Commissioners Corner

I would like to pass along a message from our Council Commissioner Joel Stoltz:

How Can I Help?

Since becoming a Unit Commissioner, my mission has been simple: to be the best Scouting resource for my units and the youth I serve by always asking, “How can I help?” The best way to accomplish this has been through embracing what we call “Commissioner Culture.”

Commissioners are charged with three key principles: “Be the Heart,” “Build Relationships,” and “Change Lives.” By embracing and understanding this culture, Commissioners can genuinely and effectively ask, “How can I help?” When I transitioned from a Unit Commissioner to an administrative Commissioner, I wondered how this culture would evolve for me. Would I still “Be the Heart,” “Build Relationships,” and “Change Lives”? Or would those ideals fade as I took on more administrative responsibilities? Would I simply “push paper” and lose sight of how to help?

Be the Heart

Commissioners have a servant’s heart. They prioritize others, actively listen, and provide assistance without seeking recognition or reward. Their goal is to uplift the youth, leaders, units, and professionals they serve, empowering them to grow and succeed.

Build Relationships

The relationships Commissioners build with Scouts, units, Scouters, and professionals are rooted in trust, respect, and honesty. These foundational elements are essential for any relationship to thrive and grow.

Change Lives

We’ve all seen how Scouting transforms the lives of the youth and adults we serve. Scouting provides a safe space for growth—where youth and leaders alike can fail, learn, and ultimately succeed. As Commissioners, we offer guidance that paves the way for success, helping to change lives for everyone involved.

The principles of Commissioner Culture apply equally to Unit Commissioners and administrative Commissioners—whether at the Roundtable, District, or Council level. Commissioners support Cub Packs, Troops, Venture Crews, Ships, and Posts, ensuring adult leaders have the most up-to-date information to deliver a safe, high-quality program for their youth.

When a Commissioner asks, “How can I help?” and doesn’t know the answer, they know how to find it. This makes them the best resource for information about their District, Council, Territory, and Scouting America.

If you have a servant’s heart, enjoy building relationships, and want to change lives, perhaps you, too, have what it takes to be a Commissioner. If this resonates with you, ask your Unit Commissioner about training and opportunities in the Commissioner Corps the next time they visit your Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, or Post.

You, too, can “Be the Heart,” “Build Relationships,” and “Change Lives.”

As both a Unit Commissioner and a Venturing Roundtable Commissioner, I hope I can truly live up to the message Joel has given us.

And as always, Be Prepared,

Uncle Ralph

Source: https://catalinacouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Commissioners-Corner-January-2025.pdf