DOCSLIB.ORG

Administration of Commissioner Service

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Administration of Commissioner Service 34501_cover.indd 1 2/23/09 1:16:06 PM ADMINISTRATION OF COMMISSIONER SERVICE This manual was updated February 2009. It has combined the following three manuals into one: Commissioner Administration of Unit Service, No. 34128; Commissioner Basic Training Manual, No. 33613; and Continuing Education for Commissioners, No. 33615. 34501 ISBN 978-0-8395-4501-9 ©2009 Boy Scouts of America 2009 Printing Welcome to Commissioner Administration You’ve accepted a position as an administrative commissioner. You’re a district commissioner, council commissioner, assistant district commissioner, or assistant council commissioner. The key is understanding your new role and how it’s going to work and how it relates with those unit commissioners you are now supervising. Unit commissioners are in charge of quality control of the unit. As a district commissioner or a council commissioner, you’re in charge of quality control of your commissioners. You need to be their Scout Leader. You need to be their Cubmaster, their Scoutmaster, their Varsity Coach, or their Crew Advisor. You need to make certain they are trained, they are attending their Unit meetings, and they are doing what needs to be done to succeed. You’re not involved at the unit level, you are in charge of your unit of commissioners. This manual will help guide you through the learning of the managerial skills, the diplomatic skills, the technical skills, and the administrative skills to assure your success in this administrative role. Thank you for accepting this most important role in Scouting. Keep on providing quality commissioner service to our youth through support of the units in your district or council. 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, coach leaders on where to find assis- tance, note weaknesses in programs, and suggest remedies. The commissioner is successful when units effectively deliver the ideals of Scouting to their members. Few organizations have such an abundant reservoir of manuals, guidebooks, pamphlets, and training tools available for their leaders as does the Boy Scouts of America. Years of experience by millions of volunteers and professionals have pro- vided invaluable plans, procedures, and methods for every Scouting job. However, for a new administrative commis- sioner, this amazing supply of helps presents a problem—WHERE DO YOU START? Use this guidebook for details as you give leadership to a plan of successful unit service. Section I. Commissioner Administration of Unit Service Contents Chapter 1—Unit Service—The Plan and the People ................................................................................................1 Chapter 2—The Chartered Organization Concept ..................................................................................................2 Chapter 3—Putting a Council Unit Service Plan Into Action ..................................................................................3 Chapter 4—Administrative Commissioners .............................................................................................................6 Chapter 5—Unit Commissioners .............................................................................................................................9 Chapter 6—Considerations in Assigning Unit Commissioners ................................................................................11 Chapter 7—Roundtable Commissioners ..................................................................................................................12 Chapter 8—A Guide for Commissioners on Good Volunteer-Professional Relationships .........................................13 Chapter 9—Commissioner Recruiting .....................................................................................................................15 Chapter 10—Commissioner Training and Recognition ............................................................................................19 Chapter 11—Commissioner Meetings .....................................................................................................................22 Chapter 12—Coaching Others .................................................................................................................................24 Chapter 13—Commissioner Evaluation ...................................................................................................................25 Chapter 14—Early Warning Signals .........................................................................................................................27 Chapter 15—The Annual Commissioner Service Plan .............................................................................................28 Chapter 16—Commissioner Lifesaving ....................................................................................................................30 Chapter 17—How to Remove a Volunteer ...............................................................................................................32 Chapter 18—Resources ............................................................................................................................................34 Chapter 19—Uniform, Badges, and Awards .............................................................................................................36 Appendix A—Orientation Meeting for New Unit Commissioners ...........................................................................37 Appendix B—Orientation for New District Commissioners ....................................................................................38 