If you need instructions  regarding "How to Use the Electronic Re-Charter Process" you will find a 30 page guide in my files.

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Here is a change of date for turning in your "Completed" Re-Charter:

When your Re-Charter Packet is delivered to your unit, please read this form: "Longhorn Council 2007 (or 2008) Commissioners Award". Read number three (3) and understand your turn-in date is actually 2 weeks prior to the Charter expiration date.
 
Example: Your Re-Charter is due to expire 31 December 2007... In order to qualify for the Commissioners Award, your Re-Charter Packet should be in the hands of the District Executive or in the Council Office located in Waco by 17 December 2007. You cannot deliver your packet to Council without ALL appropriate signatures!
 
To insure your paperwork is correct, have your Unit Commissioner, an Assistant District Commissioner, or the District Commissioner review the packet for completeness one week before turning the packet over to a Council Representative. This will allow you to gain the needed signature to qualify for "On-Time" Re-Charter and the Commissioners Award. One of the benefits of being a Commissioner's Award unit in 2007 is that your unit gets $1.40 per rechartered registered youth credited to the Scout Shop Scout Bucks. These "bucks" can be used to buy Scout rank/awards. (This dollar value comes from the Mustang District Website.)

Be sure to review ALL paperwork in the Re-Charter Packet and obtain needed signatures in a timely fashion. When you turn your Re-Charter Packet over to the DE, DC, or UC, please be sure to ask for a "FIELD RECEiPT." A receipt is your proof the packet was turned over in a timely fashion.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Robert Kratzer, Leon Valley District Commissioner.

 

 

 

Leon Valley District

District Commissioner Meeting Agenda

25 August 2007

 

 

Welcome and Greetings

 

DE Introduction and Minutes:

 

**We will follow this agenda, once completed we will have open discussion.

 

Unit Health Reports/ Unit Visit Report:

I really need this information on your Unit Visitations by the third Monday of each month. I had emailed each Commissioner a Red/Yellow/Green Unit Health Report and asked for a response for their Units. I need your true assessment of each Unit. Recently, I had to give a Report to Council and filled in what I thought where each Units Health ranks. (The Unit Health Report is not a monthly report.)

**Do any of your Units need help and if so, what sort of help?

 

Centennial Quality Unit:

Here are the 2007 Centennial Quality Unit Award Commitment Forms which I have received:

Troop(s)—222, 223, 224, 229, 259

Crew(s)—229

Pack(s)—207,222, 241, 253, 255, 259

Total—12 out of the whole District

**If you do not see your Units mentioned please get me a copy of the form they already filled out with all signatures, or make sure your Unit completes one before the next Roundtable.

**Units earliest this award can be earned is October 1^st and the latest is December 31^st. While not tied to Rechartering, commissioner can combine the CQUA completion paperwork with recharter processing for Nov., Dec., and Jan. Units to utilize time effectively. LDS-The Bishop can sign the Centennial Quality Unit Award Commitment Form.

 

Re-Charter:

Due in August—Troop 261

Due in September—Pack 248, Troop 253

Due in October—Pack 243

Due in November—Pack 234, Troop 234, Troop 255

**July 28 I had turned over the following Re-Charter Packets to UC’s: Pack 243 and Troop 253. Please be sure the Units are completing the process in a timely fashion.

**Units can qualify for what the Council calls “Commissioner Bucks” for on-time Re-Charter. The Commissioner would have to complete the Commissioner Checklist in the packets.

***Re-Charter Packets available for Units: Pack 234, Troop(s) 234, 245, 255, and 259. Please be sure to have the back of the Envelope filled out by the Unit Rep and turn into me.

 

 

Leon Valley District

District Commissioner Meeting Agenda

25 August 2007 cont’

  

I had Greg post a link for Re-Charter reminders for Units. To qualify for the Commissioner Bucks the packet must be at Council 2(two) weeks prior to the Re-Charter Date.

