COVID-19 and uncertainty about the outcome of bankruptcy proceedings took a toll. But those issues are largely in the rear-view mirror and Scouting is looking to the future by concentrating on rebuilding, increasing membership, and growing the number of units to serve more youth. To support this future, commissioners must be prepared to support an increased number of new leaders. That means we need to rebuild our commissioner teams too.
To effectively rebuild commissioner teams, we need to do two things: recruit more commissioners and retain the ones we have.
I must confess I dislike the word ‘recruit.’ No one really wants to do it and it makes you feel like you are coercing someone into doing something they don’t really want to do. I thought about the word ‘recruiting’ when driving home from a Wood Badge beading ceremony recently. Wood Badge typically doesn’t struggle to find volunteers who are willing to serve in a staff role. And Philmont Training Center doesn’t seem to have a problem finding volunteers to serve on faculty for Commissioner Week. Yet almost every commissioner I know implies they have challenges recruiting new commissioners. Why is that? Perhaps because most volunteers consider it an honor to be asked to serve on Wood Badge staff or be on faculty at PTC.
What if we make it an honor to be part of the commissioner team? Rather than recruiting, let’s identify possible commissioners and invite them to be part of the team. Think about it. Would you rather be recruited or invited? Something as simple as changing our vocabulary, might alter the way we perceive recruiting and perhaps reenergize us so we can begin rebuilding our commissioner teams.
It is also critical that we retain experienced commissioners. The endless cycle of recruiting and replacing is exhausting and time consuming. Commissioners who already have a relationship with the unit provide a sense of stability and have built a foundation of trust with unit leaders. Experienced commissioners are better equipped to tackle complex issues if they arise and are knowledgeable about the program, BSA policy and the recharter process. We need to recognize the value experienced commissioners bring to the team.
People stay where they feel valued. Make time to appreciate loyal commissioners. Recognize hard work by putting Scouters in for awards, praising good work, and offering event based social opportunities for those on your team. Don’t take high performers for granted either – recognition should be ongoing. Everyone needs to know they are a valued member of the team. If you recognize and draw attention to commissioners, you will also create a culture that attracts more people to your team.
As we work toward rebuilding Scouting, an actively engaged commissioner corps is crucial for supporting units. But rather than recruiting more commissioners and retaining current ones – let’s invite others to join the team and appreciate those we already have.
Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies
Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments
Managing Member Calje
David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.
President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.
Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.