Appendix C—Training Topics for Commissioner Staff Meetings .............................................................................39 Appendix D—Lone Scout Commissioner ................................................................................................................40 Appendix E—Commissioner Progress Records .........................................................................................................41 Appendix F—Commissioner Staff Roster .................................................................................................................47 Appendix G—District Commissioner Work Plan .....................................................................................................49 Appendix H—Commissioning Ceremony ................................................................................................................50 Appendix I—Sample Job Descriptions for Assistant Council Commissioners ..........................................................51 Chapter 1—Unit Service—The Plan and the People Unit service is one of four important functions of every Unit commissioners are assigned to one or more units, local council, the others being membership, finance, which they coach and mentor to ensure unit success. and program. Roundtable commissioners provide resources such as Youth experience Scouting in units. Generally, the program skills and other help for unit personnel at regu- “healthier” the unit, the more wonderful things will hap- larly scheduled roundtables or program forums. pen for youth in Scouting. To help make this occur, the The unit service program is invaluable, both to char- Boy Scouts of America provides a program called unit tered organizations and the local council, when thor- service in which the commissioner is the key figure. The oughly understood and wisely administered. Only the commissioner helps chartered organizations and the lead- finest type of community leader should be considered for ers of their units achieve the objectives of Scouting. The a commissioner’s job. That person should be a “people primary objective is to make good Scouting happen in person” capable of working with the key personnel of the lives of youth members. chartered organizations, unit committee people, and unit Perhaps the best way to approach Scouting’s goals as leaders as well as district and council Scouters. they relate to youth is to recognize how programs of The unit commissioner’s service is based on a philoso- character building, citizenship training, and skills devel- phy of friendship and coaching. Roundtable commis- opment reach them. These programs reach our youth sioners should have a good background in Cub Scout, under the direct influence of the unit leader. In Cub Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturing skills as well as a Scouting, the unit leader is the Cubmaster, who shares lively teaching ability. the responsibility with den leaders. In Boy Scouting, it is To measure the effectiveness of a commissioner, one the Scoutmaster and assistants. In Varsity Scouting, it is need only look at the record of the units served. Are the the Coach and assistants. In Venturing, it is the Advisor objectives of Scouting being carried out? Is there strong, and associates. Every resource of the district and council competent unit leadership? Do unit committees meet should be made available to these key leaders, and this is regularly? Is there growth in youth membership? Do generally achieved through the commissioner. units take an active part in district and council activities? There are three types of commissioners: Is there a positive relationship between the chartered Administrative commissioners include the council organization and its unit leaders? If the answer to these
Load more

Recommended publications
  • History and Evolution of Commissioner Insignia
    History and Evolution of Commissioner Insignia A research thesis submitted to the College of Commissioner Science Longhorn Council Boy Scouts of America in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Commissioner Science Degree by Edward M. Brown 2009 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface and Thesis Approval . 3 1. The beginning of Commissioner Service in America . 4 2. Expansion of the Commissioner Titles and Roles in 1915. 5 3. Commissioner Insignia of the 1920s through 1969. 8 4. 'Named' Commissioner Insignia starting in the 1970s .... 13 5. Program Specific Commissioner Insignia .............. 17 6. International, National, Region, and Area Commissioners . 24 7. Commissioner Recognitions and A wards ..... ..... .... 30 8. Epilogue ...... .. ... ... .... ...... ......... 31 References, Acknowledgements, and Bibliography . 33 3 PREFACE I have served as a volunteer Scouter for over 35 years and much of that time within the role of commissioner service - Unit Commissioner, Roundtable Commissioner, District Commissioner, and Assistant Council Commissioner. Concurrent with my service to Scouting, I have been an avid collector of Scouting memorabilia with a particular interest in commissioner insignia. Over the years, I've acquired some information on the history of commissioner service and some documentation on various areas of commissioner insignia, but have not found a single document which covers both the historical aspects of such insignia while describing and identifying all the commissioner insignia in all program areas - Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Exploring, Venturing, and the various roundtables. This project does that and provides a pictorial identification guide to all the insignia as well as other uniform badges that recognize commissioners for tenure or service.