**With the Commissioner Service providing Re-Charter Packets in a timely fashion, Units have no excuse when the “time limits” come into play.

***LDS Units—Church leaders of each LDS Stake in the Council have been asked to organize a Charter Renewal Turn-In for all Wards to be conducted on one day. The specific charter renewal meeting in the church facilitates church leaders reviewing all paperwork, easily identifying the primary registration of leaders that will be multiple registered throughout the church’s units, and writing one check form the LDS Stake.

 

Unit Training Status:

Please contact all of your units and get a list of trained leaders. Be sure to inform the Unit Leadership there is a “Super Saturday Training Day” 15 September 2007. The information can be found on the District Website. Remind Unit Leaders Roundtable can also be a Training Session for Leaders. To accomplish this, the RT CS Commissioner needs volunteers to assist with Leader Breakouts.

 

Notes:

 

15 September 2007 – Super Saturday (Training)

 

Popcorn Time! Be sure your Units take advantage of this Money Earning Project.

 

Promote our District Website and the link to the Commissioner Space (Blog).

 

School Rallies – Please be sure to schedule your time around assisting Units during this time. Membership is important and this is the “Prime Recruiting” time of the year.

 

Thank you to the leaders who had the chance to attend the Commissioners College. We had a GREAT turnout and the Council noticed.

 

As always, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your service to the Units of Leon Valley District. Pat yourself on the back! Atta boy/girl…

 

 

Robert Kratzer

District Commissioner,

Leon Valley District

leonvalleydistrictcommissioner@hotmail.com

  

This is an information note from the DE which I sent to all Unti Leader for whom I have an email address.

 

Copied below you will see the DE's note to Units with reference to Rally Training/Rally Box (all sorts of items) for Rally Night. Please make sure your leaders know this night and have at least one person stop by Immanuel Lutheran Church for these supplies.

We will be having "Rally Training" on Tuesday, August 28th, at 6:30.  This will mostly just be a chance for everyone to pick up their rally packets, and to ask questions if they have any.  Let me know if you think there is a better date and time for this.  Also, is this too short of notice?

Could you please email a response to the DE @ bsaleonvalley@aol.com and myself @ loenvalleydistrictcommissioner@hotmail.com

If you need some ideas for "Rally Night", there is a link on the District Website. I had scanned a few pages for leaders to use if they choose.  If for some reason your unit cannot attend, please call the DE to setup a time to pick up your Rally Box. TY 

Hello Leaders and Popcorn Kernels,

 

If you are looking for Popcron information, please click this link: http://www.leonvalleydistrict.org/Popcorn/Popcorn.htm 

That link will take you to the Popcorn Page on the Leon Valley District website. The forms are downloadable!

 

To all who were in attendance at a recent District meeting,

 

As the District Commissioner for Leon Valley District and a person who cares about others, I would like to offer my apologies for statements made by a leader at a recent meeting. Such statements are uncalled for and offensive under any circumstance. Please accept my apologies and feel free to contact me if you want to discuss what you observed. This will not happen again! Please trust me.

  

Robert Kratzer

LVD District Commissioner  

 

Leon Valley District Commissioner Notes

July 2007 Roundtable

 Due to extenuating circumstances, Leon Valley District is without a District Executive. The circumstances surrounding this will not be made public. The District leadership appreciates your understanding. David Chapman, Filed Director for Southern Districts will be standing in for the DE in the same way Kevin Steffy did. Robert Kratzer will be the POC for the District until further notice. It’s important that we work as a team to insure the youth in our District have a good program. Before you know it the school year will be upon us. We want our District to grow but that can only happen if we work hard to make it happen.

 Unit Assessment Form: Each Unit must complete this form. Upon completion, please be sure to contact your Commissioner or the District Commissioner. I will email you the appropriate form. New standard: A copy WILL NOT be forwarded to Council.  

