When I became a unit commissioner the pack that I'm assigned to had some leaders who asked "What's a unit commissioner?" I tried my best (pun intended) to make a positive impression on the pack. So far, I've been invited to every leader's meeting and pack meeting. I've even gone on hikes, helped with Pinewood Derby, attended Blue & Gold (even gave the opening benediction), and attended a bowling night. If I notice a problem, such as holding off on rank to wait for a major event, I'm not afraid to speak up. I don't attack the unit but I do offer a suggestion.
I know of some people who wanted to help a unit but were treated as a cast-off or worse, before they even got to know the unit. No wonder some areas have a hard time recruiting. If you follow the national guideline to attend a unit meeting and leave after 15 minutes, what does that say about you? You are doing nothing more than taking mental notes and leaving when you've had your fill. I prefer the method recommended by a local district commissioner and stay for the whole meeting that you are invited to unless you are asked to leave so they may have a private conversation.
Some people think that I do too much for the unit. I feel better about what I do when I am treated as a friend of the unit and not someone who only makes enough contact to make the district commissioner happy. I feel that the BSA is wrong about the 15-minute policy.
One way to fix the problem... let the unit commissioner be a value-added component of the unit.
Dean Roberts