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COMMISSIONER CULTURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Our culture statement is the foundation of our vision. We often see its short form; the complete version offers additional perspective:

  •  Be the Heart…Scouting’s units are its heart. Its success is dependent on them; they deliver its program to youth. Commissioners support unit leaders in developing a safe, welcoming environment and delivering Scouting’s program effectively. We exist to support Scouting’s heart.
  • Build Relationships…Commissioners must develop relationships with the unit leaders they serve based on mutual respect, candor, and trust. Without that, the communication and collaboration required to effectively support units is impossible. Great relationships enable effective partnerships in serving youth.
  • Change Lives…Scouting changes lives – of the youth it serves and the adults who support it (both volunteers and professionals). As they adopt Scouting’s values, they become engaged citizens who strengthen our communities, nation, and world.

Our priorities define our focus.

  • Being The single, Best Resource…That doesn’t mean that commissioners know the answer to every question a unit leader asks; it does mean they are the first person unit leaders turn to when they have a question they can’t answer and that commissioners find the answer and deliver it timely.
  • Delivering Great, S.A.F.E. Programs…When delivered well, our programs attract and retain youth – and adult volunteers – to Scouting. They must also be delivered in a manner that ensures the safety of the youth Scouting serves.
  • Enabling Significant, Sustainable Growth…To thrive, to fulfill its mission and vision, Scouting must grow. Commissioners can help unit leaders who want to serve more kids do that; they can provide the support new leaders and leaders of new units need.

Communication

  • We communicate clearly, candidly, and timely with one another, the unit leaders we serve, and the volunteers and professionals we work with throughout Scouting.

Collaboration

  • We solicit input and feedback; we work together; we seek to break down silos.

Desire

  • Unit leaders want and ask for a commissioner to be assigned to their unit.

Honor

  • Being selected to serve as a commissioner is considered a distinct honor.

COMMISSIONER RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities of a Unit Commissioner: 

  1. Build relationships with unit leaders through unit visits and mutual respect. Document conversations with unit leader in Commissioner Tools.
    1. Review unit metrics located on the Unit Dashboard.
    2. Use published Connection Guides to guide conversations with unit leaders based on the unit metrics.
    3. Assist leaders to set unit goals determined by unit.
    4. Provide unit support to assist the unit in meeting any goals set.
  2. Linking unit needs to district operating committee and other resources.
    1. Use members of the district operating committees to help meet the needs of your unit(s). As a unit commissioner you are not expected to know everything.
    2. The district operating committee can provide access to subject matter experts who can address the unit’s specific need.
    3. Engage other resources (for example; from another unit) when needed.
  3. Supporting timely unit, district, and council charter renewals.

Responsibilities of a Roundtable Commissioner: 

  • Recruit and train a staff of Assistant Roundtable commissioners to put on quality roundtables for unit personnel.
  • Plan and conduct monthly roundtable programs using the National roundtable guidelines.
  • Make arrangements for roundtables, including meeting places, equipment and supplies.
  • Conduct regular critiques to determine how roundtables can be improved.
  • Use Commissioner Tools to enter roundtable attendance.

Responsibilities of a District Commissioner: 

  • 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.
  • Encourage unit commissioners to enter both their unit contacts.
  • 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.
  • Attend district committee meetings to report on conditions of units and to link district resources to units to secure specialized help for units.
  •  Represent the district as a member of the council commissioner’s cabinet
  •  Use Commissioner Tools to review the health of units and review activities of the commissioners in your District and monitor roundtable attendance.
  • Review the recognition of all commissioners in the district.

Responsibilities of the Council Commissioner: 

  • To envision what effective unit service in a council will look like and what goals must be accomplished during their term of service to fulfill that vision.
  • To represent volunteers and Scouts to the council’s executive board, executive committee, and its professionals.
  • To recruit assistant council commissioners and an adequate number of other administrative, roundtable and unit commissioners to provide effective unit service.
  • To retain commissioners and units (ensuring commissioners are given assignments that fit well with their passion, potential, and priorities and recognizing their achievements and that units receive effective service to support retention).
  • To enable commissioners to be successful (including ensuring commissioners complete onboarding, and training, are given assignments that are a good match for their passion, potential and priorities, are provided with a clear definition of success and are recognized for their achievements).