissioner since 1999, and publisher of Baloo’s Bugle information. To register, click here. How to Conduct a Commissioner College You should have received a personal invitation from National • Jeffrey L. McKinney, area commissioner in the Northeast Commissioner Tico Perez to attend PTC during this fantastic Region and dean of the area commissioner college for week. At PTC you will have the opportunity to meet and share the last 13 years ideas with Scouters from across the United States. There • Terry Chapman, assistant council commissioner for will be special commissioner events throughout the week to commissioner training and dean of the commissioner enhance your opportunities to network. This year there will be college in the Heart of America Council six commissioner conferences to choose from. Commissioner Service for Non-Traditional or The conference faculty includes some of the most talented Faith-Based Units and skilled commissioners in Scouting. The faculty for this year • Tom Hunsaker, retired professional Scouter is listed below. In addition, Rabbi Peter Hyman and the Reverend Chip The Council Commissioner Turner will be assisting with the faith-based units portion of • Larry Chase, national commissioner support the conference. Espie Randolph, director for Learning for Life staff retention and recognition chair and council and Exploring, will be assisting with the non-traditional units commissioner for the Atlanta Area Council portion of the conference. This is going to be an outstanding • Gail Plucker, council commissioner for the Middle conference using a variety of teaching methods. Please Tennessee Council consider attending if you have an interest in some of the unique • Craig T. Bailey, assistant council commissioner for the aspects of commissioner service. While visiting the PTC Conferences website, download the 2014 conference brochure and the Family Programs brochure. District Commissioner and Assistant District Commissioner Training Bring the family along! They will have a great time, and it will be a memorable experience. Please consider making a personal • Ellie Morrison, past national commissioner support staff commitment to attend one of the conferences offered this year. retention and recognition chair You will not be disappointed! • Randy Corgan, Central Region Area 6 commissioner If you have any questions about commissioner training, • Dave Lown, assistant council commissioner for the please contact Tim Acree, national commissioner service Grand Canyon Council training chair, at [email protected]. The Unit Commissioner • Dave Fornadel, assistant council commissioner for the

Circle Ten Council • Steve Swain, assistant district commissioner for roundtable in the Effective Roundtables • George Costigan, assistant council commissioner for the National Capital Area Council with years of roundtable experience Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Roundtable Update

The 2013–2014 and Boy Scout roundtable planning guides have been in use now for almost a year. Here is some of the input we have received about them during the year: the four planning outlines that provide options and flexibility to planners are a good plan structure that many have used directly or adapted slightly to local needs; a common opening with a major “Big Rock” group topic is very popular; specific program group interest topics are effectively meeting group breakout needs; the Cub Scout program features and pack resource materials have answered the request for more specific materials. In fact, one comment received was that “there is almost too much material.” That is the kind of problem we like to have! The 2014–2015 roundtable planning guides are now available on the Commissioners website. A team of very dedicated volunteers worked diligently on this project for several months. Changes include new Big Daniel B. Maxfield Rock topics, new program group interest topics, and National Commissioner Service Roundtable Chair updated/additional Cub Scout program ideas. An outline [email protected] of what is in this next edition of the guides is listed below for planning purposes. Many wonderful ideas came from those of you using the materials, and they have been included in this 2014–2015 Roundtable Planning Guide next set of guides. Also included is an expanded technology section that we hope will assist some of you in finding more Topics Outline ways to include those who aren’t able to attend on a regular Big Rock Topics basis and a beefed-up Internet reference section. Community Service Finally, the Roundtable Support section of the Leveraging BSA Literature for a Better Program Commissioners website has been updated with some broken Parent Engagement links fixed and some new materials added. Of note is the section that archives last year’s Big Rocks and interest topics. Role of the District Committee in Unit Support We hope this will allow councils and districts to reuse materials Effective Advancement as needed. Check it out at www.scouting.org/Commissioners/ roundtable.aspx. Preventing Leader Burnout The technology discussion continues. This is an evolving Role of the Unit Commissioner field that doesn’t solve everyone’s attendance issues but may Trained Leaders—Why and How help some of you find ways to reach out further. It is addressed in another article in this issue and will be an ongoing feature for Boy Scout Special interest Topics several newsletter editions. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the roundtable conference BSA Program Awards at Philmont June 15–21.It is being taught by two experts on this Eagle Scout Service Projects topic, and you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Troop Elections Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Sustainability We would love to hear more success stories and solicit your Trailer Safety comments about the roundtable guides! Thanks very much to those of you who have contributed during this last year. Please Scouts With ADD/ADHD send thoughts and comments to [email protected]. To Uniform or Not to Uniform: That Is the Question Good roundtables equal better programs in units, which Troop Annual Plans and Budgets equal increased youth and unit retention. These are Journey to Excellence goals that roundtable can impact. We hope you are Cub Scout Core Values and Themes having a great year of super roundtables! The youth in our units September—Cooperation Under the Big Top deserve the best! October—Responsibility Dollars and Sense November—Citizenship Give Goodwill December—Respect Stars and Stripes January—Positive Attitude Yes, I Can February—Resourcefulness Litter to Glitter March—Compassion Aware and Care April—Faith Soaring the Skies May—Health and Fitness Backyard Fun June—Perseverance Go for the Gold July—Courage Under the Sea August—Honesty Play Ball

