Well it has happened, my term as District Chair has come to an end. After three years of serving the District in this role, I am moving on to new challenges as District Commissioner. It has been enjoyable, challenging, frustrating, and eye-opening to say the least.
I have to give a huge shout-out to Craig Nesbitt, our outgoing District Commissioner, who has been my friend, mentor, and cohort during our tenure on the Key Three. Craig has served the District well and I have some big shoes to fill as I transition into my new role. Craig is a dedicated scouter whose own kids are now adults, but he has continued to show his commitment to the programs and values of the BSA by staying active and helping to run the affairs of the District.
For those of you unfamiliar with the role Craig has worked so well in filling, and what I am about to take on, here is an excerpt from the official BSA job description:
The role of a district commissioner involves just five things:
• To envision what effective unit service in a district will look like and what goals must be accomplished during their term of service to fulfill that vision.
• To represent volunteers and Scouts to the district committee and district professionals.
• To recruit assistant district commissioners and an adequate number of roundtable and unit commissioners to provide effective unit service.
• To retain commissioners and units (ensuring commissioners are given assignments that fit well with their passion, potential, and priorities and recognizing their achievements and that units receive effective service to support retention).
• To enable commissioners to be successful (including ensuring commissioners complete onboarding, and training, are given assignments that are a good match for their passion, potential and priorities, are provided with a clear definition of success and are recognized for their achievements).
Fortunately for me, and the District, Craig will stay around as a Unit Commissioner and I am sure he will continue to mentor me as I get up-to-speed in my new position.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we don’t know what opportunities and challenges the future will hold, but as I go into 2021, I look forward to serving you and I will strive to do it as well as Craig has.
Best regards,
Kevin F. Clark
North Shore District Commissioner
kfclark1962@yahoo.com
512-771-5845
District Commissioner
