Like many Scouters, I began my Scouting career in Cub Scouts, in a very small unit in Wisconsin. My first Pinewood Derby car won second place!
I reengaged in Scouting at the troop level a few years later. I participated in summer camp and competed in orienteering, canoeing and more. As senior patrol leader of a unit with all younger Scouts, we beat out a unit of all Eagle Scouts. This along with sage advice from my Scoutmaster led me to go on and earn my Eagle Scout.
How did you get involved as a Scouting volunteer?
Over the years, my wife and I raised three Eagle Scouts. I served in many roles including assistant Scoutmaster, training chair, high-adventure leader, assistant Scoutmaster at the 2005 National Jamboree, unit commissioner and district committee chair.
I’ve served as the council commissioner for the past five years.
What does a commissioner do?
The council commissioner’s job is to work with the district commissioners—who in turn work with the unit commissioners—to be a friend, a representative, a “doctor,” a teacher and a counselor. The commissioner gives their time and knowledge to help units when they don’t have an answer.
In my first unit commissioner position, there were a bunch of Scouters who said, “Units don’t want you” or “We don’t need anything.” I talked one of those Scout leaders into a cup of coffee and asked if I could come to the unit meetings and just hang out. For three months, I was friendly and only said hi to everyone.
Finally, the committee chair says, “Have you ever been to Philmont?” I said yes. “Great! We are going there next summer. Can you share with us?” I presented to the troop, and from that point on they would ask me what I thought about something. It took that long to build trust.
What sticks out to you from your service as council commissioner?
My most challenging time as council commissioner was navigating COVID and keeping the units together. But my most rewarding time has been walking into units and seeing the program running. I love seeing the older kids lead the younger kids.
What’s next for you in Scouting?
As I step back from the council commissioner position, I will be an assistant council commissioner and help with training for unit commissioners. I am the council’s liaison for the College of Commissioner Science, which provides ongoing practical training for all commissioners to allow them to better serve their units. The college is March 29 in Janesville, Wisconsin, and registration is now open.
I may also consider another council position.
What advice do you have for adult volunteers?
Scouting is about building memories. When you get to the end of the Scouting journey with your kids, you have a lot of knowledge you are sitting on. Share it with units, districts and councils. Don’t wait to be asked.
You sign your emails Reed “Fired Up” Snyder. What’s the story behind that?
I was always the energetic guy who made people laugh. I never considered myself to be the class clown, but more the class wit.
After college I met a businessman from Texas, Bert Gulick, who became my mentor and friend. He used “Fired Up” in his voicemails.
In 1998 I took a job with Sprint. Email was still new for sales teams, and my boss wanted us to stand out from any other salesperson. I asked Bert if I could use “Fired Up” in the salutation of my Sprint emails, and he said no problem.
So, I became the “Fired Up” guy.
I realized then that people may not remember my email, but they remember my name and salutation. It gets conversations going for me.