Commissioner Basic Training

1
Commissioner Basic Training

• How to Help a Unit
• Session 3

2
Learning Objectives
Session three
At the end of this session, you should be able to

• State the resource and support available to help
  make the unit successful
  
• Use counseling fundamentals to encourage the unit
  leader and to lead him to self-sufficiency
  
• Explain the annual commissioner service plan
• State methods of membership management
• Use the resources of the district committee
• Use the unit charter renewal process in
  rechartering a unit
  
• Use commissioner lifesaving techniques to resolve
  unit life-threatening problems

3
Unit Visitation Reports
Individual reports on visits made since last
training session
Report on any changes made to the worksheet from
previous visit and why. Report on any ideas to he
lp the unit
Summary comments Important to create rapport wit
h leaders Commissioner does not have to know all
of the answers, but must know where to get help
and then follow through.
4
Counseling
Ability to listen in such a way that they will
solve their own problems
Best way to help a unit is to strengthen its
leadership through effective counseling
Commissioners must be good counselors to do their
jobs well
Counseling fundamentals Carefully select time an
d place Work to understand what the leader is say
ing Let the leader know you hear and understand
DO NOT give advise. Guide them to solve their own
problem Summarize from time to time Support thei
r thinking with information
More information in Counseling chapter of
Commissioner Fieldbook
5
The District Committee
Explanation of the organization and functions
UNIT
6
Membership Management
Buzz Groups
Discuss how to get and keep young men
Potential Scenarios Unit members concentrated in
to one age group need to recruit
Unit not aware of membership situation need an
inventory Units at risk to drop charter needs m
ember management focus Recruiting opportunities
Boy-fact surveys, list of Webelos scouts,
birthday greetings, specific invitations to day
camps long-term camps, etc
Also see membership section of Commissioner helps
for packs, troops, and crews
7
Membership Management
Report from groups
Summary Membership for memberships sake is not
the name of the game Recruiting will ensure conti
nuation of the unit Good program is the key to at
tracting boys
8
Unit Charter Renewal Process
Discussion of renewal process
Note Unit Commissioner should be involved in a
majority of the steps
More information in Commissioner Fieldbook,
Charter Renewal chapter
9
Annual Commissioner Service Plan
Gives specific purpose for some of your regular
and supportive contact with units
See page 17 in Commissioner Fieldbook for more
details
10
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Sometimes a commissioner is called on to save the
life of a unit. What needs to be done? How d
o you go about it?
More information in Commissioner Fieldbook,
Be a Lifesaving Commissioner chapter on page 28
11
The Lifesaving Commissioner

• Youth dropping out
• No youth recruiting or poor recruiting methods
• No adult leader
• No planned program
• No youth leaders
• No discipline
• Unit stops meeting
• Charter lapses
• Charter organization leader unhappy with the
  unit
  
• Only one adult active
• No involvement of parents
• Adult conflicts and poor communications
• Others

Watch for Vital Signs
12
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Specific things you can do Consult your ACD or D
C Ask some basic questions What must be solved?
Possible alternatives? Which strategy
first? Who to involve? Is it saved? What is Pla
n B? Be enthusiastic Apply first aid Apply s
econd aid Generate teamwork
13
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Unit No Meeting Move quickly to salvage remaining
leadership and membership Unit with No Leader S
ee that leader is replaced quickly and then
trained Unit with No Committee Work with charter
ed organization to understand importance
Unit with No New Members Help find ways to grow m
embership and ensure program is attracting and
keeping. Unit Conflict with Chartered Organizatio
n Be a mediator. Bring together to talk. New Lea
der lacks Training Help orient and provide inform
ation Unit with Weak Leadership Counsel with lea
der. Encourage with Chartered Org
Typical Hurry Cases
More information in Commissioner Fieldbook Page
28-30
14
The Lifesaving Commissioner
Using a team approach
Ad Hoc Or Organized effort
What are the benefits of a formal lifesaving team?
15
Closing
The Challenge- You now see your task Training is
just beginning continue to gain knowledge
Commissioner must be a friend to units
Goal is more boys with better Scouting
experience Graduation