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Bachelor Degree of Commissioner Science - General Studies
Requirements:
Must complete the 3 required courses, as well as, any three from the Continuing Education list.
BCS-102 – ABCs of Charter Renewal
The commissioner plays an important part in the unit's annual charter renewal process. Review a proven plan for re-registering Scouting units on time with minimal loss in membership and leaders in Troops & Packs. Discussions will include; Uniform Inspection, Membership Inventory & Leadership Inventory. The group will explore why units lapse or drop and how to prevent it, how to develop a no-lapse/no-drop plan for a district, and why this is so important.
BCS-104 – Who Do I See & When Do I See Them
The rapport and trust between unit leadership and the commissioner is very important. This course examines that relationship and how it supports effective unit visitations. It considers what the commissioner should be looking for, and how he/she can help the unit become, or continue to be, strong. It provides participants with insights on how to be a help—not a hindrance. In addition, the Centennial Quality Unit Award will be explained and discussed.
BCS-105 - Commissioner's Priorities
This course will help the commissioner to prioritize unit needs, enabling her/him to best utilize her/his time and energy. Discussions will include how we should spend our time as Commissioners, where our emphasis is and how to implement these priorities. As well as, how to focus on the main job of Commissioner and not be sidetracked by other demands.
Bachelor Degree of Commissioner Science - Focus on Venturing
Requirements:
Must complete the 3 required courses, as well as, any three from the Continuing Education list.
BAV-700 Venture Program
This is a look at the objectives of the Venturing Program. Who does it serve and how does it work. What are the program elements and the meeting structure. Who plans it and who runs it. What is the leadership structure for both Youth and Adults.
BAV-701 Venture Advancement, Recognition & Training
This session will highlight the Venturing advancement process and how the program supports advancement. It will explain the Venturing recognition process and how advancement supports recognition. Discussions will include training opportunities for Venturing leaders, both youth and adult.
BAV-702 Venture Issues & Concerns
This session will include discussions of the "Red Flags" a Commissioner should watch for when determining Venture Unit Health. It will consider the challenges of a Co-Ed program, and how they are addressed. Discussions will also include what resources and support are available to the Venture Program.
Master Degree of Commissioner Science
Requirements:
Must have received the Bachelor Degree.
Must complete the 3 required courses, as well as, any three others from the Continuing Education List
MA-400 Dollars and Sense of Unit Finance
This is an overview of the BSA policies regarding unit finance. Discussions will include; unit budget plan, who pays for Scouting at all levels, a variety of successful unit money-earning projects, and how to help units with special financial needs.
MA-424 Bring 'Em In the Door and Train 'Em to Stay
Quality units need quality Unit Commissioners. This bread-and-butter session is for all administrative commissioners who recruit. It covers the steps, techniques and prospect sources for finding the right person to serve as ADCs, Unit Commissioners and Roundtable Commissioners. Learn a step-by-step process to ensure that your team has the right quantity and quality of members.
MA-502 Take Out the Blah & Put in the Ahh
Interesting and effective District Commissioner meetings are an essential tool of the District Commissioner. Discussions will include ideas and suggestions to help conduct District Commissioner Meetings your staff will look forward to attending. The session focuses on how to organize and present material so that it has the maximum positive impact on the Staff.
PhD Candidate Requirements
Requirements:
Must have received the Master Degree
Must complete the 3 required courses, as well as, any three from the Continuing Education list.
PhD-605 You Don't Need a PhD, to Get Your PhD
This session covers the thesis outline and a variety of suggestions for writing and revising the report.
PhD-606 Thesis Writing Made Simple: What is a Thesis?
This session introduces the participants to the thesis project, discusses what constitutes a good thesis or research topic, and helps them select their general thesis topic.
PhD-607 What Do I Write About & How Do I Write It
Participants receive help in reducing the thesis topic to workable size and ideas for thesis/project research.
Each Candidate is then required to successfully complete an approved dissertation on a topic of value to Scouting, or develop and present an approved course for the college curriculum. Each topic and/or task must receive prior approval from the Dean of the PhD Program.
For more information contact Jan O’Brien by E-Mail at jrice229@hillcrestfoods.com
Continuing Education Courses
For a degree in Continuing Education, please select 6 courses from the following list
CED-101 So You Want to Be a Commissioner?
An overview of Commissioner service and the single most important resource—The Commissioner Fieldbook Discussion will include understanding the interaction of the Commissioner with the District Executive and District Committee, understanding District and Council operation & the relationship with, and help from, the District Committee.
CED-310 Commissioner Palooza
This session will focus on Commissioner Awards and Recognition. It will include: the importance of Awards and Recognition in Scouting, what awards and recognition are available to Commissioners, what different types of ceremonies involve Commissioners and how ceremonies can be made special, meaningful and memorable.
CED-311 Ability Awareness
Scouting continues to work to include and improve accessibility for individuals with special needs in our Scouting programs. Much of this effort has been focused toward helping unit leaders and scouts develop an awareness of the abilities of special needs individuals. This session will consider individuals with special needs and disabilities by providing an overview of the Greater Pittsburgh Council’s new Trail Blazer District. Discussions will include: the importance of communication; membership in typical units and similar disability units, (for example: hearing or sight impaired, Down Syndrome, schools, resident facilities, etc.) and the role of Commissioners to provide support to units and leaders.
