The Unit Key 3 Taking Responsibility for a Successful Unit

The Unit Key 3 consists of the unit committee chair, the unit leader, and the chartered organization
representative. The unit commissioner is not a member of the Unit Key 3 because the unit
commissioner is not a member of the unit. He or she serves as an advisor to the Unit Key 3.
The units length of existence and current situation determine how frequently the unit commissioner
formally meets with the Unit Key 3.
Like other Key 3s in Scouting, the Unit Key 3 meets monthly to address unit challenges, checks on
Journey to Excellence status, and adjusts program and administrative elements to ensure progress. It is
a time for the Unit Key 3, along with the unit commissioner, to spot early warning signs and work
together toward continued unit success.
The following are some items the Unit Key 3 should review on a regular basis:

Conduct a membership and Youth Protection Training inventory. Step by step instructions on
how to conduct these inventories are available at https://www.saltlakescouts.org/rechartering
Ensure that a monthly program is in place and on track. Encourage long-range planning as much
as possible.
Encourage all adult leaders to get trained. This includes all of the supplemental online training
(www.myscouting.org), Leader Specific Training for their position, and Wood Badge.
Encourage continued monthly training through attendance at Roundtable.
Use Journey to Excellence criteria to set goals and measure progress. Involve the youth in
setting these goals and planning ways to improve. Instructions about Journey to Excellence are
available at https://www.saltlakescouts.org/commish-journey
Work with the unit commissioner to complete at least one detailed assessment per year as part
of the Unit Service Plan. Encourage the unit commissioner to make at least six contacts with the
unit and its leaders per year, and record those contacts in Commissioner Tools.

It should be noted that regular unit committee meetings are still needed, but the Unit Key 3 can take
some of the burden off those committee meetings so that more can be accomplished in a shorter time.
And today, time is a precious element and a factor in volunteer participation.
Efficiency is important, but probably the biggest advantage to using a Unit Key 3 is the strengthening of
the relationship between the chartered organization and the unit. With the chartered organization
representative a part of the Key 3, the awareness of the units challenges and successes creates an
atmosphere of mutual help and support.
Please see the sample Unit Key 3 meeting agenda which follows on the next page.
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Sample Unit Key 3 Meeting Agenda

Meeting Date & Time:
Meeting Location:
Committee Chair:
Chartered Organization Representative:
Unit Leader:
Unit Commissioner (by invitation):

1. Invocation
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Scout Oath & Law
4. Conduct a membership inventory (are all youth and adult members properly registered?)
5. Conduct a Youth Protection Training inventory (do all adult leaders have current YPT status? Retake
training annually to ensure no lapse)
6. Review the training status for all adult leaders and update the unit Training Manager as needed at
https://my.scouting.org
7. Review Roundtable attendance
8. Review short and long range program planning
9. Review advancement progress
10. Review Journey to Excellence progress
11. Address unresolved needs or concerns with the unit commissioner for help linking these needs to
the resources of the District.
12. Other business
13. Assignments for follow up action

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