National Courses BCS 101-199, MCS 301-399, DCS 501-599, CED 701-799
These courses are the courses listed at the bottom of the Commissioner Training web page. With minor variations, these courses form the curriculum of Commissioner’s Colleges all across the country.
Nor Cal Specific Courses BCS 201-299, MCS 401-499, DCS 601-699, CED 801-899
These courses were designed to met a need, identified by the Commissioners in our service area, which was not met by the National courses. They are intended to be equal in quality to the nationally identified courses and count equally toward degrees.
See the Historical Course Catalog for past courses.
Bachelors Level Courses [Masters Level] [Doctoral Level] [Continuing Education]
| Course Number |
Course Title |
National Course Description |
|
BCS 104
(2023)
|
Contacting Units |
Insights on effective unit contacts, what to look for, and how to be a help. How to track your contacts with the Commissioner Tools System. |
BCS 105
(2023) |
Resolving Common Unit Issues |
The purpose of this course is to hone the commissioner’s skills in assessing units, determining their strengths and weaknesses, and in developing plans to improve the functioning of the unit. When collaborating with the unit Key 3, the commissioner may be able to help identify critical issues and keep the unit from becoming an “At-Risk” unit |
BCS 109
(2021-23) |
The Essential Element – A Servant’s Heart |
Applying the concept of Servant Leadership in Commissioner service. |
BCS 113
(2021-23) |
Essentials of Serving Scouts with Disabilities |
Virtually every unit will experience having a youth who has disAbilities. This course will provide Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can provide a program which provides these youth with the Scouting opportunities to succeed. |
BCS 150
(2022-23) |
Roundtables and Commissioner Service |
The purpose of the Roundtable is to help units succeed by providing useful program ideas, information on policy, and current information on council and district events and training opportunities. |
BCS 199
(2023) |
Webelos to Scout Transition |
This course will provide Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can assist their units in seamless transitioning of Webelos into Boy Scouts.
▪ Transition timetable
▪ Sociology of Webelos, and culture of Boy Scout Troops
▪ Troop Choice is individual and personal
▪ Commissioner’s role and that of other key players’ responsibilities |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Nor Cal Specific Course Descriptions |
BCS 201
(2022-23) |
Roundtable Support |
The course will examine common types and sources of various supports for Roundtables. Novel support ideas will be shared among participants. |
BCS 207
(2021-23) |
Modern Communication Tools – Not Just Zoom |
A summary view of suggested modern communication tools to reach our Gen X parents. Including websites, blogs, moderated Q&A list, news flashes, targeted emails, Facebook, Instagram, etc |
BCS 209
(2022-23) |
Scoutbook 101 |
An introductory class to Scoutbook to give Commissioners (many with no day to day access to Scoutbook) an overview of what their units can do within the software. There will be plenty of time for questions and we will try to personalize the class to the students’ needs. |
BCS 210
(2022-23) |
Inclusion of Scouts with Disabilities |
This presentation will provide an introduction to inclusion. The main idea is to show how inclusion benefits All youth and adults, and explain the process in an easy-to-understand approach. |
BCS 219
(2021-23) |
Commissioning Girl Troops and Linked Troops |
This course will provide some strategies for being a successful commissioner for Girl Troops and Linked Units. What particular challenges and successes does a unit commissioner encounter? This course will provide some examples. |
BCS 237
(2023) |
New On-Line Rechartering Process |
As the Recharter Coordinator of a large District (50 Units) in 2021 and for a large Council (400 Units) in 2022; the instructor will share lessons learned, what worked well, and what did not work well. The students will be encouraged to share their experiences as well. |
| BCS 239 (2021, 23) |
Effective Use of Social Media for Recruiting |
Learn how you can use Social Media to increase your reach and response with today’s parents in a connected world. |
BCS 242
(2023) |
Year Round Recruiting for Cub Scouts |
The key to strong and growing Cub Scout units is continuous efforts to recruit. This class will feature effective year-round strategies, and offer participants to share their own efforts. |
BCS 250
(2021-23) |
Leave No Trace |
Learn the basics of Leave No Trace, how you and your unit can minimize your outdoor recreational impacts, and the importance of OE-trained adults and the OE guide troop leadership position. |
| BCS 280 (2021-23) |
The Science of Scouting: Chasing Boredom from the Program |
Troops with low membership or participation have a similar problem – boredom. Use the “Science of Scouting” to help reboot unit excitement and decrease volunteer requirements. |
Masters Level Courses [Bachelors Level] [Doctoral Level] [Continuing Education]
| Course Number |
Course Title |
National Course Description |
MCS 312
(2022-23) |
Recruiting 21st Century Volunteers |
All commissioners are responsible for recruiting other commissioners. This course familiarizes commissioners on the considerations and techniques that support recruiting volunteers who represent the generations of the 21st century. |
MCS 314
(2021, 23) |
Commissioners and the Professional |
Commissioners explore the commonalities of their roles and the roles of the Professionals in order to foster positive and productive relationships. |
MCS 357
(2021, 23) |
Managing Long Distance Roundtables |
Long distance roundtables are here. Discover and learn the possibilities and techniques that will lead to dynamic and engaging program content to engage your Scouters. |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Nor Cal Specific Course Descriptions |
MCS400
(2021, 23) |
Finance |
|
MCS 414
(2021-23) |
Best Practices and Unique Insights to Linked Units and Girl Troops |
Course encapsulates how to align expectations and learn from best practices gained from Unit Commissioner feedback so female scouts may eagerly and confidently meet the Aims of the BSA |
MCS 415
(2022-23) |
Rebuilding Cub Packs |
Steps to take when one of your packs is having a “near-death experience.” How to revive them and keep them going. |
