VOLUNTEER INFORMATION THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION Today, The Scout Association has a membership in the UK approaching 600,000 individuals. Almost half a million young people participate in Scouting each week, supported by over 115,000 adult volunteers in numerous roles. We provide fun, friendship and life- changing adventure to young people from every background, giving them the chance to experience the outdoors, build their confidence, and to reach their full potential. As the UK’s largest co-educational youth movement, we help boys and girls to develop the skills and values they need to succeed in life. Scouting Counties work to support Districts, which in turn support Groups. The County Commissioner has over-arching responsibility for the County, supported by other volunteers. The includes the County Executive Committee (Trustees), led by the County Chair, who oversee District decisions. THE CURRENT VACANCY We’re currently looking for a County Secretary. This is a support role, and we need someone who can provide leadership, motivation and guidance to our other adult volunteers- particularly those responsible for our Governance, administration and finance. You don’t need any prior experience of Scouting to apply for this role: we’ll make sure you’re fully trained and supported. SCOUTING IN YOUR AREA This vacancy, for the role of County Secretary, is in: Scout County: Greater Manchester North Location: North West Greater Manchester North County covers 6 Scout Districts the towns of Bolton, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham. We are a vibrant growing Scout County, with over 4800 Young Members, supported by over 2000 Adult Volunteers. Our growth is a reflection of the exciting opportunities we offer, not only young people, but our adult volunteers too. We believe in equipping our Members with skills for life, through a programme of activities that is challenging, relevant and rewarding. Do you have the skills we need to help us continue to develop and provide more opportunities for our Young People and Adult Volunteers?
The management structure of Scouting is as follows: Group Leaders Support a Scout Group District Commissioners Support a collection of Groups, known as a District County Commissioners Support a collection of Scout Districts, known as a County GOOD SCOUTING MANAGERS The County Secretary supports other adults in Scouting in particular those with key responsibility for Governance and Administration. Adults at every level need support to ensure that they are motivated, inspired and focused on providing first class Scouting. A good supporter thanks other volunteers for their hard work and helps to make sure that they feel happy and supported, week after week. We believe that everyone in support roles within Scouting should adopt an approach that combines the skills of both leadership and management. CORE SKILL AREAS We’ve identified six core skill areas that make a good Scouting supporter: Provide Direction Working with people Achieving results Enabling change Using resources Managing time and personal skills At the Group, District and County level the Executive Committee, serving as the Trustees, support the Group Scout Leader, District Commissioner and County Commissioner respectively. Commissioners
1. Providing direction A good County Secretary will support the vision for Scouting in their County and provide clear leadership to implement that vision. 2. Working with people It is vital that a County Secretary can work in a team amongst the other volunteers they work with, and can form effective working relationships based on trust and the fundamental principles of Scouting: • integrity • respect • care • belief • cooperation 3. Achieving results Good County Secretaries ensure that goals are achieved, plans are seen through to completion, and that good relationships are maintained across the Scout County. 4. Enabling change It is important for a County Secretary to encourage volunteers to think of creative ways to improve Scouting. They should then provide the support to implement appropriate changes. 5. Using resources A good County Secretary will ensure that information and resources are available, helping volunteers across the County to continue to provide excellent Scouting opportunities to young people. 6. Managing time and personal skills A good County Secretary should use their time effectively and be willing to continue to learn and improve their skills. NEXT STEPS Thank you for your interest in volunteering. On pages 5 and 6, you’ll find a role description and person specification. There is further information about Scouting on pages 7 and 8, and the County Secretary nomination and application forms are on pages 9 and 10. You can apply for the role yourself using the application form or nominate someone else using the nomination form. Nominated people are under no commitment to apply unless they wish to. For more information, or for an informal chat about the vacancy, please contact: Name: Ian Silvester Role: County Commissioner Phone: 0794 0794 180 Email: cc@gmnscouts.org.uk