Welcome to Unit Service in Scouting America! As a commissioner, you play a vital role in supporting unit leaders, strengthening programs, and helping deliver a positive Scouting experience for every youth and family.
Commissioners serve as mentors, coaches, and trusted resources who help units succeed through encouragement, communication, and service. This onboarding page is designed to provide you with the tools, training, resources, and guidance needed to begin your commissioner journey with confidence.
Thank you for stepping forward to serve others and uphold the mission of Scouting America. Your leadership, experience, and commitment will make a lasting impact on the units and communities you support.
Commissioner Position Training
Commissioners are considered trained when they complete the prescribed online Position-Specific Training (located on My.Scouting.Org Learning Center) or the facilitated In-Person Instructor-Led Position-Specific Training, and have completed their onboarding for their registered position.
Orientation
Who are the commissioners, and what do we do? The above orientation video will help all new commissioners (regardless of their position) become acquainted with the culture of unit service and guide them through their first steps in preparing for their new role.
- Envisions what effective Unit Service in the Council will look like and what goals must be accomplished to fulfill that vision.
- Represents volunteers and Scouts to the Council’s executive board, executive committee, and its professionals.
- Recruits Assistant Council Commissioners and an adequate number of other Administrative, Roundtable, and Unit Commissioners to provide effective Unit Service.
- Retains Commissioners and units (ensuring Commissioners are given assignments that fit well with their passion, potential, and priorities and recognizing their achievements and that units receive effective service to support retention).
- Enables Commissioners to be successful (including ensuring Commissioners complete onboarding, and training, are given assignments that are a good match for their passion, potential and priorities, are provided with a clear definition of success and are recognized for their achievements).
Onboarding and Arrowhead Award Records for Council Commissioner & Assistant Council Commissioner
- Envisions what effective Unit Service in the District will look like and what goals must be accomplished to fulfill that vision.
- Represents volunteers and Scouts to the District Committee.
- Recruits an adequate number of Assistant District Commissioners, Roundtable Commissioners, and Unit Commissioners to provide effective Unit Service.
- Retains Commissioners and units (ensuring Commissioners are given assignments that fit well with their passion, potential, and priorities and recognizing their achievements and that units receive effective service to support retention).
- Enables Commissioners to be successful (including ensuring Commissioners complete onboarding, and training, are given assignments that are a good match for their passion, potential and priorities, are provided with a clear definition of success and are recognized for their achievements).
Onboarding and Arrowhead Award Records for District Commissioner & Assistant District Commissioner
Roundtables serve unit leaders by:
- Providing networking opportunities
- Offering current program training
- Providing and capturing information through unit leader/commissioner collaboration
Onboarding and Arrowhead Award Records for Roundtable Commissioners & Assistant Roundtable Commissioners
- Build Relationships: Foster trust and open communication with unit leaders through regular contact and visits.
- Provide Guidance: Support adult leaders in delivering a safe, high-quality Scouting program that follows national standards.
- Connect Resources: Link units to district and council committees for help with training, advancement, special needs, and membership.
- Assist Charter Renewal: Guide units through the annual charter renewal process to ensure on-time submission.
- Track Progress: Help units use evaluation tools like Journey to Excellence to spot weaknesses and plan improvements.
Onboarding and Arrowhead Award Records for Unit Commissioners
