Commissioner Service

Commissioner Service
Owner Boy Scouts of America
Country United States
Founded 1910
Website
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Commissioners.aspx

Commissioner Service is the group within the Boy Scouts of America that provides direct service to each Scouting unit (pack, troop, team, crew or ship). Commissioners are experienced Scouters who help chartered organizations and unit leaders to achieve the aims of Scouting by using the methods of Scouting. They help to ensure that each unit has strong leadership and they encourage training, promote the use of the unit committee and encourage a relationship with the chartering organization.

History

Commissioner service started with the first national Scout commissioners: Daniel Carter Beard, Peter Bomus and William Verbeck. Local commissioners formed the first councils and started the tradition of direct support to the Scoutmaster. A first-class council had a paid commissioner (now known as a 'Scout executive or council executive'), and could keep 15 cents of each 25 cent registration, while second-class councils with volunteer commissioners could keep five cents.

National level

The National Commissioner is a member of the executive board of the National Council. The position was re-established in 1990, and is a four-year term of service.

Region level

The position of regional commissioner and area commissioner were created in 2007 and announced at the October 2007 National Executive Board meeting. These two positions were created "to support councils in the areas of membership, unit charter renewal, and training in support of commissioner service.".[1]

Council level

The council commissioner is selected by the council. Assistant council commissioners are appointed by the council commissioner with approval from the council.

District level

The district commissioner and assistant district commissioners are responsible for recruiting, training, guiding, and evaluating the commissioner staff. The district commissioner is part of what is called the key-three, the other two members being the district chairman and the district executive.

Unit commissioners serve and counsel one or more units- packs, troops, teams, crews and ships. They act as a direct representative between the unit and the district. Unit commissioners are adult Scouters that have significant tenure within the Scouting program (ten years' experience is recommended), and are dedicated to seeing individual units succeed. In general, the unit commissioner uses several different tools to measure the success of his or her units. Unit commissioners encourage all of their units to earn the Quality Unit award on a yearly basis and usually visit each of their units at least once a month to make sure the unit is functioning within the aims and goals of the Boy Scouts of America. The unit commissioner is aware of district, council, and local civic and Scouting functions that can help supplement the unit's program. They also promote the monthly district roundtable within their assigned units and make sure that the unit leadership is current on training courses required by the National Council.

Unit commissioners also keep in contact with the respective unit committees and the unit's chartered organization. Unit commissioners also are active in the community, assisting with the district's general membership goals for the year. Commissioners are expected to set the proper Scouting example, as they represent the district to the chartered organization and to the unit and its leaders, youth, and parents alike.

The unit commissioner is also responsible for assisting the unit with their yearly membership inventory, assisting the Unit Committee conduct the yearly charter renewal meeting, ensuring that the charter application was received at the council service center, and presenting the charter at a meeting of the chartered partner. Usually, a unit's charter with the Boy Scouts of America will be presented directly to the chartered organization at one of the chartered partner's business meetings or social functions.

Unit commissioners advise on official uniform policy and badge placement, and occasionally conduct uniform inspections of the units under their aegis; Unit Commissioners may also accompany their units on outings and at special functions. Traditionally, a unit's official charter from the BSA is also presented annually to it by the unit commissioner.

Roundtable commissioners use the roundtable meetings to provide unit leaders with resources and training in program skills. The roundtable is a forum for all of the unit leaders and provides opportunities for discourse and training.

The Narragansett Council uses a unique structure as of 2010.[2] Instead of being divided into districts, there are 20 community groups which form three service areas. Each service area has a service area commissioner and each community has a community commissioner.

Training

Commissioners are expected to complete Basic Leader Training so that they have the essential information they need to provide a safe and successful quality program. Advanced and supplemental training is generally performed at a commissioners college provided at the local council level.

Recognition

After completing performance goals, the Arrowhead Honor may be awarded. Commissioners may then earn the Commissioner's Key by completing basic training and serving for at least three years.[7] After five years of service the commissioner may be recognized with the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award.[8]

Wreath of Service

laurel wreath

The "wreath of service" is located on all commissioner position emblems. The laurel wreath is a traditional Roman symbol of victory, triumph, accomplishment, and civic service. The BSA uses the laurel as a symbol for the service rendered to units and the continued partnership between volunteers and professionals. The wreath of service represents commitment to program and unit service.[9]

The Commissioner position is the oldest in Scouting and is the origin of the professional Scouting positions, which is why badges of the professional Scouters have that feature as well. The wreath of service is a feature on all commissioner and professional position patches. Primary commissioner (Council Commissioner, District Commissioner, Unit Commissioner) insignia bears a silver laurel wreath in accordance with the long-standing BSA award standard (based on the U.S. military concept) of silver being higher than gold. Accordingly, assistant commissioner (Assistant Council Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, Roundtable Commissioner) insignia bears a gold laurel wreath. [9]

List of National Commissioners

1st 1910–1941 Daniel Carter Beard Eagle Scout 1915 Gold 1922 Silver Wolf 1924 Silver Buffalo 1926
2nd 1910-1912 Peter S. Bomus
3rd 1910-1912 William Verbeck
4th 1943-1960 George J. Fisher Silver Buffalo 1926
---- 1960-1985 25 year long hiatus ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
5th 1985-1995 Earl G. Graves Silver Buffalo 1988
6th 1995-1999 Frances Olmstead Silver Buffalo 1997
7th 1999-2004 William F. "Rick" Cronk Bronze Wolf 2008 Silver Buffalo 2001
8th 2004-2008 Donald D. Belcher Eagle Scout 1953 DESA 2000 Silver Buffalo 2005
9th 2008-2016 Tico Perez Eagle Scout 1977 DESA 2007 Silver Buffalo 2007 OA DSA 2004
10th 2016-present Charles Dahlquist Silver Buffalo 2007

See also

References

  1. ↑ "New Regional/ Area Commissioner Positions Approved" (PDF). Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
  2. ↑ "New Council Service Delivery Structure and Organization". Narragansett Council. 2010.
  3. ↑ (using training manual No. 34256)
  4. ↑ (using training manual No. 33013)
  5. ↑ (see Other Commissioner Resources)
  6. ↑ Commissioner Basic Training (using training manual No. 33613F Archived November 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.)
  7. ↑ "Unit Commissioner Progress Record for the Commissioner Key / Arrowhead Honor Award" (PDF). Boy Scouts of America. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2006. Retrieved June 9, 2006.
  8. ↑ "The Distinguished Commissioner Service Award" (PDF). Boy Scouts of America. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 23, 2006. Retrieved June 9, 2006.
  9. 1 2 "The History of Commissioner Service". Golden Empire Council. Retrieved June 9, 2006.
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