The role of commissioners is to help units succeed,
thus it is necessary for them to know at what units
are trying to succeed. A unit is the basic structure
operated by a chartered organization to deliver the
program of the Boy Scouts of America to youth members.
The BSA works with and through the chartered organization
to serve youth.
It is important that the chartered organization be served
by the commissioner.
Delivery System
Councils, districts, or national publications are trying
to do an excellent job in generating program support
for the unit. We have efficiently loaded the cargo into
the vehicle. But no matter how valuable the cargo, it
will be of little use if the vehicle doesn't run properly.
Unless Scouting units are strong and efficient, the
program won't reach the boy. No matter how well organized
the council and district, the program delivery system
stalls or fails with weak units.
Concept Statement
The concept for today's commissioner service focuses
on the unit. Commissioners have a specific mission:
to keep the units operating at maximum efficiency so
that they can deliver the program to a growing membership.
Today's commissioners are results-oriented rather than
procedures-oriented. They are successful in their mission
when units continue to operate, units regularly accept
new boys, and units effectively deliver the ideals of
Scouting to their members.
Commissioners are also involved with carrying programs
to the unit, but their main concern is to develop strength
in the unit operation.
In other words, the concept calls for commissioners
to develop program capability in a unit. They are neither
program specialists nor production experts, although
they are concerned and knowledgeable in both fields.
Their activity is focused, not on program or production,
but on the unit.
Strength
Commissioners must be sufficient in number, to fill
the needs of the council and district. They must be
trained and guided in their efforts.
Unit commissioners are accountable for the success
of their assigned units. T ' here is no formula for
numbers of commissioners or frequency of unit contracts.
Numbers and methods should be determined by the needs
of units to be served.,
Functional Assistants
Where large numbers of commissioners or wide geographic
considerations are involved, it may be desirable to
appoint functional assistants to aid in the accomplishment
of the mission. Assignments might be the servicing of
new units or administering charter renewal sessions,
for example.
Extreme care should be exercised in the addition of
assistant commissioners to the commissioner staff. The
staff structure must be dictated by the needs of the
council and district and the units to be served.
Operating Committees
Effective unit service should include the help of operating
committees. Providing service to units is the opportunity
of all council and district personnel. It is important
that commissioners use operating committee members whenever
practical.
