Commissioner Comments for July and August

As a commissioner at any level, a major part of the position responsibility is to provide continuing education to the units and volunteers we serve.  This is never more important than it is this year. I have written in the past couple of newsletter comments about the new Journey to Excellence, and the critical role the commissioner corps has in getting units to achieve success.  Assisting the units in assessing their status in each of the 13 requirements and developing agreed upon objectives will ultimately determine the unit level of success.   Recording these discussions and unit visits in UVTS will also have a profound impact on the District and Council results.  Will it be Bronze, Silver, or Gold?  You can help decide the level of achievement.  Our goal is continuous improvement and to recognize outstanding performance. If you don’t know, ask your District Commissioner or go to the national commissioner web site for more information.

One level of education that is often over looked is how we promote and utilize the rewards available within the BSA.  Each Commissioner can work to achieve the Commissioner’s Key, the Distinguished Commissioner status, or earn the Arrowhead honor. The criteria for these are set, and with time, not difficult to achieve.  There is also a new award for Commissioners just announced,  the Commissioner Award of Excellence. 

We will be sending out the new progress record to all the District Commissioners shortly.  This new award comes with a uniform knot and is designed for the unit commissioner who assists units in succeeding, through regular visits, biannual assessments, UVTS entries, on time rechartering, and youth retention. I strongly encourage each unit commissioner to review and work toward this award.  There is also the new Scouting Alumni Award.  Again a uniform knot for work in reconnecting those with a past scouting interest and bringing them back to work with us in the BSA program.  What better way than to bring them back as new commissioners to assist us in working with the units. Help us find these alumni and recruit them to assist us.

Awards are also important for our unit volunteers.  As commissioners, we need to know and understand the requirements for the awards for the unit level we work with.  Most unit leaders not only don’t know about the awards, they also don’t know how to record progress and apply for awards they likely deserve.  Has your unit Den Leaders or Cub Master received the knot of recognition for their efforts in their position?  Have they qualified for the training awards? Should they be nominated for the District Award of Merit, or even the Council Silver Beaver Award?  Many of our unit leaders have uniforms without a single award recognition knot. I have heard it said that as a unit leader they work for the benefit of the youth we all serve.  That is very true, but I have yet to hear a unit volunteer turn down an award recognition they have earned and deserve.  Commissioners, it is our job to help fix this lack of recognition.  Get to know what awards are available and how the volunteer leaders qualify. Have copies of the progress tracking forms to give them and assist in completing them for approval.

At this time of year, many units will have already attended a summer camping adventure.  If not, they probably will be shortly. This provides an excellent opportunity to visit with the unit leadership and evaluate the experience.  What was gained?  What could be done differently? How many youth attended and how does the unit get more to attend?  Hopefully, the unit has also had additional outdoor experiences for the youth beyond camp.  Biking, hiking, and other activities all promote the outing in scouting and make a unit stronger.  Be sure to record these discussions in UVTS.  Help the unit make the best of this wonderful time of the year.  Also help the unit leadership begin to look forward to planning the fall program to make the transition a smooth one for the unit and the youth.

To close, let me say thank you to you, our commissioners.  Without you, Scouting would not be what it is today.  We would not have youth joining our values-based program and we could not sustain our units in the long term.  Each of you, working with our professional staff, make a great team for Scouting.

Thank You.

Sincerely yours in Scouting,

 Michael Lewis
Council Commissioner