Cub Scout Special Interest Topics Join Scouting Night Bobcat Badge Blue and Gold Banquet Flag Etiquette Age-Appropriate Activities Den Chief Program One Oath and Law Getting Ready for 2015–2016—General Getting Ready for 2015–2016—Advancement General Getting Ready for 2015–2016—Rank Specifics Getting Ready for 2015–2016—“Duty to God” Adventures Summertime Meetings—Year-Round Program World Brotherhood of Scouting Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Using Technology for Roundtables

In the Winter 2014 edition of The Commissioner, we featured Todd uses the 90-minute roundtable structure and includes a district that creates YouTube videos of roundtable breakout many of the recommended practices from the Roundtable sessions for viewing by unit leaders who are unable to attend Mechanics section of the roundtable planning guides, including roundtable in person. Some people in predominantly rural specifically welcoming first-timers and giving them a special districts have commented that, except in the biggest towns patch, having displays, and presenting door prizes. He also and cities in their districts, their volunteers do not have access adds special activities to certain roundtables throughout the to the high-speed broadband Internet service necessary to year, such as a chili cook-off competition, a BSA birthday party view YouTube videos. Roundtable commissioners in such with pies in February, and a Dutch oven cook-off competition. districts will need a different way to attract unit leaders to their In addition, Todd structures his roundtable so it is a monthly roundtables. Todd Tingblad of shared a district “event.” Several other district unit support service creative alternative with us. activities are scheduled in conjunction with the roundtable Todd’s district covers four western counties of at the same facility. They include Order of the Arrow chapter plus one school district in . While some communities meetings, Eagle Scout boards of review, Eagle Scout project in the district have high-speed Internet service, only about 15 approvals, Life-to-Eagle process training for parents, Scout percent of the district’s leaders live in those communities. The and Eagle Scout service project coach meetings, and BSA roundtable is held in a school in which most cell phones have training courses. poor reception and which blocks most social media sites (so Add the concept of car-pooling to save gas money, and students can’t access them during the school day). All those you have the potential for several leaders from the same unit factors severely limit the usefulness of online video support for going to roundtable but for many different reasons. With proper his roundtables. timing, everyone can attend the joint session of the roundtable Despite these limitations, Todd does use technology to help before heading off to their Eagle Scout board of review, training, run the roundtable. Just not online. When he needs something program breakouts, or other sessions for the rest of the night. from the Internet for use at the roundtable, he downloads it to a And if a parent and Scout finish the Eagle Scout project laptop computer beforehand and uses it in offline mode approval early enough, they can attend the Boy Scout breakout during roundtable. or OA chapter meeting. They can all come back together for a Todd also creates a “roundtable movie” (a looping video while at the end for refreshments before going home. containing announcement information, Scouting-related videos, Using these techniques has been very successful. During inspirational music, and a standard Eagle River Roundtable 2013, the Eagle River District had among the council’s highest introduction). Todd displays the roundtable movie using his percentage of units attending roundtable (69.7 percent) and laptop and the “smart board” projector system at the school was also among the highest number of leaders attending where the roundtable is held. roundtable in the council (averaging 128, with a high of 148). Todd creates the roundtable movie by converting any Share your successful roundtable delivery experiences (and PowerPoint components into movies in .wav format and tips) with Dan Maxfield at [email protected]. assembling them plus videos, music, and more into a single Good roundtables promote great Scouting. Our youth .wav file. The software products Todd uses to create the movie deserve the best! So let’s provide good roundtables. are Microsoft PowerPoint, Leawo PowerPoint to Video Free, and VSDC Free Video Editor. The movie begins running at 6:30 p.m. and runs about 50 minutes until it is time to start the program- specific breakouts. The roundtable opening ceremony starts at 7 p.m. (about 30 minutes into the movie). Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Connecting Commissioners Through Communication

