The search is on for a new volunteer team leader for Potters Bar & District Scouts, and we need you to think about anyone you know who would thrive in this role!
I have been involved in Scouting since 1964 as a young person in Potters Bar & District, becoming a Leader in 1976. I have been a Scout Leader, Group Scout Leader, Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts), Assistant County Commissioner (Scouts), National Scout Team Member and County World Scout Jamboree Leader (WSJ 1995 – The Netherlands). Lots of valuable experience but I still believe that the Movements greatest assets are our young people. We lead and empower them but it is their ability to use this training to accept the challenges we give them and their ability to make things happen that is what makes Scouting the great organisation that it is today. Our Young People are the greatest advert that we can produce.
To work in partnership with the District Commissioner to ensure that all Scout Groups in their area of responsibility are supported and operating within the Policy, Organisation & Rules of The Scout Association and to support the opening of new Scouting provision in their area.
Responsible to: District Commissioner.
Responsible for: Group Scout Leaders.
Main Contacts: County Commissioner, Deputy County Commissioner: Adult Support, District Commissioner, other Deputy District Commissioners, Group Scout Leaders, District Explorer Scout Commissioner, District Scout Network Leaders, Assistant District Commissioners, Young Leaders’ Leader, District Scout Active Support Managers, members of the District Executive Committee and its sub-committees, Leaders.
Must complete the relevant training (a wood badge) within three years of taking up the role.
Manage and set targets with Group Scout Leaders.
Attend Group Executive Committee meetings.
Attend District and County meetings as required.
Email, telephone calls and other communication where required.
Other tasks as agreed with the District Commissioner.
An understanding of the needs of adult volunteers
Flexible approach
Self-motivated
Able to work as part of a team and promote good teamwork
Resourceful, energetic and enthusiastic about the job
Acceptance of the fundamentals of the Scout Movement
Ability to manage adults effectively
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Provides advice and guidance effectively to others
Provides inspirational leadership for the District
Provides strategic direction for the District
Motivates adults volunteering in the District
Can build, maintain and facilitate effective working relationships with a wide range of people
Enables others to identify issues, clarify objectives, develop attainable objectives and gain the necessary skills and confidence to work as an effective team
Ability to negotiate compromises
Can plan, manage, and monitor their own tasks and time
Can construct and implement longterm plans that improve and expand the Scouting offered to young people, and identify any training, resources and other needs required to undertake this work
Can use basic computer software
Understanding of the challenges of working in the voluntary sector
Experience of working with young people and/or community work with adult groups
Experience of working in the Scout or Guide Movements as an adult.
Role: To work in partnership with Deputy District Commissioner to ensure that effective operation of the Beaver Scout Section in their District in accordance with the rules as laid down in POR of The Scout Association
Responsible to: Deputy District Commissioner
Responsible for: District Beaver Leaders
Main Contacts: District Commissioner, Deputy District Commissioners, District Administrator, District Team Leaders, other Assistant District Commissioners, Group Scout Leaders, and Beaver Leaders, Assistants and Section Assistants.
Key tasks: The following are the ‘General’ duties of the role which will be made more specific in accordance with the needs of the District on appointment to the role.
Ensure purpose, method, policies and programme are carried out throughout the Section in the District
Assist GSLs in the encouragement of all Leaders in the Section to provide a balanced programme
Co-operate with DC to support all Leaders and Commissioners in matters relating to the Section and its Leaders
Promote and encourage the Section in the implementation of all policies of The Scout Association, especially the key policies as laid down in Chapter 2 of POR
Liaise with District Administrators
Maintain a working relationship with District Programme Team
Work in partnership with Deputy District Commissioner; Programme in the management of the District and the Section’s programme and activities
Maintain contact relevant to the Section age group within the local community
Promote the Section’s Scouting to the local Community
Support the District Commissioner in the development of the District
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Provide advice and guidance effectively to others.
Provide inspirational leadership for the District.
Provide strategic direction for the District.
Motivate adults volunteering in the District.
Build, maintain, and facilitate effective working relationships with a wide range of people.
Enable others to identify issues, clarify objectives, develop attainable objectives, and gain the necessary skills and confidence to work as an effective team.
Ability to negotiate compromises.
Plan, manage and monitor own tasks and time.
