Commissioner Comments - March April 2011
In the Northern Lights Council, we have a very dedicated staff of District and Unit Commissioners. They truly do want the best for all of our
units and youth within the units. So as we look around we can ask ourselves if we are doing all we can for our units, and even unit leaders can ask if the commissioners are doing everything the unit needs to make the overall unit programs stronger and more effective. The Spring issue of the ‘Commissioner’ on the National site has some great discussion on effective commissioner serve. I want to highlight a few of the point in my comments this month.
Research tells us that people do things primarily for one of three reasons: achievement, influence, or fellowship. And then there is the fourth thing that makes a big difference: appreciation. Commissioners who are doing their job are always achieving things, but they may not realize it. Without a destination in mind, how do you know when you get there? Unit self-assessments can help in these situations. Once a unit
Commissioner knows areas that need strengthening a vision of what could be in that unit can be set. Goals to help make that a reality can be established. Specific conversations between the assistant district commissioner and the unit commissioner encourage progress. And at the next unit self-assessment, achievement can be measured. Influence is often looked at in two ways. How does the unit commissioner influence the unit, and how do the actions of good commissioner service influence the service of other commissioners? Keeping track of which units participate in roundtables or district activities and reporting on those at a cabinet meeting is one way to measure the unit commissioner’s influence. While you don’t want to compare commissioners with one another, when someone implements a tip gathered from another commissioner, it should be recognized. Fellowship is just fun. Commissioner cabinet meetings should be FUN! Plan fun into your meetings—everything will go better. Appreciation is a significant part of the “paycheck” for a commissioner. Everyone likes to be recognized in some fashion. The truth is an individual only feels appreciated when they are recognized in the way they like to receive recognition.
The reflections of a new unit commissioner on the challenge to be more productive centered on a few workable points. No need to re-create the wheel. While innovative ideas create new best practices, the vast majority of solutions to units’ issues already exist in other commissioners’ heads, in publications, and in training courses. You just need to avail yourself of these resources to be more efficient and effective. Schedule your interactions with the units you serve well ahead of time. Know the units’ calendars: courts of honor, blue and gold banquets, committee meetings, campouts, Friends of Scouting presentations, regular unit meetings, and rechartering, to mention a few. By scheduling your visits months ahead of time with the unit leaders, the meetings become predictable, timely, and more likely to be effective for everyone involved.
Specialize. Trying to keep up with the vast amount of frequently changing information on packs versus troops versus crews/teams, to the point of being an expert, can be daunting and time-consuming. If one has the time, it is well-worth the effort. On the other hand, serving only one Scouting demographic where possible—troops, as an example—can allow a unit commissioner to better deliver on the concept of sharing valuable information, while also keeping one’s time commitment to Scouting in the manageable category. Job share. Find another commissioner in the district to share some of the responsibility. So when you are not available, your partner likely will be, or just arrange it that way.
For this year we really have three primary focus efforts with our Commissioner staff. First, recruit. We continue to need additional good and active commissioners. Let’s get out and find them. Second, we have to become knowledgeable on the ‘Journey to Excellence’ program and take that knowledge to the units so the commissioners position the units to get the best results. Thirdly, use UVTS. This is critical. These three factors will directly affect our units, and also the District and Council Journey to Excellence results.
Join me in making 2011 the best year yet in Scouting; Prepared, For Life.
Thank You.
Sincerely yours in Scouting,
Michael Lewis
Council Commissioner