How do you get your information? If you are like most people, you probably don’t rely on just one source, but in this era of instant and constant communications, information dissemination is an important function every organization needs to manage and hopefully lead. In part, it was the process of how commissioners communicate that led National Commissioner Tico Perez and National Commissioner Service Chairman Scott Sorrels to ask me to fill a new national commissioner support staff position dedicated to communications. In my opinion, commissioners have been one of the best organizationally connected groups in Scouting; commissioners know how to spread the word very well. As demonstrated repeatedly through media such as Facebook, one of the fastest means to communicate today is the Internet. And it is this communication speed that works to both our advantage and our disadvantage. Rick Hillenbrand As commissioners, we need to take charge of the National Commissioner Service process and not let the process take charge of us. To that Communications Chair extent, I will suggest some effective commissioner Internet [email protected] communication methods that you should consider.

• Facebook (the leading social networking site according • LinkedIn (similar to Facebook but a business-oriented to comScore.com): social networking site): —Commissioners of the Boy Scouts of America— —Commissioners of the Boy Scouts of America— This is a “closed” group that you can join and is an official This is a “closed” group that you can join. Members means of communication of the BSA, meaning the posts keep up a lively discussion on various topics of interest are less frequent but arguably of greater importance. to commissioners, almost making it a virtual nonstop Every commissioner should join this group. I will use this commissioners roundtable. https://www.linkedin.com/ as my primary official information outlet. https://www. groups?home=&trk=anet_ug_hm&gid=92833 facebook.com/CommissionersOfTheBoyScoutsOfAmerica In my new communications role, I will work hard to —Commissioner Service (Boy Scouts of America)— keep information—especially important, timely, and official This is an unofficial and “open” group, meaning the posts communications—flowing to you through the above Internet are frequent and can be on a wide range of topics, which outlets. I will also do my best to promptly respond to personal requires moderators to ensure the posts are appropriate. emails or, like any good commissioner, use my resources to get https://www.facebook.com/groups/bsa.commissioners the information needed. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

New Advancement Course at Philmont This Summer

How do commissioners interact with and impact other program committees? The National Advancement Committee will explore the keys to increasing advancement June 15–21, 2014, at the Philmont Training Center in a new advancement conference titled Increasing Advancement by Delivering Excellence. During the conference, we will examine the keys to increasing advancement by exploring the relationship between advancement and various other program elements. Topics to be explored include what constitutes an advancement- rich program, the role of advancement committees, common violations of national procedures, the role of roundtables and commissioner service, adult leader training, and increasing the number of volunteers in your districts and council. Also included will be updates on advancement education tools and a look at the new Advancement Management program. Conferees will have much interaction with other conference staff members and participants. Members of the National Advancement Committee and National Advancement Advisory Panel will guide the conference. Advancement volunteers, council and district Key 3 members, commissioners, and other council and district program volunteers will find ideas, tools, and techniques for increasing both the quality of programs and the rate of advancement. Registration information can be found at www.philmontscoutranch.org/PTC.aspx. This is your opportunity to kick advancement up a notch while improving unit, district, and council programs. Make plans to come to from June 15–21, and be part of the fun and excitement of Increasing Advancement by Delivering Excellence. Spring 2014 A Publication for Commissioners and Professionals

THE ommissioner C SPRING 2012 www.scouting.org/commissioners

Unit Commissioner Box Score As of March 31, 2014

Unit Unit Percent of Need Commissioner Traditional Units* Commissioners Commissioners Need to Recruit Filled Ratio Needed Registered Region Last This Last This Last This Last This Last This Last This Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Northeast 14,892 14,518 4,969 4,839 3,719 3,780 1,250 1,059 74.8% 78.1% 4.0 3.8 Southern 24,000 22,577 7,999 7,527 5,824 5,480 2,175 2,047 72.8% 72.8% 4.1 4.1 Central 21,612 20,270 7,202 6,754 5,465 5,390 1,737 1,364 75.9% 79.8% 4.0 3.8 Western 38,356 38,595 12,784 12,865 9,292 9,782 3,492 3,083 72.7% 76.0% 4.1 3.9 National 98,860 95,960 32,954 31,985 24,300 24,432 8,654 7,553 73.7% 76.4% 4.1 3.9 *Does not include Explorer posts or Learning for Life groups