CM-104

UNIT VISITATION

Welcome CM-104 – Unit Visitation

Presenter – Bill LacklandUnit Commissioner – Greater Southside District

Participant Introductions

Learning Goals

Importance of Unit Visits

• Commissioner’s most basic task

• Recommended Frequency– As often as necessary to help unit succeed– At least 6 times per year but monthly is best

• Use the Annual Commissioner Service Plan

Visit Strategy

• Visit units with the intent of helping the unit succeed

• Strengthen leader capability

• Help the committee operate at maximum efficiency

• Success is measured by the Journey to Excellence

Types of Visits

• Unit Meetings

• Committee Meetings

• Individual Meeting with Leader

• Roundtables

• Council and District events

• Effective phone and electronic conversations

Before You Visit

• Prepare

• Know the Unit

• Call Ahead

• Plan to meet unit needs

During Your Visit

• Guest Etiquette– Stay in the background– Be respectful of leaders, youth, parents– Give the leader a chance to speak with you– Bring something useful to the unit– Make plans to return

After Your Visit

• Review your visit and determine unit health and needs

• Complete commissioner worksheet

• Make Unit Visit Tracking System entry

• Discuss special needs with ADC/DC

• Plan to assist unit as needed

Commissioner Record Keeping

• Commissioner worksheets and Program Helps as resources

• Unit Visit Tracking System– Purpose– Importance of regular use

Ways to Help Unit

• Identify Unit strengths and needs

• Anticipate problems and help unit avoid them– Potential problems and solutions

• Use District Committee as Resource

More Ways to Help Your Unit

• Monthly Roundtables

• Boys’ Life and Scouting magazines

• Leader Recognition

• Uniform Inspection

Prioritize Units

• Allocate your time wisely to best serve units

• Do not ignore seemingly healthy units

• Know your limits and use your resources

Service to New Units• One-on-one commissioner service to new

units

• Visit frequently – initial involvement before 1st meeting and then visit weekly as needed

• Commit to serve unit through at least 2 charter renewal cycles

• Help unit transition to more regular service schedule

Counseling

• Listen

• Listen

• Listen some more

• Help unit find and implement it’s own solutions

• Consult Chapter 10 of the Fieldbook

Assessing Unit Success

• Unit Self Assessment

• Journey to Excellence

• Attend BCS 116 – “Using Unit Self-Assessment Tools” for further training in this vital areas

Questions or Comments

Thank You