    [Show full text]
  • Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service
    A P UBLIC A TION FOR C OMMISSIONERS A ND P ROFESSION A LS SUMMER THE 11 www.scouting.org/commissioners The role of the unit commissioner is to help every unit be successful. Unit success is defined by the unit achieving Journey to Excellence status and demonstrating an improvement in the retention of its members. New! Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service The national commissioner support team asked a simple question: “How can we really impact commissioner service, in a manner that would improve unit Table of Contents program and increase retention of youth?” The decision was simple: Recognize the volunteers who are providing excellent commissioner service with a knot, and let New! Commissioner Award of Excellence in Customer Service ....1 those commissioners lead by example. Commissioner Progress Record for the Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service .......................2 New Second Century Commissioner Patches ................................3 National Commissioner Minute .....................................................4 The Next Strategic Steps to Lasting Impact for the Commissioner Corps .....................................................................4 The next step was to put together a team from across the regions with The Important Functions of Commissioners ..................................5 commissioners at different service levels: Unit Visit Tracking System 2.0 Support ..........................................6 Craig Bailey—UC from the Northeast Region Tim Acree Transitions from Resources Chair to Training Chair ......7 David James—DC from the Central Region Darlene Sprague ...........................................................................7 Dwight Jekel—ACC from the Southern Region Daniel B. Maxfield .........................................................................8 Kevin Baker—CC from the Western Region Commissioner Task Force Organizes Roundtable Study Project ....8 Regional Commissioners ...............................................................9 Doug Ferguson—AC from the Southern Region Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • National Achievement for Zak Smith, T68 the Gateway
    The Gateway Gateway Area Council, Boy Scouts of America For the latest information and details, visit our website: www.gacbsa.org What’s Inside Commissioner’s Corner 2 Winter Events 3 National Achievement for Zak Smith, T68 Scouting for Food 4 We are proud to recognize an outstanding Scout of the Mall & Trailblazers 5 Gateway Area Council as the newest member of the Program News National Youth Leadership Society. Zak Smith was formally 6 inducted into the Society at Troop 68’s Court of Honor on Family FOS 7 Monday, December 9, 2013. The National Youth Leadership Society recognizes youth members of the BSA Scouts in the News 8 who have learned and practiced outstanding leadership Program News 9 skills- the elite members of our program. As a national honor society, the National Youth Leadership Society calls 2013 Eagle Scouts 10 upon local councils to nominate those individuals who meet From Mary’s Desk certain criteria. Upon acceptance, the National Court of 11 Honor will offer the individual the honor of members into the Program News 12 Society. There are stringent qualifications of membership including various leadership development courses and Office Notes 13 Scouting positions. We are proud to recognize Zak Smith as NYLT News 14 the newest member of the National Youth Leadership Society. From the Scout Shop! Summer Programs Kick-Off As we train the new Greetings Scouters! Only 6 months until the Summer Camping season begins; it Scout Shop Clerk, will be here before we know it! Camp Decorah’s Summer Camp Kick-Off will be January please be patient with 12, 2014 in the Dahl Family Scouting Center at 3pm.
    [Show full text]
  • Commissioner Service, Our First Hundred Years
    COMMISSIONER SERVICE, OUR FIRST HUNDRED YEARS A research thesis submitted to the College College of Commissioner Science Longhorn Council In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Commissioner Science Degree By Paul N Dreiseszun 2010 INTRODUCTION As we approach the 100th anniversary of Scouting and the Commissioner Service, we need to look back and salute those Scouters that have worn the insignia of the Commissioner. Scouting has changed in those many years. Requirements and uniforms have changed. Council structures and boundaries have been altered. But the role of the Commissioner as Scouting's conduit for unit service remains unchanged. I have been honored to serve as a Unit Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, and District Commissioner. My experience is that it can be the most difficult position in Scouting. But it can also be one of the most rewarding jobs in Scouting. As we reach Scouting's centennial, the Commissioner position is getting renewed emphasis and exposure. Funding for non-profits is getting harder to come by resulting in less growth of the professional staffs. The need for more volunteer Commissioners is as great or greater than any time in the past Our role in Scouting will continue to be fundamentally important for the next 100 years. As Commissioners, we must make sure that every unit is offering their boys exactly what is promised to them …, fun, excitement, adventure, and ultimately a quality experience. The Roots of Commissioner Service As Commissioners in the Boy Scouts of America, we are delegated authority and responsibility from the National Council through our "Commission" per the By Laws of the National Council.
