Doctor of Commissioner Science Instructors George Crowl

Doctor of Commissioner Science Instructors: George Crowl,

Introductions l Name l Commissioner job l Scouting experience

Overview l DCS 601 — Selecting a Topic l DCS 602 — Limiting the Scope of the Topic l DCS 603 — Developing Outline / Writing Report l DCS 604 — Thesis Workshop l DCS 608 — Advanced Commissioner Lifesaving l DCS 610 — Preventing Commissioner Burnout l DCS 611 — Consider Your Spouse and Family l DCS 612 — Commissioner Awareness of AIDS

DCS 601 Selecting A Thesis / Research Project Topic Instructor: George Crowl

Introduction l 20 pages, double spaced l Non-permanent binder l Meaningful research, development and study l Belongs to local council, credit given l Deadline July 1 for conference award l Include complete bibliography l Some may want to do an approved project not requiring a written thesis. That’s OK.

Definitions l Thesis — 1) an essay as evidence of knowledge of a subject, or 2) an unproved statement or postulate l Hypothesis — a supposition or a proposition, not proved l Theory — relationships which have been verified to some degree l Law — unvarying relationship has been established (Kepler’s laws)

Selecting a Topic — First Step l Your area of interest l Your area of experience l An area of need l Something you can research yourself. An individual research project! l Limited, plan on one year

Topic Selection Discussion l Area of interest l Area of experience and expertise l Area of need l Area that can be accomplished by you l Area of research limited by time constraints

Class Exercise l Teams of three l Select a topic l 20 minutes l Develop initial stages l What would be done? l What sequence do it? l Not content or how to do it

Team Reports l Five minutes each maximum l What the team did l Why you did it l Group discussion

Project Steps (1) l Define the problem or state thesis l “What are Cub advancement motivators” l “Why some boys don’t graduate from Cubs to Scouts” l Propose some solutions l Review literature (BSA and other)

Project Steps (2) l Observations, surveys, interviews l Watch den / pack / troop meetings to spot leadership skills used / not used l Interview boys / parents / leaders l Survey samples of new / experienced leaders l Field testing — see if the idea works

Questions? Comments!

DCS 602 Limiting the Scope of the Topic Instructor: George Crowl

Workable Size l l Why? l Confines to area of most expertise l Limits area of required research l Complete within time constraints Limit the scope of study to: l Place — area you can cover l Time l Number of cases l A workable factor of a larger problem l Financial cost l Feasibility of the project l Availability of data

A Practical Example l Training l Cub Scout training for new leaders l Immediate essential Cub Scout training for new leaders l “A method of providing immediate essential Cub Scout training to new Cub Scout leaders. ”

Another Practical Example l Commissioner responsibilities l Responsible to improve Quality Unit status l Only 40% of troops attended long-term camp l “A commissioner program to improve troop summer camp attendance”

Preliminary Exploration l Helps further limit scope l May involve l Library research l Exploratory interviews and visits l First-hand observation l Develop a preliminary outline of the report

Research Sources l Library research l Surveys and questionnaires l Interview schedulels l Scouting literature l Group interviews l Consultants l Review of other studies related to topic l Statistical data l Experimentation

A Real Thesis l What sources were used in the handout thesis or theses? l What other sources might have been used?

Questionnaires / Interviews l Select best questions for purpose l Unbiased wording l Pre-coding l Layout and order of questions l Preliminary trial l Revision as required l Preparation of instructions

Samples l Sample size l Sampling methods l Selection and location of samples in the field

Getting Data to Report l Need accurate, reliable data l Uniform, consistent data l Complete data l Organization / coding of data l Tabulation of data l Interpretation of results

Questions? Comments!

DCS 603 Developing the Thesis Outline and Writing the Report Instructor: George Crowl

Types of Theses l Informative reference l Analytical report l Experimental project report

Sample Thesis Outline l Prefatory material l Text or body l Supplementary material

Prefatory Material l Title page l Table of contents l Lists of illustrations, tables, and charts l Preface, foreword, or letter of transmittal

Text or Body of Report l Introductory chapters (background, purpose, problem, delimitation of subject, methods, summary of study findings) l Analysis and interpretation of findings l Conclusions and recommendations based on data presented l Summary chapter

Supplementary Material l Appendixes l Bibliography l Index l Glossary of terms

Writing the Thesis l l Revise your preliminary outline Assembling material: l Use of diagrams l Supporting material l What to put in appendixes l Preparing the bibliography l How-to and reference material l Should you include an abstract? l Follow the outline — revise again if necessary l Organize notes according to the outline

Write the First Draft l Introduction — purpose, arouse interest l Paragraphing — each new phase l Transitional devices l Repetition l Direct reference l Connectives l Transitional paragraph l Conclusion — summarize, reemphasize

Bibliography l Compile bibliography l Give sources for facts l Give credit for others thoughts

Read, Revise, Rewrite (1) l Purpose clear? l Paragraphing correct? l Paragraphs make major points of thesis? l Each paragraph unified and coherent? l Paragraphs clearly related to one another? l Sentences varied in structure?

