Commissioners, Winnebago Council

The Commissioner’s Corner Archive

Daniel King, Council Commissioner

 

 

 

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Daniel F. King – Winnebago Council Commissioner
December, 2009

 

Here we are at the end of 2009 already. Where did this year go?

As you celebrate the holidays, each in your own ways and customs, please take a few moments to reflect back on your scouting activities this past year.

Is your unit delivering the promise?

Are we delivering the promise to all the boys we possibly can?

How do we fulfill the promise for Boy Scouts? We provide a program in which boys can truly be leaders and involved in shaping their future and the future of others around them. We provide a program that is exciting and challenging, one that every Scout wants to tell his friends about!

You may ask, what is considered a successful troop? This is a good question. The ultimate answer is probably a troop where a boy feels that the promise has been fulfilled. Since that feeling is hard to quantify, I will focus on some program items that relate to the promise. The first is the level of program planning in the troop and the amount of youth involvement in the process. Key ingredients are troop elections, junior leader training opportunities, and frequency of patrol leaders' council meetings.

• Does your unit hold an annual planning session?
• How often does your troop hold elections? Recommend every 6 months.
• Does the Scoutmaster provide training for junior leaders annually?
• Does your unit hold patrol leader’s council (PLC) meetings monthly?
• Is your unit Scout led?

Most of it you have heard this useful information before. Good troops do things by the book; they go camping frequently, and have lots of quality adult and scout leadership. As a troop grows in size, the number of quality indicators also increase. It's the old chicken-or-egg problem: which came first, the size or the quality? The fact is: good troops with good programs serve a larger number of Scouts. I believe, once a troop reaches twenty-one Scouts, the level of quality changes significantly.

So let's talk about how we can help you get your troop to grow. Growth will come when you deliver the promise to your current members and have a workable plan to attract new members.

Items for Troop success:

• Scoutmaster has completed basic training within 6 months and Wood Badge within 2 - 3 years.
• Assistant Scoutmaster(s) completed basic training within 6 months and Wood Badge within 2 - 3 years.
• Troop follows traditional troop-meeting pattern (standard troop-meeting plan with two or more skills-training groups).
• Troop has a high ratio of active adults to youth.
• Leaders regularly attend Roundtables.
•  Troop meetings are planned at patrol leaders' council meetings.
•  Troop Program features (Woods Wisdom for the more experienced leaders) is used in planning troop program.
•  A patrol for new Scouts exists, with a troop guide and assistant Scoutmaster.
•  Troop adds at least eight to ten Scouts each year.
•  Troop has an annual minimum of twenty-five days and nights of camping.
•  Troop attends a council long-term camp.
•  Leaders are proficient in outdoor skills.
•  Troop has at least twenty-one active Scouts.
• Troop has a program for older Scouts.
• Troop leadership (scout and adult) interfaces with cub packs.

What steps have you taken to ensure we can continue delivering the promise well into the future? Boy Scout leadership must actively engage Cub Scouts and Cub Scout leaders. This can be accomplished in several ways (here are a few):

- Provide den chiefs.

- Invite to joint (age appropriate) activities.

- Invite to attend regular scheduled troop meetings.

- Attend a pack meeting occasionally (even if just for visibility).

Items for Pack success:

•  Cubmaster has completed basic training within 6 months and Wood Badge within 2 – 3 years.
•  Den leaders have completed basic training within 6 months and Wood Badge within 2 – 3 years.
•  Dens meet on a regular basis (weekly recommended).
•  Pack meets on a regular basis (monthly recommended).
•  Pack and Den meetings are fun.
•  Cub scouts experience a taste of boy scouts to see into the future.

Does your unit need advice or have an issue you need help with? Your first point of contact should always be a commissioner. Your unit commissioner is your friend, representative, doctor, teacher and counselor. If you do not know who your unit commissioner is, contact your District Commissioner.

District Commissioners:

Lakeland: Fred Fox

Twin Rivers: Murray Harris

Sun Rivers: Sherman Lundy

Wabuha: Chris Davis

　

I can be reached at: MTCRET@MCHSI.COM or through the scout office 319-234-2867. I will make every effort to keep regular office hours on Wednesdays from approximately 2:45 until 4:00 PM.