    [Show full text]
  • The District Commissioner Staff
    COMMISSIONER FIELDBOOK FOR UNIT SERVICE Changes in This Printing (As of February 2012) There have been some changes and additions made in this printing. Visit the commissioner website for resources: www.scouting.org/commissioners.aspx 33621 ISBN 978-0-8395-3621-5 ©2009 Boy Scouts of America 2012 Printing 1 A Guidebook for Unit Commissioners CONTENTS 01—Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................3 02—Commissioner Orientation ..........................................................................................................................................4 03—Orientation Projects .....................................................................................................................................................8 04—The Commissioner Concept ........................................................................................................................................10 05—The District Commissioner Staff .................................................................................................................................12 06—Providing Unit Service .................................................................................................................................................15 07—Your Commissioner Style .............................................................................................................................................25 08—Be a
    [Show full text]
  • February 2015
    www.dartfordscouts.org.uk Issue 17 February 2015 WELCOME Here we are in February and I was hoping to be able to have a clear idea if the size of the district through Compass, but as you are all hopefully aware Compass has be taken offline whilst some security checks are carried out. This has an impact on the census this year. But HQ are working on opening up the Youth Data Upload facility again so we can continue to upload the missing sections. Before Compass was taken offline, about 75% of the district returns had been made. What I need every GSL and section leader to do is prepare their youth data upload if it has not already been done and then keep track of all changes to either the already uploaded data or yet to be uploaded data as I am sure once the system in ready for use again then census window will be quite small. DBS checks Again, this facility is not available at the moment, so again please keep track of where we are and who needs checks. We will post the updates from HQ on the Facebook page for the district, if you are not a Facebook user, you can follow the updates on www.scouts.org.uk/compass Once again thank you for all of your support over the past few months. Leigh Villiers District Commissioner BEAVER NEWS Science Day Saturday 7th February at Oasis Academy. Please can I ask those Colonies attending the morning session to arrive no later than 9.45 am and the afternoon session to arrive no later than 1.45 pm.
    [Show full text]
  • Girl 5Couj Leader
    ?Fe GIRL 5COUJ LEADER - VOL UME NUMBER VII 12 DECEMBER 1930 The White House Conference a Challenge to Youth Katherine Glover Staff Associate, Tl/ltite House Conference s the Girl Scout LEADER goes to press this month ing a planning committee which has grown with the an event of very great significance to the youth of bigness of the job until the conference personnel now A this country is happening in Washington. Prepara· numbers twelve hundred, divided up into a hundred tions for the \Vhite House Conference on Child Health and forty committees. And these are but a nucleus, and Protection which l\Ir. Hoover has called for ~ovem­ for innumerable other committees and literally hundred~ ber 19-22 are drawing to a close. Tv,·o or three thousand of thousands of volunteer \\'orkers have in ~ome way con­ men and women, ranging from Cabinet officers to simple tributed their share to this national census-taking of field workers among children and youth, will gather in youth. the nation's capital to pool their interests and knowledge. ~~~- Hoover, being an engineer, believes in surveying The conference will attempt to study the child and the ground well before he builds his bridges. He was those factors which enter into his environment; to unwilling to assemble the conference without this thor· find out what the rapid changes in our present-day life ough groundwork of fact-finding. lt has taken a year are doing to the oncoming generation; to counsel a~ to of intensive, high-pressure surveying on the part of the wiser methods of protection, of workers in their various fields.
