Aim & Method of the Scout Association and Policy, Organisation & Rules

Aim & Method

The aim of the Scout Association is to encourage the Physical, Mental and Spiritual development of young people so that they may take a constructive place in society.

The method of achieving the aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progress training, based on the Law and Promise, guided by Adult leadership.

Policy, Organisation & Rules

As the recognised national Association in the United Kingdom, the Scout Association is a member of the World Scout Conference.

Its own organisation exists by the authority of a Royal charter granted by King George V in 1912 and supplemented by future Charters. These Charters give authority to Bye-laws of the Association, which areapproved by Her Majesty’s Privy Council.

The Bye-laws, in turn, authorise the making of what have become known as “POLICY, ORGANISATION & RULES” – they established the pattern of the organisation, etc.

The Aim, Method, Promises and Laws are defined in Rules 1 & 2 of what is more usually called “P.O.R.” –further details available here.

https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/71

The Law & Promise

Beaver Scout Promise

I promise to do my best, to be kind and helpful and love God.

Cub Scout Promise

I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

Cub Scout Law

A Cub Scout always does his best, thinks of others before himself and does a good turn every day.

Scout and Explorer Scout Promise
On my honour I promise that I will do my best to do my

duty to God and the Queen, to help other people

to keep the Scout Law.

Scout and Explorer Scout Law
A Scout is to be trusted

A Scout Is loyal

A Scout Is friendly and considerate

A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts

A Scout has courage in all difficulties

A Scout makes good use of his time and is careful of possessions and property

A Scout has respect for himself and others

Rules of Membership
Uniforms
We are a uniformed organisation and uniform, as laid down by the Scout Association, is compulsory.

However, no child should be denied his Scouting for this reason. Grants and loans from the Group may be available and contact, in strictest confidence, should be made with the Group Scout Leader. For outdoor activities, members will be required to wear more suitable clothing. Section Leaders will always advise what is expected.

Discipline
The Group reserves the right to expel any member guilty of repeated disobedience, bad behaviour or disruption. This is a serious and rare offence and will only be done by the Group Scout Leader after investigation and discussion with the Offender’s parents.

Photos
From time to time pictures will be taken of your child. If you do not wish pictures of your child to be taken please inform your section leader.

Annual Membership Fee
There is an annual Membership Fee which is payable to National Headquarters and is collected by way of the quarterly subscription. The amount of the fee will vary and is specified annually.

Quarterly Subscription.
This is apportioned to Section, Annual Membership fee and Group funds. Apportionment will vary from time to time.

Subscriptions must be paid, WHETHER OR NOT YOUR CHILD ATTENDS A MEETING. It must be appreciated that expenses are incurred whether or not your child is present. Changes of amount will be notified in advance.

Gift Aid
The group operate the Government Gift Aid Scheme; this allows us to claim 25p back from all subscriptions from the Government for all income tax prayers. Please make sure that you have filled in the necessarily Gift Aid Declaration from when your child joins that Group.

Useful Information
Outdoor Activities
Subject to age and Section, the range of activities in which members are encouraged to take part include camping, canoeing, sailing, swimming, climbing, abseiling, hiking, pioneering, archery etc.

Whilst members may not wish to take part in all of the activities, they must appreciate that it is most difficult to organise and most unfair on members generally, if good attendance cannot be relied on. Members are encouraged to at least “have a go” unless they have good reason for not taking part.

Safety
Preventative measures are the best way to deal with the problems of accidents. This is particularly true of water activities. No child is allowed on water activities unless he can swim 50 yds.

No special activity is permitted without the attendance of a person who is qualified within the Scout Association rules.

Parents should realise that members will have to have received preliminary instruction before joining in some activities.

Useful Personal Kit
It helps if members can slowly build up their own set of “Scouting” belongings e.g. Lightweight sleeping bag, compass, rucksack, Scout Handbook, eating/cooking utensils, etc.

They all make practical birthday/Xmas presents-Leaders will be pleased to advise on the most suitable types.