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Check out these Websites for information and games - Then check out the Scouts in your neighborhood.

Cub Scouting
Grades 1-5


Boy Scouting
Grades 6-12


Venturing
Boys & Girls
(Ages 14-20)

Each of these sites include a "unit locator" to help you find a pack, troop, team, crew, or ship holding meetings close to you. All you need is your ZIP code! Try it out right now and join the adventure.

You can also contact us at 412-325-7940 or visit the Council Service Center at 1275 Bedford Avenue, Pitsburgh, PA

Commissioners | Help for Pack Troop and Crews | Unit Visitation Guides | Rechartering | Meeting Place Inspections | Uniform Inspections | College of Commissioner Science | Unit Visit Tracking System

Course Selections GPC – 2008 College of Commissioner Science

 BA-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. 

BA-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.

BA-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.

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.

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-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-500 Seamless Transition

An essential element of scouting membership, throughout the program, is the seamless transition process.  Discussions will include the importance and the process of transitioning Tiger Cubs to Cub Scouts, Cub Scouts to Webelos Scouts and Webelos Scouts to Boy Scouts.  Also discussed, will be important ways Commissioners can help to smooth this transition process.

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-506 Effective Venturing Roundtables

Come to explore who attends, the purpose of and how to present a successful Venturing Roundtable. Bring the best practices from your council to share and your peers. NOTE: This course is a BASIC introduction to Venturing Leaders Roundtables.

CED-507 Venturing and the Commissioner
Venturing is the fastest growing segment of the Scouting movement.  This session stresses the importance of a Commissioner’s commitment to Venturing and suggests basic elements of a plan for a Commissioner to help every crew succeed.   It should help to develop skills for providing quality service to a program with unique features

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-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.   

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-518 Howdy, Partner

The Commissioner's role in helping to build a positive and supportive relationship between the unit and its Chartered Partner.    Discussions will include roadblocks to a good relationship, inviting and including the Chartered Partner in the program and what the relationship should be.

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-529 Nature of Boys – How to Handle Special Needs Youth

How to recognize special needs youth and work together with your Units to help integrate them into the Unit.  What we can implement in the Units to help these youth earn their advancements.   Discussion will include the special requirements for special needs - what is needed and how to go about it.

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-540 Myths And Misconceptions

Super Scouting Expert, Smokey the Bear, The Collector, The Spy, and Other Negative Images Discuss the Myths and Misconceptions of the Commissioner Service and how we can we dispel them.  And, talk about how to get from negative image to trusted friend.

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.

Evening Seminar - Stump The Staff

Bring your most challenging Commissioner issue and/or that one burning question you need answered. The staff and participants will work together to help you solve them.

Evening Session - Where Are We and Where are We Heading?

This session should explain, and describe, changes to the Scouting program, which could impact the units, the Districts and the Commissioner's staff.   The content varies from year to year.  

Sunday Morning - Fireside Chat

Michael Surbaugh, GPC Council Executive

William Rosner, GPC Council Commissioner

Keith Christopher, Director Leadership Support Service, Program Group

Join them for an informal discussion about Scouting; where we are, where we are heading and where we want to be.

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