    [Show full text]
  • CIRCULAR Nº 23, SERIES of 2004 To: Chief Commissioners
    World Scout Bureau Mondial du Scoutisme Asia-Pacific Regional Office Bureau Régional Asie-Pacifique P.O. Box 4050 CIRCULAR Nº 23, SERIES OF 2004 MCPO 1280 Makati City Metro Manila To: Chief Commissioners Philippines International Commissioners 4/F ODC International Plaza Building Chief Scout Executives 219 Salcedo Street Legaspi Village, Makati City Metro Manila Philippines Tel: (+63 2) 818 09 84 (+63 2) 817 16 75 Fax: (+63 2) 819 00 93 (+63 2) 401 39 84 [email protected] 15 June 2004 21st Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference - 2004 CANDIDATES FOR THE APR SCOUT COMMITTEE 2004-2010 Dear Colleagues, In response to circular no. 7 series of 2004 calling for nominations for the Regional Scout Committee for the term 2004-2010, we are pleased to announce that we have nine candidates whose names are listed sequentially as per the date their nomination forms were received by the APR office before the 5 June 2004 deadline. 1. Mr Weerakoon Somadasa Hadirankumbura Cedara Sri Lanka Scout Association 2. Dr Yung Chaur-Shin The General Association of the Scouts of China 3. Lady Uraiwan Sirinupongs National Scout Organization of Thailand 4. Mr Mohammad Zainul Abedin Bangladesh Scouts 5. Mr Mohammed Ali Khalid The Bharat Scouts & Guides/India 6. Dr Fasli Jalal Gerakan Pramuka/Indonesia 7. Mr John George Ravenhall Scouts Australia 8. Mr Tan Cheng Kiong Singapore Scout Association 9. Mr Oh Sang Gyoon Korea Scout Association Out of the above nine candidates, five candidates are to be elected by the 21st APR Scout Conference in December 2004 in Brunei Darussalam.
    [Show full text]
  • The District Commissioner Staff
    THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER STAFF A district has several types of commissioners. Administrative commissioners ( District and Assistant District Commissioners) lead and support the unit commissioners. Unit commissioners relate directly to units. Roundtable commissioners plan and execute the monthly roundtables in the district. THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER This leader is recommended by the district nominating committee for approval and appointment by the council executive board with the concurrence of the Scout Executive. The district commissioner leads the commissioner staff of the district, guiding and measuring the districts unit service function of the program. The district commissioner is one member of the district key 3. The district chairman and the district executive make up the other members of the key 3. Major responsibilities include: • Develop a vision for unit service in the district and a plan to fulfill the vision. • Recruit a full staff of commissioners to include assistant district commissioners, roundtable commissioners and unit commissioners. • Oversee the training program for all commissioners in the district and encouraging commissioners to take training. • Guide unit commissioners to contact each unit regularly, identify unit strengths and needs, and using the Unit Service Plan, make plans to meet their needs. • Ensure that unit commissioners are performing detailed collaborative assessments which is the precursor to creating a unit service plan. • Encourage unit commissioners to enter both their unit contacts and unit service plans in Commissioner Tools. • Make sure the roundtable commissioners are providing a vibrant roundtable each month. • Work with the district chairman and district executive as a member of the district’s Key 3. • Plan and preside at monthly meetings of the district commissioner staff.
