Commissioner Service
Encyclopedia
Commissioner Service is the group within the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...

 that provides direct service to each Scouting unit (pack, troop, team, crew
Venturing (Boy Scouts of America)
Venturing is part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young adults, men and women, from the age of 14 years old or 13 years old and completed eighth grade through 21....

 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
Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard was an American illustrator, author, youth leader, and social reformer who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which Beard later merged with the Boy Scouts of America .-Early life:...

, 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 recently 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.".

Council level

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

District level

The district commissioner and the 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 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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.
  • Basic Leader Training for Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner is Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner Training.
  • Basic Leader Training for Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner is Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner and Staff Basic Training.
  • Basic Leader Training for District Commissioners, Assistant District Commissioners, and for Unit Commissioners is Unit Commissioner Orientation.

Recognition

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

Wreath of Service

The "wreath of service" is located on all commissioner position patches. This laurel wreath
Laurel wreath
A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...

 is 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.

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.

List of national commissioners

2008–present Tico Perez
Hector A. "Tico" Perez
Hector A. "Tico" Perez is an American attorney at law and an administrator.He is currently the national commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America , and a member of the executive board of its National Council.-Early life and education:...

2004–2008 Donald D. Belcher
Donald D. Belcher
Donald D. Belcher was Chairman and CEO of Banta Corporation from 1994 until his retirement in 2004.Belcher joined Banta in 1994 as president and chief operating officer. Prior to Banta, Belcher was with Avery Dennison Corporation for more than 20 years culminating in senior group vice president,...

1999–2004 William F. "Rick" Cronk
Rick Cronk
William F. "Rick" Cronk is an American businessman who was co-owner and president of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream. He is a former national president of the Boy Scouts of America and the outgoing chairman of the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.-Business:After...

1995–1999 Frances Olmstead
1985–1995 Earl G. Graves
Earl G. Graves
Earl Gilbert Graves, Sr. is an American entrepreneur, publisher, businessman, and philanthropist. A graduate of Morgan State University, he is the founder of Black Enterprise magazine and chairman of the media company Earl G. Graves, Ltd. He is the current director for Aetna and Executive Board...

1943–1960 George J. Fisher
George J. Fisher
George J. Fisher M.D. was a physician and leader in the fields of youth development and physical fitness in the United States during the early twentieth century. He was a noted advocate for advancing the sport of volleyball....

1910–1941 Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard was an American illustrator, author, youth leader, and social reformer who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which Beard later merged with the Boy Scouts of America .-Early life:...

1910–1912 Peter S. Bomus
1910–1912 William Verbeck
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