Last but not least, please consider a special year end gift of financial support to the council. I know we all have a limited amount of resources. For those that are able, these gifts will help ensure we deliver the promise into the next decade and beyond. Happy New Year!

　

Yours in Scouting,

Daniel F. King

Pehachpamhangick Achtyou

　

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The Commissioner’s Corner
Daniel F. King,
Winnebago Council Commissioner
August, 2009

Thanks to Rich Adolph’s for his service as Council Commissioner.
Please allow me to introduce myself. I have been a registered adult Scouter since 1987. I have been active in 4 units (both Cub scout and Boy scout), summer camp staff, district and council positions. I am the immediate past council Vice-President for Camp Operations and Outdoor Program and I am a Wood Badge Antelope having had the honor and pleasure to train others, staffing several courses. I am married to the former Rebecca Thies and have nine children and one grand-child. The United States Navy was my first career, I now work at the John Deere Product Engineering Center as an electrical components engineer and reside in Waterloo. So what is a commissioner? Commissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed. They coach and consult with adult leaders of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews. Commissioners help maintain the standards of the Boy Scouts of America. They also oversee the unit charter renewal plan so that each unit reregisters on time with an optimum number of youth and adult members.

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 themselves 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.

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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

It is my sincere hope and prayer to live up to these standards.
(From: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Commissioners.aspx)

Need help? Contact one of your commissioner’s. I can be reached at: MTCRET@MCHSI.COM or through the scout office 319-234-2867. I will try to be in the Winnebago Council Service Center on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

 

 - Yours in Scouting,, Daniel F. King,, Peh-ach-pam-hang-ick Ach-tyou

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The Commissioner’s Log
By Former Council Commissioner Rich Adolfs
August, 2009

The sun’s shining, it’s really hot, and muggy, getting kinda windy, clouds are stacking up, looks like rain on the horizon, yeah, lot’s of rain now, can’t even see, sure cooled down a lot, would feel good if I wasn’t so drenched, goose bumps so big the bugs are using them for landing pads. Rain’s gone, sun is trying to peek out, now it’s really steamy and those ornery mosquitoes won’t leave me alone, the rain washed off my last splash of bug dope. Hmm, summer time in Iowa, more of that character building “Iowa living experience.” Yes, it’s time for your Units and families to take advantage of all the hard work our Program Committees, Camp Directors, Rangers and Staff have put forth to give you an awesome time at one of our Camp properties.

Just a couple random thoughts to share;

Re-chartering is over however for some folks it took some more time than others. If it was your first experience, I am sure you are happy it is over. The electronic re-charter is supposed to make it easier, some could make the argument that it does not, but “The Re-charter process is, what it is!!!”

Re-chartering is necessary; we won’t be able to change it. I know I don’t have to tell you why we need to re-charter, other than to say simply, without our charters we would be no more than a bunch of local clubs with no affiliation or support.

If you have not done so you should consider being a part of an experience that will impact your life in a positive manner, I know for me it was a turning point not only for my Scout Troop, (I was Scoutmaster at the time) but also for my career path. Council Training Chair Ed Narigon and his staff will be hosting a Wood Badge training event late summer and early fall. The skills you learn will be life altering – I guarantee it!!!

It’s time to pass the hat. When one accepts a volunteer position you have a length of time you commit to, mine is a lifetime commitment - to the Scouting program. The positions have changed as dictated by the needs of my family and the Scouting program itself. I must say the hardest hat exchange occurred, when I gave up my role as Scoutmaster after having served in that role for so long.

At this writing my replacement has made it thru the nomination gauntlet but has not been “officially vested” by our Exec Board with the oath process. This person is very familiar to you having served in many capacities. To name only a few, Dan King has served as a Webelos Leader, Cub Day Camp Director, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster. District Training Chair, Council Advancement Chair and most recently as the VP of Camping and Outdoor Program. This is only a small part of his experience but should be enough to let you know of his varied skills and understandings of Unit operation and function.  Please welcome him into the Commissioner Service fold, I know he will do a great job for us.