 The District Activities Calendar for the upcoming Scouting (2007) year has been approved. In order for “OUR” District to succeed, we need volunteers to step forward to assist with activities such as: Cub Scout Fun Day, District Camporee, the Scout Show, Cub Scout Olympics, and the like. *If you want a Leon Valley District to operate a Cub Scout Day Camp in 2008, please submit your name to volunteer as a Camp or Program Director. National Camp School attendance will be paid for by the Council.

 Future Happenings:

09 August 2007 – Hood Howdy

15 September 2007 – LVD Super Saturday (Training Sessions)

29 September 2007 – Leon Valley Cub Scout Fun Day (Killeen)

06 October 2007 – Cub Scout Family Adventure, Camp Tahuaya (Belton)

20 October 2007 – Fall Festival and Haunted Hayride, Camp Tahuaya (Belton)

03 November 2007 – Cub Scout Fish-O-Ree, Camp Tahuaya (Belton)

See the District website for the following information: “Boy Scout Night as the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. 23 July 2007 @ 7:05 p.m.

Need CS Meeting ideas? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cubscout_roundtable/

Volunteer to serve on the Roundtable Staff! Your volunteer service can only make the Unit Leaders experience more positive.

Be sure to look for new information on the LVD website: http://www.leonvalleydistrict.org/

If you have any questions or comments please contact:

Robert Kratzer, District Commissioner, Leon Valley District @ leonvalleydistrictcommissioner@hotmail.com

 

District Commissioner Notes from the Key 3 and District Committee Meetings

Sean Vandercook is no longer serving as the District Executive. David Chapman, Field Director for the Southern Districts in Longhorn Council will serve as the DE until someone is hired. Please refer any questions, forms, etc... to Robert Kratzer, District Commissioner, Leon Valley.

7 July is a make-up day for the Cub Scout Day Camp. This day will be held at Camp Tahuaya.

Leon Valley District Committee’s Meeting will be held on the FIRST MONDAY of the month at EXTRACO Bank. Starting time is 5:30 p.m. (17:30).

Leon Valley Roundtable will be held the SECOND TUESDAY of the MONTH at IMMAUNEL LUTHERN CHURCH. Starting time will be 7:00 p.m. (19:00).

Brett Pritchard, Leon Valley District Chairman has appointed most of his Committee Chairs. This will allow our District to begin a program which will bring new members, train the new leaders, and run a GREAT PROGRAM for the YOUTH in our District. During this meeting we set ACTIVITIES for the scout year. The Calendar was positively voted in. This information will be merged into our District Calendar web page.

There will be a Cub Scout Fun Day 29 September. This will be held in a public area such as Lions Park or the like.

District Operations Training will be offered 18 August 2007 in Hillsboro. There will be splits for the different operating committee’s. Please attend to keep your knowledge fresh! As you all know, BSA’s regulations are always changing.

The will be a Commissioners Basic Training 28 July2007 in place of our DC Monthly Meeting. This will be tentatively held at the Pershing Park Community Center. IF possible, we may hold this training at Immanuel Church. All Commissioners are expected to attend. I’ll be sure to have Training Cards available for your completion. New Commissioners need this training.

Commissioners College is will be offered 4 August 2007 at Texas Christian University. Anyone can attend! Commissioners should attend to refresh their knowledge or attend for the first time. This is a great learning tool! For information and registration, please see the Council Website or ask me to send the information packet to your email address.

I would like to take this time to thank every volunteer who shares their time trying to make Scouting available in our community. Our youth need something positive in these trying times and you make that possible.

Robert Kratzer, Leon Valley District Commissioner; leonvalleydistrictcommissioner@hotmail.com

Off To Summer Camp

 

Greetings Commissioners! I have just returned from a great but very wet National Camp School Experience. This was my third NCS, but the first on the Boy Scout side. I had learned much and made new friends.

 

Please remember your Units Re-Charters. If they are due, please ensure they are done on time. I will post their information soon. If there are any questions or you need signatures, please contact Sean. You can call me, but I am not sure of the signal at Tahuaya. I’ll check my email when possible.

 

Thank you for your service to Scouting.

