Council Commissioner: Mike Werling, btccommissioner@buffalotracecouncil.org

Algonkian District Commissioner: Larry Benson, algcommissioner@buffalotracecouncil.org

Lincoln Heritage District Commissioner: Victor Eckstein, lhcommissioner@buffalotracecouncil.org

Native Trails District Commissioner: Jack Thompson, ntcommissioner@buffalotracecouncil.org

Scoutreach District Commissioner: (OPEN), srcommissioner@buffalotracecouncil.org

The Commissioner Service of the Boy Scouts of America is a core of dedicated volunteer Scouters whose primary purpose

is to provide service and support to all units and other Scout leaders. This service and support is provided to help give the

unit leader extra resources to assure that he or she is able to deliver the promise of Scouting to individual youth members.

Purposes and Goals

The Commissioner Service exists to help units provide the best possible Scouting program, which ultimately helps assure

that individual Scouts have the best opportunity of developing good character traits, participating citizenship skills, and

personal fitness.

Broadly stated the goals of the Commissioner Service through the execution of a successful unit service plan are to:

• Help see that the objectives of Scouting are being carried out.
• Assure that each unit has strong, competent unit leadership.
• Promote regular meetings of unit committees.
• Encourage growth in youth membership.
• Help assure that Scouts and units take an active part in District and Council activities.
• Foster a positive relationship between the chartered organization and its unit leaders.

Thoughts from...Native Trails District Commissioner Jack Thompson

Journeys, they say “begin with a single step.”  Most of you, as well as I, began our journey as Scout leaders

in the same way. Our son wanted to join Scouting, but there was a need for a parent to join in order to have

an adult leader to keep the unit going. And so, the first step was taken. Forty years later, after traveling many

a mile the journey goes on. I have no idea when the trail will end nor do I know what is around the next bend.

I can tell you that for 40 years and hundreds, maybe thousands of Scouts and leaders later, it has been and continues to be a great trip.

I have a couple of thoughts I would like to share about a journey I have had as a leader that makes that

journey so great. First of all, having been a Scout years before, I had fond memories of those youthful days and I wanted my sons to have that experience. What did not know, however, was what a difference there is

in being a Scout verses being a Scout leader. In 1940 attitudes and viewpoints were different than in 1968. Stability was not a hallmark of the late 1960s and early to late 1970s. My first step was a step into uncharted territory with no training and no other visible adult help. The troop was more like a gang rather than a Scout troop. The first campout was the cause for a line to be drawn in the sand. I went from 25 scouts down to

10 after one overnight. Within 3 years our troop had about 75 scouts and 15 leaders with sponsor and community support.

Twenty-five years later, after many canoe trips, mountain trails, a river raft trip, 30 or so Eagle Scouts, 25 summer camps, OA Conclaves and on and on, the experience netted Scouts to men who became preachers, priests, doctors, lawyers, military officers and enlisted men, business men, politicians and just simply good citizens. Men, who yet stop by, send Christmas cards and just keep in touch.

Why this entire seemingly boastful story? I want you to know that no matter your past experience there is still

a future experience for the youth of our country and they need you to help them. Some of you are one of those more experienced “former” leaders who have been asked to serve again by members of us of the commissioner staff. You can bring a lot to the table to share with our current unit leaders. They need you and so do we. Please consider becoming a Unit Commissioner for a Unit near you. Hopefully, you can find about

4 to 5 hours a month to help our Scouts and their leaders. This is a job in Scouting that truly takes about and hour a week. Let hear from you.

"Being a commissioner is not an easy job and frequently misunderstood....

what does a commissioner really do?"

• www.netcommish.com

• Commissioners In the Boy Scouts of America Website