CED-407 How to Remove a Volunteer
An open discussion of a topic only recently put in print. The session provides a variety of practical guidelines on this sensitive topic. It’s not easy or pleasant, but there are times when it has to be done. Learn when and how to remove volunteers while preserving dignity and minimizing damage to the program.
CED-408 Commissioners Top Ten List
Today everyone has their top 10 list, including commissioners. This session is designed to help experienced commissioners review their priorities and—for some of us—to get back to the basics. It summarizes key factors in good commissioner service. Most of the key points are covered in depth in other sessions.
CED-504 If You Build It They Will Come
Many Commissioners do not really understand the roles of the various people on the Commissioner Team. Nor do they understand how the team acts together to provide unit service and help. This session will consider the stages of team building and the importance of a high performance Commissioner's Team to the units in the District.
CED-505 Commissioner's Toolbox
This session discusses resources available to the Commissioner and how to use some of them. Resources available may include; BSA Publications, Paperwork procedures, Individual Training, District Committee Members, personal past experiences, veteran Scouters, District & Council Commissioner Staffs, and many more. Ask yourself the questions; what resources are in your tool box, how sharp are your tools, are you comfortable with the paper work in your tool box?
CED-509 Diversity is More than Race and Sex
Designed to help Scouters understand what is meant by diversity and how to use diversity to strengthen their programs. Learn how diverse communities and their Scouting units may consist of different cultures and experiences that can effectively enhance unit programs.
CED-512 When is Too Much Really Too Much?
This session covers types of burnout and how to prevent or correct it. Have you said this a lot lately, "I can't do this scouting thing one more day. I'm sick of it?" If so, you need this session. Learn to recognize the signs of burnout in yourself and others. Discussions also include time management techniques. Let's keep scouting fun and healthy for all volunteers.
CED-513 Just Dial 411 - Unit Service is Customer Service
Commissioners are the critical link between the unit and the District (Council). The unit, the Youth, the Leaders and the Parents are our customers. Our goal as Commissioners is to deliver exceptional customer service to all of them; which can help to ensure unit success. Similarities between Commissioner Service and Customer Service will be discussed. Communication is our most effective Customer Service tool, but there are obstructions to good communication. Discussions will also include; many forms of communication, how communication can be effective, roadblocks to good communication and how to avoid them.
CED-516 Junior Leaders Really Do Run the Troop
Discussed here will be the duties of the youth leadership in a Troop, some of the roadblocks interfering with that leadership responsibility and how to avoid those roadblocks. A brief overview of Junior Leader Training will also be discussed, as well as, how the patrol method works, and how to tell if it is not working.
CED-522 Times Have Changed – Have You?
Are you informed, and is your knowledge up to date and current? Have you evolved with the program? Discussions will include an evaluation of each Commissioner's effectiveness, and a 360 Degree evaluation of the Commissioner. Also discussed will be, how each commissioner can be more effective, how to identify changes which impact the job of Commissioner and how to identify areas which can be improved or enhanced.
CED-534 Commissioner Style
This session discusses the important qualities of Commissioner. How the service is provided is as important as what is done in the service process. Also discussed will be the importance of the Diplomatic Commissioner, and the concept of "Roots and Wings".
CED-538 Commissioner's Web of Information
Computers are powerful tools for gathering, organizing and presenting information. This session focuses on how to use some of these tools for you to be more effective in your efforts of unit service. Discover some of the best “on line” resources available to support you in your role as a Commissioner. The information available from ScoutNet will be discussed, along with some other web sites containing information of value to the Commissioner.
CED-539 Leader Liability - Fact vs. Myth
This is a review of the national plans for insuring that scouting is run with the lowest practical level of risk of injury and disease. Guide to Safe Scouting will be used as a guide. Learn the facts about personal liability in the Scouting program and how to minimize any risks there might be to the youth and the leaders.
CED-541 Conflict Resolution And The Commissioner
What causes conflicts in units? How can they be avoided? How can they be resolved? Discussions will include; understanding the most common causes of conflict, steps that can be taken to help resolve these conflicts, and which methods can achieve the most effective results. Discuss using intervention strategies before a conflict becomes a crisis, as well as, techniques for handling difficult situations and the people who create them. The question "Who’s in Charge - Master or Chair?" will be discussed.
CED-543 Assessing and Training the Commissioner Staff
District Commissioners are tasked with the responsibility of maintaining their staffs at a high level of readiness. This requires training. Knowing what training is needed, requires assessment of some kind. Discussions will include different assessment methods and training opportunities available to the District Commissioner.
CED- 535 Health and Safety Training (2 Sessions)
This double session course covers areas of the Guide to Safe Scouting, Emergency Preparedness and other BSA policies related to Scouting Health and Safety.
CED-510 How May I Help You Find Your Own Answer?
This session presents counseling as an effective method for commissioners to help units succeed. It illustrates how the Commissioner can guide leaders to their own solutions. Discussions will include many elements and techniques of good counseling |
