Simplifying Volunteering
We want flexible volunteering to be a reality. We also want volunteering to be a smooth journey when people join us (or when we sadly say farewell).
To do this, we’re using team descriptions. Unlike role descriptions, where one volunteer takes on specific responsibilities (this can be a barrier for some volunteers joining or staying in Scouts), this approach means we can share the load among the team. We’re also changing from a complex system of over 400 volunteer roles to around 15 to 20 roles. This’ll make it much easier to understand.
We’re making it clear that volunteers can get involved with just the tasks that work for their skills, interests and free time. Teams can decide how to split the tasks up, according to who’s in the team and what the local needs are.
Our new approach makes it easier for our current teams, as volunteers can give their time in a more sustainable way. It helps volunteers build knowledge, experience, and confidence. And it makes it easier for them to change their involvement when their circumstances change. As such, they stay volunteering for longer. And in the future, more volunteers will want to join Scouts and give their time as part of a flexible team.
Want a quicker summary? This next video gives you an overview of why we’re changing how we volunteer together, what the team-based approach is, and what this means for volunteers. You’ll be talked through the changes by Pete Jeffreys, who is one of the volunteers leading how we improve our volunteer experience nationally:
Action: Ahead of the changes, we ask that Scout Groups, Districts and Counties map their teams to the new structure. Have open conversations with those who’s roles will be changing within the team and highlighting where they will fit moving forward.
Our change of teams
Group Notes:
- Secretary Role: One of the changes which you will notice is the removal of the Secretary role from the structure. As a solution, we are suggesting that one of the Trustees who has been elected to the Board may accept the additional duty of putting together the minutes.
- Group Leadership Team: Led by the GSL and will oversee the operational duties of the Scout Group.
- Group Trustee Board: Where Section Leaders would currently sit on the Group Executive as Ex-Officio, this will no longer be the case as all Trustees will be elected and it is advised to keep the Leadership Team and Trustee Board as separate purposes.
District Notes:
- Secretary Role: One of the changes which you will notice is the removal of the Secretary role from the structure. As a solution, we are suggesting that one of the Trustees who has been elected to the Board may accept the additional duty of putting together the minutes.
- District Leadership Team: Led by the District Volunteer Lead and will oversee the operational duties of the District.
- Size of District: As mentioned to the District Commissioners, the size of the teams and the teams which we require will vary in the District.
- Explorers and Network: From District Explorer Scout Commissioner and District Network Scout Commissioner to one 14-24 Lead with a supporting team, this should streamline and allow the District to focus on the whole provision.
Executive to Trustee Boards
As part of the work to transform the volunteer experience, we are making changes to our Executive Committees and how they function.
These changes are informed by:
- The evolution of good practice guidance from charity regulators
- Our move to a teams-based approach
- A need for Trustees to focus on governance and not operational tasks
- Governance processes such as risk and financial management are often not carried out or well supported
These cultural and procedural changes to how Executive Committees currently operate will support our Skills for Life strategy, our ‘North Star’ and the overall aims of the volunteer experience transformation.
During 2023, Executive Committees will become Trustee Boards across all Groups, Districts and County. The purpose of a Trustee Board is:
“The Trustee Board is a team of volunteers who work together to make sure Scouts is run safely and legally.
Together, Trustees make sure the charity is well managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR). Their support helps other volunteers run a fantastic programme that gives young people skills for life (and experiences they’ll remember forever).“
Action: We ask that Scout Groups, Districts and Counties adopt Chapter 5 of POR at their next Annual General Meeting. This section of POR reflects the changes from Executive to Trustee Board and highlights the roles and purpose. More information can be found via here.
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