    [Show full text]
  • Ken Ton Daniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home Daniel Carter
    Form 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE: (July 1969) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Kentucky COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Ken ton INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER (Type all — complete applicable sections) COMMON: Daniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home AND/OR HISTORIC: Daniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home STREET AND NUMBER: 322 East Third Street CITY OR TOWN: Covington Kentucky Kenton 117 ACCESSIBLE OWNERSH.P STATUS TO THE PUBLIC C3 District ^ Building D Public Public Acquisition: 5?aOccupied Yes: i. , estricted G Site Q Structure 0^" Privote || In Process Unoccupied [~l Both i ID . i d Unrestricted [~| Object | | Being Considered |_J Preservation work in progress ' —1 "° PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) \ 1 Agricultural [~l Government [~| Park [~l Transportation LTI Comments n Commercial D Industrial Q Private Residence gfOther (Specify) O Educational D Mi "tary d Religious Dormitory 1 I Entertainment 1 1 Museum | | Scientific OWNER'S NAME: Major Qlenn Seiler Kentucky STREET AND NUMBER: William Booth Memorial Hospital CITY OR TOWN: STATE: Covington Kentucky 41012 .21 COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Registry of Deeds, Coy ing ton-Kent on County Municipal Bldg. STREET AND NUMBER: Park Place CITY OR TOWN: STATE Coyington Kentucky 21 TITLE OF SURVEY: None DATE OF SURVEY: Federol Q Stote County Q Local DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: STREET AND NUMBER: CITY OR TOWN: (Check One) G Excellent tQ Good a Fair G Deter orated a RU ns 1 1 Unexposed CONDITION (Check One) (Check One) H' Altered G Unaltered G Moved (^'Original Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if Known.) PHYSICAL.
    [Show full text]
  • Happy Birthday, Bsa!
    Vol. 2, No. 2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BSA! The Boy Scouts of America - one hundred years young and still going strong! Celebrate the adventure and continue the journey as Scouting launches its Centennial year. IT ALL BEGAN IN A FOG While walking the misty streets of London in 1909, American businessman William Boyce lost his way. A boy offered to guide him to his destination. Boyce wanted to pay him, but the boy explained that he was a Scout, and that Scouts do not accept money for doing good turns. Eager to learn more, Mr. Boyce met with Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement in Great Britain. Boyce knew that boys back home would like the idea, so he brought Scouting to the United States. Papers incorporating the Boy Scouts of America were signed on February 8, 1910 - the date celebrated as the official birthday of the BSA. One hundred years later, many events are marking the Centennial, beginning on New Year's Day with a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade. It featured Scouting's 100th anniversary theme, "Celebrating the Adventure, Continuing the Journey." Councils, districts, and local units are marking the centennial with special events of their own. Many Scouts will worship with their families and friends on Scout Sunday (usually the Sunday before February 8) and Scout Sabbath (usually the Saturday after February 8). The biggest celebration of all takes place this summer when more than 43,000 Scouts and thousands of visitors gather for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. To learn more about the Jamboree, go to bsajamboree.org.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Commissioner Service
    A P UBLIC A TION FOR C OMMISSIONERS A ND P ROFESSION A LS SPRING IONA WINTER AT L THE N 10 www.scouting.org/commissioners The role of the unit commissioner is to help every unit be successful. Unit success is defined by the unit achieving Centennial Quality Unit status and demonstrating an improvement in the retention of its members. National Commissioner Minute My fellow commissioners: Are you aware that the “wreath of service” is worn by only two groups within the Boy Scouts of America—the professional Scouters and the commissioners? The reason is some of the first BSA volunteers in early 1910 were commissioners who later became the first professional Scouters. Today, commissioners and professional Scouters work together to support Scouting units in our local councils. The wreath of service has a long history, and we were fortunate to have it captured in a special PowerPoint presentation developed by one of our commissioners, Randy Worcester, 100 Years of Service who organized it for his doctorate degree in the College of The Boy Scouts of America isn’t alone in turning the page Commissioner Science. It is called, “Commissioner Service: on its first century. Commissioner service is also celebrating The First Hundred Years,” and you will find a good portion of his 100 years of coaching, consulting, and supporting adult presentation inside this anniversary edition of The Commissioner. leaders. Take a tour of the history of commissioner service. This is an exciting time in the history of the Boy Scouts of Pages 4–9 America and commissioner service.
    [Show full text]