Construct and implement long-term plans that improve and expand the Scouting offered to young people and identify any training, resources and other needs required to undertake this work.
Use basic computer software.
Ability to assist in managing adults effectively.
Understanding of the challenges of working in the voluntary sector.
Experience of working with young people and/or community work with adult groups.
Experience of working in the Scout or Guide Movement as an adult.
An understanding of the needs of adult volunteers.
Flexible approach.
Self-motivated.
Able to work as part of a team and promote good teamwork.
Resourceful, energetic, and enthusiastic about the job.
Acceptance of the fundamentals of the Scout Movement.
Role: To work in partnership with Deputy District Commissioner to ensure that effective operation of the Cub Scout Section in their District in accordance with the rules as laid down in POR of The Scout Association
Responsible to: Deputy District Commissioner
Responsible for: District Cub Leaders
Main Contacts: District Commissioner, Deputy District Commissioners, District Administrator, District Team Leaders, other Assistant District Commissioners, Group Scout Leaders, and Cub Leaders, Assistants and Section Assistants.
Key tasks: The following are the ‘General’ duties of the role which will be made more specific in accordance with the needs of the District on appointment to the role.
Ensure purpose, method, policies and programme are carried out throughout the Section in the District
Assist GSLs in the encouragement of all Leaders in the Section to provide a balanced programme
Co-operate with DC to support all Leaders and Commissioners in matters relating to the Section and its Leaders
Promote and encourage the Section in the implementation of all policies of The Scout Association, especially the key policies as laid down in Chapter 2 of POR
Liaise with District Administrators
Maintain a working relationship with the District Programme Team
Work in partnership with Deputy District Commissioner; Programme in the management of the District and the Section’s programme and activities
Maintain contact relevant to the Section age group within the local community
Promote the Section’s Scouting to the local Community
Support the District Commissioner in the development of the District
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Provide advice and guidance effectively to others.
Provide inspirational leadership for the District.
Provide strategic direction for the District.
Motivate adults volunteering in the District.
Build, maintain, and facilitate effective working relationships with a wide range of people.
Enable others to identify issues, clarify objectives, develop attainable objectives, and gain the necessary skills and confidence to work as an effective team.
Ability to negotiate compromises.
Plan, manage and monitor own tasks and time.
Construct and implement long-term plans that improve and expand the Scouting offered to young people and identify any training, resources and other needs required to undertake this work.
Use basic computer software.
Ability to assist in managing adults effectively.
Understanding of the challenges of working in the voluntary sector.
Experience of working with young people and/or community work with adult groups.
Experience of working in the Scout or Guide Movement as an adult.
An understanding of the needs of adult volunteers.
Flexible approach.
Self-motivated.
Able to work as part of a team and promote good teamwork.
Resourceful, energetic, and enthusiastic about the job.
Acceptance of the fundamentals of the Scout Movement.
Having grown up passing through the ranks of the 5th Potters Bar Scout Group, I became a leader with the Group’s Scout Troop at age 18 and then ran the Tartan Phoenix Explorer Scout Unit following my return from University in 2011. I am honoured to have been made a Queen Scout in 2015, following completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
In 2008, I represented the United Kingdom at the International Scouting and Humanitarian Aid Conference in the United Arab Emirates and have attended a number of the fantastic international expeditions on offer within Scouting. In 2018, I will be part of the leadership team on a National Explorer Belt Expedition to Oman.
Scouting is a bright light in a world which can be particularly daunting for young people. Our business is in building confidence, skills and friendships and so I am proud to be ensuring that 14 to 18 year olds within the District have a very beneficial Scouting experience.
I joined Potters Bar Scouts at the beginning of 1986 taking on the role of District Treasurer and still carryout this role today. Although I was never in Scouting both my sons were very involved. Having spent a career in the City as an investment analyst for a leading merchant bank, numbers were natural to me so becoming Treasurer was not too daunting a role. Since then, the Treasurership role has grown and I now look after the Explorers, Jamboree and Network accounts in addition to the District books..
In 1998 I joined the National Scout Association as an elected member and found myself on the Finance subcommittee, a position I held for eleven years. In 2010 I received an MBE from the Queen for all my local charitable works and in 2011 I was awarded the Silver Acorn from the Scout Association.