 

Leon Valley District Commissioner Notes

May 2007 Roundtable

 

 

Unit Assessment Form: Each Unit must complete this form. Upon completion, please be sure to contact your Commissioner or the District Commissioner. I will email you the appropriate form. Go to the following link to download copies: www.scouting.org/commissioners/resources/index.html   

Units, Meeting Place, and POC’s: - Please be sure to look the pages over and replace incorrect information with the correct information. Be sure to add a “working” email address which will be used by the District to insure information is getting to Units. We would prefer 3 different leaders email addresses.  Your email address will only be made public if you approve, otherwise it will be used to disseminate District and Council information.   

 

If you know anyone such as an old Scouter who can VOLUNTEER time as a Unit Commissioner, please contact me and I will call them. As the DC, my goal is to have a UC assigned to 2 Units, hopefully with no other Scout position held at the same time. You can let them know they would be obligated to one hour visit per Unit, one phone contact with each Unit, and attendance at the DC Meeting. This equals a possible maximum of 4 hours per month.

 

The District is beginning work on the District Activities Calendar (tentative) for the upcoming Scouting year. In order for “OUR” District to succeed, we need volunteers to step forward to assist with activities such as: Cub Scout Fun Day, District Camporee, the Scout Show, Cub Scout Olympics, and the like. These are just examples!

 

Brenda Kidd our Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner is looking for VOLUNTEERS to be part of her “RT Team.”  Your RT will succeed with greater participation. KISSMF! Join her Yahoo Group for RT information and ideas.  

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cubscout_roundtable/

 

District Commissioner Administrative Notes for Unit Operation(s):

 

The operation of Packs and Troops is a separate process. Most “sister units” do not share the same Charted Organization, but if this is the case, each unit will have separate Unit Leadership. Packs do not operate in the same manner as Troops; do not share that same committee, etc...

 

The Pack leadership consists of Den Leaders, Den Leader Coach, the Chartered Organization Representative, the Pack Committee Chairperson, the Pack Committee and the Cub Master. These are adult positions. Review what each one accomplishes in a Pack. The Pack Committee takes care of the administrative needs of the pack. It is organized and chaired by the Pack Committee Chairperson.

 

The Pack Committee Chairperson organizes and facilitates the running of the Pack committee. This person works with the Cub Master and Chartered Organization Representative to make sure that the responsibilities of the Pack Committee are being met.

 

Troops are “BOY” lead, with adults serving as advisors, not adults leading the program. A troop is actually run by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.  

 

The patrol leaders' council, not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the troop's activities. The patrol leaders' council is composed of the following voting members: senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, troop guide, Venture crew chief, Varsity team captain.  

 

Chartered Organization Representative: This person is the liaison between the Scout Unit, the chartered organization, and the BSA. They make sure that the chartered organization is aware of what the Scout Unit is doing, and coordinates activities between the chartered organization and the Scout Unit. It is also the responsibility of the chartered organization representative to communicate any relevant policies that the charter organization has to the Scout Units committee.

A point that a new Scouter often misses is that the chartered organization 'owns' the Pack, not the Pack committee. The Pack committee is simply an administrative arm of the chartered organization.

 

UNIT FINANCE - BANK ACCOUNTS

Each Scout Unit should have its own bank account maintained by its treasurer. Scout Unit monies should never be deposited in a personal bank or checking account. To insure that monies are properly accounted for the Scout Units Committee should set up controls; e.g. limiting the number of persons who can sign Pack checks, requiring advance approval of expenditures in excess of a certain amount, monthly reports, etc. At a minimum the Pack Committee must decide who will:

 

Ø      Sign account signature cards and checks

Ø      Make deposits

Ø      Have checks available for use

Ø      Approve expenses and at what level

Ø      Two signatures on any check

 

Feel free to contact you Unit Commissioner or area ADC. Most of all, feel free to contact me for guidance, assistance, etc... Commissioners are here to serve the Units!

