NEW-UNIT COMMISSIONERTRAINING

Dom BeeACC for New Units

National Capital Area Council

• Why is starting new units right important?

• New-Unit Commissioner duties

• New unit creation process

• Role of a New-Unit Commissioner

• Tools of the trade

Agenda

In NCACAs of 2011, only 55% of new units chartered in past 3 years were still in operation.

Loss rate of 45% of new units

Cold Hard Fact

Available at: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Commissioners/Manuals.aspx

This is the key

document to new unit success!

Four Pillars of High Performing Units

Organizing Committee Unit Team Support

Chartered Organization Unit Leaders

District CommissionerDistrict Membership ChairDistrict Executive

New-Unit CommissionerNew-Unit OrganizerInfluential ScouterDistrict Training Team

Institutional HeadChartered Organization Representative (COR)

Unit Committee ChairUnit LeaderCORUnit CommissionerUnit Committee

Key 3

New Unit DefinitionIs characterized as:• Chartered• Not reached its third year

of operation

Key to New Unit Formation• New Unit Commissioner (NUC)

Role starts at very beginning Go to person: Coach, mentor, consultant Serve at least 2 years as UC Liaison between unit and district

• New Unit Organizer (NUO) Assigned by District Membership Chair Works closely w/NUC Point man during new unit formation

process

What Coaches Do

• Provide task direction• Provide skill instruction• Build capabilities• Provide resources• Facilitate relationships• Transfer responsibility for success• Support growth and progress

Coaching Tips

• Listen• Supply energy• Influence; don’t control• Recognize what is right and wrong• Recognize success and value differences• Evolve with the team’s life cycle

What Mentors Do• Advise, support, and provide guidance• Facilitate understanding of environment

and culture• Instill positive attitudes• Aid in retention• Provide trusted counsel

Mentoring Tips• Provide a nonthreatening environment• Build trust early• Be a good listener• Share personal experience• Make suggestions.

o Specific problemso Getting things accomplished

What Consultants Do• Excel at problem solving• Advise, support, and provide guidance• Promote positive attitudes• Aid in retention• Provide trusted counsel

Consulting Tips• Be very knowledgeable• Be consistent• Earn trust

Starting a new unitBuild your team

New Unit Organizer New Unit Commissioner District Training Team Influential Scouter

Know our PartnersApproach the Prospect

Should be 2-3 Scouters Set up appointment Make the visit Present the value proposition No more than 45 minutes

The Organizing Committee

Preparing for Unit Organization Preparing for selection of Unit Leaders Selecting Unit Leaders 5 Adults/10 Youth for Packs/Troops (5 for Teams/Crews/Ships, 2 for LDS units Start training Create Succession Plan First meeting Annual Program Plan Encourage RT attendance

Training Unit LeadershipKey Points

YPT for ALL registered leaders YPT for Venturers for Crews and Ships Orientation Training This is Scouting Position Specific Training Round Table Training Supplemental Training

Unit Program Planning and Funding Your Unit

Key Points Build Budget from expense side first Identify sources of Funding Money earning MUST follow BSA guidelines Unit should have an account Unit account at Council Program specific resources Journey To Excellence Voice of the Scout

Recruiting Youth Members

Key Points Start with members of Chartered Organization Recruit from likely sources At lest 10 youth and ratio of 1 parent for every 2 youth Provide Orientation to parents

Selecting Quality Leaders

Key Points 5 Adults/10 Youth minimum Responsibility of Chartered Organization Recruit Key 3 first Recruit rest of adult leaders Selecting Unit Leaders Provide Position Description

Successful Unit Meetings

• Assist in planning first planning• Conduct run-through • Attended by NUO and NUC• Congratulate new unit leader• Debrief with unit leaders after meting• Assist with annual Program Planning meeting

Charter Presentation• Done at full gathering of CO• Presented by NUC and NUO• Unit leaders/youth members should attend

NCAC New Unit

Application

New Unit Service PlanKey Tools

Conduct Unit Self-Assessment 2X a year Journey to Excellence Commissioner New Unit Service Plan Commissioner Annual Service Plan Voice of the Scout Frequent visits and enter contacts Commissioner Tools Unit Performance Tracking Sheet

At 36 Months Tenure• Consider reassignment of the NUC to

another new unit • Celebrate the success

Resources

• Unit Performance Guide• Commissioner Fieldbook for Unit Service• Administration of Commissioner Service• Commissioner Tools• http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Com

missioners.aspx

It takes a District to support a New Unit!

Celebration of Knowledge1. What is most important reference for

starting new units? Unit Performance Guide2. What is the definition of a new unit?Chartered unit with <than 36 mos. tenure 3. The 2 key positions to starting new units?NUC and NUO4. What are member minimums for new units5 Adults/10 youths (5 for Teams and Crews)5. NUO and NUC play what roles?Coach, mentor and consultant

Take-aways• No unit before it’s time!• Starting a new unit requires Teamwork• Unified approach• NUC and NUO are key players• Must use new process• Must follow through after charter presented• Frequent and regular contact with unit• Document observations• Support performance metrics

QUESTIONS?