Lastly I would like to thank you our great volunteers and professionals. You are all part of a very important process of building foundations of character in all our program participants and the commitments made by you and your families are treasured beyond description.

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Webelos Transition Responsibilities Commissioner   Boy Scout Troop   Cub Scout Pack 3a) Be a catalyst in developing good relationships between troop and pack leaders. 3b) Promote communication by scheduling a meeting of key volunteers.  3c) Help plan a Webelos den visit to a troop meeting and other joint activities.  3d) Keep the pack and troop on schedule as plans develop for the crossover ceremony at the blue and gold banquet.  3e) Attend the crossover ceremony. 3f) Be sure new Scouts have completed a Boy Scout application, that they have a copy of the troop's activities, and that they know when and where the troop meets.  3g) Work with the pack and troop in their charter renewal process to help ensure Webelos Scouts are moved from pack rosters to troop rosters. 3h) Work with the Webelos transition chair to follow up on boys who have not yet joined a troop. Make sure they are invited to join a troop. 3i) Be sure Webelos Scouts join a troop in time to prepare for Boy Scout summer camp. 2a) Select Scouts to serve as den chiefs for each Webelos Scout den and Cub Scout den. Arrange for Den Chief Training. 2b) Serve as a resource for overnight activities. The troop can be of service to provide equipment, leadership, and logistics for Webelos parent-son campouts. 2c) Conduct an orientation in the Bear Cub Scout dens to explain the changing role as boys become Webelos Scouts and then again as they become Boy Scouts. Explain how being a Webelos Scout will help prepare them for Boy Scouting. 2d) Webelos den/Scout troop campouts should show Webelos Scouts and their parents what to expect when they move into the troop. The troop should cook and camp by patrol, and use skills that the Webelos Scouts can participate in. 2e) Arrange for Webelos dens to visit a troop meeting. This should be planned several weeks in advance. 2f) Provide each Webelos Scout a copy of the troop's activities for the upcoming year. 2g) Work with Webelos den leaders to encourage them to plan to move into the troop with their Webelos Scouts and to serve either as committee members or assistant Scoutmasters. 2h) Conduct a Scoutmaster conference under the guidance of the Scoutmaster or the assistant designated by the Scoutmaster. This conference should cover the meaning of the Scout Oath and Law, the advancement program, troop camping, the patrol method, summer camp, and personal equipment. 2i) Work with the Cubmaster in planning a meaningful crossover ceremony at the pack's blue and gold banquet. Coordinate the ceremony and arrange for each Webelos Scout to receive a troop neckerchief and Boy Scout Handbook along with his Arrow of Light Award. Members of the Order of the Arrow may assist in the ceremony. 1a) Develop a working relationship with the leadership of a Boy Scout troop or troops in the community. Most troops should have either an assistant Scoutmaster or a committee member assigned to new Scouts. Your unit commissioner can help put you in contact with troop leaders. 1b) Compare calendars of troop and pack activities to coordinate activities. Community events can be done together, and planning can help prevent conflicts in use of equipment and facilities. 1c) Work with troop leaders to secure den chiefs for each Webelos den and Cub Scout den. 1d) Work with troop leaders to plan and conduct Webelos overnight activities. 1e) Work with troop leaders to plan visits to troop meetings. Never show up without first calling in advance. 1f) Invite the Scoutmaster and troop youth leaders to special pack activities. This will help create familiarity and a level of comfort for the Webelos Scouts and their parents as they ease into the troop. 1g) Plan a meaningful crossover ceremony at the pack's blue and gold banquet. Include troop leadership to be present to accept the Webelos Scouts as they graduate to Boy Scouting. The local Order of the Arrow lodge can often be a valuable resource in conducting ceremonies. 1h) Webelos leaders should be strongly encouraged to move into the troop with the boys, either as assistant Scoutmasters or troop committee members. This will give the new Scouts a familiar face at troop meetings and a connecting link to Boy Scouting. 1i) If a troop does not exist in your community, discuss with the head of the pack's chartered organization the possibility of organizing a troop. A graduating Webelos den can form the nucleus of a new troop.