Councils, districts, or national publications are trying to do an excellent job in generating program support for the unit. We have efficiently loaded the cargo into the vehicle. But no matter how valuable the cargo, it will be of little use if the vehicle doesn't run properly.

Unless Scouting units are strong and efficient, the program won't reach the boy. No matter how well organized the council and district, the program delivery system stalls or fails with weak units.

Concept Statement

The concept for today's commissioner service focuses on the unit. Commissioners have a specific mission: to keep the units operating at maximum efficiency so that they can deliver the program to a growing membership.

Today's commissioners are results-oriented rather than procedures-oriented. They are successful in their mission when units continue to operate, units regularly accept new boys, and units effectively deliver the ideals of Scouting to their members.

Commissioners are also involved with carrying programs to the unit, but their main concern is to develop strength in the unit operation.

In other words, the concept calls for commissioners to develop program capability in a unit. They are neither program specialists nor production experts, although they are concerned and knowledgeable in both fields. Their activity is focused, not on program or production, but on the unit.

Strength

Commissioners must be sufficient in number, to fill the needs of the council and district. They must be trained and guided in their efforts.

Unit commissioners are accountable for the success of their assigned units. There is no formula for numbers of commissioners or frequency of unit contracts. Numbers and methods should be determined by the needs of units to be served.,

Functional Assistants

Where large numbers of commissioners or wide geographic considerations are involved, it may be desirable to appoint functional assistants to aid in the accomplishment of the mission. Assignments might be the servicing of new units or administering charter renewal sessions, for example.

Extreme care should be exercised in the addition of assistant commissioners to the commissioner staff. The staff structure must be dictated by the needs of the council and district and the units to be served.

Operating Committees

Effective unit service should include the help of operating committees. Providing service to units is the opportunity of all council and district personnel. It is important that commissioners use operating committee members whenever practical.