Chapter 6

The Structure of the Headquarters of The Association The Council and committees of , membership, national leadership and support.

Chapter Contents Other National Groups The National Leadership The Patron Headquarters The President The Country Scout Councils of , Scotland and Wales The Council of The Scout Association Companies and Trusts Associated with Membership of the Council The Scout Association The Board of Trustees of The Scout UK Association Rule 6.1 National Membership of the Board of Trustees Units Sub-Committees of the Board of Trustees

The Royal Charter  The Chief Scout The Scout Association exists by authority of a  The Treasurer Royal Charter, granted by King in  The Deputy Chief Scout[s] 1912 and supplemented by further Charters granted by King George VI and  The Chief Executive Queen Elizabeth II.  The International Commissioner These Charters give authority to the Bye Laws  The Chairmen of the national boards of of the Association, which are approved by Her the Association Majesty's Privy Council.  Any person holding appointment as a The Bye Laws, in turn, authorise the making of Chief Commissioner or a national rules for the regulation of the Association's Commissioner affairs, and thereby give authority for the Rules  The County Commissioners of the printed in Policy, Organisation and Rules.  The Chairman and Members of the The Patron Board of Trustees Her Majesty The Queen is the Patron of The Scout Association. Nominated Members Each Scout County and each Overseas The President Branch may nominate members to the His Royal Highness The Duke of is the Council. President of The Scout Association. Each County or Overseas Branch may have The Council of The Scout Association one Nominated Member for every 10,000 Members or part thereof declared by the The Scout Association is governed by a Council County or Branch at the time of the annual of between 300 and 500 members as census taken prior to the nomination. determined by the Royal Charter of 1912 and the Supplemental Royal Charters of 1949, 1959, A Nominated Member serves for three years 1967 and 1991. unless another is nominated in the member's place. The Council appoints the Chief Scout, who becomes the Chairman of the Council. Salaried officials employed by County Scout Councils may be nominated, but persons in Membership of the Council the full-time employment of Headquarters The Council consists of: are not eligible for nomination. Ex-officio members Nominated Youth Representative Each Scout County may nominate one youth  The President representative to the Council.

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The Nominated Youth Representative must Elected Youth Members be a Member or Associate Member of the Three youth Members or Associate Association in the nominating County. Members of the Association elected by the On nomination the representative must have Council at an Annual General Meeting of the passed his 18th birthday but not reached his Council 24th birthday at the date of the annual Elected Youth Members are elected for a census. period of three years. A Nominated Youth Representative serves for three years unless another Appointed Members representative is nominated in the representative's place or until the date of the The Chairman of the Board, the Treasurer Annual Census following the and up to three other persons who need not representative’s 25th birthday. Salaried be, at the time of their nomination, Members officials employed by County Scout Councils or Associate Members of the Association, may be nominated, but persons in the full- provided always that those so nominated time employment of Headquarters are not accept to become at least Associate eligible for nomination. Members on their appointment by the Council at an Annual General Meeting. Elected Members Appointed Members are appointed for a The Council may include up to sixty other period of three years. persons of whom not more than three may be full-time employees of The Scout Attending Members Association. The Secretary, who shall not have a vote. These Members are elected by the Council at the Annual General Meeting of the Right of Attendance Council. The Chief Scout and any Deputy Chief Elected Members serve for three years. Scouts [if they are not Trustees], Chief Commissioners [including the International The Board of Trustees of The Scout Commissioner], the UK Commissioners for Association Programme and Adult Support, Regional Commissioners, County Commissioners and The Board of Trustees exists to manage the County Chairmen have the right of business of the Association in accordance with attendance without vote at meetings of the the Bye Laws of the Association. Trustee Board and may put forward matters It is the body, which makes the Policy and Rules for discussion on giving fourteen days' notice of the Association as published in Policy, to the Secretary of the Board. Organisation and Rules and in the various handbooks and other official literature of the Sub-Committees of the Board of Trustees Association. The Board of Trustees delegates certain powers Membership of the Board of Trustees to five subCommittees: The Board of Trustees consists of:  The Finance Committee; Ex-officio members  The Operations Committee;  Chief Scout or Deputy Chief Scout (but  Risk Assurance Committee not both); and  The Nomination Committee  Chief Executive.  Staffing, Salary and Remuneration Elected members Committee Nine Members or Associate Members of the Association (one each from Northern The membership and terms of reference of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and three from these sub-Committees is determined by the northern England and three from southern Board of Trustees. Two or more members of the England) elected at an Annual General Board of Trustees must serve on each. Meeting of the Council. Chairmen of sub-Committees are appointed for Elected Members are elected for a period of a three year term by the Board of Trustees subject to them remaining as trustees and a three years. satisfactory annual performance review.

