Unit Commissioner—Committee Member

[dewASM]

Can you be both the Unit Commissioner for a troop and a committee member?

 

thanks

dew

 

 

ps She is also the SM's wife

[nolesrule]

A unit commissioner should never serve a unit in which they are a registered scouter. Probably shouldn't serve as a UC for a unit that their spouse is a scouter in either.

 

Ideally, a UC should be a dedicated position, although we know that doesn't always happen. When you are serving 3 units (the suggested average) and have a monthly commissioners staff meeting, you're putting in a good amount of time.

[FScouter]

The value of a commissioner is as a disinterested third party whose knowledge and insight the unit can draw upon. So what's the point if she's already a member of the committee? May as well make all the committee members "commissioners"!

[nolesrule]

FScouter, thanks for finishing my thought.

 

I meant to include what you said in my post, but I hit submit when I got distracted by the wife, and then you posted before I got a chance to edit.

[BDPT00]

The answer to your question is yes.

Is it anywhere close to being wise? No.

BDPT00

[shortridge]

A member of the unit committee cannot effectively serve in that role - let alone someone who is married to the unit leader. Sometimes it takes a second set of eyes to spot problems.

[dewASM]

thanks for the input. I needed a reality check on this one.

 

The situation existed in the troop my son is leaving along with nine other scouts (long, sad story). I had a rather heated conversation with a council executive who has suddenly noticed he has a problem. I listed many things that should have been a red flag and people who should have known concluding with this unit commissioner.

 

The more I thought about it, the odder the situation seemed. Wanted to be sure I wasn't the only one who thought this was an ineffective scenario.

[scoutldr]

That's like asking if the same political party should be allowed to control all three branches of Government...no, wait...bad example. Sorry.

[nolesrule]

Hehe. Good one scoutldr.

 

It's like having your spouse be your marriage counselor.

 

It's like having someone involved in a court case also serving on the jury.

 

It's like performing surgery the night after staying at a Holiday Inn Express.

 

Ok, maybe not the last one.

[John-in-KC]

All that said... there is nothing wrong with the UC (who is not otherwise a part of the Pack) attending Committee meetings. In fact, I submit that's when a UC gets a better chance to serve the adult leaders than being at a Pack or Den meeting.

 

Now, yes, I do attend Pack and Den meetings, to observe the program in action. Let me say the real reason: I like to see 8-10 year olds having FUN.

 

I have to admit I'm lucky. The Pack I serve is in good hands right now, with trained and caring leaders. They are taking full advantage of the program Cubbing brings to the table.

[nolesrule]

Agreed John. I hit up committee meetings all the time. I keep my mouth shut and listen. Every once in awhile, I get asked for my opinion on an issue. If there's something that needs course correcting that I'm not asked about in that setting, I'll make a mental note to mention it to the CC in private.

 

One time, I got copied on the minutes for a committee meeting that I was unable to attend. In the notes, they had been brainstorming ideas on how to get scouts to "mandatory" annual CO events. Apparently it was suggested that tying attendance at these events into rank advancement could be an option. I had a quiet polite conversation with the CC about that a few hours later.

[dewASM]

For many reasons, including the fact the troop has not had an outdoor activity since camp last August, a group of parents decided to pull our boys from this troop. We are in a rural area with few troops so after discussion with our DE, we decided to form a new troop. I don't think anyone thought we could do it but we did. I found a charter organization whose director is an Eagle Scout. they are involved in forest protection so it is a great fit. Parents stepped up for committee and my son's former cubmaster has even agreed to join the committee. When I contacted council to ask when we would be official, I suddenly got a speech about meeting with the old troop and their charter organization. Maybe a merger thing. I was fit to be tied. It seems someone suddenly thinks the old troop might not survive. Never mind that we have been talking to everyone from the council to the committee about our issues. The old COR told us their organization doesn't talk to "outsiders" when we approached them.

 

When the SE tried to tell me that they hadn't realized what was happening (a fib), I called him on it. Asked who was the Unit Commissioner and how could she not know. The SE changed his tune and our new charter was approved yesterday.

 

I am not talking about attending a few meetings. I am talking about the Scoutmaster's wife who is on the committee and who is on the board of the chartering organization is our UC.

 

Must say that this forum made me realize that I could never make changes from inside that our only option was to, as many have put it, vote with our feet. Thanks

[OldGreyEagle]

Actually, having someone from the Chartering Organization's Board on the Unit committee may not be a bad idea. There should be involvement from the CO with the unit.

 

Then again, the Unit Commissioner should still not be on the Unit Committee either.

 

Hope your unit has lots of fun and good camping

[John-in-KC]

If she has her head on the ball, she can serve 3 units, just not her own unit. Then, she can be an interested partner. It's not the best solution, but it is a solution.