 

Robert Kratzer, LVDC

 

leonvalleydistrictcommissioner@hotmail and/or 539-4228

Leon Valley District had a successful Pinewood Derby on Saturday, 14 April 2007. CONGRATULATIONS to all the boys who were part of this fine event. I would like to thank Mr. Dugger and his crew who made this activity work well. Many thanks go out the Harker Heights VFW Post 3892 for their support of Pack 274, its leaders, and the 2007 Pinewood Derby. Vroooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! Begin to fine-tune your cars for next eyars Pinewood Derby.

 

District Commissioner Notes

10 April Roundtable

Re-Charters:  Those Re-Charters which were due in March please be sure to turn your packet into the DE – Sean Vandercook. Have your Commissioner review your packet prior turn-in if possible.  **Remember your Re-Charter is not complete until the packet with funds is turned into the Council. The “Electronic Portion” does not complete the process. If you have already turned your packet with check into Council, please let me know at the email listed below.

Centennial Unit Award: If you have not completed this form, you can still complete and turn into Council through your UC and/or DC.

Unit Assessment Form: Each Unit must complete this form. Upon completion, please be sure to contact your Commissioner or the District Commissioner if you have no UC. Contact my email address and I can email you the appropriate form.

Brenda Kidd our Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner is looking for VOLUNTEERS to be part of her “RT Team.”  Your RT will succeed with greater participation. KISSMF!

20-22 April is “National & Global Youth Service Day” – BSA is a National Service Partner – see www.goodturnforamerica.org

April is “Youth Protection Month” – Ensure Unit Adult Leaders (others also) take the on-line Youth Protection Training offered at http://olc.scouting.org

If you know anyone such as an old Scouter who can VOLUNTEER time as a Unit Commissioner, please contact me and I will call them. As the DC, my goal is to have a UC assigned to 2 Units, hopefully with no other Scout position held at the same time. You can let them know they would be obligated to one hour visit per Unit, one phone contact with each Unit, and attendance at the DC Meeting. This equals a possible maximum of 4 hours per month.

Units, Meeting Place, and POC’s: - Please be sure to look the pages over and replace incorrect information with the correct information. Be sure to add a “working” email address which will be used by the District to insure information is getting to Units. We would prefer 3 different leaders email addresses.  Your email address will only be made public if you approve, otherwise it will be used to disseminate District and Council information.

Robert Kratzer. Leon Valley District Commissioner

Email: leonvalleydistrictcommissioner@hotmail.com

Leon Valley Commissioner Meeting

Saturday, March 31, 2007

09:00 Saturday

Welcome and Introductions

  Objectives of Meeting

• Review Status of Commissioner Staff
• Re-charter and Service
• Brainstorm and Identify Potential Commissioners
• Regular Meeting Schedule with Monthly Training
• Health Status of Units and Identify immediate needs

   Commissioner Staff Recruits

• Dropped Leader lists
• Friends and associates
• COR Letter for UC Volunteer

 Re-chartering

• UCRS (Unit Charter Renewal Status)

 Unit Health

• Unit Self Assessments
• Commissioner Health Speculation
• Commissioner Monthly Unit Visit Reports
• UC Monthly Visit Reports

  Other Business

 *LDS Commissioner Service Plan

*Contact list with 2-3 leaders for each Unit in the District.

*Cub Scout Day Camp POC is Brenda Kidd

**April is YOUTH PROTECTION MONTH—Make sure your Units are currently trained.

Centennial Unit Awards- per the Council Commissioner---If Units have not completed their Cent. Unit Award, please work with the Units towards completion. The Council does not want a Unit to go without this being complete and is giving us more time.  (Measuring stick for Quality Unit) Provide copies of these forms with the appropriate signatures in order for the DE or myself for turn-in at the Council (Centennial Unit Award soon to be available on-line)

Unit Self-Assessment- Per Council, this form needs to be completed before the Cent. Unit award and turned in with the CU Award Application. Please be sure to complete these forms, make a copy for yourself, the Unit, and the Council.  Be sure to formulate an “action plan” for each Unit.