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Other National Groups The appointment of a Regional Commissioner The Committees are advised by national groups may be renewed for a second period not appointed from time to time with the approval of exceeding five years. the Board of Trustees. Regional Commissioners are Ex-officio The membership and terms of reference of each members of all County Scout Councils in their board or group is determined by the Board of region and have Right of Attendance at all Trustees or by a sub-committee under its County Executive Committees in their region. delegated powers. Regional Commissioners (England) are treated as National Commissioners for the purposes of National Leadership the Bye Laws. Chief Scout United Kingdom Commissioners The Chief Scout is appointed by the Council of UK Commissioners are appointed by UK Chief The Scout Association according to the terms Commissioner with the approval of the laid down by the Council. Headquarters Appointments Committee to UK Chief Commissioner undertake special responsibilities, such as the A UK Chief Commissioner may be appointed by leadership and support of the Sections. the Association. The appointment of a UK Commissioner The UK Chief Commissioner is treated as a remains valid until the fifth anniversary of the Deputy Chief Scout for the purposes of the Bye date of appointment. Laws. The appointment of a UK Commissioner may be Treasurer renewed for a second period not exceeding five years. The Treasurer is appointed by the Council of The Scout Association according to the terms The appointment of UK Commissioners is laid down by the Council. subject to a formal review by the UK Chief Commissioner. Chief Commissioners Chief Commissioners are appointed by UK Chief UK Commissioners are treated as National Commissioner with the approval of the Commissioners for the purposes of the Bye Headquarters Appointments Committee. Laws. The appointment of a Chief Commissioner Headquarters remains valid until the fifth anniversary of the The Board of Trustees of The Scout Association date of the appointment. maintains a Headquarters staff with a departmental structure as required for the The appointment of Chief Commissioners is implementation of its policy and to provide subject to formal review by the UK Chief services and materials necessary for the proper Commissioner. conduct and development of . (This The appointment of a Chief Commissioner may includes Regional Development Managers and be renewed for a second period not exceeding Officers who are appointed by Headquarters and five years. assigned to work in support of the development of Scouting in Counties and Districts in Chief Commissioners are Ex-officio Members of England.) the Council of The Scout Association. Chief Executive Regional Commissioners (England) SV The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board Regional Commissioners (England) are of Trustees. The Chief Executive is responsible appointed by the Chief Commissioner (England) for the co-ordination of all the work of the staff of / Deputy Chief Commissioner (England) with the Headquarters, for the implementation of the approval of the Headquarters Appointments policy of the Board of Trustees and for such Committee. special tasks as may be requested by the Board. The appointment of a Regional Commissioner The Chief Executive is an Ex-officio Member of remains valid until the fifth anniversary of the the Council of the Association and of the Board date of the appointment. of Trustees. The appointment of Regional Commissioners is Board Secretary subject to formal review by the Chief The Board of Trustees appoints a Secretary to Commissioner (England) / Deputy Chief carry out the duties required of such a person by Commissioner (England) the Bye Laws.

