Duties of a Commissioner

The selection process and the criteria for appointment as a commissioner will vary depending on the commissioner position.

Commissioners should have excellent people skills, be knowledgeable of the Scouting program, and know and practice the Scouting ideals.

Unit Commissioner
The Unit Commissioner is a generalist whose overriding mission in Scouting is to help units succeed. Specific responsibilities for the unit commissioner include:

• Help each unit earn the Quality Unit Award
• Use the annual Commissioner service plan, with its scheduled opportunities for Commissioner contact with units
• Know each phase of the Scouting program and keep current by reviewing Scouting program literature.
• Visit unit meetings and observe the unit in action and determine the degree to which the descriptions in the literature are being followed. Only if called upon, participate or help in some of the regular activities of the unit.
• Visit regularly with the unit leader and listen to what the unit leader has to say. Offer encouragement and support and help the leader see new opportunities for improvement. but always maintain the best possible relationship with unit leadership. Help the leader with forms and applications. Encourage unit participation in district and council program events and training opportunities.
• Work to ensure effective and active unit committees. Visit with the unit committee periodically and observe the committee in action, offer suggestions for improvement and work with the committee to solve problems and improve unit operation.
• Keep in touch with the chartered organizations of the units you serve. Meet and orient the chartered organization representative. Meet the head of the organization and explain your role as helper of units. Help develop a good relationship between unit leaders and chartered organization leaders.
• Know the neighborhood in which your units are located so that you can help graduating members of one program join the next level of Scouting (e.g. Webelos to Boy Scouts.)

Assistant District Commissioner
A district may have one or more Assistant District Commissioners. Each ADC is responsible for an assigned share of the units in the district, and the unit Commissioners who serve those units. Assistant District Commissioners are often assigned a geographic or specialty area of the district. The ADC's work closely with the District Commissioner and the district executive. The responsibilities of the ADC include:

• Recruit enough unit Commissioners to serve their assigned units and areas.
• Conduct personal coaching and orientation sessions for unit Commissioners.
• Maintain regular contact with their unit Commissioners to provide guidance in unit service needs.
• Serve units with no assigned unit Commissioner.
• Help unit Commissioners evaluate and improve their unit service performance.

District Commissioner

• Recruit and train a full staff of Commissioners.
• Oversee the Commissioner training program.
• Work with the district chairman and executive as a member of the district's Key 4.
• Plan and preside at the monthly meeting of the District Commissioner staff
• Attend district committee meeting to report on conditions of units and to secure specialized help for units.
• Represent the district as a member of the council commissioners cabinet.

Roundtable Commissioners
A district may have one or more Roundtable Commissioners. The responsibilities for the Roundtable Commissioners include:

• Recruit and train a staff qualified to put on quality roundtables for unit personnel.
• Plan monthly roundtable programs.
• Make all arrangements for roundtables including meeting places, equipment, and supplies.
• Conduct regular critiques to determine how roundtables can be improved.

Council Commissioner

• Report to the Council President and serve as an officer of the local council, a member of its Executive Board and Executive Committee, and as a National Council member representing the local council.
• Be responsible for the unit service function of the council.
• Chair the regular meetings of the District Commissioners.
• Provide sufficient training opportunities so that every Commissioner receives training shortly after commissioning.
• Plan and conduct an annual Commissioner conference for training, recognition, and morale.
• Appoint Assistant Council Commissioners.
• Encourage and help District Commissioners recruit full staffs. Assist in recruiting District Commissioners as needed.
• Verify that proper techniques are used to select and recruit unit leaders.
• Maintain Boy Scouts of America standards of uniforming, wearing of insignia, use of the program, and other policies and procedures.
• Promote the Quality Unit as a standard of performance and ensure, through the District Commissioners, recognition of unit leaders and units achieving this standard.
• Be responsible, through the District Commissioners, for the presentation of program plans, ideas, and materials via effective district roundtables.
• Be responsible, through the District Commissioners, for the effective use of the annual service plan to ensure the health and tenure of units.
• Keep the President and Executive Board apprised of the condition of units.
• Cooperate with the Membership/Relationships chairman to successfully conduct the annual membership recruiting effort.
• Serve as a member of the Council Key 4.