The College of Commissioner Science is an annual training event focused on developing the skills useful to a unit, roundtable, or administrative commissioner. The college provides of up to date information on the newest programs and materials, helps commissioners stay current in the techniques and application of commissioner service, and allows the discussion of issues and needs with other commissioners. Since many of those same skills are important to unit leaders, the college is not only for commissioners but is open to all Scouters.
The college is modeled after the academic system and consists of a Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral degrees. The courses provided have been developed nationally by volunteers with years of experience and are focused on specific issues and needs of the commissioner.
All Commissioners should attend this training to improve their ability to serve their units.
2020 College of Commissioner Science
The college was orginally scheduled for April, but was postponed to October 17. Due to the ongoing pandemic and for the safety of all participants, the college will be held online only this year with a reduced cost of $15 per person.
For people that registered for the April event, please send a confirmation to Darin Steindl stating that you will be participating or not participating. When we have received your confirmation, then we can process the appropriate refund.
Download the 2020 Information and Course Catalog
2020 Planning Committee
Title | Name - Email link | Phone |
College Dean | Steven Meinhardt | (701) 361-3933 |
Registrar | Carl Ness | |
Continuing Education | Jon Luther | |
Doctoral Dean | Ken Buatala | |
Master's Dean | Andrew Holman | |
Bachelor's Dean | Brian White | (770) 833-1045 |
Roundtable Dean | Perry Vogel | (218) 791-3689 |
Facilities | Tina Anderson | |
Staff Advisor | Darin Steindl | (218) 979-4653 |
College of Commissioner Science Thesis Library
"Webelos Transition Program: Does it Work?"
"The Life Saving Commissioner's Role in a Unit with no Leader"
"Communication Between Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing"
"Everybody Deserves a Trained Leader"
"Where have all the young men gone? Or why do they leave Scouting?"
"Troop Initiated and Pack Initiated Strategies for Den Chief Placement"
"New Methods of Recruiting Commissioners"
"Religious Emblems Discussion"
"Journey to Excellence: Who is and isn't using it and why?"
Additional Information
List of NLC Scouter's and Degrees Earned
Please complete the survey at the end of the day:
If you would be interested in serving on staff or teaching at the 2021 college:
Please click here to send an email to Rob Gilkerson.
Important Information for Participants
The College of Commissioner Science will be conducted entirely online this year using Zoom, Go to Meeting and other online meeting platforms.
If you have not used these platforms before, use the links below to download the required software onto the computer you will be using. We encourage you to do this before October 17 so you can connect easier the day of the event.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/client/latest/ZoomInstaller.exe
Go To Meeting: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/915786365
* * You will need the information below to participate in the Commissioner College * *
Download Participant Packet (contains meeting connection information)
This pdf requires a password to open. The password will be sent to each registered participant by email no later than Friday.
Classes Being Offered & Handouts
8:00 am Group Session
Recruiting New Commissioners
Handout - Recruiting Volunteers
9:00 am Classes
Resolving Common Unit Issues (BCS 105)
Using the ADC for Roundtable in your District (MCS 355)
MCS 355 - ACC for Roundtables Job Description
MCS 355 - ADC for Roundtable Job Description
MCS 355 - Administration of Commissioner Service (Roundtable module)
MCS 355 - Assistant Roundtable Commissioner Job Description
MCS 355 - Relationships Activity Cards
MCS 355 - Roundtable Commissioner Job Description
MCS 355 - RT and ART Commissioner Onboarding Progress Record
MCS 355 - The District Commissioner and Roundtables
Good Commissioners Need Both Head and Heart (MCS 309)
Coaching for Administrative Commissioners (DCS 506)
Conflict Resolution for Commissioners (CED 716)
10:00 am Classes
Core Concepts of Commissioner Service (BCS 101)
Roundtable is Over, Now What (MCS 352)
MCS 352 - Administration of Commissioner Service (Roundables module)
Recruiting a Commissioner Team (MCS 312)
Commissioner Recruiting Workshop (DCS 512)
DCS 512 – Commissioner Recruitment Workshop Guide
DCS 512 – Roster Mining Class Exercise
DCS 512 – Roster Mining Searching for Commissioner Candidates
Combating Commissioner Stress and Burnout (CED 701)
11:00 am Classes
Linking District Resources (BCS 103)
Managing Long Distance Roundtables (MCS 357)
MCS 357 - 120 minute Boy Scout Roundtable Planning Worksheet
MCS 357 - 120 minute Cub Scout Roundtable Planning Worksheet
MCS 357 - 180 minute Boy Scout Roundtable Planning Worksheet
MCS 357 - 180 minute Cub Scout Roundtable Planning Worksheet
MCS 357 - Administration of Commissioner Service (Roundtable module)
MCS 357 - Roundtable Planning Guide (Technology & Roundtable Delivery module)
Resolving Critical Issues (MCS 305)
MCS 305 – Pack Detailed Assessment form
MCS 305 – Troop Detailed Assessment form
MCS 305 – Unit Evaluation Matrix
Selecting a Thesis Topic & Limiting the Scope of the Topic (DCS 501 & 502)
DCS 501 – 2018 Doctorate and Knot Award Guidebook
12:15 pm Group Session
Larry Chase, National Commissioner Service Chair
1:15 pm Lunch Break
2:00 pm Classes
The Essential Element - A Servants Heart (BCS 109)
Roundtables and Solving Unit Problems (MCS 358)
MCS 358 - ADC for Roundtables Job Description
MCS 358 - Administration of Commissioner Service (Roundtable module)
MCS 358 - Assistant Roundtable Commissioner Job Description
MCS 358 - Roundtable Commissioner Job Description
MCS 358 - RTC & ARTC Onboarding Progress Record
MCS 358 - The District Commissioner and Roundtables
Mentoring Skills (MCS 306)
Developing the Thesis or Project (DCS 503)
Commissioner's Introduction to Valuing Diversity (CED 720)
3:00 pm Classes
Collaborative Assessments (BCS 116)
BCS 116 – Collaborative Assessment Meeting Agenda
BCS 116 – Why Do a Unit Service Plan
The Cub Scout Breakout (MCS 353)
MCS 353 - 90 minute Cub Scout Roundtable Planning Guide
MCS 353 - Cub Scout Roundtable Planning guide (2017-18)
MCS 353 - Administration of Commissioner Service (Roundtable module)
MCS 353 - Cub Scout How to Book
Effective Unit Service in Remot Rural Areas (MCS 315)
MCS 315 - Characteristics of a Rural Community
MCS 315 - Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook
MCS 315 - Neighborhood-Small Community Plan of District Operations
MCS 315 - Scouting in Rural Communities
Project Thesis Open Workshop Forum (DCS 504)
4:00 pm Classes
Coaching Leaders (BCS 106)
The Boy Scout Breakout (MCS 354)
MCS 354 - Boy Scout Roundtable Planning Guide (2017-18)
MCS 354 - Administration of Commissioner Service (Roundtable module)
MCS 354 - Boy Scout Planning Calendar
How to Conduct Annual Planning Sessions (MCS 351)
Presenting the Project or Thesis (DCS 604.2)
5:00 pm Group Session
Using Internet Technology for training, providing information, and meetings in rural areas