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The Scout Information Centre Scotland SV Under the Scout Constitution for Scotland, the affairs of The Scout Association The Scout Information Centre provides advice, are under the charge of The Scottish Council of support and guidance to the Movement. It can The Scout Association, with a committee for the be contacted as follows: management of its business. Under the authority Tel: 0845 300 1818 or 0208 433 7100 of Headquarters, Scottish Headquarters is the body responsible for matters of programme, Fax: 0208 433 7103 training and administration in Scotland. Email: [email protected] Scotland has separate legal and educational Mail: Scout Information Centre, The Scout systems and its own system of local Association, , , E4 government. 7QW Certain Rules concerning trusteeship, property and charitable status therefore do not apply in SCOUTING Magazine Scotland without modification. is the national magazine of The Scout Association and provides practical resources, Wales Scouting in Wales is supported by the information and support for those involved in Welsh Scout Council. Headquarters in London Scouting. undertakes for it many of the functions of a Country Headquarters. Scout Counties in Wales www.scouts.org.uk are known as Areas. is the official website of the Association and The Overseas Branches of the Association provides regular news updates, general information on Scouting, material for young Branches of The Scout Association are people, Scouting magazine online and access to established in certain territories overseas, with a range of online member resources. local Chief Scouts and Chief Commissioners. Their constitutions are granted by Headquarters The Country Scout Councils of Northern and may be withdrawn at its discretion. Ireland, Scotland and Wales Variations to the Rules of the Association may These Scout Councils exist to advise their be sanctioned by Headquarters to suit the local respective Chief Commissioners in all matters circumstances of an Overseas Branch. relating to the exercise of the Commissioner's discretionary powers as specified by The International Commissioner is responsible Headquarters, and to perform such to the UK Chief Commissioner for the efficiency administrative and executive duties as may be and well-being of Scouting in Overseas delegated to them by Headquarters, which may Branches and for relations with Scout include management of their financial affairs. Associations in Commonwealth Countries. Headquarters makes and approves constitutions for Country Scout Councils in order to facilitate British Scouting Overseas the performance of delegated duties. In a number of countries throughout the world there are British Scout Groups, which are Northern Ireland Under the Scout Constitution registered by The Scout Association. They are for Northern Ireland the affairs of The Scout under the Leadership of the Area Commissioner Association are under the charge of The for British Scouting Overseas who is appointed Northern Ireland Scout Council, with a by Headquarters under the recommendation of Committee for the management of its business. the International Commissioner. The Area Under the authority of Headquarters, Northern Commissioner is responsible to the International Ireland Headquarters is the body responsible for Commissioner. matters of programme, training and administration in Northern Ireland. The Area receives appropriate support by Headquarters as agreed by the Area Northern Ireland has separate legal and Commissioner. educational systems and its own system of local government. Certain Rules concerning trusteeship, property and charitable status therefore do not apply in Northern Ireland without modification.