Adult members not renewed- Contact these people to inquire as to why they left scouting. During this contact, ask if they would consider working on the Commissioner Staff.

Webelos-to-Scout Transition- Information needed is: name, unit, time to transition. This may have happened at the Packs Blue & Gold ceremony. If the transition has not been completed yet, please be sure to let the DC know as soon as the information is available.

Philmont Training for experienced Commissioners -- August 5-11; other Commissioner

Training—June 24-30 and July 29- August 4

Longhorn College of Commissioner Science will be 04 Aug 2007

Commissioner Interest at National Level:

*Commissioner Fast Start is being developed for on-line usage.

*District Operations Game (DVD)

*Council Board Orientation—interactive DVD out by May 2007

*National Commissioners website has Podcasts available with extensive information       which all Commissioners can utilize.

*National is re-writing all Commissioner Materials.

Leon Valley DC email – leonvalleydistrictcommissioner@hotmail.com

Leon Valley Commissioner Blog- http://leonvalleydistrictcomm.spaces.live.com/

**This information will be on the blog and emailed to each Commissioner. Please be sure to acknowledge/respond to my emails.

 

 

 Those in attendence:Robert, Gerry, John H

 

Re-Charters:  Those Re-Charters which are due in March please be sure to turn your packet into the DE – Sean Vandercook. Have your Commissioner review your packet prior turn-in if possible.

 **Remember your Re-Charter is not complete until the packet with funds is turned into the Council. If your Re-Charter is late you unit will not qualify for “Quality Unit.” The “Electronic Portion” does not complete the process.

Centennial Unit Award: If you have not completed this form, we have until the 27 March 2007 to complete and turn into Council. (UC and/or DC)

Unit Assessment Form: Each Unit must complete this form. Upon completion, please be sure to contact your Commissioner or the District Commissioner if you have no UC. Contact my email address and I can email you the appropriate form.

Units, Meeting Place, and POC’s: Please be sure to look the pages over and replace incorrect information with the correct information. Be sure to add a “working” email address which will be used by the District to insure information is getting to Units. We would prefer 3 different leaders email addresses.

 

The Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner is looking for VOLUNTEERS to be part of her “RT Team.”  Your RT will succeed with greater participation. KISSMF!

 

If you know anyone who can VOLUNTEER time as a Unit Commissioner, please contact me and I will call them.

The Hood Howdy went well. According to Art Juno, Leon Valley District Chairman, we had more inquiries than previous Hood Howdy’s he was part of.

20-22 April is “National & Global Youth Service Day” – BSA is a National Service Partner – see www.goodturnforamerica.org

 

April is “Youth Protection Month” – Ensure Unit Adult Leaders (others also) take the on-line Youth Protection Training offered at http://olc.scouting.org

 

Leon Valley District Commissioner Meeting Notes

24 Feb 2007

Meeting attendees where; Robert K., Kevin S., John H., and Forest P.

 The Commissioner Staff Meeting has been set for the “First Tuesday” of the month @ 19:00 hrs. This meeting will be held at the DE Office until all Commissioner Staff otherwise decides on a new location. This meeting allows the DC to disseminate information from the Council and allow the Commissioner Staff to discuss our Units health.

Commissioners emphasize with Unit Leaders that training leads to a better program for the boys. BSA offers the following e-learning courses: Cub Scout Leader Fast Start, Boy Scout Leader Fast Start, Youth Protection, Venturing Advisor Fast, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and the Troop Committee Challenge. There are many other “Supplemental Training options available on-line also at http://olc.scouting.org/ , BSA Online Learning Center. Unit Leaders can gain knowledge form a Pow Wow, Scout University, Monthly Roundtable, and local training sessions.

Charter Organization Representative’s have a voice on the District and Council level. Commissioners and the District Executive should be proactive with COR’s, making sure they understand what role they play in Scouting. Training is needed for COR’s.

