A trained Commissioner is an effective Commissioner! Commissioner training has the following elements:
Commissioner Training is broken up into four (4) main groups with each section available both online or in-person (usually through the College of Commissioner Science):
Each new Commissioner should Download the linked forms (fillable) and record your progress–
Continuing Education takes many forms. There are the trainings associated with monthly District or Council meetings. There is the College of Commissioner Sciences which bring together Commissioners from the larger Area for Annual Training events. There are also National Training opportunities.
At the monthly District Commissioner meetings, the District Commissioners Staff works to ensure that the entire Commissioner Corps stays up-to-date on all trainings.
Each each the Golden Gate Area Council partners with the other area Councils to hold the NorCal Commissioners College. This is an opportunity to meet Commissioners from around the region and the Nation. The College offers Commissioner Science Degrees from Associates to Doctorate.
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1714 Everett Street
Alameda, CA 94501 | (510) 965-5631
1955 West Texas St. Suite 1
Fairfield, CA 94533 | (925) 674-6166
508 Contra Costa Blvd, Suite K2
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | (925) 674-8500
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Pleasanton, CA 94588 | (925) 674-6100
This conference guides participants to learn what a unit commissioner does when working with their units. More importantly, it also develops a lasting understanding of how to work with units to help set, meet and exceed their goals through structured lessons, role play and group discussions. Attendance is open to all commissioners and recommended for unit commissioners, district and assistant district commissioners, and council and assistant council commissioners.
This conference ensures a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of district and assistant district commissioners. It provides the knowledge, skills and resources needed to build and lead an effective district unit service team. It also provides practical experience in assessing unit service strengths and needs and developing a vision for unit service in the district that also supports the council’s vision. It offers insights into clearly communicating a vision and its plan, as well as developing and maintaining the strong relationships essential to effective unit service.
This conference provides council commissioners and those who support them with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to confidently fulfill their responsibilities. An understanding of roles/responsibilities and an ability to build and maintain strong relationships is essential. Key ingredients to success include a clear vision of great unit service for the council and an action plan that enables fulfillment of it. Add in the ability to effectively communicate the vision and its plan, assess progress and adapt when necessary, and you have a formula for success.
No district or council ever has enough commissioners. New units form, and some units encounter challenges; both require the attention of an experienced, dedicated commissioner. Current commissioners transition to new opportunities, and increasing personal and professional demands make it increasingly difficult for commissioners to serve multiple units.
Attending this conference provides tips, techniques and best practices to develop and execute a plan to recruit and engage the commissioners needed to effectively serve every unit. It also enables participants to expand their network of Scouting resources.
The monthly roundtable is a key component of unit service, either in the district or the council. Through well-planned and fully supported roundtables, commissioners of all roles and responsibilities provide effective service to the units in their care. As such, this conference is appropriate for anyone providing unit service in the district or council, including but certainly not limited to the roundtable commissioner. Participants will begin by laying the foundation, focusing on the importance of good communication between roundtable commissioners and unit commissioners to assess the health of units and fulfill the objectives of unit service. Next, the conference will highlight the importance of linking needs of units by ensuring effective networking with the district operating committees. Lastly, participants will engage in activities focused on advanced planning for monthly roundtables and implementing technology to meet the people where they are. In essence, this conference confirms the concept that “roundtable is unit service.”
The Golden Gate Area Council has instituted a refund policy to ensure our Scouts receive high quality programs & activities. A great deal of advanced planning and purchasing takes place for programs and events of the Golden Gate Area Council during the months and weeks prior to an event.
The Council will refund up to 100% of the costs for any event it cancels. In order to maintain the most cost effective and positive program impact activity, camping, and event refunds of 100% cannot be given. Refunds are not given for No-Shows, schedule conflicts, weather conditions, or behavior issues occurring before or during the event. Refunds are considered based upon the following criteria and timeline and are returned to the person or entity and in the manner in which they were received.
Time Until Start of Event | Percentage Refund |
Up to 14 days prior | 80% refund |
Up to 7 days prior | 60% refund |
7 days or less | No refund* |
*Participants who cancel from an event within 7 days will be considered for up to a 60% refund if the refund request is accompanied by a Doctor’s note. Requests under these circumstances will not be considered if not received at the Council Service Center less than 14 days after the start of the event.
The Golden Gate Area Council believes each Scout should be given every opportunity to attend Camp. At times it can be hard for a family to raise the money, and Camperships can help cover part of the cost of a week of Camp for Golden Gate Area Council members attending one of the Golden Gate Area Council Camps. Campership applications are due by March 27th for continuing Scouts and May 29th for newly bridged Arrow of Light Scouts.
ALL of our Camps are CLOSED and the Staff is off duty from 11:00 AM on Saturday to 11:00AM on Sunday each weekend.
No Troop……..No Problem! You don’t have to miss out on all the fun just because your troop isn’t going to summer camp or because other summer plans mean you won’t be able to go to camp with your Troop. You may even want to do an additional week of camp just because you had such a great time.
New Friends…….New Experiences! Provisional Camping is just like camping with your home troop, except you’ll have the opportunity to camp with new friends as you join Scouts from all over the council and beyond. You’ll meet new people and have the opportunity to develop friendships that can last a lifetime. Provisional Scouts will partner with a selected Golden Gate Area Council Troop with an experienced leader. You’ll have a full time Scoutmaster for the week that, just like your Scoutmaster back home, will make sure you have a safe and fun camp experience. Provisional scouts can participate in all of the camp’s exciting programs including advancement, competitions, and patrol events. It’s a great way to finish additional Merit Badges, or to try a new part of the program that you weren’t able to try before.
NOTE:
SO, sign up now if you’d like to attend camp as part of the provisional camping program!
Provisional Camping is the creation of a temporary Troop or an opportunity to work with another unit. Provisional camping allows youth to attend camp without their home unit. Provisional camping is not new; it is used during many different Scouting events including National Jamborees and High Adventure trips.
The Scout’s family is responsible for transportation to and from Camp. Please contact the Golden Gate Area Council Camping and Outdoor Programs Department (camping@ggacbsa.org) for questions or more information.
First, try to connect the Scout and counselor in Scoutbook. If that is successful, the counselor is registered and qualified. If unsuccessful, go to the counselor’s home council and search for their Advancement Administrators. Most will have an email address for either the Council Advancement Committee or Professional Advisor. Send an email asking if the counselor has been registered and qualified for the merit badge(s) in question and the status of their Youth Protection Training. Ask California councils if the counselor has completed AB506 training and LiveScan. The unit leader’s “blue card” signature verifies their counselor credentials verification.
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Order of the Arrow
