The Commissioner is the liaison between the local Council and Scouting Units. The Commissioner's mission is to keep units operating at maximum efficiency, maintain regular contact with unit leaders, counsel leaders on where to find assistance, note weaknesses in programs, and suggest remedies. The Commissioner is successful when units effectively deliver the ideals of Scouting to their members.

"SCOUTING" magazine calls the Commissioner "a combination of adviser, counselor, information and idea resource person, and cheerleader."

Commissioners have "one essential goal: Do whatever it takes to help unit leaders succeed in effectively delivering the ideals of Scouting."

If you are a unit leader, the kind of Commissioner you'll want to get to know best is called the Unit Commissioner. He or she is specifically assigned to your unit to help you succeed. Your Unit Commissioner becomes your key liaison between your unit and your District and Council.

There are other types of Commissioners, including Council Commissioners and Assistant Council Commissioners, District Commissioners and Assistant District Commissioners, and Roundtable Commissioners. These folks are equally important to the successful delivery of the Scouting program throughout your Council and District, but for Packs, Troops, and Crews, the Unit Commissioner is going to work most closely with you and your unit.

Roles the Commissioner Plays
A Commissioner plays several roles, including friend, representative, unit "doctor," teacher, and counselor.

The Commissioner is a friend of the unit. Of all their roles, this one is the most important. It springs from the attitude, "I care, I am here to help, what can I do for you?" Caring is the ingredient that makes Commissioner service successful. He or she is an advocate of unit needs. A Commissioner who makes himself known and accepted now will be called on in future times of trouble.

The Commissioner is a representative. The average unit leader is totally occupied in working with kids. Some have little if any contact with the Boy Scouts of America other than a Commissioner's visit to their meeting. To them, the Commissioner may be the BSA. The Commissioner helps represent the ideals, the principles, and the policies of the Scouting movement.

The Commissioner is a unit "doctor". In their role as "doctor," they know that prevention is better than a cure, so they try to see that their units make good "health practices" a way of life. When problems arise, and they will even in the best unit, they act quickly. They observe symptoms, diagnose the real ailment, prescribe a remedy, and follow up on the patient.

The Commissioner is a teacher. As a Commissioner, they will have a wonderful opportunity to participate in the growth of unit leaders by sharing knowledge with them. They teach not just in an academic environment, but where it counts most-as an immediate response to a need to know. That is the best adult learning situation since the lesson is instantly reinforced by practical application of the new knowledge.

The Commissioner is a counselor. As a Scouting counselor, they will help units solve their own problems. Counseling is the best role when unit leaders don't recognize a problem and where solutions are not clear-cut. Everyone needs counseling from time to time, even experienced leaders.

Ways Unit Commissioners Can Help a Unit

• Brainstorm with leaders to find solutions to unit problems.
• Listen to unit leaders' needs, ideas, and suggestions, and communicate these "up" to the District and Council.
• Find and suggest resources that will help you have better Scouting activities and programs in your unit.
• Facilitate a strong relationship between your unit and its sponsor.
• Help you re-charter your unit each year, on time and as painlessly as possible.
• Help you grow and maintain an active unit committee.
• Help Troops grow through the Webelos-to-Scout transition process.
• Develop ways to recognize your top adult leaders for their contributions to the unit and Scouting.
• Troubleshoot unit problems and identify solutions.
• Help your unit's program and activities stay pointed toward "true North."