an_old_DC

Hmm, I don't see how to edit the above post.... Anyway, I should say it usually is a gift. Not always.

Most people do not realize the authority and significance of a chartered org rep, including many CORs. A COR who truly understands their role and is active with the unit is a treasure. Sadly, many CORs (at least in my experience and neighborhood) are not very involved. If they are trained and active, it is a gift to work with them.

I was DC, and am now DC again. LOL. But to answer your question, yes and no. Being DC is a lot like being SM in that my role is to know rules/regs, and then empower leaders (only the DC empowers CC, SMs and CMs instead of SPLs). There have been lots of times when somebody wished I could make a difficult decision for them, but at the end of the day, it was their decision as it's their unit. The problem is that councils don't want to get involved in unit spats, and if there isn't a strong and active commissioner corps, unit leaders feel like they are stuck on an island with nobody to turn to for advice.

Thanks!

You should expect to be stopped in the hallway by the SM, who says something like "The 'P' in PLC does not stand for 'parent.' They are doing a fine job without parents or even ASMs sitting in the meeting to judge or monitor them." Regarding summer camp, parents in camp with "nothing" to do get bored. Then they eventually wander over to see what their son's patrol is doing. Then they begin to offer suggestions and generally butt in to patrol business. There is no need for parents at summer camp. The SM and a couple of fully trained ASMs are all that's needed. That's my experience, anyway.

Yes, that's my experience too. Answer enough questions with "What does your BS Handbook say?" or "What does your PL (SPL or whatever) Handbook say?" and they generally catch on. Our troop had used Thorns and Roses. At Philmont we learned Thorns, Roses and Buds, and brought it home. After that, its what the troop used.

Well, the title says it all: Hello from an old District Commissioner. By way of background, I have been Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner, District Commissioner, District Committee Chair, and now District Commissioner again. I have also been Crew Advisor for several years. an old DC

It has been several years since I was SM but our troop's policy was that for Scouts to go on a "troop high adventure," they had to be 14 years old and First Class. Mom or dad wants to go too? I told them to fill out an ASM or committee member app, get trained, take OLS, and then they could sign up. That was for whatever was deemed "troop high adventure" by the PLC. Routine weekend campouts or challenging day hikes were different.

Sure it already happens, but is it widespread? And intentional? In the rush to award girls the rank of Eagle Scout, there's going to be a taint of "her dad's the SM, her mom's the CC, and mom and dad were MBCs for most of the Eagle-required MBs." I am already hearing from long-time district advancement chairs who are worried.

I am a District Commissioner and have already heard from two Scoutmasters that they will do "everything" they can {wink, wink} to help girls earn the rank of Eagle Scout ASAP. My fear is that in the rush to be the first girl to earn Eagle Scout (or be the first unit, district, council to have a girl earn Eagle Scout) many shortcuts will be taken during sign-offs and BoRs. We all know it will be a race to see who is first.