Read, Revise, Rewrite (2) l Sentences be better written? l Too wordy? l Eliminate some expressions or words? l Need punctuation to make meaning clear? l All words spelled correctly? l Parts need to be rewritten for clarity?

Review l Have someone else carefully read and mark anything that is unclear or awkward l Revise again

Finally! l Type in final form l Edit l Correct l Submit

Questions? Comments!

DCS 604 Thesis Workshop Instructor: George Crowl

Individual Progress l Discuss areas of interest and progress l Counseling and help as needed l Rising Ph. D. s discuss their projects and theses

Questions? Comments!

DCS 608 Advanced Commissioner Lifesaving Instructor: George Crowl

Review l Look for vital signs — dropouts, recruiting, program, leadership, no meetings, conflicts l Go into action fast— consult, ask basic questions, be enthusiastic, apply first aid, generate teamwork l Hurry cases — not meeting, no leader, no committee, no new members, conflict with chartered organization, lacks training, weak leadership

Lifesaving Commissioner l l l Good commissioner is one! Teams may help Start with administrative commissioners Dead units do not serve kids Units require prompt, intensive, persistent care Commissioner Fieldbookprovides help

Lifesaving Team l Individuals can save lives, but (paramedic) teams are often better l Insure basic commissioner structure is in place before starting teams l Individual commissioners should be trained l Two kinds of teams: l Ad hoc or temporary l Permanent

Temporary Team l DC selects 2+ people: Who are the best to work with this unit in this situation? l Could be: UC, ADC, IH, another unit’s leader. Anyone who can help l Team head: l UC in some circumstances l Someone else in other situations

Permanent Team l Operates the district’s intensive care program l DC appoints members l ADC team chief (main Scouting job) l UC assistants (main Scouting job) l Other Scouters as needed l Units assigned to team by DC Reassigned to regular UC when healthy

The Decision l Based on Key 3 philosophy l Some want a permanent team l Some don’t l More important — a commitment. Stop the drops l Give special help to units with critical needs l Have a plan of action l District commissioners are critical

Questions? Comments!

DCS 610 Preventing Commissioner Burnout Instructor: George Crowl

Introduction l “I’m sick of it!” l Why are you still here? l Everyone feels some burnout l We will look at ways to overcome burnout

Types of Burnout l Fatigue l Boredom l Lack of motivation l Others?

Fatigue l l Signs l Tiredness l Low energy l Lack of ideas and planning l Others? Solutions l Vacation l Temporary replacement l Have others help l Go to bed earlier! l Get help with late-night TV addiction

Boredom l No longer interested (not fatigued) l Prevention / cures l Change of pace — new skills, new places l Visit others — gather ideas l Special activity — Philmont, other activity l Teach — commissioner or other training l Redevelop — read inspirational literature l Reflect on your progress l Ask for a change of assignment

Lack of Motivation l What is motivation? l What is the only real way to motivate? l Some incentives: l Keep up-to-date l Your sincere, interested, helpful and enthusiastic attitude motivates others l Your talents are important to Scouting l Group sense of belonging motivates l Recognition

Time Management (1) l Set priorities — what will make a difference? l Commissioner service is primary l Keep Scouting papers sorted out l Keep the stuff you need, pitch the rest l Use your notebook to organize l Talk to verbose Scouters before meetings l Group tasks and appointments

Time Management (2) l Say “no” when you need to (nicely) l Don’t procrastinate l Listen carefully l Commissioner “to do” list — A, B, C l Make a schedule, stick to it

Wellness l Take it easy. Relax! l Manage your weight l Regular exercise. Stay fit. l Lead a balanced life l Get prompt medical help

Questions? Comments!

DCS 611 Consider Your Spouse and Family Instructor: George Crowl

Introduction l How many have seen volunteers leave Scouting because of their family?

Skit 1 l We never communicate, that way we never argue l Communication is key to good organization l Family is getting in the way, no time for Scouting l Family must come first. Schedule time accordingly

Skit 2 l No organization, but confusion and frustration l Plan together, keep priorities in order l My spouse does not care for me l Consider your spouse. Work together on house, children, meals. Show care often. l She just does her own thing l Involve your spouse in your responsibilities

Skit 3 l Single parent. Doesn’t have time for everything l Plan ahead. Budget available time. Do not take on too much.

Other Problems l Finances l Time together l Values l Overload

Spouse Recognition l Appreciation certificate l One spouse represents, gets recognition l Card, poem, flower at dinner plates l Thank you letters l Recognize spouses at all activities l Testimonial for and on behalf of spouses l Annual spouse recognition – BBQ, picnic, etc. l Spouses’ day at camp

Questions? Comments!

DCS 612 Commissioner Awareness of AIDS Instructor: George Crowl

Introduction l The text in the notes pages is from the syllabus. Because the syllabus is non-specific, no presentation is prepared.

Questions? Comments!

Graduation