COMMISSIONER TRAINING
A dynamic feature of today's society is the need for learning as a lifetime activity. As commissioners, we must continually adjust our skills to provide a more valuable service to our units. Commissioners should therefore view learning as an important part of their entire Scouting lives. For all commissioners, training is a continuing process—every month, every year.
Review the following with your District Commissioner and council field staff:
1.Unit Commissioner Online Fast Start Training
This new online fast start training is an orientation designed for all commissioners to learn about the job responsibilities for a unit commissioner.
This ‘fast start’ training is designed to be taken by all commissioners within the first few weeks of agreeing to be a commissioner. Other training
opportunities will be provided by the Council and District to support your job as a commissioner. Fast start is only the introduction of your new position in
Scouting. You should also take other training courses listed in the Commissioner Fieldbook, working directly with your District and Council commissioners.
Unit Commissioner Fast Start is available through the BSA Online Learning Center.
2. Orientation Video/DVD
Shortly after being recruited, have each new commissioner view the video,
The Unit Commissioner’s Orientation—Helping units Succeed. This video is part of a DVD,
“Commissioner Service and District Operation Support”. Also set a date for a personal orientation session with your District Commissioner or Assistant District Commissioner.
3. Personal Coaching / Orientation
Within two weeks, new commissioners should have an orientation session with their
District Commissioner or Assistant District Commissioner, discuss the video, and then
cover the orientation projects listed in the Commissioner Fieldbook.
District Commissioner Orientation is usually conducted by the Council Commissioner and Assistant Council Commissioner for Training.
4. Commissioner Basic Training
Within two months, a new person should have basic training. This will be conducted by your District Commissioner. After completion of basic training, the Trained
Leader Emblem may be worn on the uniform.
Note: The Trained Leader Emblem may be worn only in connection with the emblem of office for which basic training has been completed.
5. Arrowhead Honor
Only Commissioners may wear the Arrowhead. It is a symbol of competence.
Successful completion is the result of performance and the ability to put training into
practice. Commissioners are encouraged to complete the Arrowhead projects within
one year of taking office.
Requirements for Unit Commissioners are found in the latest printing of the Commissioner Fieldbook. Requirements for Council Commissioners and assistants, District Commissioners, Assistant District Commissioners, and Roundtable Commissioners are found in the Commissioner Administration book.
6. Commissioner’s Key
The Commissioner’s Key is an important training award for completing Commissioner
Basic Training, the Arrowhead Honor projects, and three years’ tenure as a registered
commissioner within a five-year period. Roundtable Commissioners also must
complete Fast Start and basic training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout
Roundtable Commissioners or Venturing Program Forum (Venturing roundtable).
7. Continuing Education
This includes a variety of learning experiences to provide added knowledge and
current information useful to commissioners. It includes a short training topic at every
monthly District and Council Commissioner meeting. Select topics are based on
current learning needs.
8. College of Commissioner Science
The "College of Commissioner
Science" is modeled after college courses and degrees. It is an intensive day of commissioner training. See the Commissioner College page of this site for details.
9. Philmont Training Conference
Summer Philmont conferences provide mountaintop training experiences for you. There are different weeks each summer when
commissioner courses are provided at the Philmont Training Center. They are
designed for new and experienced commissioners. This is also an opportunity for a
commissioner to bring their entire family, since there are programs planned for
spouses and children of all ages. A volunteer must have their name submitted to
Philmont by the council in order to have an invitation extended. Ask your District Executive about an invitation.
10. E Online Learning Center
There are a variety of other courses available by connecting to www.scouting.org in order to
access the online learning center. These are designed to provide immediate training to
all volunteers in the comfort of their home or office. They can also be accessed at the
local library or other locations where computers are available for public use. These
courses should not take the place of face-to-face group or one-on-one training, but can
serve to give you “fast start” or a refresher course for topics of interest.
11. Other Courses Commissioners Encouraged to Take
Commissioners are encouraged to take Wood Badge and other courses that will help you to provide service to your units.
All commissioners should be encouraged strongly to take the fast start version of the youth protection training online as a part of their training and orientation.