We’re currently looking for a District Youth Commissioner for Potters Bar & District Scouts.
Youth Commissioners are volunteers responsible for driving youth shaped in their local area. They support volunteers, shape the programme, influence decisions we make at Scouts and take the lead.
They are aged 18-25 at appointment and enable volunteers to embed the ideas and decisions of young people into local scouting.
They play a key role in the leadership and management of the District. They need to motivate both volunteers and young people. Responsibilities in a youth commissioner role vary but are likely to include the following:
Supporting volunteers to put the views and ideas of young people at the heart of their section’s programme
Promote participation in the YouShape award in their District, as well as top awards
Help to ensure that young people get regular opportunities to take the lead, including promoting participation in the young leader’s scheme.
Inspire and motivate young people in the District, ensuring they know about all the different opportunities available to them in scouting, including when they reach 18 years old
Influence decisions made in the District as a member of the District Executive Committee. Ensuring that young people are at the heart of decisions.
District Youth Commissioners are line managed by the District Commissioner, who will help you set objectives and work with you towards improving local youth-shaped scouting.
Each County (or equivalent) also has a County Youth Commissioner who will be able to provide support, and the UK Youth Commissioner team are also here to support Youth Commissioners – running inductions, events, webinars and more. So you’ll have support available whenever you need it.
Being a Youth Commissioner is an amazing role. As well as helping to drive youth shaped locally and giving young people a say, you’ll also be learning loads of new skills and having fun along the way.
You’ll get experience and develop skills that look seriously impressive on a CV or university application – things like teamwork, communication and organisation, but also experience with governance, working with young people and leading others.
Across the UK, over 600 Youth Commissioners are doing amazing things. Ready to join them? Here’s what others have said:
“Applying to become Youth Commissioner was genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Through this role I’ve learned so much, got to work with a really great team, and made a big difference to the experience of young people in Scouts”.
“I never thought I’d get the role, but I decided to apply anyway just in case. 3 years later, I’m so glad I did. I’d recommend applying to everyone who is considering it”.
“What surpised me most when starting the role was the amazing support that was available from my local team and other youth commissioners. I’ve made new friends and gotten to work with some great people”.
“Seeing the difference this role makes to young people is the best part. I’ve watched young people speak up and shape their scouting experience for the better – and I couldn’t be more proud”.
Thank you for being so interested in volunteering.
Please contact us and we will proceed with the next step.
Outline:
As a member of the District Leadership Team, the District Youth Commissioner works in partnership with the District Commissioner and Chair of the District Executive Committee. The role is to ensure that young people from 6 – 25 years are involved and engaged in every decision that shapes their Scouting experience locally and to empower young people to share their ideas and have a meaningful voice in planning, implementing and reviewing their programme and opportunities.
Responsible to:
District Commissioner
Responsible for:
Deputy District Youth Commissioner(s) (if appointed), District Youth Forum (or similar) Lead,
Main Contacts:
Young people within their District, District Commissioner, District Youth Forum Lead, Deputy District Youth Commissioners, Deputy District Commissioners, County Youth Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioners, District Chairperson, members of the District Executive Committee and its sub-committees and other local District Youth Commissioners.
Appointment requirements:
18-25 years old at the time of appointment. Must complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of The Scout Association’s policies). During the five months of Provisional Appointment, the relevant Getting Started modules must be completed. A Wood Badge must be completed during the Appointment, and ongoing safeguarding and safety training must be completed.
Champion, encourage and lead the work to ensure that, by 2025, scouting in the District is shaped by young people in partnership with adults. This will be achieved by working in partnership and collaboration with the District Commissioner, District Chairperson and District Team.
Support youth-shaped scouting in the programme
Embed young people in local decision making
Develop young people in the District
Wider engagement with the work of the District
Note: Some of the tasks for which the District Youth Commissioner is responsible may be delegated to others, including a Deputy District Youth Commissioner if appointed.
Age
18 – 25 years old (Applicant may be aged from 17½ and will be appointed when 18)
Skills required
Ability to lead and motivate teams
Excellent communication skills
Able to work well in meetings
Presentation and facilitating skills
Able to work with young people and adults
Able to take on responsibility and meet deadlines
Knowledge required
An understanding of the structure and principles of The Scouts
Previous experience in scouting