Guidance for the COR: As a Chartered Organization Representative, you hold a key position in Scouting. While there is honor attached to this position, it is not an "honorary" one. Your primary function is to ensure that the chartered organization's Scouting program succeeds. The COR is head of the "Scouting department" in the organization, and as such the responsibilities of the units and leadership is ultimately the COR's responsibility.

UC’s/ADC’s, I need information from your units with the information of Webelos who have “Bridged” into Boy Scouts recently. Please be sure to add what CS Unit they bridged and the Troop the now joined.

The new “Quality Unit” patch is available from Longhorn Council at the cost of $0.25 per patch. There is also a new Longhorn Council Patch which looks exactly like the current one, but with a black thread boarder.

Kevin is still interviewing to fill the District Executive position.

I would like for the Commissioner Staff to talk to friends and former Scouters who may have left Scouting. As we all know, our District is in need of volunteers for the Commissioner Staff, Roundtable, and Unit Leadership. If needed, Kevin or I can talk to them face-to-face. Invite them to attend a Roundtable.

Monthly Unit Visitation helps provide the District with the status of a unit’s health. Be sure to forward your Monthly Visitation Report to the District Commissioner.

Thank you again for your service to the community through Boy Scouts.

Leon Valley District Commissioner

 

 

 

 This information was brought to the attention of those who did attend the 13 February 2007 Roundtable. Please remind your Units this option is available. Units in the District also need to understand their Re-Charter is not complete until it is turned into Council with the Charter payment. Electronic Re-Charter does not mean the objective is complete. Units receive Re-Charter Packets which are to be returned to the Council for completion. 

 As your new District Commissioner, I hope this will become an effective tool for the Commissioner Staff in Leon Valley District.

 Robert Kratzer, Leon Valley District Commissioner, YIS

 

How are commissioners selected?

Selection process and criteria vary depending on the position.

Unit Commissioners are appointed by the district commissioner with the approval of the council executive board.

Unit commissioners should—

• Have excellent people skills
• Have a Scouting background or be fast-track learners
• Know and practice Scouting ideals

Assistant District Commissioners are appointed by the district commissioner with the approval of the council executive board.

Assistant district commissioners should—

• Be able to recruit and work through a team of unit commissioners.
• Have excellent people skills
• Have a broad Scouting background or be fast-track learners
• Know and practice Scouting ideals

Roundtable Commissioners are appointed by the district commissioner with the approval of the council executive board.

Roundtable commissioners should—

• Be congenial and enthusiastic performers
• Have the ability to recruit a roundtable staff
• Have a good Scouting program background in the program for which they will run roundtables
• Be a good planner

District Commissioners are approved and appointed by the council executive board, with the concurrence of the Scout executive, on the recommendation of the district nominating committee.

District commissioners should—

• Be widely respected in the community
• Be an enthusiastic leader of adults
• Have the ability to recruit a complete team of commissioners for their districts
• Have the ability to guide and motivate commissioners to visit units regularly, identify unit needs, and help unit adults to meet needs
• Be a role model of Scouting ideals

Assistant Council Commissioners are appointed by the council commissioner with the approval of the council executive board.

Assistant council commissioners should have some of the criteria for district commissioners and/or council commissioners.

A Council Commissioner is elected at the annual meeting of the local council after selection by the council nominating committee.

The council commissioner should—

• Have the ability and proven experience to lead and meet objectives through a large structure of other people
• Become a role model of exceptional Scouting service to units throughout the council
• Be a person with a vision of how a good unit program helps youth stay in the program long enough to learn Scouting values
• Have the ability to develop a good working relationship with the Scout executive and professional staff advisor, characterized by mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual recognition of each other's role and competency

Commissioners must not be registered simultaneously as unit leaders. Some commissioners may be registered on a unit committee because they have a son in the unit or because of previous personal history in the unit, but their principle Scouting obligation should be with commissioner responsibilities. Commissioners may be currently registered in only one commissioner position.

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.