Here is Your Invitation to be a Unit Commissioner

Stop a minute, did you think that the Scoutmaster is the teacher, forming his team?

The Scoutmaster trains his or her youth leaders to lead. In particular, he or she prepares the new youth-elected Senior Patrol Leader to build their team. Say you visit a troop and ask a random scout from the troop who is the leader of the troop, if they say the SPL then you are visiting a great troop in formation. If that random scout points to the adult, something is not yet there in this troop’s development. 

Unit Commissioners are healthcare professionals trying to sustain and improve the unit health of their units. 

Could you find ways of helping them see what Scouting is all about? I don’t mean they don’t know that, but being a unit leader means spending much time on the tactics of a scouting unit and often not enough time thinking strategically about the direction of the unit. You as a unit commissioner can through careful listening find ways of helping unit leaders and that helps the youth of our Scouting movement.

Unit Commissioners listen to their unit's volunteers and help coach and mentor.

I think it is this:

“The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

Unit commissioners should have this memorized. Why? Read the next block. 

As Scoutmaster, I had lots of thorns among the roses, and with one particular thorny issue, I had no idea how to deal with it. I sought advice from long-time Scouter, Jack Mahaney. He agreed to meet me for breakfast. After catching up and putting down the fork, I started to say “The reason I wanted to talk to you is about this thorny issue…” However, I never got past the second word when he said “before you begin, let me say this…” He then looked me in the eye and repeated the mission statement to me. He then followed it up with a stunning question “Now what is your problem?”

 My equally stunning answer (to me anyway) was, “I guess I don’t have one.” In just 34 words, Jack had re-centered me and focused my thoughts on what is most important. 

Unit commissioners can help recenter unit volunteers. 

I never forgot that meeting with Jack, and yes we did talk about the thorn, but it was no longer the central focus of my scouting life. It turned out to be in the grand scheme rather small. 

I was then around a 10-year fully trained scouter and had never recalled having heard the mission statement much less thinking someone would memorize it. I learned it, memorized it and took it to heart. In every adult training course I teach and nearly every Scouting Presentation I have done since, I typically include the mission statement from memory. Indeed I often suggest to unit leaders my three rules. 

 Three rules

1. Know and follow the mission

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff 

3. Everything but rule 1 is the small stuff. 

Who is going to help Unit Volunteers if not you?

The adult Scoutmaster and Cubmaster have to still deal with the small stuff, but the unit commissioner can really help here. Listen, build relationships, give from your heart, and help change lives. 

The unit commissioner can be the single best resource for a unit by bringing their wants and needs to the district. 

I do not miss being Scoutmaster as much as I treasure the memories of many hundreds of  young men who through Troop One grew to become great leaders and great citizens. I am proud of every one of them. I am honored and blessed that 76 of those youth became Eagles while I was Scoutmaster. I am also happy and pleased with my current role in scouting as an Assistant Council Commissioner. But you do not need to be an Eagle Scout or even in Scouting before becoming be a Unit Commissioner. 

You need a servant's heart.

We have training for everything else.

Commissioners are critical to the success of scout troops, cub packs, and Venturing crews. I encourage anyone who wants a role in shaping the future of young men and women, and who does not have the time or calling to be at meetings every week and campouts every month to become a commissioner. 

Contact me or any commissioner on the Great Trail Council Service Team and start a conversation. 

Stepping up will ensure that our adult unit leaders will have the support they need. Scouting is at a critical time, recovering from COVID and returning to regular programming, and units need your help. Compared to unit participation, the time commitment is much lower, and the rewards are great. Training is offered online and in person. 

If you take training online, you still must do the in-person onboarding. 

Contact our Assistant Council Commissioner for Training: David Rice and get trained. 

1. Talk to a member of the service team or your District Commissioner or one of the paid District Executives about your interest to get the green light. (contact commissioners here and executives here).

2. Express your interest and ask your questions. If encouraged you will then 

   1. Complete an Adult Application (use position code UC) with fees.

   2. Approve of a criminal background check.

   3. Take Youth Protection Training at my.scouting.org.

3. Take the Unit Commissioner online training offered in my.scouting.org or contact our Training Commissioner to get started.

   1. If you complete your training online contact our Training Commissioner to start the on boarding process. 

4. Talk to your District Commissioner to be assigned to the units you will serve. 

5. Attend the one-day continuous training at the College of Commissioner Science each November to be the best you can be.