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Companies and Trusts Associated with The Scout () Limited is a Scout Association wholly owned subsidiary of the Scout Association whose principal activity is that of a Scout Shops Limited is a wholly owned 'captive' insurance company registered in subsidiary of the Scout Association. It is Guernsey. Its purpose is to undertake certain primarily involved in supporting the parent insurance business on behalf of the Scout charity through the sourcing and distribution of Movement and thus, to a certain extent, protect merchandise (such as the supply of , the Movement from premium rates applicable to badges, resources, souvenirs and camping the general insurance market. The premiums equipment). All profits generated are returned to charged can be related more directly to the risks the Association via gift aid. involved in Scout activities instead of having to follow the open market rates. World Scout Shop Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Scout Association which is Scout Insurance Services Limited (trading as operated under licence from World Scouting. Its Unity) is The Scout Association’s dedicated primary objective is the efficient sourcing and insurance broker providing insurance support to distribution of World Scout branded the Association and to the Scout Movement in merchandise to the global Scouting audience. the UK. Unity arranges liability insurance and All profits generated are returned to the personal accident and medical expenses cover Association via gift aid for The Scout Association and its Members. Unity provides additional specialist insurance The Scout Association Trust Corporation cover that Groups, Districts, Counties and (SATC) is a company limited by guarantee and campsites may need. Scout Insurance Services operates with its own separate Board of Limited is authorised and regulated by the Directors. Its powers and constitution are stated Financial Services Authority, and as a wholly in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. owned subsidiary of The Scout Association all It was created to ease the administrative burden profits generated are returned to the Association faced by Scout Units in having to via gift aid. find/appoint/retain local individual Holding Trustees to hold title to their land and to also Girlguiding ensure consistency by holding important land The Scout Association and Girlguiding, although documentation securely in a central location. separate organisations, share a common Where appointed, the SATC can hold title to Founder and have similar aims, principles and freehold, leasehold and long-term Licence land methods. Co-operation between the two interests as a sole Custodian Trustee on behalf organisations is encouraged at all times and at of Scout Units registered with The Scout all levels. Association in the United Kingdom (excepting Scotland and Northern Ireland). It can also hold Rule 6.1 National Scout Active Support Units title to land held by jointly by Scout and Guide Units. As Custodian Trustee, whilst the SATC a. The UK Commissioner for Adult Support will be a party and signatory to any substantive may form National Scout Active Support land documentation, it cannot and does not have Units. any responsibility for the management of a b. Applications to form a National Scout Active Scout Unit or its land. This responsibility remains Support Unit are made to the UK vested in the Scout Unit’s local Executive Commissioner for Adult Support. Committee who also act as the Charity Trustees. c. The purpose of National Scout Active Scout Services Limited is a wholly owned Support Units is to provide active support to subsidiary of the Scout Association whose Scouting at a national level. principal activity is that of sponsorship and d. All adult-only support groups linked to marketing services for The Association and Scouting at a national level must be other commercial activities, including both registered as National Scout Active Support Gilwell Park and Baden Powell House Scout Units. Conference Centres, and Scouting Magazine. All profits generated are returned to the e. The UK Commissioner for Adult Support Association via gift aid. may delegate another national appointee to act as the responsible Commissioner to

support the activities and development of a National Scout Active Support Unit, to agree and review the service agreement, and to maintain effective liaison between

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Headquarters and the National Scout Active (Programme) if appropriate), with the Support Unit. approval of the Operations Committee. f. Each National Scout Active Support Unit is led by a National Scout Active Support l. If a National Scout Active Support Unit fails Manager who is responsible for ensuring to reach the minimum standard for three that the Unit meets its service agreement. years it must be closed. One or more National Scout Active Support

Co-ordinators may be appointed to assist in the running of the Unit. All appointments of National Scout Active Support Unit Managers and Co-ordinators will take place through arrangements nominated by the UK Commissioner for Adult Support. g. Subject in all cases to a satisfactory Personal Enquiry (see Rule 3.26), membership of a National Scout Active Support Unit is open to any person aged 18 or over, including: i. those holding other appointments in Scouting, who will be expected to give priority to the duties of these local appointments; ii. Members, who will be expected to give priority to their Scout Network. h. The National Scout Active Support Manager must be a Member of the Association. All members of a National Scout Active Support Unit must be at least Associate Members. They may also become Members by making the . i. A National Scout Active Support Unit is responsible for providing active support in accordance with its service agreement, agreed annually with the UK Commissioner for Adult Support or nominee. j. The following minimum standards are laid down for National Scout Active Support Units:  There must be an appointed National Scout Active Support Manager.  A National Scout Active Support Unit must provide active support to Scouting on a national level, as detailed in the service agreement.

 A National Scout Active Support Unit must comply with the operational procedures agreed with the UK Commissioner for Adult Support or nominee. k. If a National Scout Active Support Unit fails to reach the minimum standards for two consecutive years, it may be closed by the UK Commissioner for Adult Support (acting together with the International Commissioner/UK Commissioner

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