Theirishscouter would never assume to tell other Scouters how to do their work.
Every group is different. Every Scouter is different.
However as a former scout leader who has had the immense privilage of having been involved in two hugely successful scout troops in recent years, one rescued from failure, the other founded from scratch, some lessons and learning have been picked up along that journey that might interest some (and might seem very familiar indeed to others). This is just part of what is in all likelihood a lifelong learning experience….
The role of youth members on the National Management Committee
The youthful team who appear to have been central to the recent success of the bid for Ireland to host the World Rover Moot in 2021 were a breath of fresh air in what can often look like a somewhat jaded leadership line up in Scouting Ireland with many faces that seem to have been hogging National Roles for decades.
Conspicuous among the youthful team were some occupants of National youth positions, including the ‘yoof’ section of the National Management Committee (those members aged 26 and under at time of election).
There are many pleasant duties allocated to the scouters in a given programme section. It could be reasonably argued that merely being in the presence of an enthusiastic group of young people and watching them learn and grow together is a pleasant responsibility in itself.
With the characteristically deflective wording worthy of a Communist party press release, the coterie of pen pushers who delight in the generation of red tape at Scouting Ireland announced in a letter on October 16th to members that ‘it has been decided’ to introduce a Scouting Ireland membership card’. A bizarrely worded justification appeared a few days later on the website scouts.ie.
The seemingly ever-increasing administrative burden imposed by Scouting Ireland on volunteers in local Scout Groups will now be joined by an added financial burden. Increases in registration fees for adults are due (a €5 increase per member), alongside a new raffle levy (10% of earnings). Both initiatives are expected imminently.
Scouting Ireland will replace over half of its National Management Committee at its National Council meeting in early 2015. Theirishscouter, as part of an occasional series in the coming months, seeks to explore the various roles up for election, question their purpose and ask about the attributes needed in candidates seeking success.
ORDINARY MEMBERS
On Scouting Ireland’s National Management Committee, which is also the Board of Scouting Ireland Limited, it could be argued that all twenty of the directors are non-executive, since all twenty are volunteers.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about transparency and governance in the youth organisations which are having a big impact on Irish society, particularly those which are focusing on the needs of young adults. If you have a similar interest (!), it is worth looking at this page on the SpunOut website.
The 2021 World Scout Moot will be in Ireland, hosted by Scouting Ireland. The association won the bid at the recent World Scout Conference in Slovenia.
It will be the first time that a World Scouting Event has ever taken place in our country. We have had many International Events, but this will be different and it has the potential to be very special.
theirishscouter 