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Mike Papst, left, and Don MacDonald of the Scouts Canada say that volunteering for the organization has never been easier or more rewarding.

Michael Crivici became involved with Scouts Canada because he wanted to spend more quality time with his son Benjamin.

But in the past year, the Charleswood resident got more out of being a Beaver leader than he could ever have imagined.

"I get to be a teacher, I get to be a leader and Scouts Manitoba provides me with training that I normally wouldn’t get with other organizations," says Crivici, who had no previous scouting experience.

Crivici found supplemental training information on the Scouts website and says the skills he received extends into his professional life.

"It gave me more confidence in certain things and I’ve found that it’s harder teaching a group of 20 kids between the ages of five and seven than it is to face a boardroom of executives," he says.

Comments like that are exactly what Don MacDonald, the Scouts council executive director for Central Canada, likes to hear.

MacDonald says that the Scouts have been aiming to make their programs and training for volunteers more accessible since the non-profit organization adopted a plan to boost participation two years ago.

"We’re in our second century and the action plan looks at taking us from where we are now to the goal of doubling our membership to take us back (to previous membership levels)," MacDonald says.

More than 2,400 boys and girls, along with 700 adult volunteers, are currently involved with 60 scouting groups in Winnipeg.

MacDonald says that like most organizations, membership numbers have been on the decline in recent years but Scouts officials are working on ways to counter that trend.

One way includes choosing a new Manitoba council commissioner for a three-year term. The commissioner will act as the head volunteer for the province and will play an integral role in future growth.

Outgoing commissioner Mike Papst says the best part of his job has been seeing the passion of the other volunteers.

"When someone is getting paid and their job is on the line, there’s a natural tendency to please the boss," says Papst, who lives in River Heights.

"A volunteer organization is a totally different thing because their hearts are all in the right place."

The deadline for applications for the position is Aug. 31. Applicants should have a passion for helping others but previous experience with the Scouts organization isn’t mandatory, according to MacDonald.

"Our new open appointment system is anyone in or out of scouting can apply for any position that we have available. It’s all based on merit," he says.

MacDonald says that it’s important that the new commissioner is a motivating leader and eager to help boys and girls achieve their goals as well as those of the Scouts organization.

"It’s not ‘I’ve got to go and be the all omnipotent poobah of Manitoba’, that’s really the most critical thing for people to know," he says.

MacDonald adds that there are plenty of other of opportunities available for individuals interested in volunteering with the Scouts.

For more information on Scouts Canada visit www.mb.scouts.ca or www.scouts.ca.

trevor.suffield@canstarnews.com