MCS 418
(2023) |
Using the ADC/ACC Commissioner for Roundtable |
Strategies and best practices for employing administrative commissioners to support RT commissioners and coordinate RT programs. |
MCS 419
(2023) |
Joint Activities Between Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA |
If Cub Scouting does not have a future, none of us do. This course will explore ways Troops and Packs can come together for joint activities to create bonds that will restore the disrupted pipeline of Cubs to Scouts BSA, and thereby strengthen both types of units. |
MCS 420
(2023) |
Year Round Recruiting for Boy and Girl Lined Troops |
This course will look at effective strategies Boy and Girl Troops to work continuously and effectively to encourage the available pool of Cubs and other young boys and girls to join our units. |
MCS450
(2022-23) |
International Scouting |
An overview of International Scouting programs, jamborees, awards and recognition, activities, camps, jobs, and resources available to adult and youth BSA members. Learn about Scouting all around the world from someone who has experienced it. |
Doctoral Level Courses [Bachelors Level] [Masters Level] [Continuing Education]
| Course Number |
Course Title |
National Course Description |
DCS502
(2021, 23) |
Limiting the Scope of the Topic |
Participants receive help in reducing the thesis/project topic to a workable size and get ideas for their thesis or project research. |
DCS503
(2021, 23) |
Developing the Thesis or Project |
This session covers the thesis/project outline and a variety of suggestions for writing and revising the report. |
DCS 509
(2023) |
Legacy of Servant Leadership |
In one of your first CCS experiences, you more than likely participated in a class called The Essential Element (A Servant’s Heart). That Bachelor’s level class introduced the concept of servant leadership and established the expectation that commissioners served units and other volunteers. The course objectives for A Legacy of Servant Leadership are to • Explore characteristics of servant leaders, • Understand servant leadership in Scouting, and • Recognize the legacy of servant leadership |
DCS 512
(2023) |
Recruiting for Diversity |
How do we ensure that every unit is supported to offer a quality Scouting program? Simple. We recruit and empower enough commissioners for the task. • Describe the need for diversity • Understand the definition of diversity • Identify the practices to be added to recruiting practices Throughout this course we will come to a better understanding of the need for diversity in scouting volunteers as well as ways to work toward recruiting a more diverse commissioner corps. |
DCS 514
(2021, 23) |
Building Meaningful Relationships |
Commissioner service is all about relationships. This session suggests ways in which commissioners may go about building and maintaining positive relationships with those they serve. It also discusses possible pitfalls that can undermine relationships. |
DCS 550
(2023) |
Leveraging Roundtables in Unit Service |
Consistent communication throughout the Unit Service team, especially during the monthly district commissioner meeting, is key to providing effective service to units through the roundtable program. |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Nor Cal Specific Course Descriptions |
Continuing Education Courses [Bachelors Level] [Masters Level] [Doctoral Level]
| Course Number |
Course Title |
National Course Description |
CED 701
(2023) |
Combatting Commissioner Stress and Burnout |
This course looks at some ways we can help overcome those burnout and stressful situations and motivate ourselves and others toward better tenure in the BSA.
▪ Define burnout
▪ Explore symptoms of stress and burnout
▪ Discuss setting priorities and time management |
CED 713
(2021-23) |
Special Needs Scouting – Advancement |
This course will provide Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can provide a Scouting program which provides special needs youth with the Scouting opportunities to succeed. Participants will become familiar with the “Rules of Engagement” for advancement in each of the Scouting program areas to help them to respond to the needs of these special youth. |
|
CED 714
(2023)
|
Special Needs Scouting – ADHD |
Virtually every unit will experience having a youth who has Special Needs (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)). This course will provide Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can provide a Scouting program which provides these youth with the Scouting opportunities to succeed. Participants of this course will become familiar with the multiple characteristics common to individuals who have AD/HD and with easy tips to help them to get the most out of the Scouting program. |
CED 715
(2021, 23) |
Special Needs Scouting – Autism Spectrum |
Virtually every unit will experience having a youth who has Special Needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder). This course will provide Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can provide a Scouting program which provides these youth with the Scouting opportunities to succeed. Participants will become familiar with the multiple characteristics common to individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder and with easy tips to help them to get the most out of the Scouting program |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Nor Cal Specific Course Descriptions |
CED 811
(2023) |
Advanced Scoutbook |
A discussion of the use of some add-on tools to enhance the use of scoutbook as well as some tricks to get the system to show you data in useful ways. This will be plenty of time for Q&A on advanced problems. |
|
CED 813
(2023)
|
State Bill AB506 Administration |
Ok – we’ve got the hard part done! This course will explore practices and tools for administering AB 506 compliance going forward. |
CED 814
(2023) |
Commissioner Tools Update |
Contacting units and capturing in commissioner tools their strengths, needs, and a unit service plan that enables continuing improvement. This class will update you on the most recent improvements. |
CED 850
(2022-23) |
Managing Next Gen Volunteers |
Every unit needs volunteers to make it run, but many are hesitant to engage. This session shows how to recruit, enable and retain more volunteers to help fuel unit success. |
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