Scouting, Volume 79, Number 4, September 1991 Page: 55
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In a district with more
members than many councils
have, a hard-working
commissioner staff provides
a vitality that helps
Scouting keep pace with
the area's dynamic growth.
Its nearly 8,100 Scouts and Scouters
make Cobb the largest of the Atlanta
Area Council's 13 districts, which in-
clude more populous DeKalb and Ful-
ton counties as well as the city of
Atlanta.
"As a district, we're larger in mem-
bership than more than 60 percent of
the councils in the Southeast," says
District Commissioner John Lyon.
"We're currently reaching about one in
every four boys."
Lyon attributes much of the Cobb
District's vitality to its commissioner
staff, whose 72 members are responsi-
ble for 183 Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and
Explorer units.
Unit leaders have the most impor-
FOR THE PAST TWO DE-
cades, metropolitan Atlanta's
Cobb County has been one of
the nation's growth leaders.
Close to 500,000 persons have flocked
to this once-rural county to take ad-
vantage of white-collar jobs offered by
scores of major corporations. Cobb
County residents also enjoy excellent
schools, parks, cultural attractions,
and a dynamic Scouting program.
The people themselves are a big rea-
son for Scouting's success.
"There are no shy people in Cobb
County," says council Scouter Pete
Courtney, laughing. "You can see that
on the freeways, in the classrooms, and
in all areas of business. There's tre-
mendous support for Scouting from
churches and civic organizations. At
council activities, the Cobb District
group is usually one of the largest and
most enthusiastic."
HERE'S HELP FOR
COMMISSIONERS
A variety of new, revised, or
updated BSA literature and au-
diovisual materials are available
to help a commissioner staff. Two
key items are:
• Commissioner Fieldbook,
Supply No. 3617C. The new edi-
tion covers all aspects of a unit
commissioner's job. It's both a
practical guide and an authorita-
tive reference source.
• Unit Commissioner Orienta-
tion: Helping Units Succeed,
AV-04V001. This orientation
video defines the commissioner's
role and duties. New commis-
sioners should see it the same day
they accept the job.
Also available:
• Commissioner Administra-
tion of Unit Service, No.
4120B. For all district and council
commissioners and their assis-
tants.
• Commissioner Basic Train-
ing Manual, No. 3614A. For all
commissioner trainers.
• Commissioner Helps for
Packs and Troops, No. 3618A.
For all unit commissioners.
Commissioners provide a vital service
by organizing roundtables.
(Above) Unit Commissioner Bill Smith,
left, is always available to advise
Troop 61 Scoutmaster Fred Droms.
(Opposite) Commissioners play a key
role at unit rechartering time.
tant role in Scouting, Lyon says, be-
cause "they interface directly with the
boys." But commissioners play the sec-
ond most important role "because it's
up to them to make sure that the unit
leaders have everything they need to
run a successful program. For in-
stance, if a unit has gotten too small,
we can offer suggestions to bolster its
membership. We have experts in other
areas, as well."
As an example, Lyon cites a success
story with a struggling new Cub Scout
pack. Pack 526 had been chartered for
about four or five months and found
itself with just 10 boys and little
money.
"The unit commissioner suggested
several fund-raising options. They de-
cided on a father-and-son bake sale and
raised $175 in one evening," Lyon re-
ports.
In another case, Pack 1 was having
difficulty finding a Cubmaster. "Their
unit commissioner assisted in finding
the right person for the pack, saw that
the new Cubmaster got Fast Start
training, and helped him orchestrate
his first pack meeting."
Lyon believes effective recruitment
is the key to a (continued on page 58)
Scouting «± September 1991
55
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 79, Number 4, September 1991, periodical, September 1991; Irving, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353571/m1/67/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.