Roles the Commissioner Plays
A commissioner plays several
roles, including friend, representative, unit "doctor," teacher,
and counselor.
The commissioner is a friend
of the unit. Of all their roles, this one is the most important.
It springs from the attitude, "I care, I am here to help, what
can I do for you?" Caring is the ingredient that makes
commissioner service successful. He or she is an advocate of
unit needs. A commissioner who makes himself known and accepted
now will be called on in future times of trouble.
The commissioner is a
representative. The average unit leader is totally occupied
in working with kids. Some have little if any contact with the
Boy Scouts of America other than a commissioner's visit to their
meeting. To them, the commissioner may be the BSA. The
commissioner helps represent the ideals, the principles, and the
policies of the Scouting movement.
The commissioner is a unit "doctor."
In their role as "doctor," they know that prevention is better
than a cure, so they try to see that their units make good
"health practices" a way of life. When problems arise, and they
will even in the best unit, they act quickly. They observe
symptoms, diagnose the real ailment, prescribe a remedy, and
follow up on the patient.
The commissioner is a teacher.
As a commissioner, they will have a wonderful opportunity to
participate in the growth of unit leaders by sharing knowledge
with them. They teach not just in an academic environment, but
where it counts most—as an immediate response to a need to know.
That is the best adult learning situation since the lesson is
instantly reinforced by practical application of the new
knowledge.
The commissioner is a
counselor. As a Scouting counselor, they will help units
solve their own problems. Counseling is the best role when unit
leaders don't recognize a problem and where solutions are not
clear-cut. Everyone needs counseling from time to time, even
experienced leaders.
How are commissioners selected?
Selection process and criteria
vary depending on the position.
Unit Commissioners
are appointed by the district commissioner with the approval of
the council executive board.
Unit commissioners should—
- Have excellent people skills
- Have a Scouting background
or be fast-track learners
- Know and practice Scouting
ideals
Assistant District
Commissioners are appointed by the
district commissioner with the approval of the council executive
board.
Assistant district commissioners
should—
- Be able to recruit and work
through a team of unit commissioners.
- Have excellent people skills
- Have a broad Scouting
background or be fast-track learners
- Know and practice Scouting
ideals
Roundtable Commissioners
are appointed by the district commissioner with the approval of
the council executive board.
Roundtable commissioners should—
- Be congenial and
enthusiastic performers
- Have the ability to recruit
a roundtable staff
- Have a good Scouting program
background in the program for which they will run
roundtables
- Be a good planner
District Commissioners
are approved and appointed by the council executive board, with
the concurrence of the Scout executive, on the recommendation of
the district nominating committee.
District commissioners should—
- Be widely respected in the
community
- Be an enthusiastic leader of
adults
- Have the ability to recruit
a complete team of commissioners for their districts
- Have the ability to guide
and motivate commissioners to visit units regularly,
identify unit needs, and help unit adults to meet needs
- Be a role model of Scouting
ideals
Commissioners must not be
registered simultaneously as unit leaders. Some commissioners
may be registered on a unit committee because they have a son in
the unit or because of previous personal history in the unit,
but their principle Scouting obligation should be with
commissioner responsibilities. Commissioners may be currently
registered in only one commissioner position. |
