Roles supporting the weekly meetings.
In every section (Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts or Explorers) there are a mixture of section leaders (SL) and assistant section leaders (ASL) plus sectional assistants (SA) and occasional helpers.
These teams work together to plan & provide the programme and can divide up many of the tasks as wished and cover for absences. The leaders take overall responsibility for the planning and for coordination with parents. We need a minimum of one SL or ASL at every meeting, plus at least one other adult or more depending on numbers. In Squirrels we need at least 3 adults.
Every scouting activity needs to have someone who has completed mandatory training and appropriate first aid cover. The mandatory training depends on your role- and the initial modules can be completed quite quickly online (more details- see link to the right for BSO training) Apart from the initial modules you have 3 years to complete other training.
These roles assume a regular commitment, but we try to have a large enough team so that we can be flexible, as many of our leaders travel and cannot attend every week. We don’t often meet during school holiday periods. Outside the weekly meetings, there are a few group leaders’ meetings and sections run occasional residential experiences. Exactly how much time it takes, will depend on the section, the amount of extra meetings and what your exact role is. Your team should divide the various tasks to ensure no-one is over burdened. Many adult volunteers love scouting and want to stay with us, but we know that circumstances change and as volunteers you are free to step down or change your role at any point...
Because of our mobile population, we are always looking for additional people to help out in sections. Extra hands tend to make the work lighter. We have an appointment process to ensure that we only appoint appropriate people and that the role suits your skills and availability. If you are a parent you can volunteer in your child's section, or if you wish, in another section. When several team members move on at the same time, we may put out an appeal for that section.
There are a number of different roles you could take, please take a look at the role descriptions below.
You don't need to decide immediately... just like the young people you can visit the section for a 'Four Week Challenge' and see what goes on and how you would fit in.
Do feel free to contact us to ask questions.
nb The adult application form (see right) is the standard Scout association form, which we can't edit. In the UK info. about ethnicity and faith etc is required for grant applications.. but that isn't the case here, so please feel free to leave those intrusive questions as 'prefer not to say' or other.
If you prefer you can fill in a paper form instead.