Commissioner Training

Training is the first step in preparing you to provide Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venture Crews with the quality service these units need as they continue to support the growth and development of their youth members. Training helps you to prepare for and better understand your role as a “friend and helper” to these units. Training also provides you with the opportunity to acquire a lot of knowledge in a short period of time as you continue on your journey of lifelong learning.

Commissioner Service
The Commissioner Service exists to help units provide the best possible Scouting program for their youth members. A quality program helps assure that individual Scouts have the best opportunity for developing good character traits, citizenship skills, and personal fitness -- the Aims of Scouting.

The Commissioner Service is the organization within Scouting that provides a program of unit service. Because of the importance of unit service to the successful delivery of the Scouting program, you will find Commissioners at every level of Scouting. All of these Commissioners are there as a team to help assure that individual Scouts get the best possible program.

Whether you are a new Unit Commissioner, a Roundtable Commissioner, or thinking about becoming a District Commissioner, there are a number of training opportunities to help explore what the job entails and how to do it better.

“Commissioner Annual Orientation”, Video-04DVD03 (23 min)
For an introduction to how a Commissioner may help unit or district, view the video, Commissioner Annual Orientation. The video is available from your District Commissioner. It is also a good idea to set up a date for a personal orientation session with your Assistant District Commissioner or District Commissioner to gain a better understanding of your responsibilities as part of the Commissioner team.

Unit Commissioner Fast Start
Fast Start Training gives you a quick introduction to Unit Commissioner Service. Take this as soon as you join the Commissioner Service. Go to the Online Learning Center to take this training!

Commissioner Basic Training
Once you have viewed the Commissioner orientation video, your next step is to attend Commissioner Basic Training. This training, which may be given in multi-sessions or in one day, will give you more detailed information on how you can best help the units you serve. It's broken down into the following sections:

Aims And Methods of Scouting - The big picture of Scouting.
Commissioners Role / Job Description – You are a unit’s best friend.
How To Help – Working with people and paperwork.
Unit Visitations – Quality Unit, Training, and Recognition programs.
Critical Actions – How to save a unit with major problems.

See Smoke Signals or the Scouting Calendar page of the website for the next course, or contact your District Commissioner to set up a special course. Once you have completed both Commissioner Orientation and Commissioner Basic Training, you are eligible to wear the “Trained” patch on your uniform.

Commissioner’s College
The extensive College of Commissioner Science curriculum offers skill development for all Commissioners, from the newest to the most seasoned and across every Commissioner role: unit, roundtable, district, and council.

And if you’re not a commissioner? This is a great training opportunity for all volunteers and professionals to better understand Commissioner duties and the role the Commissioner plays in district and council operations.

For fun, fellowship and knowledge, and for advanced training degrees representing your commitment to Scouting and Commissioner service, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! There is an annual spring course in Syracuse. See Smoke Signals or the Scouting Calendar for the next available course.